Angry rivals unite to blast venue choice for senior cup clash

Two rival coaches have railed against the decision to play Saturday’s Munster Senior Cup semi-final clash on a secondary pitch at Thomond Park (2pm).

UL Bohemian director of rugby Colm Tucker stood side by side with Garryowen’s forwards coach Paul Neville to call upon the game’s administrators to put the tournament back on the pedestal it once had within the Irish amateur game.

Tucker said it was disgraceful to allow a game of such importance be played in such an insignificant arena. “It’s a sign of the times and it is a struggle across the board. The clubs are falling more and more by the wayside; it’s very hard to see where this game is going, particularly around senior cup times. It’s about time it is mentioned, these games are clashing with Munster A games and everything and clubs are left scrambling for players.

“Where does it go? I think a decision needs to be made, we’re in a bit of a halfway house and it doesn’t suit the club game at all. You either create something semi-professional underneath and get rid of the Munster A team to have all of the guys on the fringe of the Munster team to play in that or else you have to run two separate games and have a professional game and an amateur game……….. http://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/angry-rivals-unite-to-blast-venue-choice-for-senior-cup-clash-301971.html