GAA pull plug on Dublin’s plans for Friday night lights
Pat Gilroy’s footballers were set to take on Mayo on Friday, March 18 after a re-fixture paved the way for Mayo to agree to the game being switched from the original Sunday, March 20 date.
However, the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee rejected Dublin’s request to move the round 5 clash to the Friday, citing a number of reasons.
“We received the request but the CCCC turned it down on a number of grounds,” explained GAA director of games administration and player welfare, Feargal McGill.
“First of all, it was a player welfare issue. Lads having to take time off work to play was a problem and there is no facility to compensate them in the GAA.
“Secondly, there was the problem of Mayo supporters wanting to attend what is an attractive game being not being able to on a Friday.
“Thirdly, we had to bear in mind the amount of goodwill we rely upon from our volunteers on match days in Croke Park such as referees, umpires, linesmen and stewards.
“And finally, we have only ever given permission for inter-county games to be played midweek when there is no other alternative.”
Mayo last week explained they couldn’t fulfil the Friday night fixture because of their potential Connacht U21 FC game against Leitrim the following day.
However, that game will be switched following the re-scheduling of the Leitrim senior footballers’ Division 4 game with London.
The idea of Friday night games has split the GAA hierarchy. On Monday, GAA President Christy Cooney expressed his opposition against them, questioning the feasibility of the game going ahead on a weekday.
The game is also likely to be the stage for a trial of Hawk-Eye.
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