I see the date for the finals have been set. A great day out, on a Saturday, in a virtually empty Croke Park. Absolutel stupidity. Why did the GAA ever feel the need to deviate from the original set up of having the finals on before the semi's of the McCarthy, played in front of decent crowds later in the summer? These lads deserve better than to have their inter county season over at the start of June, not to mention the lads who have been out of the running in early May.

Sean Kelly was an absolutely visionary for these competitions, giving the players something meaningful to play for, in Croker, after a good summer of hurling behind them.

GAA.....get you act toghether

irishstew (Sligo) - Posts: 172 - 29/05/2014 09:23:26    1595001

Hear, hear! Even put them on before a provincial final or All-Ireland quarter-final...

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 29/05/2014 11:33:57    1595095

Well said, its like they just want get them over and done with to make way for the big boys.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 29/05/2014 11:44:56    1595108

well said , no respect shown what so ever for the lower tier hurling competitions,
the winners of the christy ring now will play three championship games in the following three weeks semis this week the final the following week and the reglation/promotion playoff against westmeath i think on the following weekend ..(not taking into cnsideration the games they have played up to this which could make it 5/6 depending on which county)

HurlerOnTheFenc (Mayo) - Posts: 282 - 29/05/2014 11:58:52    1595119

There is another reason for getting these competitions finished at this stage. It's very hard for hurling clubs to do anything while they're working around county hurling AND club football in football-dominated counties.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 29/05/2014 12:39:38    1595144

I know the GAA like to put every final in Croke park, but wouldn't it make sense to have these games in provincial grounds, before a big championship game. This goes on in the football championship aswell, next weekend Kildare and Louth will be playing in an empty looking Croke park, instead of putting the game, in Navan, Portlaoise etc, were the ground would look packed, and would add to the atmosphere.

PK57 (Louth) - Posts: 1653 - 29/05/2014 13:34:21    1595189

In fairness, for most lads hurling with the like of Longford & Louth they LOVE getting the opportunity to play in Croke Park.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 29/05/2014 15:04:05    1595224

keeper7
County: Longford
Posts: 2022

1595224
In fairness, for most lads hurling with the like of Longford & Louth they LOVE getting the opportunity to play in Croke Park.

I've never had the privilege, these lads will never forget it whether or not it's in an empty stadium.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 29/05/2014 16:42:54    1595311

People from the respective counties could actually go and support their counties on the day! Sure look all these counties have the opportunity to run their hurling championships over the best summer months. If they have their houses in order and work with a number of development squads in the autumn, they could raise their level.
Most local radio and local print media give their hurlers decent coverage.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7844 - 29/05/2014 20:47:55    1595445