Tyrone annoyed at Rackard Cup venue

The Tyrone hurlers are annoyed at the venue for their Nicky Rackard Cup semi-final with Roscommon, following the CCCC's decision to fix the last-four tie for Athleague this Saturday.

Tyrone came through the 'front door' route, winning all of their games to date, while Roscommon bounced back from a defeat to Donegal with a win over Louth last Saturday to ensure their place in the semi-finals.

Tyrone selector Ryan Winters is displeased with the choice of venue for the fixture, with all of the other 'front door' winners in the Christy Ring and Rackard Cups handed home ties this weekend.

"We don't think it's fair that we have won all of our games so far and that we don't have the benefit of a home venue on Saturday," Winters said.

"Roscommon had to go the back door route to qualify to play us. I'm not giving out about Roscommon, but I am disappointed with Croke Park authorities as we are being discriminated against.

"All of the other teams who have won all of their games in both the Christy Ring and Nicky Rackard Cups have been awarded with home semi-finals, and rightly so.

"This was also the case last year and we can't believe that this decision has been made.

"I'm baffled as to why Tyrone have to now, according to Croke Park, travel a 200-mile round trip to Athleague for the game."

And Winters vowed that Tyrone will leave no stone unturned, until they find out why home advantage has been taken from their grasp.

"We will fight for answers from Croke Park. This is a very important game for Tyrone," he added.

"We won the Lory Meagher Cup after a tough extra-time battle with Fermanagh last year and we would love to get back to a major final in GAA headquarters.

"We are trying to promote hurling among a small pocket of clubs, and the efforts of our players, management, clubs and the Tyrone hurling public deserve this game in Tyrone.

"It is one of the biggest games in the history of the small ball in Tyrone, and home advantage would be a major boost to us.

"Croke Park do little to promote the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cup competitions and it is another smack in the face and an indication of the 'laissez faire' attitude of headquarters towards the promotion of hurling in the lower tier counties, if this decision is not overturned and the game played within the confines of Tyrone."