Seamas McAleenan

 

The All-Ireland club finals on Sunday are in far-off Clough-Jordan in Tipperary – a considerable journey for defending champions Down’s Liatroim Fontenoys, while opponents Newmarket-on-Fergus from Clare are less than 40 miles away!

 

This is the pairing for the Junior final (12.45pm), while the Senior decider between St. Lachtain’s of Kilkenny and Davitt’s of Galway will begin at 2.30pm.

 

Liatroim coach Paul McStravick is angry that the club has to travel so far.

 

“Last year we were made travel to Kilnamona in Clare for the semi-final and then Parnell Park for the final.”

 

“This year we had an overnight stay before taking on Drumcullen down in Offaly in the semi-final.  I just think it is a bit much asking us – team and supporters – to travel that distance on Sunday.”

 

“In any case I think that a venue away down the country is not doing much to promote the game at all. 

 

Last year it was in Parnell Park and there was plenty of media interest and coverage.”

 

“I understand that Parnell was not available this time around – but surely another Dublin venue was.”

 

The venue was only communicated to Liatroim officials late yesterday evening (Monday) and again

McStravick is annoyed that nothing could have been done earlier.

 

“There was the Senior semi-final replay on Saturday – but this could still have been sorted last week. 

 At this stage it is going to take a lot of work to organise transport, accommodation and everything else. 

 

The other three clubs can travel on the morning.  We can’t.”

 

“I certainly feel that we are not getting a fair crack of the whip.”

 

On a more positive note, the St. Paul’s Belfast clubman reports that his players were going well in training over the weekend.

“We will miss Nuala Magee (holiday) and Claire McGovern (honeymoon) from the semi-final win – but everyone is pushing hard to make the starting line-up and I feel we can retain our title.”