€20k ‘top-up’ to help Galway as Leinster still say no to home hurling games out west

The Galway team before their All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary

Source: INPHO

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GALWAY ARE TO continue to hit a brick wall in their efforts to have a home senior hurling championship game in Leinster and to get their underage sides to compete in the province.

Since joining Leinster in 2009, Galway have yet to host a senior game while their minor and U21 hurling teams continue to commence their campaigns in the All-Ireland series.

Leinster Council Chairman John Horan believes if Ballinasloe was upgraded, then it could be a potential home venue for the Tribesmen and revealed they get an extra €20k ‘top-up’ annually to compensate for having no home match.

“There is no change within the body of Leinster Council and Galway have met the officers, they’ve met the management committee and they’ve come and met the full council, but the counties are just of the view.

“I think if Galway had Ballinasloe in shape, part of it is going as far as Salthill is partially the problem, it’s just the distance. You are going nearly the width of Galway to it.

Pearse Stadium

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

“We have discussed that every year and there is no change. In terms of their minors coming in, the same thing, no change.

“They play in the senior championship in hurling and that was what was agreed to. They play in the intermediate, that came in, in the last two years. That’s how people in Leinster feel.

“Galway do get financial recompense over and above everybody else in Leinster for the fact they are in the championship.

“So they do get a grant every year for they don’t get a home game in Galway where they say they could get ground rent or revenue.

“They have been looked after financially. They get their travel expenses as well. There is a 20 grand top up, they’ve been given. That is the story that is not told.”

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