Usage of Semple Stadium questioned

Semple Stadium management have defended the availability of the ground for local club games, insisted it is one of the most used county grounds in the country.

This was in response to motions proposed by Moneygall and Cappawhite at the Tipperary GAA Convention last week which proposed the ground being made available for floodlit matches during the concluding stages of the adult county championships, as well as hosting all adult hurling championship finals.

Moneygall's Pat Sheedy said for the last 50 years there were numerous fundraising campaigns run in the county to help develop Semple Stadium in difficult times and felt more clubs and players weren't getting much of a change to experience playing there.

“There were no floodlit club games played in Semple Stadium in 2018, while there were only six club championship games played there, all in October (County senior hurling semi-finals, Seamus O Riain Cup final plus the county senior & intermediate football finals)

“We aren't getting a good return for what people and clubs have put into Semple Stadium,” insisted Sheedy.

Responding, County Chairman John Devane said the motions could only be taken as a recommendation as if passed would tie the hands of the CCC in terms of fixing games. He added that no club games were played there in September due to Feile Classical with the senior hurling championship quarter finals moved out of Semple Stadium which he said led to “better atmospheres at the grounds in Nenagh and Dolla.”

Con Hogan, chairman of the Semple Stadium Management Committee, insisted that they have never refused any request for the ground to host games when a request comes from the County CCC, bar when there is an issue about weather.

 

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