Help needed to save divisional championships
By Shane Brophy
Kiladangan manager Brian Lawlor has called for the status of the divisional championships to restored following a low key North Tipperary Senior Hurling Final on Sunday.
Despite his Kiladangan side easing to an eight point win over Borris-Ileigh, it was one of the poorest North Finals in living memory played in front of a small crowd with the stand in MacDonagh Park, Nenagh not full for the showpiece game in the division.
With both sides having progressed to the county quarter finals, it took the edge off the match as both sides focus is on winning a county title, while the fact that both sides were playing their fifth game in as many weeks meant neither were fresh to show their best.
The threat to the link of the divisional championships to the county championship has become an issue in recent years but Brian Lawlor feels their importance to clubs can be restored if they are scheduled differently.
“I would hope the divisions stay in place and that there always is a North Final,” Lawlor began.
“One of the best days I ever had was when I won it as a player in 2008 and I'll never forget it so I hope the divisions stay strong.
“What has to happen is that instead of playing a county match and North match in April, why don't they just play off the North Championship and it will be taken seriously and it will come to a conclusion."
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