News round-up: The broadcasting of the weekend's Munster hurling semi-finals from Thurles remains in the balance.
RTÉ was unable to televise the Waterford-Limerick match on Sunday because the media facilities in Semple Stadium had not been certified by the local authority's fire officer.
There will be a meeting tonight to see if the problems can be remedied before Saturday's replay and Sunday's Clare-Cork clash. Whatever the outcome, the matches will go ahead in Thurles, at 6.15 and 4.15 respectively.
Yesterday Dave Carroll, the North Tipperary fire officer, explained his council's stance to Seán O'Rourke on RTÉ Radio's News at One.
"We're not happy with the method of construction and the design, not satisfied that it meets with the fire safety regulations," he said before going on to deny the council had sprung this judgment on Semple Stadium and RTÉ television.
"As early as the 30th of September the stadium authorities were advised that they needed a fire safety certificate for the media centre. Then again back on the 27th of February a warning notice was issued to them advising that they were in breach of the building regulations."
Munster Council PRO Father Séamus Gardiner confirmed that the matches would go ahead.
"The arrangements were made yesterday and the tickets have gone out so there's no going back on it," he said. "We'll see what's happening at tonight's meeting although we're really only observers. The Munster Council isn't directly involved in the redevelopment. That's a matter for the stadium committee and more particularly Horgan and Lynch, the consulting engineers. But obviously we're hopeful that some kind of temporary arrangement can be made."
Meanwhile, Dublin will know later this week the extent of Alan Brogan's injury. The corner forward crashed into a goalpost after scoring Dublin's goal on Sunday against Louth. "We'll be waiting for the X-rays," said manager Tommy Lyons, "but he hurt his hip and back and must be rated doubtful for the semi-final." Dublin face Laois on June 15th.
The Leinster Council has confirmed that Dublin's hurlers will face All-Ireland champions Kilkenny in the provincial semi-final this Saturday at 7 p.m. in Nowlan Park. Originally the semi-finals had been scheduled as a double bill for Sunday but with interest in the Offaly-Wexford match running high, it has been decided that staging the two matches together would reduce ticket allocations by too much.
Finally, details of the All-Ireland qualifier series first-round matches have been announced. Four of the eight fixtures will be played next Saturday, with three more on Sunday and the clash between Down or Monaghan and Meath or Westmeath taking place on Sunday week, 14th June.
QUALIFIER SERIES FIXTURES
Saturday, June 7th: Wexford Park 2.00, Wexford v Derry; Tullamore 4.15, London v Offaly; Dr Hyde Park 4.15, Roscommon v Cork; Ballybofey 6.15, Donegal v Longford. Sunday, June 8th: Dr Cullen Park 6.15, Carlow v Wicklow; Walsh Park 2.00, Waterford v Armagh; Navan 6.15, Louth v Cavan. Saturday, June 14th: Clones/Newry, Down/Monaghan v Meath/Westmeath.
