DESPITE OBJECTIONS from the Derry County Board, it is becoming increasingly likely the Division One National league final between All-Ireland champions Kerry and Derry will be played under floodlights on Saturday, April 26th.
This is to avoid a clash with Munster rugby's Heineken European Cup semi-final against English club Saracens in Coventry on the Sunday (kick-off 3.30pm).
Derry chairman Séamus McCloy conceded yesterday he "understood" the fixtures committee are keen to avoid a clash similar to previous big rugby days when GAA attendances have been severely affected. However, McCloy remained adamant for a preference for Sunday and ideally in Croke Park.
"We wouldn't be pleased with this fixture being changed from the 27th. It is not a carnival we are running. That date has been set in the fixture list for some time. It is the biggest game of the year thus far and changing it affects sponsors, in particular, who would have events planned around the fixture for months in advance.
"Suffice to say we are not happy with a change to Saturday under lights or the match not being played in Croke Park."
GAA President Nickey Brennan adopted an alternative stance yesterday when extolling the positives of a night game, be it for any of the four football divisional finals set for that weekend.
"I think a Saturday game under floodlights gives it as big an occasion as there is likely to be," he begun.
"It's purely for practicable reasons, if it works we have four finals over the weekend. It makes sense from a promotional point of view to run something on Saturday night. It spreads the whole coverage and gives people the opportunity to come to two sets of games."
Croke Park as a final venue was ruled out back in November, in order to allow Robert Ellis's ground staff sufficient time to ensure the best possible surface come the championship. The pitch comes under increased scrutiny considering its multi-use to facilitate soccer and rugby internationals as well as concerts.
The pitch looked in good condition yesterday with large lamps fixed on the grass to assist growth.
"You've seen it out there today," continued Brennan.
"It's still a work in progress but the plan was it wouldn't be ready anyway so we are completely guided at all stages by the experts on the pitch. We have taken their advice up to now and I think it's fair to say they haven't been too wrong."
A final decision on fixtures and venues will be made at next week's meeting of the central competitions control committee.
Brennan, speaking at the VHI Cúl Camps initiative in Croke Park, was joined yesterday by newly-elected Uachtarán Tofa Christy Cooney who, as seems to be the unspoken tradition, is not expected to provide any opinion on policy issues until the current presidency runs its course in April 2009.
Learning the ropes - Brennan was a regular and subdued presence alongside Seán Kelly in his final year as president - or just a simple way of ensuring a seamless transition.
On the issue of official confirmation of the International Rules series in Australia next October, Brennan stated an announcement was imminent. A tentative plan is in place for an annual series, which returns to Ireland in 2009.
"That's as far as we've got at this stage," said Brennan. "The Australians are still trying to finalise venues but it is still on target for the end of October. We really need to get it wrapped up this week so we can start planning the logistics and so we can organise the next All Star tour."
The All Stars have yet to find a new sponsor, to replace Vodafone, but San Francisco has been ear-marked as a potential destination later this year.
