Ulster say no to date switch

The GAA expect that attendances at Sunday's provincial football semi-finals will suffer because of Ireland's second-round game in the World Cup. Although there are no direct clashes with the meeting of Ireland and Spain (12.30 p.m. Irish time), there were attempts earlier this week to get the Ulster championship semi-final between Donegal and Derry in Clones changed to Saturday.

With the throw-in due at 2.40 p.m. on Sunday, that game is likely to cause most conflict - especially if Ireland's World Cup match goes to extra-time or penalties. As a result the Ulster Council was requested by RTÉ to change the game to 6.15 p.m. on Saturday, with the game still live on TV and replacing the planned coverage of an All-Ireland hurling qualifier.

According to Danny Murphy, Ulster Council secretary, the request to change was considered but it was felt there was insufficient time to make alternative arrangements. "We felt it was impractical to make the switch at such short notice," he said, "and to rearrange the distribution of tickets. But we feel it will be still possible for people to see the (soccer) game on TV in the Clones area before coming to the game."

The Leinster Council has already rescheduled the Kildare and Offaly football semi-final in Nowlan Park to a 4.45 p.m. start. "We made a decision last week that if Ireland qualified for the second round then the game in Kilkenny would be put back," said Leinster secretary Michael Delaney. "We do still expect that the attendance will take a hit, but we'll just have to live with that."

The Leinster Council were expecting a crowd of about 18,000 but they are now expecting a figure closer to 10,000 - and especially if Ireland win. As things stand, though, there are over two hours between the scheduled conclusion of the World Cup match and the start of the game in Kilkenny.

Offaly football manager Padraig Nolan admitted the timing of the two games wasn't ideal. "It is an unfortunate clash," he said. "But we won't be changing our arrangements for Sunday. We know the time we have to play now and so we're just going to get ready for our own match in the normal way."

The Munster semi-final between Kerry and Cork starts at 4.30 p.m., the second live RTÉ game after the Ulster semi-final, but here the huge attraction of the pairing means it's less likely to see attendances hit by the World Cup.

"This is our own World Cup," said Munster secretary Donie Nealon. "The game is nearly a sell-out with pre-ticket sales and we expect a very limited amount of tickets to be available on the day. We are expecting between 35,000 and 40,000 and the World Cup shouldn't be a factor in that."

More likely to be hit is the other Munster semi-final, the replay between Tipperary and Clare at Limerick at 4 p.m. "That game was likely to have a limited attendance anyway," said Nealon. "But we also wanted to stagger the starting times a little bit for media purposes."

In the meantime, RTÉ are still uncertain about their plans for Saturday's live coverage of an All-Ireland hurling qualifier. They were expected to broadcast the game between Dublin and Clare from Parnell Park at 6.15 p.m. A decision will be made today.

Cavan manager Matt Kerrigan says he is disappointed a request from the county for a postponement of their qualifier replay with Limerick has been turned down. "We weren't confident of getting it," he said, "but we were a bit disappointed seeing as Cork were allowed postpone their hurling qualifier this weekend."

Cavan based the request on the wave of injuries in the camp. In the drawn match Michael Brides broke his leg and Dermot McCabe damaged his shoulder. Jason Reilly and Larry Reilly are injured and a number of panel members are also struggling.

Cork were granted a postponement because their footballers are playing Kerry on Sunday, with the consequent burden on dual player Diarmuid O'Sullivan.

Opponents Limerick were coincidentally drawn against Cork in the hurling qualifier and would presumably have been granted a postponement anyway regardless of Cork's position.