Croker ‘gamble’ for finals

GAA chiefs admit they are taking a ‘gamble’ by playing the Allianz NFL Division One and Two finals at Croke Park on April 26.

The Central Competitions Control Committee yesterday decided to bring the deciders (Kerry v Derry and Cork v Monaghan) to headquarters though last year’s equivalent title clashes attracted under 10,000 to Parnell Park.

CCCC chairman Jimmy Dunne revealed: “The committee put forward a number of arguments and felt that playing the games in Croke Park was the best option.

“The reasoning was that, playing the game there would make it more attractive for the fans and that our sponsors deserved the best possible spotlight for the final.

“We are hoping for a far better attendance than what we received last year and I know that the marketing department will be making a huge push in the weeks leading up to the final.

GAA director-general Páraic Duffy is expecting a crowd of 20,000 at the double header.

“Nobody is expecting a full house, or anything like it,’’ he admitted.

“I suppose to that extent it’s a bit of a gamble, but you just don’t look at it only in terms of attendance.

“Generally speaking we do try to play the League finals (in football) here. It wasn’t possible last year because of the nature of the work being done on the pitch at that time.

“I still think you will attract a bigger attendance in Croke Park than if you were to play the games in Portlaoise or Parnell Park.

“Clearly you are not going to have big numbers travelling from Kerry or Cork.

“But you certainly will have a big travelling support from Monaghan and to some extent Derry will bring a reasonable support. “But it’s not just about the crowd.

“Croke Park really is where you want to play your finals if you can, I think it’s the right decision the CCCC have made – one not made on financial grounds but in terms of promoting the games where they should be.’’

Association president Nickey Brennan echoed that view, saying it was “no secret” that he wanted the finals to be in Croke Park. And he expressed confidence that the meetings of Kerry and Derry, Monaghan and Cork would bring a crowd “in excess” of 20,000.

“I think you’ll get a decent crowd, but we are realistic enough in terms of our expectations,’’ he said.

“Derry and Monaghan are going to be playing in the first round of the Ulster championship that’s going to generate a level of interest.

“And there is an audience here on any given day of at least 10,000 on a regular basis for Croke Park.

“You can expect the GAA to put on a bit of a push in terms of marketing the finals, which will be an opportunity for families and children to get easy access.

“The counties appear to want the finals here and I hope the supporters rally in behind their teams.

“And we will try to make it as attractive as possible for people to attend.”

Brennan said that there will be a strong emphasis on providing concessions for families and big groups.

For his part, Duffy argues that Croke Park is obviously the more appealing venue in terms of spectator comfort, pointing to the limited stand accommodation in Parnell Park and Portlaoise not being a ‘central’ venue for the teams.

While the NHL final has been fixed for Thurles on May 3, he stressed that there wouldn’t be a difficulty in playing the game in Croke Park the day after the Leinster/Munster Heineken Cup semi-final there.

“It could still be played there, but that’s not the issue,’’ he commented. “We don’t normally play the hurling league finals in Croke Park. Thurles is the ideal venue.’’

Meanwhile the All-Ireland U21 FC final takes place on May 4 and not May 2 as fixed in the official GAA calendar.