TV bosses wanted Dublin in Croker

TV bosses dictated Dublin play their Leinster SFC opener at Croke Park for a ninth consecutive summer, a leading Leinster official has revealed.

Leinster Council agreed on Wednesday night to stage Dublin’s 2015 quarter-final clash against Longford or Offaly at GAA HQ as part of a double-header, most likely with Dublin hurlers’ quarter-final against Galway.

The double-billing has been earmarked for live television coverage, with Leinster Council PRO John Greene yesterday commenting that “TV chiefs wants Dublin and they want them in Croke Park”.

Neither Longford nor Offaly called for a vote on the matter at the Leinster Council meeting, aware Jim Gavin’s men would not be asked to travel.

“This year you had 41,000 at the Leinster quarter-final double-header involving Dublin, Laois, Kildare and Louth. Such an attendance you would not get at either Pearse Park or O’Connor Park, even if it was a stand alone fixture,” reasoned Greene.

“Everyone wants to get Dublin out of Croke Park, but it is not as simple as it sounds. Pearse Park can hold only 8,500, O’Connor Park 18,000. Neither are big enough to accommodate a championship fixture involving Dublin.

“Live television coverage had a big role to play also. The Dublin quarter-final along with Dublin and Galway in the Leinster hurling quarter-final will both be televised live. TV chiefs want Dublin and they want them in Croke Park. It is much easier to televise games live from Croke Park as opposed to sending 100 men down to Longford or Offaly and setting up there.”

He added: “There was no objection to the venue choice. There was not one dissenting voice.”

Longford chairman Brendan Gilmore, who earlier this month called on top-brass to force Dublin out of the capital, says whoever emerges to meet the reigning provincial champions is “on a hiding to nothing”.

“This decision was expected. Pearse Park wouldn’t be able to cater crowd-wise. In 2006 we had 17,500 for the visit of Dublin, now we are down under 10,000. Either team could be in for a hiding to nothing going up to Croke Park to play Dublin. That is what faces the teams. That is the prize on offer.”

Meanwhile, Meath’s quarter-final tie against Wicklow will bring to an end the county’s 20-year wait for a home draw in the Leinster championship.

The Royal’s last played a senior provincial championship game at Páirc Tailteann in May of 1995.