O’Gorman: crowd ‘under capacity’
Gardaí and stewards were forced to let supporters onto the field at the Blackrock end in the opening half but the provincial chief insisted that the stadium was not at capacity for yesterday’s semi-final and the decision was made due to late arrivals.
Mr O’Gorman said the attendance was in the region of 42,000 — 1,500 below capacity.
“The decision to let patrons into the sideline was taken by the gardaí after a sizeable crowd had gathered at the entrances at the Blackrock end of the ground,” explained Mr O’Gorman.
“I would like to emphasis however, that we were under capacity at Páirc Uí Chaoimh yesterday by at least 1,500 spectators. In the interest of safely the gardaí decided, with the co-operation of the stewards, to use the sideline at the back of the Blackrock goal to take the overflow of spectators.”
Mr O’Gorman said the early start was a factor, but added: “Both the gardaí and stewards have told us in the past that an early start to a game is far easier to handle than a late one for obvious reasons.”
“I would like to thank the gardaí and stewards for the efficient way they handled the situation and also the spectators for the manner in which they conducted themselves once they got onto the sideline.
“The early starts don’t please everybody and never will in this game. We are endeavouring to promote our games every way we can and Munster Council has to fit in with the timing of other games in the rest of the provinces.
“There are thousands of people at home today that, due to ill health and moving on in years, were unable to attend today’s game but they got the opportunity to see it in all its glory on television.
“We have a duty to them to bring the game into their homes whenever we get the chance. It’s a catch-22 situation for us.
“We are trying our level best to gel it together, but we have no control of patrons who leave it very late to arrive at a venue.”
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