Time for a Plan C on pitch invasion issue
It started last year when it was announced that supporters would not be allowed into Croke Park after the All-Ireland finals and that the presentations would take place on the pitch with a special pageant involving young children and others as part of the 125 celebrations.
Good intentions but bad idea. Indeed I couldn’t enjoy the hurling final such was my worry about what would happen at the full-time whistle. Only for the quick reversion to Plan B, an enormous calamity could have ensued.
Sensibly the plan was dropped for the football final and normal service was restored. This is what is now referred to by officials and media alike as “pitch invasion”. I beg to differ.
The late playwright and self-styled junior footballer of note, John B Keane, often regaled me with tales of pitch invasions. It invariably occurred in the lower grades – in fact the lower the grade, the more sophisticated and successful the invasion. It usually happened in a heated championship match between neighbouring clubs. One team, minus three or four of their best players through injury and suspension and being down 10 points with six or seven minutes left on the clock, put their major tactic, perhaps, their only tactic, a pitch invasion into action.
A major row would be initiated, on came the supporters, a free-for-all would ensue leading the referee to abandon the game. Inevitably the board, with one eye on a bumper gate, would replay the game and with injured and suspended players back, the tactical masters of the pitch invasion would win the replay.
So what is now referred to as a pitch invasion is a misnomer. In fact, it is insulting to GAA fans.
At all levels of the GAA, for over a century, fans have gone onto the pitch at the end of finals to get a good view of the cup presentation, to hail their heroes, celebrate and soak up the atmosphere.
It is a very special part of the experience for many fans and indeed, players. Indeed, I remember the first time I walked onto the sacred turf of Croke Park was after Kerry’s victory in 1970 All-Ireland. The thrill was electric, just standing where our heroes had performed great feats a few minutes beforehand was a glorious experience.
Standing close, without even meeting great players like Mick O’Connell, DJ Crowley and Johnny Culloty, was special for a young lad. It was like being in the winning enclosure after a great race.
The big difference is that only close associates can get into the winning enclosure at the great races. In Croke Park everyone can be part of the great aftermath.
But now it’s all about to change – change utterly forever! Why? Because of health and safety concerns. No one can question the logic and motivation of those considerations. But it is one thing to have concerns, it’s another thing to come up with a practical and sensibly proportionate response.
It’s a small bit like the burnout debate. One of the major solutions proposed was the abolition of the minor and U21 grades. In the lead-up to the Congress debate, those who opposed the abolition of the U21 and minor grades were presented as exploiters of young players. But there is a difference between agreeing on a problem and agreeing on a one-dimensional solution imposed from on high. Nobody wants to be irresponsible but the question needs to be asked: is the fencing of Croke Park, writing to the minister to enact legislation that could criminalise supporters and banning all fans from going onto pitches forever, the only solution?
I would see it as the nuclear option if all other solutions fail. Walking up the steps of the Hogan Stand to collect the cup is the dream of every player. Coming onto the field after a great victory is a dream of every fan.
This is unique to the GAA. We shouldn’t throw it all away without great reflection and debate. Contrary to the impression given, many players have very happy memories of such close contact and celebrations with fans after games.
The problem in Croke Park is that we plan to keep fans off the pitch rather than bring them on in orderly fashion. I have seen in venues like Tralee, Killarney, Limerick, Cork and Thurles an orderly ‘invasion’ taking place after games.
I haven’t witnessed any large scale scares arising from same. The gates are opened and the fans walk on and there is rarely any hassle. I know Croke Park is bigger but I would like to see an orderly incursion taking place on the field with a special area being formed in front of the Hogan Stand for supporters. If fans were informed in advance of what was required, I feel they would respond.
Surely it’s not beyond the ability of gardaí, stewards and officials to come up with a plan to allow people onto the field in orderly fashion rather than force them to stay off and build fences around them?
If the public were told failure to cooperate would lead to the nuclear option – total banning of fans on the field after games, there is enough goodwill and common sense around to ensure success.
GAA fans are the best in the world. They don’t need to be segregated; they don’t need to be fenced in. They are not invaders. So we have a problem but let’s look at different solutions.
