second captains they suggested to do a double header if dublin and donegal draw. SO both AI semi's on the same day. That is the daftest idea I've ever heard in my entire life!! They said the least you'll have is an 82k sell out. Not really great considering a Dublin Donegal replay would sell itself out.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 24/08/2014 19:39:19    1641348

I was against this but have changed my mind. It is a 32 county organisation and other counties should benefit from this. If this is a success, and there's no reason why it won't be, the Association will have NO arguement about taking quarter finals and semi finals outside Dublin in future. Why shouldn't Limerick, Belfast, Cork, Galway etc get these games in future?

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 24/08/2014 19:53:55    1641358

24/08/2014 17:18:05 Jack_Goff
Very excited for this. We're long over due a big AI match down the country. I know the GAA only did it because of the American football but this should be done more often. Will the capacity of the grounds be 49,000 or is there a reduced capacity now due to health and safety? Dont see any reason why capacity will be reduced as GAA will lose out on even more €€€€

24/08/2014 17:22:24 Jack_Goff
The match will throw in at 4.30pm. Would have preferred a 6 or 7pm throw in myself. Long trek late for some by playing it later than that

24/08/2014 17:29:48 toe2hand
absolute disgrace that is not in croker.the gaelic grounds is in munster and kerry know it better than mayo.sending off was adisgrace and ref could have given a number of black cards for all the times aiden oshea was fouled Dublin should never be allowed play their all Ireland games in croke park with that logic. Gaelic Grounds is in Limerick but its not as it Kerry are playing there every week.
Calling the sending off a disgrace is a bit much but yes there could have been several black cards shown in game but to both sides...

24/08/2014 17:32:31 Torcaill
Why not in Semple with additional capacity? Limerick easier to get to for both counties probably

24/08/2014 17:40:40 hill16no1man
gaa shooting themselves in the foot here and disrespectful to the players on both sides
game should be played the day before the all ireland hurling final
you had 52 thousand today with the rail strike on causing less to travel
you would have got around 60 thousand in croker the day before hurling final
and could have had a deal for supporters who already had hurling final tickets bought
that they could have made around 10 thousand tickets at half priceto get them to go to the football
to insure a close to full house both days
but an american football match that nobody will now buy tickets for because they will watch this on tv takes pride of place
bad planning hereGAA are not shooting themselves in the foot at all. Its not disrespectful to the players and your proposal for something different is just disrespectful to the hurlers playing the all Ireland final. American Football game was already scheduled and everyone knew it was scheduled for the date it is. Not bad planning at all

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 24/08/2014 20:00:00    1641363

24/08/2014 17:44:46 tipp11
Don't know how it's not on in thurles, Limerick borders kerry, has a smaller capacity and thurles best pitch in the country outside croke park. Also imagine they couldn't fix it for croke park the day before the hurling as that would be kept free on case dubs and donegal draw Is it really an issue that Kerry borders Limerick. Limerick is easier to get to for both sides and especially their supporters.

24/08/2014 17:53:06 legendzxix
I'm all for quarter-finals in provincial grounds but not an All-Ireland semi-final. Disgraceful that other sports are being played in Croke Park during the business end of the championship. Is the Sky money not enough for the GAA? Terrible decision. Not a terrible decision at all. It isn't a disgraceful thing that other sports are being played in Croke Park at business end of championship. And we don't need to bring Sky into this though its great Sky came in as they brought games to wider audience.

24/08/2014 17:58:09 zinny
hill "and disrespectful to the players on both sides" what about the hurlers playing in the AI the following day. CP is a great sod but its September and anything could happen with the weather, having a good sod is far more important to the hurling boys than football so yes the right decision is not to play the game before the Hurling AI. +1

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 24/08/2014 20:03:46    1641367

24/08/2014 18:35:08 RoyalBlue2
Total disrespect for the players from both counties IMO. A 6-day turn around and a trip to Limerick is the reward for a classic second half of football.
Pay for what? Croke Park is already paid for and in the black now. It's a poor day when American football is compromising the closing stages of the Championship and worst still compromising the players welfare. Seems to me that Joe Brolly is right - we're on a slippery slope where money comes before players and supporters. Disrespectful - no. American Football isn't compromising anything and certainly isn't compromising player welfare. How is it doing that?
Players got their semi in Croke Park and would they really care where the semi final's played? 6 day turn around is that really a big deal? They do it in any number of times in league etc and before people say this isn't the league. Sides preparations and recovery time frames etc wont change too much between league and championship
24/08/2014 18:42:58 Jack_Goff
Royal blue, you know all those top class club facilities all over the country? And various stadium upgrades like the new 40k seater in belfast or the new 45k stadium in cork? They are paid for with money earned from the events including concerts and american football in croke park.
County boards also get a lot of money to help cover their county teams costs which can be pretty big. The GAA help fund 100 full time coaches in Dublin. Take the concerts and events like this away and you will see a big reduction in all of the above. +1

