Brennan defends home venue decision in All-Ireland qualifiers

NICKEY BRENNAN has expressed surprise at the criticism of the GAA’s decision to play the last rounds of All-Ireland football qualifiers on a home-and-away basis and not at neutral venues.

Longford manager Luke Dempsey and Westmeath chairman Seamus Whelan aired their grievances after the announcement that their teams would have to travel to take on Kerry and Galway respectively.

There had been an air of confusion as to what the rules and regulations were in relation to the matter before an announcement was made but the GAA president stated in match programme notes on Sunday that there was no doubt at HQ as to what the procedure was.