Down boss frustrated with Ulster hurling final delay
Down manager Gerard Monan has dubbed the Ulster Council's failure to reschedule the Ulster SHC final between Down and reigning champions Antrim as 'diabolical'.
The Ulster Senior Hurling Championship was due to be wrapped up on July 7 according to the Council's original scheduling, but they had not bargained on a semi-final replay between Down and Derry and thus the final was pushed back to July 14.
However, Down deemed the new date unsuitable for them as their players had scheduled holidays for the end of the Championship season with some unavailable due to work and family commitments.
This was allied to the fact that they were coming off a punishing nine-match schedule between Christy Ring Cup and Ulster Championship fixtures.
Monan's charges actually played seven matches in as many weeks from early May through to mid-June, including their six-game march to the Christy Ring Cup title and an Ulster quarter-final win over Armagh.
The busy Mourne men were back in action on June 30 to face Derry for a place in the Ulster final and it took a replay to split the sides with Down winning by 0-25 to 1-16 the following week.
Their request to have their clash with Antrim postponed was then granted but as of yet, Ulster GAA chiefs have yet to confirm a new date for the game which could now be played as late as October during the club hurling season.
The fixture listing for Antrim v Down on the Ulster GAA website currently has 'TBC' for the date, venue and referee.
Monan let his feelings be known in today's Irish News, insisting: "All I have heard is that it is supposed to be some date in October, but who cares?"
"I think it is diabolical to be honest. The county season should have been finished in July.
"It's not fair on the players, they are going to be playing club Championship. Then, they are expected to play a county match that should have been played in July?
"It's doesn't say much. Why should we care about it when, obviously, no one else is caring too much about it?"
Antrim are seeking their 12th Ulster Senior Championship crown in-a-row and there is understandable annoyance in their camp that the final has yet to be played. The Glensmen have not lined out since losing to Wexford in the All-Ireland qualifiers on June 22.
Waterford man Kevin Ryan, who is in charge of the Saffrons' senior side, has at least been able to keep himself busy with the Antrim Under-21s.
They retained their Ulster U-21 title last month and are in the midst of preparing for Saturday week's All-Ireland U-21 semi-final against Tipperary.
