Eamon O'Shea is opposed to plans to play All-Ireland hurling final replays just six days after the drawn game.

The last three Liam MacCarthy Cup deciders have gone to replays, with O'Shea's Tipp team losing to Kilkenny last September after a three-week break between the drawn and replayed encounters.

"Six days is hard," O'Shea said after watching his side's one-point defeat to Clare in yesterday's Waterford Crystal Cup quarter-final at Sixmilebridge.

"I know we lost the replay after three weeks, but six days I imagine would be very hard. Emotionally, it is very tiring to play a game like that.

"Two weeks would probably be about right. I would be in favour of (completing the club season in the calendar year). I think if we could wrap up everything, it would be good. It is very hard for teams to train over winter. I think we could be playing the county championships a lot smarter, everywhere."

Expressing satisfaction with the application and commitment of his players, O'Shea added: "They're really enthusiastic and I suppose everyone is really buzzing. It's about the first round of the league (against Dublin).

"We're just trying to improve fitness levels and we're probably a bit behind collectively."

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