Ulster bosses quiet on final venue

THE Ulster GAA Council has delayed a decision on the venue for its provincial football final, increasing speculation it could be moved to Croke Park for the second year in a row.

However, with the Leinster football final also scheduled for July 17, the only avenue open to Ulster chiefs would be to bring the final game forward 24 hours to Saturday.

The historic move to bring the 2004 final to Croke Park proved hugely successful in terms of attracting a crowd of over 67,000 (the biggest attendance at any of last year’s provincial finals) and producing record gate receipts for the Ulster Council. The policy had been agreed in advance of the semi-finals and - it was generally felt - in anticipation of Armagh and Tyrone qualifying. In the event, Donegal’s unexpected win over the then All-Ireland champions scuppered that arrangement, but it didn’t have an impact on the attendance.