MUNSTER COUNCIL chairman Jimmy O'Gorman has expressed disappointment with last Sunday's 22,784 attendance for the provincial senior football final between Cork and Kerry. O'Gorman believes, however, the ferocious rain and wind were to blame for the loss of an estimated 6,000 patrons at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
O'Gorman said: "The rain in Cork on Sunday was unreal and deterred a good few people. If the day was fine, we could have had a walk-up crowd of 5,000-6,000 people, which would have brought the attendance up and above an estimated 25,000. It was unbelievable in Cork - in all my time, I have never seen the like of the water that fell."
Despite the below-par attendance, O'Gorman was satisfied with the thrilling second half, insisting it redeemed the Munster football championship: "Tipp drawing with Kerry in the minor final was also encouraging. Tipp have been coming close at minor and under-21 levels and if they can gel the whole lot together, I foresee a bright future there."
O'Gorman confirmed there was a 100 per cent take-up of last week's "two for one" ticket offer, which led to increased sales of single tickets.
Meanwhile, O'Gorman believes 45,000 spectators - just 5,000 short of capacity - will attend Limerick's Gaelic Grounds for Sunday's Munster senior hurling final between Clare and Tipperary.
Next Saturday's All-Ireland hurling qualifier between Limerick and Offaly could be switched to Kilmallock to ensure the Gaelic Grounds pitch is in perfect condition for Sunday's Munster hurling final between Tipperary and Clare.
Arrangements are in place to move the tie from the city venue if heavy rain continues in the coming days. Limerick County Board PRO Helen Cross said a switch was "totally weather dependent", but officials were confident Kilmallock, with a 9,000 capacity, would cope with the tie.
Cross said it might be Friday before a decision was made.
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