Wexford GAA 2009

Sport
1921

http://www.independent.ie/sport/hurling/antrim-chief-mcsparran-denies-rumours-of-relegation-playoff-boycott-1831793.html

Antrim chief McSparran denies rumours of relegation play-off boycott

Tuesday July 21 2009

ANTRIM have scotched rumours that they were preparing to boycott the first round of the controversial hurling relegation play-offs this weekend but say there are still issues that clearly need to be resolved.

“There was never any question of us pulling out,” Antrim chairman Dr John McSparran stressed yesterday.

“It’s fair to say we are very disappointed with what has happened and believe the matter has still to be resolved because it has implications for more than us, but any talk of a boycott is completely false.”

The Saffrons are lined up to meet Offaly on Saturday at Parnell Park in the much-debated first round of the hurling relegation play-offs.

Wexford and Clare are playing in the other play-off in Portlaoise and the two losers will then play each other to decide who will have to drop out of the Liam McCarthy Cup next year.

However, Antrim have already queried this system because when they, along with Galway, joined the Leinster championship for the first time this year, it was on foot of a motion that guaranteed them a three-year stay in the province.

Prior to this, the bottom team in the relegation play-offs played the Christy Ring Cup champions for the last place in hurling’s top tier but the Christy Ring champions (Carlow) are automatically promoted this year.

Antrim’s hurlers got one boost yesterday when a direct clash with their footballers’ big qualifier match with Kerry was avoided.

With their county minors also involved in a quarter-final against Galway, their two hurling matches have been put together as a double-header in Dublin on Saturday, ahead of the footballers’ big game in Tullamore the following day.

[b]The decision to go ahead with the hurling relegation play-offs has raised the hackles of all involved and Wexford manager Colm Bonnar has reiterated his opposition to it.

“Clare, Offaly and Wexford are the only teams outside of the big three to have won the All-Ireland title in recent years,” he said.

“They allow the likes of London and New York into the football championship and here they are trying to relegate hurling teams good enough to compete, it’s an absolute joke.”[/b]

Meanwhile, the All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals take centre stage on Sunday at Semple Stadium, with Dublin taking on Limerick at 2pm and Waterford facing Galway at 4pm (both games shown live on RTE2).

  • Cliona Foley

God bless the Irish diaspora.

1922

Thought you would be upset alright considering you have more in common with the diaspora…

1923

You’re mistaken, I don’t see a distinction between the two groups. Bonnar’s from Munster, he needs to realise Wexford people won’t stand for his casual anti-Irish racism.

1924

I would think there is a difference between Irish and North Brits but hey if it keeps you warm at night:rolleyes:

1925

Whatever Trevor. :pint:

1926

The Wexford senior team for Saturday evening has been announced:

http://www.wexfordgaa.ie/

WEXFORD V CLARE TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT

The Wexford team to play Clare in the relegation semi-final game on SATURDAY shows just one change to the team defeated by Limerick last time out. Stephen Banville returns to full forward with anna Martin dropping to the bench.

Otherwise, the task of avoiding a relegation final has been entrusted to the players who lined out against the shockingly limited but extremely lucky Limerick side.

ALL WEXFORD SUPPORTERS ARE ASKED TO MAKE A SPECIAL EFFORT TO ATTEND THIS IMPORTANT GAME AND CHEER THE MEN ON. TICKETS ON SALE IN WEXFORD PARK ON FRIDAY 24TH JULY

1. Damien Fitzhenry,
2. Malachy Travers, 3. Paul Roche, 4. Keith Rossiter,
5. Darren Stamp, 6. Richie Kehoe, 7. Ciarn Kenny,
8. PJ Nolan, 9. Diarmuid Lyng (Captain),
10. Harry Kehoe, 11. Willie Doran, 12. Stephen Doyle,
13. David Redmond, 14. Stephen Banville, 15. Rory Jacob.

1927

Clare and Wexford plan boycott
24 July 2009

Tomorrow’s All-Ireland SHC relegation playoff between Clare and Wexford in Portlaoise has been cast into doubt amid reports that the two teams are considering boycotting the fixture.

According to reports, both squads met last night to discuss their options ahead of a game that neither county wants to play. Offaly and Antrim are due to meet in the other relegation playoff at Parnell Park tomorrow, but the feeling of anger is far stronger in Wexford and Clare, who are both vehemently opposed to the idea of a team being relegated from the Liam McCarthy Cup.

The losers of tomorrow’s playoffs will have to meet to decide who drops out of the top tier next year with Christy Ring Cup champions Carlow waiting in the wings to replace them.

If Clare and Wexford go ahead with their boycott plans, they will run the risk of being thrown out of the championship altogether. The fact that Wexford manager Colm Bonnar has named a team for the O’Moore Park fixture suggests they are unlikely to take the ‘nuclear option’.

At least one of the four counties involved in the relegation playoffs is believed to be taking the matter to the Disputes Resolution Authority, and they could yet be joined by the other three.

1928

Wexford hurlers thinking of going on strike, jesus this could be fun.

1929

If I was wexford then I would tell Clare that you fully supported them in the strike action, but then secretly turn up at the venue, line out and take the match.

But then again I’m a sneaky fcuker.

1930

[quote=“The Runt”]If I was wexford then I would tell Clare that you fully supported them in the strike action, but then secretly turn up at the venue, line out and take the match.

But then again I’m a sneaky fcuker.[/QUOTE]

Probably the only way they’ll win maatch this year.

1931

I can understand Clare here who lets not forget have not won a competitive match all year. Clearly a strike would be more favourable to losing again

1932

We really, really need to win a couple of hurling games today. Ah lovely.

1933

Good minor game. Going into extra time. 15 each at end.

1934

18 each at half time of extra time

1935

Tipp win. 20 - 19.

1936

Galway won the other minor quarter final 4-23 to antrim’s 10 points

1937

Two national finals this season is quite an achievement. Shambles there in the second half, especially at the end. Gutted for the minors though. Christ, Matthew O’Hanlon was utterly magnificent at full back - future senior. Overall, I genuinely need a good cry and I’ll be better in a little while.

1938

did you not go to portlaoise to support your beloved wexford hurling team??

1939

Yes, I was there - hence my comments on the two Wexford games in the post before yours.

1940

Just on the senior game today, 'twas another second half collapse and more evidence of a lack of belief and leadership. We also need to be stronger mentally to respond when the stakes are upped in the decisive latter stages of games.

I saw signs of progress in the championship proper and there certainly appeared to be solid foundations to build on, especially with a number of injured players due back next season.

But the reaction to the Limerick defeat has been pretty disappointing. Bonnar’s whining in the media has been reminiscent of Meyler last year at times. We should have got on with it but we were flat and listless today and, as I said earlier, it gradually became a shambles.

Some of the decisions today were completely baffling. The game wasn’t played at championship intensity and nobody was particularly standing out for us but Rory Jacob and Stephen Doyle looked dangerous enough and were working as hard as anyone. They were both rather inexplicably taken off after around 20 minutes of the second half, which was really odd.

They are scoring players, the game was in the balance - yet they were sacrificed for Peter Atkinson and Mick Jacob (whose arrival allowed Harry Kehoe to push forward) - two lads who are not prolific.

As the game was nearing its end, our six forwards were lined up something like this:

Jim Berry, PJ Nolan, Peter Atkinson,
Gizzy Lyng, Willie Doran, Harry Kehoe.

It was just odd. Then James Tonks came on for Brendan Hobbs with about 2 minutes left. A real positive game affecting change there. Hobbs actually started because Rossi has apparently gone on holidays. It was utter scutter in the second half - real crap.