More fixture rejigs as schools semi-final collides with club decider

SECOND-LEVEL fixture-makers look set to move their All-Ireland semi-finals for the second year in a row due to a clash with the AllIreland club finals on St Patrick’s Day.

In the latest example of the GAA calendar being under severe pressure, schools chiefs look set to move St Kieran’s All-Ireland semi-final clash with CBC Cork from March 18 back to March 20 given that three St Kieran’s players – Dean Mason, Eoin Cody and Darragh Corcoran – will be on duty for Ballyhale Shamrocks as they go looking for a fourth All-Ireland club crown in 13 years.

A similar scenario arose last year with Limerick’s Jerome Boylan double-jobbing for Na Piarsaigh and Ardscoil Rís within three days. As it turned out, the school lost an AllIreland semi-final to St Kieran’s, who had both Mason and Cody in their ranks that day.

At inter-county level, the fixture schedule needed an overhaul after a handful of National League games were postponed last weekend, meaning the football and hurling leagues finals will now be played on the same weekend. There was also significant overlap between the Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cups and the leagues, prompting criticism from some corners.

Meanwhile, the remaining Leinster Schools SFC ‘A’ semi-final between Naas and Coláiste Eoin has been pencilled in for Wednesday, March 13. That game has been pushed back as the Dublin college were in AllIreland senior hurling quarter-final duty yesterday. The winners will play Wicklow Schools in the decider after they beat Navan outfit St Pat’s.