RIGHT ON TIME

GAA must not bow to soccer fans – Clarke

FORMER Down player Marty Clarke said the GAA is right to ‘stick to their guns’ and not switch the throw-in time of three important provincial championship games which are clashing with the UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid on Saturday night.

The Leinster SHC round-robin fixture between Offaly and Wexford is fixed for 7pm — so too the Munster SFC quarter-final between Tipperary and Cork and the Ulster football last- eight clash between Clarke’s native Down and Antrim.

He recalled being involved in a similar scenario seven years ago.

‘There was a similar situation in 2011 when Down played Armagh. We played them in the Athletic Grounds — it was our first Championship game since the All-Ireland final. So it was a really big game. But Manchester United were playing Barcelona in the Champions League at the same time

at Wembley. There was the same debate: “Were they going to change the time?” ‘We’re the GAA. You can’t predict who is going to make a European Cup final in soccer. I think they’re right to stick to their guns, don’t change the time. But attendances are going to suffer, interest is going to suffer, no doubt. ‘I think the GAA are doing the right thing to keep the times. You just have to accept that it’s unlucky that it’s a big English club that’s there.’ So while it’s not ideal in terms of the impact on the gate, Clarke said the GAA can’t make allowances for every sporting eventuality. ‘I remember in 2011, we would have been bantering in the changing rooms at training, “Who are you going to pick – Messi or Benny [Coulter]?” Things like that. Mark Poland actually scored an unbelievable goal that night. People just have to accept it, that’s it,’ added Clarke. ‘I suppose you could say the GAA should have had the games earlier, brought them forward, which wouldn’t have been a crazy move.’