Wexford U21s - Unfairly treated or not?

[The Wedger]

Wexford's U-21s boycotted last Sunday's Division 2 National Hurling League final when they were refused complimentary tickets into Semple Stadium, it has emerged.

The move has caused a storm in the county and led to stern criticism of the Wexford Board by a member of their U-21 management team.

Wexford and Clare had met in an U-21 challenge at The Ragg, a Tipperary county ground just outside Thurles, earlier in the afternoon.

After the request for free tickets to the league final was turned down earlier in the week, the squad and management decided to eat a pre-arranged meal in Thurles before heading on home, stopping to watch the match on TG4 on the way.

Wexford chairman Ger Doyle said that the Board had asked Croke Park for free tickets but they were not forthcoming. He said that concession tickets at €15 were made available to the U-21 squad by the Board, but these were turned down. Doyle defended the Board's record on player welfare and refuted claims that they were not promoting hurling in the county in a proper way.

"We were not obliged to give free tickets to the U-21 team. If there was no (U-21) game in Thurles they would have had to pay in anyway," he said.

"I'm disappointed with the way this has come out because we look after our players very well. When we got the request for the tickets, we contacted Croke Park and they turned us down.

"We don't have the money to buy €25 tickets. We have to be cautious with what we spend these days."

To purchase the tickets for a squad of U-21s and management would have cost in the region of €800.

"I've written a letter to Croke Park expressing my disappointment with the stance they took," continued Doyle. "A match played in a 50,000 capacity stadium with only 14,200 in it? Surely there was room to accommodate the players? They could have made a gesture."

Doyle added that a request from Clare for complimentary tickets was also rebuffed by Croke Park.

Wexford U-21 selector Paul Dempsey, though, was stinging in his criticism of the Board, accusing them of placing an obstacle in the way of progress in the county. he explained why the U-21 squad took such drastic measures.

"Rory Murphy, who acts as our team co-ordinator, requested passes for the U-21 team to attend the league final," he said.

"We were playing a challenge game in The Ragg earlier in the afternoon and we saw this as a way to demonstrate to the squad our commitment to them and also our efforts to promote the game of hurling."

"On Saturday, Rory contacted county officers regarding the venue for the meal for the team. He was told of the venue, but told no passes would be available.

"We made a decision following the meal to leave Thurles, go home on the team bus, and watch the game on television on the way."

Dempsey believes poor treatment has been meted out to the players. "Our County Board has not got a clue how to promote the game or look after county teams.

"An obstacle, no matter what the request, is always placed in the way of progress. The biggest problem with hurling is not the players or the team management but the County Board.

"The majority of our squad are students and they simply have not got the money. We thought the complimentary tickets would have been a great boost to the players. They are the seniors of tomorrow."

In response, Doyle said people have the option to walk away if they are not satisfied with the way the game is being run. "We are all volunteers. We are all doing our best. If they are not happy they can walk away," he said.

- Colm Keys

Irish Independent

[Premier Emperor]

What loss was on them?
Too many lads expect freebies these days.