No injuries but St. Thomas's still face a daunting replay

STEPHEN GLENNON

THOUGH St. Thomas’ report a clean bill of health heading into Saturday’s All-Ireland club senior semi-final replay against reigning champions Loughgiel Shamrocks at Parnell Park (5:45pm), their manager John Burke has expressed his disappointment at both the venue and time of the game.

Indeed, neither Burke or Loughgiel boss PJ O’Mullan will be happy returning to Parnell Park given the appalling condition of the playing surface for the drawn game last weekend. On that occasion, both indicated that they would prefer an alternative venue for the replay – although these pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

“Look it, we can’t do anything about it now,” said Burke. “Everyone saw the condition of the pitch the last day but there you have it. We just have to get on with it now though. We are looking forward to playing the game and we can’t get sucked into what is out of our control. It is the same for Loughgiel. I imagine they will not be happy with the situation either.”

Indeed, speaking to the Tribune after Saturday’s drawn fixture, Shamrocks manager O’Mullan said he was not impressed with the state of the pitch, which, it was understood, had hosted an underage game earlier in the day.

“To be honest, I am not impressed with the state of the pitch,” said O’Mullan. “Both teams weren’t impressed. I think those two teams need a better playing surface than what is there. I know at this time of the year, it can be hard, but we have the best stadium in Europe a mile down the road and why do we not use it?”

The timing of the contest will also be a source of disappointment to both clubs, with the game scheduled to throw-in at 5:45pm under lights. “It’s not fair on the supporters,” said Burke.

“We had a lot of young families who travelled up last Saturday and if they are to travel again, it is going to be a very late night for them. If you played the match in the middle of the day on a good pitch with two good teams, you would have a cracking match. And that is what everyone wants to see.”

In any event, Burke was determined that the venue and timing would not become a distraction for his players, all of whom seem to have come through last weekend’s arduous 80 minutes of hurling unscathed.

For more, read this week's Connacht Tribune.