Nicky English: We’ve now reached a situation where only the All-Ireland semi-finals and final are being played at the height of summer – the prime time for hurling
We’ve now reached a situation where only the All-Ireland semi-finals and final are being played at the height of summer – the optimum time for hurling
I am glad though that in future there is likely to be a replay of drawn All-Ireland finals rather than extra time. I’ve made the point previously that there is a lot of hurling being played in bad weather. Who knows what the weather patterns are going to be but we are pushing back into the year, leaving only the All-Ireland semi-finals and final being played at the height of summer.
Clare captain Tony Kelly and manager Brian Lohan lift the Liam McCarthy cup at Wolfe Tones club in Shannon. Photograph: Tom Maher/Inpho Their opponents Cork are the best supported team in the country but you’re asking them to play in Thurles at 1.15pm on a Saturday in an All-Ireland quarter-final. That makes no sense whatsoever and is in effect downgrading the game and the championship.
Cork’s Patrick Horgan dejected after the All-Ireland final loss to Clare after extra time. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho Even switching focus for a moment to the football final, Galway’s three marquee forwards, Shane Walsh, Damien Comer and Rob Finnerty had injury concerns going into the final. Finnerty had to go off early and neither of the others played anywhere near form. That was operating off the same timetable.
The motion proposes making no changes to the football championship for 2025, which rules out any more extensive calendar footprint.It provides for the abolition of the All-Ireland round-robin stage, which has attracted criticism for its lack of jeopardy – the 12 group matches eliminated only four of 16 teams.
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