GAA chief claims fans being targeted in Irish Rail strike
Kerry County Board chairman Patrick O’Sullivan yesterday said the GAA was being held to ransom and asked if the same thing would happen if another sporting organisation was involved.
“It’s disappointing that the two counties which are farthest away from Dublin are being targeted for this [rail strike],’’ he said.
His board is currently compiling a list of all private coach companies which will be available to take fans to Croke Park.
Siptu and NBRU members of Irish Rail are conducting a work stoppage over pay cuts on August 24 — the first of four days of strikes.
Mayo Fine Gael TD and former Mayo football manager John O’Mahony appealed to Irish Rail employees to defer their action as it would seriously discommode thousands of GAA supporters and hundreds of tourists.
He also said a strike would ultimately damage Irish Rail’s business.
“Thousands of Mayo and Kerry fans are relying on the train to make the journey to Dublin so they can support their teams in Croke Park,’’ said Mr O’Mahony, who is also chairman of the Oireachtas Transport and Communications Committee.
In excess of 10,000 Kerry fans, and possibly more than that number from Mayo, are expected to travel to the game.
According to Mr O’Sullivan, thousands of Kerry supporters generally travel by train and there may be even more this year because the county’s minor footballers are playing in Croke Park on the same day.
Two further Irish Rail work stoppages are planned for the All-Ireland hurling and football finals, on September 7 and September 21.
The GAA nationally, meanwhile, has called on Irish Rail unions to return to talks with the company in a bid to break the impasse.
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