Unique setting of Rome may not save Railway Cup

News: Players have always been attracted by the honour of the Railway Cup, even if the public interest waned a long, long time ago. This Saturday sees a first attempt by the GAA to re-invigorate a competition, which is in desperate need of an image make-over.

On Saturday, the hurling inter-provincial final takes place at the Giulio Onesti stadium in Rome, between Leinster and Connacht.

In recent years, the attendances, at home, had become the equivalent of the proverbial one man and his dog. The club championship has ensured it is over-shadowed as Gaelic games wind down for the winter.

Former Wexford manager, and current member of the Hurling Development Committee (HDC), Liam Griffin, believes it has never recovered from the changes made to its format.

"I think there is a lesson in this for us all. The problem started when the dates were changed from St Patrick's Day, because of the club championship.

"The Railway Cup was once a very proud competition but now it has to go to Rome to gain recognition. I wonder how many supporters will go - the answer is zero.

"One thing we have done in the HDC is to recognise that you don't mess with a successful, working, system. That's why we have not advocated an open draw for the championship. We would loathe changing the Munster championship, as we may never rediscover what we would lose."

Offaly manager Mike McNamara believes the only place that is still enthusiastic for hurling, at this time of year, is where the Liam McCarthy Cup resides.

"Why not play it in the home of the All-Ireland champions?" he asked. "The area would still be buzzing, despite having to watch winter hurling.

"I've been involved in Railway matches in atrocious conditions," he continued, "so going to Rome is a novel idea and good for the players. Offaly players have been talking about it for a long time, while those who missed out on it were genuinely disappointed."

Yet, with an investment of €80,000 - even Croke Park's groundsman Robert Ellis is being flown over - there is an extra onus on the project to succeed.

As Wexford manager John Conran conveyed, the players do deserve such an investment, but the tournament's decline has not been addressed.

"Heretofore, there is very little reward for players. It's disgraceful to see that the attendances are almost non-existent, due to the lack of marketing. It wasn't even marketed properly this year."

Meanwhile, the annual Gaelic Players Association awards take place this Friday in the Burlington Hotel in Dublin, with the football and hurling players of the year both going home with a SEAT Leon car.

There are four players nominated in each, with - unsurprisingly - a substantial Ulster flavour to the football as Peter Canavan, Stephen McDonnell, Philip Jordan and Seán Cavanagh all short-listed. In the hurling, Kilkenny's JJ Delaney, Noel Hickey and Eddie Brennan are joined by Setanta Ó hAilpín. There are further awards for the GPA representative of the year and most improved county team.

Wexford has failed in their attempts to entice former Laois manager Michael Brennan as their new football boss. The current Kilkenny hurling under-21 selector, has turned down the role due to business commitments.

Former Laois football star Andy Shortall is the new manager of the Tipperary senior football team. The former school principal takes over from Corkman Tom McGlinchey who stood down after three years at the helm.

Shortall represented Laois at underage hurling and football and played senior football with Laois in the 1970s. He was assistant of the Laois senior team when Offaly's Ritchie O'Connor was in charge.