Skelly open to return of Friday night lights

Leinster could be the setting for another Friday Championship game next year with Longford and Offaly’s first-round game a leading contender.

Wicklow and Laois’s opener might also be considered as a weekday option but support for a Friday game next May has already been intimated in Longford. Leinster chairman Martin Skelly has been a significant proponent of the Friday night initiative and gave support to the idea of repeating this past June’s qualifier clash between Carlow and Laois in Dr Cullen Park.

“We’re looking at everything and are still open to Friday night ideas,” he said. “The success of the Carlow-Laois game last year showed these games can happen and unlike that game, when the notice was short, it would be signalled a good six months out.”

Skelly insisted Dublin’s 2014 Leinster quarter-final may not be played at Croke Park. Dublin haven’t played a provincial game outside HQ since facing Longford in Pearse Park in 2006.

“If Wicklow beat Laois, Aughrim would not be a runner because of capacity,” said Skelly. “However, were Laois to win, there may be a case for Portlaoise or Tullamore.

“Nothing is set in stone about the Dublin game. We will be appraising the fixtures scheduled in both hurling and football over the next few weeks and that will involve talking with TV companies and drawing up a package but there’s nothing to say Dublin will automatically play in Croke Park.

“We are actively promoting home and away arrangements between counties. We feel that is the way forward. However, those arrangements are dependent on the Slattery health and safety report in terms of the capacity of grounds and spectator comfort.

“We would hate to bring games to venues when there isn’t proper spectator facilities and not a high percentage of seating available.”