Scheduling drives another nail into Railway Cup coffin

IN WHAT seems like another nail in the coffin of the GAA’s Interprovincial series, Sunday’s football final has been fixed for the Athletic Grounds in Armagh – forcing Munster to travel over half the length of the country for their showdown with Ulster.

Given the paltry support that travelled to Parnell Park in Dublin to witness last Sunday’s semi-final win over Leinster it seems inevitable Munster will be playing before a completely partisan crowd, no matter how little or large that is.

Croke Park were quick to point out yesterday that the finals of the Interprovincial series are played on a home-and-away basis, and Munster hosted Ulster when they last met in the football final, at least on Irish soil. Ulster and Munster also met in the 2009 final, but that game was played in London.

Sunday’s final will have a 2pm start, and whatever about the long journey, Munster football manager Ger O’Sullivan has once again criticised the inconsistency of certain GAA officials when it comes to promoting the series – with obvious reference to GAA president Christy Cooney’s comments on Monday that the series has “seen its day” because “the fans aren’t coming to it.”

O’Sullivan has always been a staunch supporter of the series, and also managed Munster to their last title, in 2008. He said: “I am disappointed that you have on one side people trying to promote the competition, encouraging debate and planning in relation to it and you have people on the other side constantly knocking it. But I’ll keep my powder dry on it for now because after the negativity of last week, I’d rather prepare the team for next Sunday.”

Also announced yesterday were the throw-in times for the All-Ireland club finals in Croke Park on St Patrick’s Day, with Coolderry against Loughgiel Shamrocks opening up in the hurling final at 2pm, followed by Crossmaglen Rangers against Garrycastle in the football final at 3.45pm.

Weekend Fixtures

Friday

Sigerson Cup Semi-finals: UUC v NUI Maynooth, NUIG Dangan, 1.30pm; UUJ v DCU, NUIG Dangan, 3.30pm.

Saturday

Hurling League – Division One A: Cork v Waterford, Páirc Uí Rinn, 7pm. Division One B: Limerick v Clare, Gaelic Grounds, 7pm.

Sigerson Cup Final: Pearse Stadium, 3pm.

Sunday

Allianz Hurling League (2.30pm unless stated) – Division One A: Kilkenny v Tipperary, Nowlan Park; Galway v Dublin, Pearse Stadium. Division One B: Offaly v Laois, Tullamore; Antrim v Wexford, Casement Park. Division Two A: Carlow v Down, Dr Cullen Park, 2pm; Westmeath v Kerry, Cusack Park; Wicklow v Derry, Aughrim. Division Two B: Meath v Kildare, Páirc Tailteann; Roscommon v Armagh, Athleague; London v Armagh, Ruislip. Division Three A: Tyrone v Sligo, Healy Park; Monaghan v Donegal, Clones; Louth v Fingal, Darver.

Interprovincial Football Final: Ulster v Munster, Morgan Athletic Grounds, 2pm.

Camogie League – Division One: Dublin v Tipperary, Dublin venue TBA; Cork v Kilkenny, Killeagh, 1pm; Wexford v Offaly, Bellefield-Enniscorthy, 2pm.