Pitch invasions on way out

THE GAA yesterday moved to combat the costly and dangerous tradition of pitch invasions and announced that they are lobbying the government to make such incursions illegal, possibly by this time next year.

Concerns over the safety and welfare of players and spectators have already prompted the association to discontinue the presentation of All-Ireland trophies from the Hogan Stand.

As of Sunday’s All-Ireland hurling final, GAA bosses will be making the presentations on the pitch itself, as was the case from 1999 to 2001 when the Hogan Stand was being rebuilt.