SILKE CUT UP ABOUT IT
Liam: The GAA knew a fixture clash was on the cards but I’m the one who pays the price
LIAM SILKE has accused GAA chiefs of putting this weekend’s fixture clash between the All-ireland club and Sigerson semi-finals on the long finger.
Last year Silke was in the Corofin side that beat Moorefield in an Allireland club semi-final on their way to winning the competition in March.
But it meant that UCD stood him down for their Sigerson Cup final victory over NUIG later that day, although his club mate Kieran Molloy did make the mad dash to line out for the Galway side.
Remarkably, Silke will suffer similar pangs of regret on Saturday. The 24-year-old medical student will line out for Corofin in the club semi-final against Gweedore, thus missing UCD’S Sigerson semi with St Mary’s.
“Hopefully they’ll be able to win and I’ll be able to make the final,” said Silke. “But it’s definitely not a good thing to be missing out on these massive matches when you’ve been training for months for them.
“I’ve been hugely affected by it.
“It’s more that I’m part of the team, I’m friends with the players – it’s my team, I’ve been there for two years.
“I want to feel like I’m part of the set-up. That’s more the reason why I want to be there, it’s not really scholarship-related.
“It’s the worst it can get, to be missing an All-ireland final. And it’s a similar situation this year.”
At least this time it’s a Sigerson semi-final, not a final.
“It’s a consolation if they win but if they lose, I’ll be there thinking what could have half-back.
“I can’t do anything about it now unfortunately, it’s out of my hands so I just need to focus on the club game.”
NUIG have got their Sigerson semi with UCC moved to Sunday to accommodate Molloy, while David Shaw can line out for UCC the day after he plays for Dr Crokes against Mullinalaghta in the club semis.
“I was kind of looking for it but the UCD management said it wouldn’t be fair to me to have to play the two games in the one weekend,” explained Silke. “I agree with that. They’re trying to look after one of their players.
“The UCD management had flagged to the GAA back in November that there was a potential fixture clash.
“Last year as well, it had been flagged to them early in
January. But again, similar situation, they put it on the long finger and didn’t do anything about it until the last minute.
“The way it’s worked out now, they’ve changed the
NUIG game to the day after, that’s not ideal either.
Kieran won’t be able to prepare fully for what is an Allireland semi-final.” been,” said the left