Looking like a knock-out

Páirc Uí Chaoimh clash likely to be a knock-out affair

THE MUNSTER SFC semi-final between Cork and Kerry at Páirc Uí Chaoimh could well be fixed for the second weekend in November, and is likely to be a straight knock-out clash.

That’s according to Kerry County Committee Chairman, Tim Murphy, who also confirmed to The Kerryman on Tuesday that the final two rounds of the Allianz Football Leagues are set to get the inter-county season back up and running in the last two weekends of October.

While the publication of the GAA Roadmap last Friday has pencilled in the return of inter-county training on September 14, with matches to resume no earlier than October 17, there is no definitive schedule or format for the senior championships at this moment in time.

“Yeah, we are reasonably confident that the last two rounds of the Allianz Leagues might be played in the last two weekends of October,” said Mr Murphy.

“We are working on that basis, even though there is no definitive fixture list yet, and there won’t be for a while. There would be obvious advantages to that, rather than counties having to look around for challenge matches.

“We have Monaghan [away] and Donegal [home] to play. They would be perfect preparation for the championship. You couldn’t get better than that. It might not even mean playing the final of the league after that.”

So, there might be no back door in the 2020 All-Ireland Championships?

“It will probably be the second weekend in November before we would be playing Cork, and it would appear at this stage as if that will be a straight knock-out game.

“The actual format is still up for grabs in some ways because, if the Government were to move quicker again in the next phase, you might pull another week out of it.

“If it is straight knock-out, then that would really bring all the intensity back. There would be no safety net for anybody. Cork v Kerry would be a huge game. That’s why we would be pushing hard to get the last two rounds of the league played.”

The Brosna man also confirmed that the GAA are planning to finish the All-Ireland Under 20 Championship (where Kerry are due to play Galway in the semi-final) and the All-Ireland Under 17 Championship.

“The Under 20s only need two weekends, so there’s no reason why that can’t potentially be played off by the end of October, depending on any crossover with the clubs. But the club window should be well finished. If I was a betting man, I would say the second half of October for the Under 20s.

“As for the minors, it looks like they will be run off simultaneously with the senior championship.”