Lads TV schedules dictate playing schedules in most sports these days. I've absolutely no doubt that Setanta wanted their one "jewel" to be played in front of a captive audience
You do realise Munster objected to the Magners League to re-schedule to Thurs or Sat. Repeatedly.
The League wouldn't agree to Thursday and Leinster wouldn't agree to Saturday (rightly so given the 6 days rest would put them at a disadvantage in the Heino QF).
Unfortunately your theory doesn't hold water.
Lads TV schedules dictate playing schedules in most sports these days. I've absolutely no doubt that Setanta wanted their one "jewel" to be played in front of a captive audience
54,321 sold - wws will never die - ***
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The league itself deliberately put the game on Good Friday for the reasons you've outlined I'm sure.
The VFI then went to Munster and asked for the game to be switched but from a playing perspective the extra days rest could be vital before Northampton come to town the following Saturday.
They then went about trying to open the pubs.
When you say its a case of having thier cake and eating it too - who are you referring to? I'm not sure weather Munster or Leinster or anyone running the magners league care weather the pubs are open or not. The game is a sell-out regardless of when it takes place. Monies from Tv rights are set in stone more or less. The league and the clubs gain by a ban being in place but im not sure what the clubs / league gain by having it lifted locally for the day. The pubs are the ones looking for the ban to be lifted.
May not be finished yet:
http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0326/limerick.html
Check out my new sports blog http://www.action81.com
A mate of mine sent this letter into the Irish Times. He makes a fair point
Madam, – Let’s not be under any illusions here. If the sporting occasion were Bohemians v Limerick FC and not Leinster v Munster, there would not have been a word about it. The working classes would have to drink their cans on the bus and possibly smuggle one or two into the ground, but for Ross and Fiachra to venture beyond the Pale and be denied their coveted pints of Heino? Not a chance. – Yours, etc,
THOMAS BONNER,
Ballybofey,
Co Donegal.
Find it here
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/...267175304.html
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