CORK AND CLARE need to take care that they are not dazzled by Croke Park’s Saturday Night Lights.
Before the first ball is pucked, the hurling replay will already have made history as the first All-Ireland final under the floodlights at Headquarters.
Despite criticism from both counties and efforts to have the evening throw-in time brought forward, the GAA are determined that the game will take place as planned at 5pm on 28 September.
Playing the replay under lights should make for a “fantastic occasion,” Rebels selector Ger Cunningham said, but it could also present problems for both counties.
“It’s not ideal for some guys. Some guys wouldn’t be comfortable playing under lights,” he said. “Some fellas have eyesight problems and find it difficult.
I think ourselves and Clare wouldn’t have played in Croke Park under lights before so it’s a bit different again.
Cork’s management have yet to discuss if they will seek permission to train under the lights ahead of the final.
“We can’t get on the pitch for a photograph never mind get out for a training session,” Cunningham said, “so I’d imagine that’s probably not a runner.”
Both Cork and Clare contacted the GAA with requests for an earlier throw-in time to accommodate players, management and supporters.
The 5pm start, which was decided by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) in consultation with An Garda Síochana, appears unlikely to be changed.
“Playing it at five o’clock doesn’t do anything for an All-Ireland final,” Cunningham said.
He added: “If you start it at four the chances are you would get it finished in daylight.”
For the supporters travelling from Clare and Cork, it’s a long journey home. I think some Cork supporters had a journey of six hours last weekend. There was a crash on the motorway and they didn’t get home until all hours of the night.A five o’clock start with a possibility of going to extra time, it’s going to be late getting out of Croke Park.
