Murphy wants quarter-finals moved from Croker

Ulster GAA secretary Danny Murphy

13 May 2009

Ulster Council secretary Danny Murphy has called for the All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals to be played at provincial venues.

Speaking at the launch of the Ulster SFC, the Down man suggested that no quarter-final with a crowd of less than 50,000 should be held at Croke Park, and that the provincial winners deserve some manner of home advantage.

Since the All-Ireland qualifiers were introduced in 2001, it has become customary for Croke Park to host the four All-Ireland quarter-finals, despite the stadium being only half full on occasions. Last year saw a marked decline in quarter-final attendances at GAA headquarters, prompting Murphy to say: "With the amount of games going to Croke Park, maybe enthusiasm for going there is being married against the economic cost.

"We may have to look at playing more qualifier games and possibly even some of the quarter-final games at the provincial venues.

"Croke Park is a wonderful stadium when you have more than 50,000 in it, but if you have less than that it doesn't have the same ring around it as a stadium with a smaller capacity which is full."

Murphy is in favour of rewarding the four provincial winners with a 'home' tie, or one within their province at the very least.

"If you know you will be playing at a venue where you have played one, two or possibly even three matches during the year, you would be that bit more comfortable," he claimed.