Hurling County Final Destined for Banagher ??

[midfield]

Banagher could host SHC final
31 August 2007


St. Rynagh’s have applied to host the 2007 senior hurling championship final after it was confirmed that St. Brendan’s Park in Birr won’t be in a position to stage the showpiece game.

Due to the wettest summer in living memory, essential work on the Birr pitch has been greatly delayed. There has been speculation that the pitch might not be ready to host some of Offaly’s National Hurling Leagues games next spring, but Birr officials are confident that it will be ready by then.

With Birr out of the equation, St. Rynagh’s were quick off the mark by applying to host the decider in Banagher. Their application came up at a meeting of the Management Committee last week, but was to the Competitions Control Committee, who have plenary powers over fixtures.

However, the redeveloped O’Connor Park in Tullamore is favourite to stage the final.[/size]

I would like to see Rynaghs get the County Final - it would be better to keep it in the south of the county - they have a fine stand out there in Banagher and more people would probably attend with it close to the hurling heartland. Rath could also be another option which could be looked at or even Kinnitty , although the stand there could be a bit small.

The majority of the crowd at most of the recent finals ( eg last year ) was mostly in the stand and Rynaghs should be able to hold it. I would be a bit concerned that there is no grass bank on the far side of the rynaghs ground opposite the hill. Whats the capacity of Rynaghs officially ? They have applied to the County Board , but would they have to get the go ahead from Health and Safety?

I would rather see it in Banagher , in the south of the county rather than Tullamore ( despite its new stand which all the clubs are paying off for the forseeable future )

If its in Tullamore , it could set a dangerous precedent for the next few years , although I couldnt see the Hurling clubs allowing this and it would be back in Birr. I cant understand why the County Board didnt give Birr more financial support to develop their pitch , terracing and capacity.

Maybe the County Board could look at having both the hurling and football finals on the same day in Tullamore to help promote interest around the county in both codes?

BTW - When was the last time a hurling county senior final was held in Tullamore ( if ever )??

[Plain of the Herbs]

The St. Rynagh’s club are dreaming if they think the ground in Banagher will be able to cope with the crowd in the region of six thousand which is the usual county hurling final crowd. Still, there’s no harm in them asking, I suppose.

The final will be held in O’Connor Park, mark my words! Given Birr’s unavailability it’s the only ground in the county which will take the crowd. It may lead to a reduction in the numbers attending which is unfortunate but it’s on a one-off basis. Holding the final in a ground with a smaller capacity could result in an ‘all ticket’ event which, I think, suits nobody.

It’s interesting to note that it’s not certain at this stage that the Birr pitch will be available for the league in February.

Despite the bigger hurling matches held in Tullamore in recent years, I believe this to be a one-off. Note that the 2000 final was postponed until the spring rather than be moved to Tullamore at short notice when St. Brendan’s Park failed a pitch inspection.

There’s an article which frequently appears in county hurling final programmes itemising the various county final venues. O’Connor Park has hosted 7 previous finals, the last in 1953. During the Emergency when travel was difficult, the championship was split into two divisions, north and south with the two winners meeting in the final. The final alternated between Birr and Tullamore during this period. Later in the ’40’s a dispute arose between Birr and Coolderry with Coolderry refusing to give Birr home advantage in two finals. These were then played in Tullamore.

[corner back]

the banagher pitch isn't fit for senior hurling not to mind a county final.
the sod is brutal, there's a slope and worst of all the astro turf at the goalmouths is an insult to hurlers

Don't get me started on the tiny dressing rooms

[Treasurer]

Tullamore confirmed.