News from the world of GAA

Away days nothing new for Ulster

An Ulster final in Croke Park. Whether you like or loathe the idea it may be here to stay. 67,136 people has to be deemed a successful return. All-Ireland final day is obviously out on its own in the GAA calendar but a Munster hurling final in Thurles and Ulster football finals (formerly of Clones) follow closely in the excitement pecking order. Enthusiasm mixed with controversy.

Controversy and the Ulster championship are nothing new of course. Recently it's been about the rough-house style of play - but until someone finds a way to counteract that revolution in the game it must also be applauded.

But the moving of one of the premier events of the summer has stung a lot of people. Of course, bringing an occasion like the Ulster final to Croke Park automatically elevates it to the national stage: a positive. But try telling that to the people of Clones. The caterers of the town would have been understandably bitter yesterday; their chip pans lay silent on what should be the busiest afternoon of the year.

To many, taking it south dilutes the event. In short, the fans want to watch their provincial final in their own province.

Many purists of the Ulster game were horrified for various reasons by the prospect of the trip south for final day. However, traditionalists (and GAA anoraks in general) would be aware this isn't an unique occurrence. The Jones's Road venue has seen this emotionally charged event before, back in 1939.

Controversy reigned back then as well. The teams contesting the initial final, in Castleblayney, were Armagh and Cavan. However, so many packed the ground that the fencing around the pitch collapsed - with Cavan leading by two points midway through the second half.

Armagh's Jim McCullough went to take a sideline ball and was struck by a supporter. The ensuing mêlée forced referee Jim Murtagh (and present refs think they have undue pressure to endure) to call off the match.

To defuse the tension-filled atmosphere the "replay" was switched to headquarters, Cavan eventually prevailed, scoring 2-3 to Armagh's 1-4.

Indeed, the Ulster decider has been played outside the county on six occasions. The first ever final, in 1888, was held in Drogheda; Inniskeen Grattans (Monaghan) beat Maghera MacFinns (Cavan) after a replay.

In 1910, the final was played in Dundalk. Actually, the game wasn't played until June 1911, with one of the delays resulting from a burst ball in the Cavan-versus-Fermanagh game. Instead of producing a replacement everyone simply headed home for tea.

Next was 1931, when Armagh appealed to Central Council due to the final against Cavan being fixed for Breffni Park, Cavan's home ground. The fixture was switched to Dundalk.

The 1942 final (Down v Cavan) was also played in Dundalk, at the end of a championship also marred by a pitch invasion, in the semi-final between Down and Armagh.

That was then, this is now. Fans may be staying off the pitch these days but the passion certainly hasn't diminished.

The reasoning behind bringing such an event onto the biggest stage is to cater for demand. Financial realities exist but are they worth the sacrificing of history and tradition?

Clones has no divine right as the final venue but surely Ulster does. The road to September is supposed to end in Croke Park.September Road

Web Watch:  www.hill16.ie

The home of Dublin Gaelic games. Informative and constantly updated, the official Dublin website also went under the knife in the last year and its new face has brought it on a step further.

Easy enough to follow, it covers all aspects of the metropolitan GAA scene and for good measure has a message board worth checking out for the sheer hilarity and diversity of opinion on the future of Dublin football.

Quote of the Weekend: "You're a hero when things go right, but when things go wrong you could end up in the lyrics of a song about the Ryder Cup captain." - Cork manager Donal O'Grady.