Munster secretary Simon Moroney has opened a debate on whether the province can afford to move lucrative championship finals around to venues, as opposed to maximising revenue at the bigger grounds, such as Thurles and Limerick, writes Seán Moran, GAA Correspondent

"I recognise that this is a sensitive issue for venues and counties," he says in his annual report to this weekend's provincial convention. "However, as council Rúnaí, I also believe that the council must seriously address whether it can continue to forego income by continuing to stage provincial hurling finals at venues with capacities less than the estimated number of patrons interested in attending these attractive fixtures.

"This foregone income could be employed to increase council support for necessary county/club ground developments and coaching and games development projects, at the council's discretion. A portion of the additional income generated could also be distributed as a subvention to grounds unable to host finals because of limited capacity.

"It is possible to develop a model capable of equitably distributing the increased field-rent purse between all counties not considered for hosting finals as a result of such a development."

He added that in terms of total gate receipts the Munster hurling championship provides nearly two thirds, 64 per cent, with the football bringing in only 25 per cent.

In his report, Moroney also addressed the issue of pay-for-play, opposing the prospect on practical grounds and criticising the vagueness of those advocating any move away from amateurism.

"Few commentators that I have heard or read have specified in their analysis a coherent plan to fund any change to professionalism or semi-professionalism.

"From my analysis of the financial landscape from the council perspective there is little scope to fund additional expenditure associated with a move to professionalism or semi-professionalism."

However, he goes on to call for the GAA to tackle the question and create a united front. "I believe that this issue must be addressed comprehensively within the association structures as a priority. There must be engagement between all parties so that a consensus can be achieved."

He is also critical of the inter-provincial competitions, saying that players who wish to play are prevented by other commitments because of the timing of the fixtures.

"There does not appear to be any appropriate time slot, nor is there public interest, if we are honest with ourselves, for this competition. I believe that we cannot ignore these matters and must have a serious reassessment of the series."

Meanwhile, the Tyrone team that started last weekend's Dr McKenna Cup final will line out against Cork in Sunday's NFL match at Omagh.

All Star defender Ryan McMenamin has been named at right half forward, but is likely to drop back to allow Gavin Devlin to employ the sweeper role, which proved so effective against Monaghan.

Galway manager Peter Ford will welcome back captain Pádraic Joyce, who missed the FBD final against Mayo as he was away on vacation, along with players such as Micheál Meehan, Alan Burke and Niall Coyne, who could not play in the final as they played for their colleges in earlier rounds.

Séamus McCarthy has made two changes to the Tipperary senior football team's trip to Cavan on Sunday. Brian Lacey and Brian Coen come in to the right flank of the attack in place of Aidan Fitzgerald and Damien O'Brien.

TYRONE (SF v Cork): P McConnell; D Carlin, C Gormley, E Bradley; D Harte, G Devlin, P Jordan; B Meenan, C Gourley; R McMenamin, B McGuigan, S Cavanagh; M Penrose, S O'Neill, M Murphy.

MONAGHAN (SF v Mayo): S Duffy; C Flanagan, J Coyle, D Morgan; D Freeman, V Corey, D McArdle; E Lennon, B McKenna; P Finlay, S Gallogly, P McGuigan; T Freeman, H McElroy, R Woods.

TIPPERARY (SF v Cavan): P Fitzgerald; P King, N Kelly, A Morrissey; M Phelan (Captain), R Costigan, C Maher; E Hanrahan, G Hannigan, B Lacey; B Hickey, N Fitzgerald; B Coen, D Browne, B Mulvihill.

ANTRIM (SF v Waterford): J Finnucane; N Scullion, T Convery, D Gault; S Devlin, P Doherty, M McCann; J Quinn, M McCarry; K Brady, B Herron, O Doherty; P Cunningham, M Magill, M Dougan.

DERRY (NFL v Galway): B Gillis; Francis McEldowney, K McCloy, SM Lockhart; P Cartin, J McBride, L Hinphy; J Diver, Patsy Bradley; J O'Kane, E Muldoon, F Doherty; M Donaghy, Paddy Bradley, E Bradley.