Hi °C | Lo °C A major drive to entice fans through the Croke Park turnstiles for Saturday evening's Martin Donnelly Inter-Provincial Football and Hurling Finals (Railway Cup) has been launched.
GAA chiefs, anxious to fan interest in a competition that is slowly being strangled by public apathy, have adopted a robust marketing approach in a bid to make the finals a gala occasion.
But even the choice of Croke Park as the setting has come in for criticism from some quarters, the justifiable feeling being that the projected attendance - and it could be as low as 5,000 - will be lost in the vast environs of what is one of Europe's leading sporting venues.
But Ulster manager Brian McEniff, whose side will meet Munster in the football decider (5.15), believes that the double-bill which will also feature the Connacht v Munster hurling showdown still has considerable appeal.
"Hopefully the fans will come out in numbers. It's a bold decision to take the hurling and football finals to Croke Park but I hope that the gamble pays off," adds McEniff.
McEniff's side overcame Connacht in last Saturday's semi-final at Ballybofey and now go in against a Munster side laced with Kerry and Cork players and in bullish mood following their victory over Leinster.
The Ulster boss is hoping his team can repeat the character and spirit they showed in the second-half against Connacht when, despite being without several first-choice players, Ulster showed a keen competitive edge.
McEniff, who hopes to finalise his side for the final tonight, may have more expansive selection options for the decider but is still keen to see an element of continuity in his line-up.
Dan Gordon and Eoin Lennon established the platform for Ulster's 'semi' victory at midfield where the Mourne County player wielded a strong influence.
He highlighted his display with three points from play and could again have a big role this week-end under the Croke Park floodlights.
Meanwhile, GAA officials are perturbed that spending on the preparation of inter-county teams looks set to exceed €20 million for the first time this year.
All the indications are that county boards will report record spending at their forthcoming conventions, and the €20 million barrier is set to be smashed for the first time.
And this represents a huge headache for treasurers across the country.
