Taoiseach clears schedule for All-Ireland final between Cork and Tipp

Taoiseach Micheál Martin has said his diary is cleared for next Sunday afternoon, and he has cautioned that the All-Ireland senior hurling final will be a very tight contest.

Speaking to reporters in Cork, Mr Martin said Sunday’s final was “going to be a tough one”.

He said he had watched all of Tipperary’s matches this year, and he had been very impressed by their performances.

“They have a very good forward line, they can put the ball over the bar and they can score goals, so I hope it will be a very exciting final. Two goal-scoring forward lines, it’s going to be very, very tight, and I’m looking forward to it,” Mr Martin said.

“I wish the Cork team the very best, they’re outstanding, they’ll want to win it for themselves, because they were nearly there last year, in many respects they could have won it last year,.

“So, for them, we’re all behind them, for them I really wish it for them this year, but you just can’t wish it, you have to go out and do it, and I know they’re training hard and working hard for this.”

In a humorous exchange with reporters, the Taoiseach deflected a question about whether Fianna Fáil was vetting potential candidates for the upcoming presidential election.

He had been spotted at the Cork-Dublin semi-final, chatting with GAA president Jarlath Burns.

Mr Martin feigned horror when asked if they had been discussing a possible run for the Áras for Mr Burns.

“While Cork were playing hurling? Before a game?” he said, to laughter. “I have total concentration on these matters, I can tell you that now.”

Last week, Seán Kelly, former GAA president, and current Fine Gael Ireland South MEP, ruled himself out of contention for his party’s presidential nomination.

President Michael D Higgins’ second term ends on November 11, and the election to replace him must occur within 60 days before that date.