Ulster SFC game tied to Brewster

Ulster secretary Danny Murphy insists the council had no option but to stage their SFC quarter-final between Fermanagh and Cavan in Enniskillen despite it clashing with the G8 summit.

It was confirmed on Sunday that the game will have a 2pm throw-in at Brewster Park on June 16, the day world leaders arrive for the two-day meeting in Lough Erne Golf Resort just outside the town.

Enniskillen will be under an unprecedented security lockdown but Murphy has been assured by the PSNI that the GAA can go ahead with the fixture.

Despite alternative venues being explored, Murphy said they were tied to staging the game in Enniskillen as Fermanagh were entitled to home advantage.

“The CCCC [Central Competitions Control Committee] fixed the game for 2pm on the 16th. We have had a number of engagements with the police service and they have indicated that in the current set-up they can operate this game subject to all the pre-event planning requirements that we’re all aware of. As far as we’re concerned, the game will go ahead.

“We have to operate a traffic management plan but the police have said that Enniskillen will still be an operational city and traffic will be allowed in and out of Enniskillen.

“When all the factors were added together we had no option but to leave the game where it was originally scheduled for, which was Brewster Park.”

Meanwhile, Murphy has defended the ticket allocation for this Sunday’s sold-out Ulster SFC quarter-final between Donegal and Tyrone in Ballybofey.

Tickets are at a premium with disgruntlement in both counties at the number of tickets made available. Both counties have received approximately 6,700 tickets with a further 1,500 having already been sold online.

“Our position is very clear — the allocation to both counties was exactly the same. Both Tyrone and Donegal have received the amount in line with our agreed policies on these matters.

“When it comes down to it, Donegal got a home match and under two or three requirements home matches are allowed in the Ulster championship. Ballybofey has the capacity to host this game hence why the game is going ahead there.”