"It's just way too cramped" - Basquel on club semi-final schedule

Ballyboden's Ryan Basquel. ©INPHO/Oisin Keniry.

Ballyboden St Enda’s captain Ryan Basquel says he’s not a fan of the new fixture dates for the All-Ireland club SFC semi-finals.

The newly crowned Leinster champions are down to play Ulster and Down champions on January 4th, with Nemo Rangers facing defending All-Ireland champions Corofin earlier in the afternoon.

Both All-Ireland club senior hurling finals are also set to take place the following day and, speaking to The Irish Times, Basquel said that a later date for the semi-finals in February or even March would be more suitable.

“Just the way the fixtures are this year, it comes around so quickly,” he told The Irish Times.

“Personally, I think it’s much better when it (the semi-final) is February and March. It’s just way too cramped. I’d understand if it was all done before Christmas.

“But sure we’ll enjoy this and then we’ll see what happens after that.”