Dublin ticket-hunters face disappointment

THOUSANDS of Dublin fans look set to be disappointed in their search for tickets for the second game running after yesterday’s decision to play a Leinster semi-final double header at Croke Park on June 25.

A bumper crowd was already expected for the Dublin-Laois meeting at Croke Park on that date, but a full house is now guaranteed with supporters of Wexford and either Offaly or Kildare due to receive their own substantial allocations.

The decision to put the first semi-final back a week and play the two games on the same bill was taken by the Leinster Council yesterday as a result of the expected delays arising from the Offaly sub saga, a saga that looks like going all the way to the Disputes Resolution Authority.

Though that has tied the council’s hands, this news won’t be welcomed by all, especially after their decision to give home advantage to Longford for last Sunday’s game against Dublin.

Though the occasion proved a success, the decision to play that quarter-final in Pearse Park instead of Dublin was greeted with dismay by Dublin supporters at the time.

In the event, Dublin received 10,000 tickets for the Longford clash, but at least five times could have been sold had the game taken place at Croke Park.

Meanwhile, as expected, Louth have had to forego home advantage for their All-Ireland qualifier against champions Tyrone, with the announcement yesterday that the game has been fixed for Navan, Co Meath.

With a capacity of only 7,000, the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda is simply far too small for a game that is sure to attract a much higher figure on Saturday fortnight.

“It is disappointing,” said Louth secretary Pat Toner. “As a designated county we were entitled to the home draw and we could have done with that as it’s a very tough draw.

“It’s a shame it can’t be sorted out but Navan is the next best thing for us. It was out first choice when we knew Drogheda wouldn’t be available to us and we’ll just have to get on with it.”

Clones and Parnell Park were believed to be the other venues up for consideration by the Games Administration Committee.

Fixtures: Saturday, June 17th: Louth v Tyrone, Navan 3.30; Monaghan v Wicklow, Clones 3.30; Westmeath v London, Mullingar 7pm; Antrim v Clare, Casement Park 4pm; Sligo v Down, Markievicz Park 7pm; Waterford v Longford, Walsh Park 2pm.

Sunday, June 18th: Kildare/Offaly v Cavan, Newbridge/Tullamore 3.30pm; Carlow v Meath, Dr Cullen Park 4pm.