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.

“I was more than a little surprised at comments relating to the playing of third and fourth-round qualifier games in the Bank of Ireland Senior Championship on a home-away basis,” said the Kilkenny man.

“The regulations governing the third and fourth-round games clearly stated that a home/away arrangement would apply, subject to the relevant venues meeting, health and safety standards plus capacity requirements.”

Brennan defended the regulations pointing out, quite rightly, that playing games at neutral venues would have a negative impact on attendances.

Last weekend, substantial crowds took in all four qualifiers and

Brennan is clearly determined that contests of that magnitude at such a late stage of the season are not played out in front of acres of empty terracing.

“These regulations were approved some time ago by Central Council. I am satisfied that using home/away venues is more preferable than a neutral venue and the excellent attendances at the third-round qualifier games support this view.”