LAST UPDATE | 3 Feb 2022
FORMER CORK GOALKEEPER Anthony Nash says moving the Rebels championship clash against Clare to Semple Stadium “looks terrible” and should not have happened.
On Monday, Cork GAA confirmed their Munster championship games in football and hurling against Clare and Kerry respectively, have been moved from Páirc Uí Chaoimh due to the Ed Sheeran concert taking place at the ground.
The Munster hurling round-robin game against Clare will take place in Semple Stadium on the weekend of 30 April-1 May.
Speaking on the first episode of The42 GAA Weekly of the new season, Nash said he understands why manager Kieran Kingston was happy to go to Semple Stadium rather than Páirc Uí Rinn, but it should be played in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
“We love playing in Thurles, absolutely. Thurles is class. But if you were offering a Cork player a game in Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Thurles, the straw poll wouldn’t be 50/50.
“As a player, I’d prefer to take Clare to Thurles than Páirc Uí Rinn. Páirc Uí Rinn is similar to Ennis. That setting is a better alternative. If you offer me Páirc Uí Rinn or Thurles, I’d take Thurles.
“For the simple reason, more spectators. Cork are used to playing Clare in Thurles so that is not a big deal. What we are getting away from here is if they had a choice between Páirc Uí Chaoimh or Thurles.
“I am hopeful the county board had no clue whatsoever the championship would be moved because losing a home game in a competition that is so tight is massive.”
The two-time All-Star went on to stress that he hopes it was an unforeseen issue.
“Cork could beat Clare in Thurles and all of this could be swept under the carpet but the idea of it is shocking.
“They built this massive stadium that we weren’t allowed to train on. We had a match organised there two years ago. The match was pulled so we were going to train there. ‘No, you are not allowed to train there you have to go to Páirc Uí Rinn.’ They had issues with the surface. I can’t remember how many times I got to train there after it was finished in 2017, only 10 or 15 maybe.
“Cork people love going to Thurles but what about the local community, the bars and the pubs banking on a good weekend. I understand Ed Sheeran will bring some of that as well but you can’t lose a home game for a concert. It just looks terrible.
“I am hopeful, I haven’t seen or heard, that they hadn’t a clue the championship would be on that day. Clare will be delighted. Clare will be delighted to go to Thurles. I’ve no issue with them having concerts. But have concerts when it is guaranteed there will be no matches there.”
Serious atmosphere here in Cavan. This is exactly where you want to be playing the All Ireland Champions. Whatever the result these games against the top 4 will stand to us in the summer months
It’s exactly the gate the county board needed as well
Mind blowing that people would actually travel to watch that rubbish sport.
@Ordinary lad: the much “hyped” Irish Rugby team lost yesterday. How much money do those lads earn?
Mind blowing that someone would take the time to open an article about a sport they consider to be ‘rubbish’ and then take the time to comment on it.
How can a team that receives €120k in funding compete against a team that receives €1.4million
Hahaha give over Al . Deep down you love the gaa
@Alan b..: Sure all the money we’ll be spending here we’ll double that funding for you pal ;)
a decent workout so far get rid of the Jamaican rum and redstripe against another nordie team who’s sole intention is to pull drag and hit off the ball.
Don’t know what game your watching. The hits off the ball have been 50:50.
Eh cavan is in the south of Ireland Einstein
fergal reilly should count himself lucky to share a pitch with these wonderful dublin footballers instead of going around like a drunk at a wedding looking for a fight.
That was stared by the Dublin man on the ground. You’re incredibly anti ulster football
And then mdma was the first man to get involved.
And who look for a figth at a wedding
ah lorcan stop it now.
fergal reilly would.
it’s north of me ya tit
@Alan b..: that explains why the dubs were late they looked at a map and headed north. When did this geographical transplant take place.
don’t be a tit like alan cavan play in ulster which is up north so they are nordies.
Cavan is not in Northern Ireland you don’t cross the border or use sterling
I didn’t say it was in Northern Ireland .
What do you mean by nordie then?if you are calling them that cos they’re north of you does that mean someone from cork would class Dublin as a nordie team
if they wanted to yes beacuse they would be northern to a Cork person now cavan is in ulster and part of the Republic of Ireland beacuse the brits didn’t want the kip so yes you are nordies which we where stuck with.
Stop you’re just embarrassing yourself
What part of Dublin are you from?
what difference does it make?
cavan play in the ulster champions with the other 8 nordie counties it’s no big deal just accept it is the way it is don’t be embarrassed alan.
All the complaints about dublins fans. Have any other county brought a few thousand fans with them today ?
@Gavin Byrne: In comparison Dublin have a fan base of about 10 times what other counties have. So of course they will bring large numbers with them.
Fair play today they really brought a fantastic atmosphere and plenty of money to Cavan town today
That a few time in the last three years the cavan has been delayed because of the fans.
If the dubs can’t make it to croke park on time how do you expect them to make it to cavan on time
@Lorcán Coyle: Should know by now that nothing in Cavan ever starts on time, nearest fifteen minutes, sure that’ll do.!!!
Ref jersey looks too like Dubs
We’ll save that excuse for later
Massive achievement if Roscommon can some how stay up in Division 1.
Lorcan are u watching the match