Angry Fans

Hurling fans are concerned about the state of the re-laid Croke Park pitch.

They’re not angry yet, but they will be, if a slip in front of goal at a vital time decides the outcome of next Sunday’s big game between Waterford and Kilkenny.

As usual, players and managements of losing teams come in for criticism. Welcome to the Summer 2009 ‘Angry Fans’ exclusive club to Dublin, Donegal and Limerick footballers!

The controversy rumbles on about how the national anthem should be honoured before games, with the old ‘pipes v brass’ clash emerging once again. And there’s criticism of the low standard of hurling in this year’s championship.

Get in touch:   Give your views and comments to An Fear Rua himself at GAA Angry Fans in ‘The Irish Examiner’    Just drop an email to [e-mail] and get AFR’s reaction to what you have to say.

If you make the ‘Comment of the Week’, we have a fabulous prize of exclusive ‘his or hers’ GAA t-shirts, supplied by our old pals at Puckout.com, where you can design your own club or county leisure wear.

I WAS SHOCKED at the poor state of the playing surface in Croke Park on Sunday. There were brown patches and ruts and you could clearly see where different strips were joined up like a poorly fitted carpet. It was just about alright for playing football. There appears to be a media and officialdom conspiracy to ‘talk up’ the surface but I shudder to think if good quality hurling could be played on it next Sunday. If it rains any way heavily before then it could become very muddy and slippery out the field. What a shame if potentially a great All Ireland hurling semi final is ruined because of Bono and U2?

Burt Bertie

AFR’S SHOUT:   A lot of work is going to have to be put in between now and next Sunday if that surface is going to be up to a decent game of hurling.   The grass is from Scunthorpe, the sand underneath is from Ardboe in county Tyrone – neither of them hurling strongholds.