McKenna: Hill fencing will have minimal effect on fans’ view

CROKE PARK stadium director Peter McKenna has played down the impact which the fencing in front of Hill 16 will have on patrons watching games from the famous terrace.

Work began on the controversial construction almost immediately after the stadium emptied on Sunday evening and the barrier will stand between 2.8 to three metres in height when completed.

Work is due to finish on Friday and it will be given a rigorous health and safety inspection on Saturday before making its ‘debut’ for the All-Ireland minor and seniors semi-finals the following afternoon.

“People will be surprised by the quality of the work and the scheme we have put in place,” said McKenna, who reiterated the point that this was not a road that Croke Park wished to go down.

“It will take a bit from the vision of some spectators on the Hill but not to the extent that people seem to think. I don’t think it will diminish the occasion to any extent.”

McKenna confirmed the fencing will also be in place for both All-Ireland finals in September, regardless of how successful it may prove in denying fans access to the playing surface after the game.

The failure of fans to heed entreaties not to rush onto the pitch after games was compounded earlier this summer when referee Martin Sludden was assaulted by Louth supporters after the controversial ending to the Leinster final.

Meanwhile, McKenna confirmed ‘phantom whistlers’ have been in operation at the venue in recent months but added it is not a major problem. TV viewers have regularly been able to hear the whistles emanating from the crowd and there were a few notable instances during Dublin’s games against Cork and Tyrone. “It has never been a major issue and it is easy enough to single out where it is coming from,” said McKenna. “We can get to those spectators fairly quickly and prevent it from happening again.”