Rebels arise: Páirc Uí Rinn or nowhere!

The Cork senior football team and management have dug their heels in and say they will only play Kerry in the Munster Football Championship at Páirc Uí Rinn. In a statement they said: “We will not be playing the match in any other venue.”

Páirc Uí Chaoimh is unavailable for use as an Ed Sheeran concert is set to take place there in late April. However the Munster Council has moved the game to Fitzgerald Stadium in Killarney. The game is due to take place on 7 May.

The Munster Council think Páirc Uí Rinn's capacity is too small. The stadium can accommodate around 11,000 spectators if some improvement works take place. Walsh Park in Waterford can host a smilier attendance and is the venue for Waterford v Cork in the Munster Hurling Championship.

In their statement, the Cork players and management said: “As players and management our sole focus is on preparing and playing to the best of our ability next month in the Munster Championship, representing our families, our clubs and our county. We did not envisage needing to issue this statement.

“Cork and Kerry have long had an agreement in place to decide home and away fixtures. This year’s fixture is a home game for Cork, as initially announced in a press release by Munster GAA on 4 March.

“We believe the decision made this week by the Munster Council must be reversed. The decision to take the game to Killarney is driven by the financial benefits resulting from a larger crowd. We feel this reasoning sets a bad precedent, it is wrong and it goes against the values of the Gaelic Athletic Association.

“As such, we are preparing for the Munster Football Semi-Final on 7 May to be played in Páirc Uí Rinn. We will not be playing the match in any other venue.”