Duffy admits gamble backfired

GAA Árd Stiúrthóir Páraic Duffy admits the decision to schedule an American football game at Croke Park during the height of Championship season, removing the availability of HQ for the All-Ireland football semi-final replay, backfired.

Duffy says top-brass took a risk in fixing the American football encounter for mid-August, but last night stood over the decision, insisting “Croke Park has to fund the development of the GAA”.

The Árd Stiúrthóir rejected the allegation financial gain was prioritised over the second most important fixture in the football calendar, rubbishing accusations that “corporate Croke Park” dictated Kerry and Mayo be vanquished to the Gaelic Grounds.

“The decision to fix the American football game for this Saturday has backfired, but I felt it was a reasonable risk to take. It worked against us this time. I wish it hadn’t happened, but it did and that is life,” said Duffy.

“The point I would make in relation to this weekend is this American football game was arranged 18 months ago. We were aware at the time that you could end up in this situation, the law of averages indicated that it was unlikely because in the last 28 years, and of the 56 All-Ireland football semi-finals played, only four have ended in a draw. We felt it was a reasonable risk to take. We also realised if it was necessary to play an All-Ireland semi-final outside Croke Park, we had the venues available, like Limerick.

“I understand the furore that has played out this week. I think going to Limerick is not the worst thing in the world. It is a convenient venue for Kerry. It is a shorter distance to Limerick from Castlebar than it is to Croke Park. I accept there is inconvenience involved but it was a reasonable risk to take. Unfortunately it hasn’t worked out as you would have hoped.

“People can talk about corporate GAA or financial greed, but the reality is Croke Park has to fund the development of the GAA and we have to be prepared to take such decisions. We are about to undertake two huge developments with regard to the stadia in Cork and Belfast which will mean a huge undertaking of financial resources. We have to raise funds for those and Croke Park plays an important role in that. So it is important that we seek events like the American football game. You have to be prepared to use Croke Park to generate revenue for the GAA even when things don’t work out, like what has happened here.

“Playing the replay Saturday week in Croke Park was never a runner. If Donegal and Dublin draw on Sunday, that replay has to go to Croke Park because it would be an 82,000 sell-out. If you let Mayo and Kerry go to Croke Park the following week, and Dublin and Donegal draw on Sunday, what do you do then? If you put one of the games back a week, it would mean you have to put back the All-Ireland final because you can’t organise an All-Ireland final in a week. In the circumstances, I think this was the best decision. I accept the circumstances are not ideal, but I believe the situation has been managed as best as possible.”

Duffy revealed the Gaelic Grounds fixture is a “once off” and no further All-Ireland semi-final or final replays will be played outside of Croke Park.

“I think it has to be seen as a once off. That is not to say circumstances won’t arise in the future which will dictate big games to be moved outside Croke Park. You will have new stadia in Cork and Belfast so you could have circumstances where big games are played outside Croke Park. I would have to say, however, the policy of the association which is to play All-Ireland semi-finals and finals at Croke Park hasn’t changed.”