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 24/08/2014 20:20:43    1641378

http://ucf.crokeparkclassic.com/travel-packages/kerry-dublin-galway/

I've no problem with the game being replayed in Limerick. Fair play to Croke Park comitay for having the US football there next Saturday, a big money-spinner for them, for Dublin and some tax money for our beloved government (!!!!!!!!), a small return on the funding( tax payer money, yes Dubs, us culchies do pay tax too) they have handed to the GAA.



BUT

Check out the itinerary tab above for next Sunday. Surely they could find a put a few deckchairs on the shkywalk for a few Yanks who would be enthralled by a mighty and skilful contest between two great teams. They could have put 10, 000 tourists in Croker today to see a real Croke Park classic if they out their mind to it. But Jones's Road loss wil, be Temple Bar's gain. A unique chance to see our amazing indigineous games lost to a feed of €7:50 left-handed pints and some hippy lad singing it's a long way to Tipperary with a Kiwi accent.Ya gotta love it !

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7365 - 24/08/2014 20:44:09    1641400

Semple will hold 53.5k while Limerick can hold 49k. There were 52.5k in Croker today, even with the rail strike that may have lessened today's attendance. The replay could attract more than today's attendance but you will have fewer seats available in Limerick. Makes no sense.

Torcaill (Australia) - Posts: 204 - 24/08/2014 21:10:03    1641422

culmore
County: All
Posts: 916

why should Mayo have to go to the borders of Kerry to play an all Ireland semi

Borders of Kerry? Limerick City is about 35 to 40 miles from the Kerry border.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2481 - 24/08/2014 21:16:49    1641428

Ormo you have a lot of replies above but I pretty much echo everything you've said. Just one thing. You asked why they would reduce the capacity in Limerick? It holds just under 50k but for the munster hurling final last year the capacity was reduced. I think the number was 46k so I was wondering what the actual capacity will be.

It's an important issue due to the fact a 4k reduction for example will probably mean 4k people missing out. The hype will be huge and at long last Kerry supporters don't need to make a 7 hour plus round trip to see their county play a big match in the AI!

Mayo support is legendary so I don't doubt they will have huge demand as well.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 24/08/2014 21:53:23    1641447

An absolutely disgraceful decision by the GAA. What an insult to the teams and supporters of Mayo and Kerry. Croke Park should not be reserved for ANYTHING ELSE between the months of June and September, reserved for Gaelic Games only. The GAA should be ashamed of themselves, imagine askn any team to play an AI semi replay in Limerick , or basically anywhere else outside of HQ. Both County Boards should refuse to play it there and by God theyd come up with a solution quick enough. No reason why they cant play it on the 6th and if Dublin and Donegal go to a replay, play that on the 13th....if needs must, play the final a week later than scheduled...Can the GPA not intervene here???

Mollymalone (Dublin) - Posts: 1137 - 25/08/2014 08:47:40    1641463

lot of people being wise after the event here - dont remember anybody moaning and whinging before the game about the potential of the replay being in limerick - Think myself the should have fixed it for 6th in croke park with the proviso that the game is moved to limerick if dubs v donegal is a draw - although for selfish reason i am very glad we are getting this once in a lifetime chance to go to an all ireland semi final at home- tis a great venue and will make for great atmosphere

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 25/08/2014 09:03:01    1641469

Disgraceful decision
No disrespect to limerick but a all Ireland semi should not be played there
Surely there's a better solution and fix it for Saturday week the chances of dubs and donegal drawing are slim as betting shows but kerry and mayo were evens each from the start and was a much higher likely outcome than dubs donegal drawing.

OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1764 - 25/08/2014 09:06:56    1641472

Disgraceful decision
No disrespect to limerick but a all Ireland semi should not be played there
Surely there's a better solution and fix it for Saturday week the chances of dubs and donegal drawing are slim as betting shows but kerry and mayo were evens each from the start and was a much higher likely outcome than dubs donegal drawing.

OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1764 - 25/08/2014 09:06:58    1641473

Its not as bad as people make out for supporters. It is a big disappointment for players, not to play in Croke park, that is what you would aspire to do every year, so big sympathy there.

But it is unlikely that the replay would attract more than 45000 as less people would be likely to travel. So there is no argument against the gaelic grounds on that count. I would hardly class limerick as being a home tie for kerry either. Probably not an ideal scenario playing second fiddle to american football, but the GAA have hammered out their priorities a long time ago and people should neither be shocked nor surprised.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 25/08/2014 09:22:28    1641481

It's a joke. An embarassment.

One thing to do, boycott the american football.

daytona11 (Kildare) - Posts: 4012 - 25/08/2014 09:50:35    1641492

My question is, If it had been Dublin and Donegal who played and drew yesterday, what would the GAA have done ?
This is no disrespect to the teams but the two D's will fill Croke park... so if it had been them that drew yesterday would the game be replayed in Clones or O Moore Park ? I doubt it !!

StirringIt (Cavan) - Posts: 374 - 25/08/2014 10:02:48    1641504

Really poor decision to carry the replay to Limerick imo. Couldnt believe the GAA came out and said that sat 6th in croker was a non runner because they needed to keep the stadium free for a possible Dublin v Donegal replay - total disrespect to Kerry and Mayo. If the Dub v Don game was to finish in a draw could that replay not be fixed for Clones?
Re Limerick its a fine stadium but simply wont have the capacity to take the crowd - 52k there yesterday (with no trains running) and add an extra 5k from kerry plus extra neutrals after yesterdys game - Limerick is a 45k stadium not a 60k stadium.
Also think its really tough on the players to have to do a six day turnaround - total disregard for player welfare.

blacknamber (Kerry) - Posts: 267 - 25/08/2014 10:07:26    1641506

Firstly, congrats to both sides on putting on a great game, had everything that the games stand for. Only exception was the daft sending off.
I admit to being undecided as to whether having the replay in Limerick is good or bad. Great to see a big game outside of Croker, great for local economy and should be easier for majority of supporters to get to. To be honest, I would like to see a lot more games played outside of Croker, which in turn would free Croker up for other events. On the other hand it is an AI semi and should get priority . Bad year for planning in Croker all round with the GB fiasco and now this.
As for the money argument, think of all the IC games at different levels that are staged around the country which do attract an attendance to cover running costs, club and facility development around the country etc etc.
The bean counters in Croker set out this year to make some serious dosh. Their plans have taken a serious pasting and are now probably hoping for a Dublin-Donegal replay to make up some lost ground.

moylagh (Meath) - Posts: 484 - 25/08/2014 10:09:13    1641508

Anybody an opinion on how the game will go??
There is another delightful thread - GAA losing its soul? - that seems to be all about the location of the match.

Why not actually talk about the game itself on this one and how people think it will pan out?
After all this is a thread about the game. The over reactions about the failure to plan should be kept separate in my opinion.

Anyway, I think the smaller pitch will suit Mayo, the less space in front of JOD the better. It makes it a lot easier to double mark him. The lad scored 1-3 yesterday with Higgins (IMO the best corner back in the country) and Cunniffe marking him.
I think Donaghy will get more game time in this one, the long ball in may have to be used as the avenues for the low ball into the full forward line will be ewasier to cut out so route 1 may be the best option. Expect Sheehan back in.

Thought at the time Keegan's red card was very soft, looking at the rules it will probably be upheld but I think Goldrick should have used common sense and a yellow would have led to no complaints from either side. He will be a big loss.
don't know why O'Connor got MOTM, AO'S was Mayo's best player in my opinion.

Looking forward to the replay I think Mayo will be too strong this time but wouldn't surprise me to see Eamon Fitz spring a couple of surprises. Disappointing that I wont be able to stroll down the road to watch it live but a nice pint in the local will do the job.

GAAHattrick (Dublin) - Posts: 278 - 25/08/2014 10:20:03    1641513

StirringIt
County: Cavan
Posts: 149

1641504
My question is, If it had been Dublin and Donegal who played and drew yesterday, what would the GAA have done ?
This is no disrespect to the teams but the two D's will fill Croke park... so if it had been them that drew yesterday would the game be replayed in Clones or O Moore Park ? I doubt it !!

Hard to say, but it is very true that the GAA have priorities when it comes to big events, and we should all sit up and take note the next time a bucket comes around to a car window for a local team.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 25/08/2014 10:23:50    1641515