Retiring Down star Paul Paul Braniff has slammed the Hurling 2020 Committee's plan to move the Christy Ring Cup final out of Croke Park.

The 32-year-old, for whom the highlight of his 14-year inter-county career was captaining the Ardsmen to Ring Cup glory in 2013, is vehemently opposed to the Committee's proposal to play future finals before a Liam MacCarthy Cup qualifier at a provincial venue.

"It doesn't do a hell of a lot for what's known as 'second tier hurling'," the Portaferry forward said in the Irish News.

"The sounds you hear are they're trying to promote the game in the lesser counties, but it doesn't go hand-in-hand with what they're doing. Their actions don't go hand-in-hand with what they're saying."

Braniff claims players would much prefer playing the Christy Ring Cup final at a near-deserted Croke Park than before a big crowd at a provincial ground.

"When you get to that stage of the year, what every player strives to play for is Croke Park. Now you're taking that away from counties that deserve to be there as much as the rest."

On his decision to retire from inter-county hurling, Braniff said: "The guys are training at the minute and I know the effort they're putting in is phenomenal. I just couldn't give it."

Tweet

Most Read Stories