Waterfords Soul on sale, Asking price 50,000

Statement from Waterford Co Board
"As has been reported at the last two county board meetings the
financial position of Waterford County Board is in a very precarious
state.

"Over the past few months, the executive of Waterford Co
Board has put in place a number of initiatives to reduce
costs/expenditure but it is also conscious of the need to raise
additional income. With this in mind the executive entered into
negations with both Cork and Tipperary County Boards as to the
possibility of playing the 2010 Munster Hurling final in either Cork or
Thurles should Waterford qualify to meet either in the final.

"A
substantial five-figure sum, to be paid to Waterford County Board, was
agreed with both counties on the understanding that Waterford would
travel to either Cork or Thurles to play either in their "home" venue.

"With
this understanding in place, Waterford’s Munster Council
representative, acting with the unanimous support of the county
executive, requested that the Munster Council fix the Munster Hurling
final for Cork if it was a Waterford v Cork pairing and for Thurles in
the event of a Waterford v Tipperary final."

"When Cork were victorious
over Tipperary and it subsequently became public that a Cork v Waterford
final would be played in Cork, it rapidly became apparent in Waterford,
that the team management, players, clubs and supporters were totally
opposed to the idea. Such was the level of opposition from all quarters
within the county that the executive felt that it had no choice but to
ask the Munster Council to revert to the original plan to play the final
at a neutral venue.

"It is important to point out that this was
to be a ‘once-off’ arrangement solely for financial reasons and that
there was no mention or negotiation of a "home and away" arrangement
with either county.

"The statement made by the county board
chairman referred only to the home and away arrangement which was
reported in the media. Waterford does not have a stadium with a capacity
large enough to enter into such an arrangement.

"The executive
of Waterford County Board fully accept that the officers of the Munster
Council acted properly at all times in this matter and in accordance
with the wishes of the Waterford County Board executive.

"Waterford
County Board regret any embarrassment and inconvenience caused to the
Munster Council and its officers and to the boards and officers of Cork
and Tipperary."