‘I think it’s a disgrace’ - Kildare manager slams hurling TV coverage and scheduling

Kildare hurling manager Brian Dowling has made his feelings known about his side not being broadcast in their All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship meeting with Dublin after winning the Joe McDonagh Cup six days prior.

When asked about Kildare’s clash with The Dubs not being televised while losing Joe McDonagh Cup finalists, Laois' game was broadcast against Tipperary. He said: “I can't get over that. I think it’s a disgrace to be honest. If Laois had won last Sunday, I would say the exact same thing. I don’t think Laois wanted the cameras to be there today. We are trying to promote hurling here and the GAA are talking about it all the time, but what are they doing for us? Put the game on TV, get the young lads from Kildare watching Kildare playing in the All-Ireland series. They have excuses, but there are six or seven football matches live this weekend and one hurling game at 1:45pm. I don’t think it's good enough and someone needs to come out and give us a reason why that is.”

Kildare were beaten 3-25 to 0-13 by Dublin in their All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Preliminary Quarter-Final, but were sent off the field to rapturous applause after a wonderful season.

Dowling added, “I said it before that, I’ll say it after the game. I felt for Tommy Fitzgerald trying to prepare his (Laois) team and their match is on tele. Surely the winning team, at home, should be on tele, but it’s not my job to look after that. That’s the GAA’s job or whoever makes these fixtures. I saw a lot of people in the media talking about it during the week thankfully and they backed us on it.”

The Kilkenny-native was also critical of the rapid turnaround between the Joe McDonagh Cup final and first round of the All-Ireland with The Lilies just six days between game (not inclusive of celebrations).

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