INTERPROVINCIAL HURLING FINAL:AS GAA president-elect, Christy Cooney found himself in no man's land these past 12 months, patiently waiting to take up the reigns from Nickey Brennan without creating headlines. This ensured that, yesterday, queries relating to the hurling crisis in his native Cork and the long-term future of the nomadic former Railway Cup competition were firmly kicked to touch.
Taking centre stage for the first time, in the absence of Brennan, at a media briefing in the extravagant surrounds of the “7-Star” Emirates Palace ($3 billion and counting) in Abu Dhabi ahead of today’s interprovincial hurling championship final between Leinster and Connacht, Cooney adopted a holding stance on the issue that has dominated GAA news over the winter.
“I have been away since last Monday. Naturally I hear about what is going on. I heard about the decision the Cork County Board made last night in appointing an interim manager, their under-21 manager as I understand it.
“The matter is with Cork now. They can make their own decision and we fully respect that. I believe they are having a county board meeting next Monday night to decide how they are going to go about it.
“I wish Cork the best of luck in sorting their problems. It is nice it was sorted, it is time it was moved on and the players got back playing, and the relationship between the county board and the players will get strong and there will be mutual respect for each other.”
He also expressed sympathy for former manager Gerald McCarthy, and was adamant his place in the pantheon of hurling’s elite is not sullied by recent events.
On the sustainability of the interprovincials, Cooney added: “As long as the players want it and we have the support for it, we at national level will continue to give it the support. It’s really down to the players. They like to play in it. They treasure it, being involved with their peers from various counties.
“I’ve no doubt there is a certain attractiveness to go overseas to play, whether it be Abu Dhabi or the States or Britain. I’m sure the players will agree it is a great occasion for them, a bit of a break in early season as well.
“There is definitely a possibility that this could happen again in the future. That’s not to say we won’t play it in Ireland again, but it has real opportunities and possibilities to play it away from home. Why not?”
THE DEATH-KNELL for a competition so rich in tradition and ultra-popular among players (be it at home or exotic trips to Rome, Paris, Boston and now Abu Dhabi) seemed to be sounded by GAA president Nickey Brennan last October. That is until Etihad Airways revealed just how serious they were about sponsoring Gaelic games.
There are palatial surroundings – and then there is Abu Dhabi. There were plenty of wide-eyed, pasty-faced Irish men and women strolling under the Emirates Palace dome yesterday for a gathering of the media, players, management and officials who have travelled to the United Arab Emirates for a game of hurling.
For certain, the players (and media) will hardly turn down the opportunity to glimpse into a world created by oil billionaires.
Joe Connolly, he of the famous 1980 All-Ireland winning speech, was holding court yesterday and he succinctly summed up the general feel-good factor.
“This is a great trip. Great to see the lads we’ll be joining in Leinster this year (a wry comment that gained a few smiles). If the final from now on is in Abu Dhabi I’d say there will be great training for the semi-finals.”
Cue general laughter.
“Honestly, it is going to be a tremendous competition. A day in the sun.”
Literally. Temperatures peaked at 320C yesterday, but it is expected to go up this afternoon.
For the competition to survive Etihad and innovative men like Martin Donnelly must continue to drive it forward. The GAA can play their part by finding it a permanent spot in the calendar.
CONNACHT (Galway unless stated):C Callanan; M Ryan, D McClearn, C O'Donovan; A Coen (capt), B Costello, G Mahon; A Cullinane, K Raymond (Sligo); P Killilea, M Kerins, K Hooban; N Healy, R Murray, A Callanan.
LEINSTER:PJ Ryan (Kilkenny); D Franks (Offaly), D Kenny (Offaly), J Tyrrell (Kilkenny); T Walsh (Kilkenny), JJ Delaney (Kilkenny, capt), M Jacob (Wexford); R Hanniffy (Offaly), E Quigley (Wexford); M Rice (Kilkenny), H Shefflin (Kilkenny), D Lyng (Kilkenny); D O'Callaghan (Dublin), J Bergin (Offaly), E Brennan (Kilkenny).
Referee:M Wadding (Waterford).
