DONEGAL boss Declan Bonner has questioned the decision to hold Sunday’s Ulster final clash with Cavan at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh.
Parts of the pitch looked worse for wear after the Breffnimen’s comeback victory over Down, and there was some surprise that Ulster GAA had opted to take the decider there seven days on.
Brewster Park, Celtic Park, Healy Park and Pairc Esler had also been mooted as potential alternatives once it was confirmed that Clones – traditional home of the Ulster final - was out of the running for the 4pm throw-in due to a lack of floodlights.
And Bonner admitted to having “definite concerns” about the state of the sod after watching Sunday’s other semi-final clash.
“I don't have a real preference but just looking at the state of the pitch, from watching the match yesterday, it didn't look in great shape,” he said
“You'd have definite concerns about that being quite honest. It's been fixed for Armagh, so you can only take it that the powers that be will see the pitch will be in proper playing condition. It's in the middle of winter.
“Both goals, going out maybe 20-25 metres out the pitch, it did look pretty dug up. I presume there's plans in place to rectify it.
“The Ulster Council must think there’ll be no problem. We have no issue with Armagh but it would be a concern with the state the pitch is in.”
His Cavan counterpart, Mickey Graham, feels both counties have no choice but to “get on with it”, no matter where the game takes place.
“We can make arguments for other pitches but it's going to be the same for both teams," he said.
Meanwhile, Bonner doesn’t expect Stephen McMenamin to be fit in time for the Ulster final after the full-back was forced out of Saturday’s semi-final victory over Armagh with a hamstring injury.
“It's looking very doubtful for Stephen,” said the Donegal boss, who hopes to have Hugh McFadden and Paddy McGrath available.
“We'll give him a real opportunity but at this current time we haven't got him back onto the pitch yet. It would be probably less than 50-50.”
