ON the face of it the GAA’s revelation last May that they were set to break away from their Sunday afternoon arrangement with the Camogie Association and move the All-Ireland U21 hurling final to a Saturday night billing carried plenty merit. Director-General Padraic Duffy argued coherently in favour of the change and painted an attractive picture for the conclusion of the U21 championship.

 

Instead of holding the U21B decider in a nondescript venue in front of a clutch of supporters, it would now serve as the curtain-raiser to the ‘A’ final and the two ties would be played away from Croke Park in a bid to generate a cracking Saturday night atmosphere.

 

When pressed for the identity of the venue that day, Duffy cited Thurles as the most likely stadium. Given its geographic location and status as hurling’s premier ground, it seemed a perfect fit. But there was an obvious caveat. What would happen if Tipperary, who were always the clear U21 hurling market leaders this year given the players at their disposal, reached the final? Duffy admitted that could be problematic and that the issue would thus be revisited.

 

That episode is significant amidst all the current furore surrounding Semple Stadium’s staging of next Saturday night’s decider between Galway and Tipperary. The perception has been that Thurles was always earmarked as the U21 final venue, but it was only always earmarked if Tipperary were not involved. Their qualification for the final should have lead to a proper review of that original decision. And clearly any proper review should have then lead to a neutral venue like the Gaelic Grounds or O’Moore Park being selected in the interests of fairness. Instead the CCCC reviewed the decision and opted to stick with Thurles anyway.

 

The Galway hurling fraternity feel that they have been seriously wronged and it is easy to understand why. It’s not applicable to say that this is a repeat of the 2007 All-Ireland U21 final when they faced Dublin in Croke Park. That game was played in the national GAA stadium which happens to be located in Dublin whereas if that match was played in Parnell Park, Dublin’s county ground, then the capital side would have had an unfair advantage.

 

Another illegitimate argument is that counties routinely play provincial senior and U21 championship matches in enemy’s territory. Those games are part of home and away arrangements between the counties. If Tipperary were to travel to Salthill the next time they face Galway in the U21 hurling grade, this decision could be endorsed. But no such arrangement exists.

 

The principle underpinning neutral venues is that neither team has an advantage in terms of familiarity with a ground, less travel time before a game and a far greater number of fans backing them. But this Saturday, Galway have all those factors loaded against them. The All-Ireland U21 football, junior football and intermediate hurling deciders were all played in neutral venues this year so why is an exception being made now for the U21 hurling decider?

 

Saturday night could still well be a stirring occasion. The U21 grade produces some of the most magical encounters in the GAA every season and Saturday has the prospect of producing the latest instalment. Tipperary’s All-Ireland senior win last Sunday certainly increases the glamour surrounding the game. While the young hurlers of Kerry and Meath in the B final deserve the trappings of live television coverage and a fine stadium to play in. But all of those aspects would have been equally valid if the game was on in Limerick or Portlaoise. And the added bonus would have been justice for all involved.