Cooney: Hill barrier may come down in two years

THE controversial barrier being constructed in front of Hill 16 this week may have a short shelf-life of just two years if it proves successful in combating the surge of spectators onto the Croke Park pitch after games.

The fencing will make its first appearance this Sunday for the second All-Ireland football semi-final between Down and Kildare, despite concerns over such structures in stadiums since the Taylor Report was published in England in 1990.

“If this works and over the next two or three years we educate people and people stop trying to get onto the pitch, there is no reason why we shouldn’t be in a position to take it down,” said GAA president Christy Cooney yesterday.