Croker pitch ban remains

THE ban on supporters going on to the pitch in Croke Park after major games is to remain, GAA President Sean McCague said yesterday.

It will mean an end to the type of spontaneous take-over of the pitch which ecstatic Armagh fans undertook after last year's All Ireland final victory over Kerry. The association has no alternative but to re-impose the ban on safety grounds and to meet the terms of their insurance, Mr McCague said.

"It's really a very serious matter. And while we can empathise with Armagh and how overcome they were after winning, we will have to be prepared in future. The very reasons why we had to ensure that the pitch was not encroached upon are still valid,'' he commented. "We will have to do so in the best interests of the players, in the best interests of safety and in the best interests of insurance claims and everything else. We have got to ensure that the pitch is kept clear after the match so that the players can have the time and space to recognise their supporters properly.