Change of GAA venues would boost rural areas

Personally I have to agree with Jarlath Burns (Letters, August 27) when he states that more major GAA games should be played at venues outside of Croke Park and at venues adequately equipped to host such games.

We must take into consideration that many of our towns and cities are suffering the downturn in the economy with shops, restaurants and pubs facing closure and crying out for business.

We hear regular calls for better promotion of rural tourism and certainly the GAA are the one association well equipped to promote it by spreading fixtures to rural towns and cities.

Killarney certainly benefitted from the playing of the I937 All-Ireland hurling final in Fitzgerald Stadium. Traditionally All Ireland football semi-finals involving Kerry were played at venues outside of Croke Park listed as follows: I9I3 Kerry v Galway Portlaoise, I930 Kerry v Mayo in Tuam, I932 Kerry v Cavan in Breffni Park Cavan, I936 Kerry v Mayo in Roscommon Town, I937 Kerry v Laois Cork and replay in Waterford.

In recent times there has been much concern

regarding the centralisation of our services, the GAA can take the lead in the decentralisation

of its games to rural areas so our rural towns and cities get the financial boost they so badly

need.

John Kelly

Coolcuslough

Killarney

Co Kerry