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Antrim players celebrate at the final whistle last Saturday. INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
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Poll: Is it unfair that Antrim have to travel to Thurles for the All-Ireland U21HC final?

The Saffron county are not happy with the venue choice for the next month’s decider against Clare.

THE ANTRIM U21 hurlers hit the headlines last weekend with their shock win over Wexford in the Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 semi-final.

They became the first Ulster county to reach the All-Ireland final in the grade.

Despite being 12/1 outsiders and Wexford being 1/80 favourites, it was Antrim who won out by 2-15 to 1-16 in Semple Stadium.

Their prize for that victory is that they will now face Clare in the final on September 14th.

The only problem is that the game is fixed for Semple Stadium. And Antrim aren’t happy with having to travel to the Thurles venue.

To put that in context, it’s a trip of 194 miles from Antrim’s county ground Casement Park in Belfast to Semple Stadium and it’s over 50 miles further for players from clubs in the north of the county.

In contrast it’s just over 70 miles from Clare’s county ground, Cusack Park in Ennis, to Semple Stadium.

Antrim boss Kevin Ryan has talked about boycotting the game while this tweet from the Antrim GAA’s official account indicates their unhappiness.

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But we want to know do you think it is unfair to choose Thurles as the venue?


Poll Results:

No - Thurles has been fixed as the venue and has hosted the last three U21 deciders. Why change that? (650)
Yes - they shouldn't have to travel so far for the game, somewhere like Parnell Park is more suitable (344)

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