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Paddy Tierney

Antrim vs Kerry: Joe McDonagh winners should gain All-Ireland SHC status says Darren Gleeson

Darren Gleeson says the promotion issue in the Joe McDonagh Cup should have been addressed before now amid growing anger at the prospect of Kerry facing a play-off against his native Tipperary.

The Antrim hurling boss knows his side can return to the round-robin stage of the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship with victory over the Kingdom in Saturday’s McDonagh Cup decider in Croke Park.

However, if Kerry win, they won’t gain automatic entry into the 2023 Munster Championship. Instead, they’ll face Tipp in a play-off game on Saturday, June 25 after Colm Bonnar’s men finished bottom of the Munster group this season.

Read more: Casement Park: Antrim football captain Peter Healy hopeful of playing at new stadium

Gleeson stressed that the inequality in the competition ought to be looked at as a matter of urgency for the GAA.

“I think it is something that should have been addressed before now,” said Gleeson.

“We’ve ended up in a situation where, if they (Kerry) win the competition, they go into a play-off for something they’ve already earned.

“I thought that was something we’d taken out of our competitions, in the Leagues a few years ago when there were promotion play-offs.

“It shouldn’t be in our games. If you win something, you should have the right to go into the next level of the competition.”

The Saffrons boss also said he has a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday’s final as they bid to win their second Joe McDonagh Cup having also defeated Kerry in the 2020 decider, which was played behind closed doors.

Read more: Legal challenge against 34,000 seat GAA stadium at Casement Park rejected

Read more: Ulster champions Derry have now 'arrived at the top table' says captain Chrissy McKaigue

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