Dismay at venue quibble by Cork

Gaelic Games SHC Qualifiers: Dublin and Offaly have reacted with surprise and dismay to Cork's request for the refixing of the All-Ireland hurling qualifiers.

The GAA's Competitions Control Committee (CCC) confirmed yesterday a letter had been received from the Cork county board questioning the home-away basis of the draw, and that they may yet have to opt for neutral venues.

As expected, the draw announced last Monday was made with home and away venues, with Dublin, Cork, Offaly and Limerick or Tipperary in one group, and Clare, Galway, Laois and Antrim in the other - with round one set for Saturday week.

Cork were drawn away to Dublin in round one, at home to Offaly in round two, and away again to either Tipperary or Limerick in round three.

Neither Tommy Naughton, the Dublin manager, nor John McIntyre, the Offaly manager, could find any sense in the request for neutral venues. Offaly are themselves away for two of their three games in what has been inevitably described as the group of death given only two teams can emerge into the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

"Well if Cork think the gods are against them they should try to see things from an Offaly perspective," said McIntyre. "I've been involved with nine qualifying matches during my term as Offaly manager, and only two of those have been at home.

"The year Tullamore was being revamped we weren't allowed host our games in Birr and ended up playing in Portlaoise and Carlow. And then last year we were also away for two games, against Dublin in Parnell Park and Clare in Ennis.

"We assumed that meant we would get two home games this year, and instead we get no break at all. I certainly don't have any difficulty with home and away venues, but I do think that in the interest of fair play then a team that's away for two games one year should at least be at home for two the next."

Dublin have two home games this year - playing Cork and either Limerick or Tipperary at Parnell Park.

"That's the first I've heard of it," said Naughton when told of Cork's request for neutral venues. "It's hard to know what to make of it, and whether or not Cork are just trying to make it difficult. I'm not exactly sure how the draw was made, but our understanding all along was that it would be . . . home and away.

"But it would be a pity if we lose the home venue. It's a great opportunity for the Dublin public to see a team like Cork playing in Parnell Park, one of the top teams in the country, and it would be the same with Limerick or Tipperary.

"In fairness I don't see how neutral venues would be a help to any team. We are talking about qualifiers here, something like a round -robin. It's not quite like a championship match, and even from a crowd point of view it doesn't make any sense to take it to a neutral venue. Like where would you play Dublin against Cork?"

Cork are arguing for neutral venues on the basis that home and away venues were not specified in the relevant motion submitted to Congress.

"I would be happy that the home and away draw was the correct format us to take," said CCC chairman Jimmy Dunne. "Some people may have different opinions on that. We did get a letter from Cork, questioning the home and away venues. It was read out at our meeting on Tuesday night but we didn't get the chance to go into it in detail . . . But it will be dealt with next Monday morning. It will have to be."

Dunne added the matter would probably be raised at this Saturday's Central Council meeting, which GAA president Nickey Brennan called this week to address issues of discipline: "A lot of delegates will be there and I'm sure they will have something to say about refixing for neutral venues. My own feeling is that I wouldn't see that happening. But it still has to be discussed by the committee."

The hurling qualifiers have been home-and-away since 2003, initially to help weaker counties. This year the groups were predetermined and the draw preordained on the basis of provincial championship results.

"I can't see neutral venues working unless they go for double-headers," added McIntyre. "But the precedent is there for home and away venues. All we want is a fighting chance, and if Cork feel some injustice here then what about Offaly?

"Overall I can't see the logic of the GAA's thinking. They've essentially put all the teams together as if they're at the same level, which they're not. It seems to me there is very little thought put into this. Even the way the games are scheduled.

"They could have been more pragmatic about it.

"We'd have other concerns, like the fixing of our first game for 3pm next Saturday week. I think Saturday afternoon games are a dead duck, and that evening games are far better for the supporters.

"Whatever about the venue, we're fighting for our lives in Offaly, and need everything we can to reduce that burden."

Hurling Qualifiers - as they stand

June 30th

Group One A: Antrim v Clare, Casement Park; Laois v Galway, Portlaoise.

Group One B: Dublin v Cork, Parnell Park; Limerick or Tipperary v Offaly, Limerick or Thurles.

July 7th

Group One A: Antrim v Laois, Casement Park; Clare v Galway, Cusack Park.

Group One B: Dublin v Limerick or Tipperary, Parnell Park; Cork v Offaly, Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

July 14th

Group One A: Galway v Antrim, Pearse Stadium; Laois v Clare, Portlaoise.

Group One B: Offaly v Dublin, Tullamore. Limerick or Tipperary v Cork, Limerick or Tipperary.