Top flight clubs condemn venue switch

The fallout from the IRFU's decision to switch Saturday's AIB All-Ireland League Division Three club final to Angelsea Road continued…

The fallout from the IRFU's decision to switch Saturday's AIB All-Ireland League Division Three club final to Angelsea Road continued last night with the top-flight clubs registering their "disgust" at the move.

Suttonians will take on Clonakilty in the third tier decider but have been denied the customary day out at Lansdowne Road after the IRFU were advised the pitch would not stand up to three matches on the same day.

The IRFU subsequently took the decision to move the final to provide long-term tenants the FAI with a surface fit for the international friendly game against Chile on May 24th.

The matter was discussed at a meeting of the First Division Clubs Association last night with chairman John Glackin
expressing his displeasure in no uncertain terms.

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"Unfortunately this is not the only example this season of the arrogance and disinterest shown by the IRFU to the senior rugby clubs in Ireland," he said.

"One wonders if the unfair and underhand way in which this matter was dealt with by the IRFU is due to the incompetence of their administrative staff or whether it is a further example of what appears to be a deliberate policy to undermine and downgrade Irish club rugby at the expense of the professional game."