THE CHOICE OF Páirc Uí Chaoimh for the All-Ireland quarter-final ties on the weekend of 22-23 July may have sparked complaints yesterday from some hurling supporters but Waterford defender Noel Connors has no qualms with the decision.
After knocking out Kilkenny last Saturday, Waterford will take on Wexford at the venue on Sunday 23 July.
Connors has grown accustomed to debates over stadiums during his career but is looking forward to lining out in a venue where he last played in the 2012 Munster final.
“Irrespective of where it is, people are going to question where it is unless it’s in the field next door to them.
“Look what we want to as players is to play in the best stadiums, the best fields. (There’s) no better place to go down to than a new stadium. We’re looking forward to travel down to Cork to a new setup. We’ll relish the opportunity.
“I’ve played down there a couple of times in championship alright but I think that it’ll be very, very different down there considering the new surroundings.
“I think it’ll be a total different experience. It’s very hard to try and gauge what it’s going to be like until we get down there. That’s a great opportunity for us.
“We’ve had heavy defeats down there but a new stadium brings a sense of freshness.”
24 hours before that clash between Waterford and Wexford, the opening tie in the redeveloped stadium will see Clare meeting Tipperary.
Banner forward Aaron Cunningham’s sole previous experience of the venue was the 2011 Munster minor final when he was part of a Clare side that won convincingly against Waterford.
He’s excited about the opportunity to play at a venue which Clare have not been regular visitors to.
“It’s new for everyone but we’re very excited to go down there. Obviously it’s going to be a top class facility. That’s where you want to play in the best pitches and the best stadiums.
“We’ll get a run out there before the match hopefully or a training session or something and try to get used to it.
“We actually did in 2011 play a minor final down there. It’s probably the only time I’ve played down there really.
“I’d imagine a lot of the lads wouldn’t have played down there. Maybe one or two of the older lads would have in the past but other than that, it’ll be a new experience again.”
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