BY ALAN RODGERS

A.RODGERS@GAELICLIFE.COM

HURLING enthusiasts in Fermanagh are believed to be seething over a decision not to make the newly refurbished Brewster Park available for this Sunday's Ulster Senior Hurling Championship match.

Ongoing work to the venue is thought to be behind the decision to switch the derby clash against Tyrone to Lisnaskea.

But the County Board this week rejected suggestions that the unavailability of Brewster Park was a snub to the hurlers.

A club football match between Enniskillen Gaels and Derrygonnelly will be the first tie played on the new pitch tonight, Friday. But the hurlers will be left out in the cold less than 48 hours later.

Their team manager, Tom Walsh, preferred to concentrate on the game itself when contacted by Gaelic Life yesterday. However, it is believed that the matter was discussed by the players and management sometime ago.

"We are happy to play the game in Lisnaskea and concentrate on making the most of a great opportunity to make progress in the Ulster Championship," he said.

"As far as I'm concerned Brewster Park isn't available and we're getting ready to take on Tyrone. It would be great if we could beat them and then get London over here in a few weeks time.

"Our ideal scenario would be to get five matches in the next six weeks between both the Ulster Championship and Nickey Rackard Cup. That's our aim, but it's not going to be easy reaching that target."

Fermanagh PRO, Deirdre Donnelly, said that the decision to host the Ulster Senior Hurling game in Lisnaskea was taken a number of weeks ago when Brewster Park was still unfinished.

"The decision on where to host the match had to be taken some time ago to ensure that all the proper arrangements were in place," she said.

"There are things which have to be sorted out in relation to an Ulster game and it would be unfair to spring these on a club or venue in a matter of days. These are the same regardless of the numbers attending.

"It was only fair to both the Fermanagh hurlers and management that they could plan accordingly and that includes where the game is taking place.

"Lisnaskea is our second county venue and one of the hurling clubs in the county, so it's appropriate that the game is being held there," she added.

It is thought that the weekend will be used to complete ongoing work on Brewster Park which will include refurbishment to the main stand.

Preparations will be reaching fever pitch there ahead of the big Ulster Senior Football Championship clash against Monaghan later this month.

However, the decision not to allow the hurlers onto the pitch on Sunday has nevertheless provoked what many will see as understandable dismay.