Safety first, says Gilroy on fencing

PAT GILROY has described the GAA’s plans to erect fencing in front of Hill 16 as “drastic” but he believes Croke Park officials must do what is best for the safety of its patrons.

The terraced end of the ground has been pinpointed as the main source of pitch incursions, which the association has been doing its best to prevent for the last year or so.

The scenes which followed this year’s Leinster football final, when referee Martin Sludden was assaulted by supporters, has stiffened the resolve of the top brass to act decisively.

A fence of almost three metres in height will be erected in time for the second All-Ireland football semi-final between Kildare and Down on Sunday week and it will remain in place for both finals in September.

That means that the Hill, long synonymous with the Dublin faithful, will be fence-free this weekend before the construction of a barrier which president Christy Cooney has described as “the last option” available to the association.

“With all of these things you have to take a leap of faith and assume that all the health and safety aspects have been taken into account when you do something as drastic as that,” said Gilroy.

“You would have to trust in the people who have made that decision, that they have really scrutinised that. It must have been their only option because it is a fairly drastic option considering what has happened in stadium’s before with fencing.”

Kilkenny legend DJ Carey, current star Eddie Brennan and Down’s Benny Coulter have all criticised the decision to erect the fencing at HQ but Gilroy was closer to the GAA’s party line when asked if the measure was over the top.

“If there is a genuine risk of someone getting killed by not having the fence then it is better to have the fence. That is the overriding concern. If it causes a bit of discomfort for people in terms of viewing but saves a life then I don’t think there is any argument about it.”