Croker ‘no’ for NFL finals

THE decision of the Games Administration Committee of the GAA not to play the NFL finals in Croke Park on April 23, has angered a number of county managers.

Without pre-empting the result of Sunday’s semi-final against Mayo in Castlebar, Galway manager Peter Forde said he would be very disappointed at not getting the chance to play in Croke Park should they reach the decider.

“I can understand the semi-final between ourselves and Mayo being played in Connacht, but the final is a national competition and should be played in Croke Park.

“Counties don’t get there too often, and players, young and not so young, relish the opportunity to play there. It’s most disappointing to hear the final won’t be played at GAA headquarters.”

Mayo boss Micky Moran is angry at their semi-final not being played in Croker despite the fact that his county won the toss to host the game in Castlebar.

“It’s been a long hard fought league campaign and to get the chance to play in Croke Park would have been a just reward for the players.

“I too am disappointed. You don’t get too many chances to play there and it would have been nice for the lads, especially the younger fellas.

“Our semi-final against Galway should also be played in Croke Park. The two semi-finals would surely draw a crowd of upwards of 40,000.

“We talk about our national stadium and opening it up, and this would have been the perfect opportunity.”

Louth boss Eamon McEaney was equally disappointed at the decision.

The Wee County play Limerick in the Division 2 semi-final in Newbridge.

“The reasons being trotted out by the GAC for not playing the finals in Croke Park don’t stand up. They are downgrading the national leagues by what they are doing,” said McEaney.

“The two finals used to be played in Croke Park on the one day and were a great day out for followers of the participating counties. Playing them there also afforded people, particularly youngsters, to attend who weren’t from the counties playing.”

“If we get to the final, I would be hoping Croke Park would honour what they started a few years ago and play both finals on the one day. It would be sending out the wrong signals to every county if those finals are played anywhere else.”

The Games Administration Committee said that: “Because of geographic considerations in respect of the four teams who have qualified for the Division One semi-finals, a venue more convenient to supporters from the respective counties who will qualify for the final will be decided when the pairings are known.

Similar consideration will be given to the prospective venue for the Division 2 final. The Allianz NHL semi-finals are also scheduled for the same date and starting times generally will also be a logistical consideration when the pairings for the schedule of games are confirmed.”

GAA Information Officer Fergal McGill added: “Should it be a Kerry v Mayo or Galway final, there are a couple of venues closer to those counties quite capable of hosting the final and making it a lot easier for supporters to get back home at a reasonable hour.”

Dublin will be a mecca for sports fans on Sunday, April 23. Leinster and Munster meet in the Heineken Cup semi-final in Lansdowne Road while the final of the Setanta Soccer Cup between Cork City and Drogheda has been fixed for Tolka Park the same weekend.