Rogan slams venue choice

July 04, 2014

Derry hurling manager Ger Rogan
Derry manager Ger Rogan is disappointed that tomorrow's Ulster SHC semi-final replay has been fixed for the Athletic Grounds.

After playing out a thrilling draw over 100+ minutes in Clones last weekend, the Oak Leaf County and Down renew acquaintances in Armagh at 3pm on Saturday, for the right to face Antrim in the final.

"We had a tremendous battle with Down last Sunday and we were deadlocked after two periods of extra time, but the match was played in Clones in front of a sparse crowd," Rogan says in The Belfast Telegraph.

"We were happy to toss for the choice of venue and would have been content enough to go to Ballycran - and I am sure Down wouldn't have objected to coming to Owenbeg.

"Now the teams are going to the Athletic Grounds, Armagh for the replay, which is an excellent venue, but not geographically suitable for this match. Who is going to travel from the likes of Portaferry or Dungiven to Armagh?

"At least if one of the teams had home advantage there would be a much better atmosphere and whichever side had to travel might have been even more motivated."

Rogan also disputes the right of Antrim to automatically be handed a place in the final of the competition: "I know they are perennial Ulster champions but I don't think that they should be granted this privilege."

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