http://hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=232211 />
yet again the GAA lets it self down with this nonense. Young lads should be entitled to enter lounge to be with their family

Agree to a sense but is there more to this than just what Ardfert say ? Are there rules / directions in place for post match meals in Croker?
Im sure GAA will release a statement on the issue.
I dont blame them for walking out though.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 19/02/2015 12:47:08    1694954

On the face of it this looks very bad for Croke Park but I'll reserve judgement until I hear what the official line from Croke Park is. We can't jump to conclusions based on one side of a story.

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 19/02/2015 12:57:06    1694960

Yet again the gaa show how much respect they have for their players...

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 19/02/2015 12:57:29    1694961

Just another example of the GAA losing the run of themselves.
Just like in Pairc Ui Chaoimh last summer for the Kerry Cork Munster Final when they brought in a security firm who proceeded to lose the run of themselves and treat supporters with no respect.

woops (Kerry) - Posts: 2073 - 19/02/2015 13:30:33    1694980

Would the law about kids not allowed in places serving alcohol after 9pm have been the possible issue here? With the time of the game, the celebrations after etc I imagine it was getting quite late before the meal started.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 19/02/2015 14:18:03    1695004

Was wondering that myself, Soma.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 19/02/2015 15:07:24    1695021

God forbid, laws don't really matter in the world of GAA folk, they're there to be broken (when it suits)

bricktop (Down) - Posts: 2503 - 19/02/2015 15:19:36    1695024

On face value this stinks. But there could be more to it than that, like how late it was, pre planned numbers for health and safety reasons. we are in an era of litigation now, especially if it were after 9pm.

I think that it would have been sensible for the players or club officials to think about this before the game and contact croke park to see if there was going to be provision made for children.

Its a pity that this happened, but there should be a bit of common sense applied.

Donegalman (None) - Posts: 3830 - 19/02/2015 15:21:17    1695027

Croke Park is not really run by the GAA, its run for them by a management compnay with their own staff and security etc. I have heard stories of well known GAA player being denied access in the past to lounges, area's reserved for players etc. There are people working in Croke Park who don't give a flying f for the sport. Shame really when so many true gaels are out of work.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11231 - 19/02/2015 15:22:40    1695029

There's probably 2 sides to the story....

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1673 - 19/02/2015 15:35:16    1695045

Access is by ticket only. Did they have one?

Torcaill (Australia) - Posts: 204 - 19/02/2015 16:20:26    1695059

I noticed that too yew tree, it seems the only people who they ñike to pay are non gaa heads. the gaa people either pay for the whole thing or perform the main act for free. and the only gratitude is a kickl up the h**e

flack (Dublin) - Posts: 1054 - 19/02/2015 16:47:03    1695065

If memory serves me correct and it was a few years back I did the stadium tour and told that all Ireland minor teams do not get access due to age , its run strictly on an over 18s policy , that's what I recall anyway .
As to who works there people are barking up the wrong tree completely , feel free to work for minimum wage on a zero hour contract , the streets are filled with people wanting those jobs , anyone who thinks any stadium theatre [ bord gas energy , O2 etc employs people directly for either security or bar,s/ restaurants is not living in the real world , Why would Croke park be any different , having said that completely feel for the club / players and kids poor way to end the day .

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 19/02/2015 17:49:07    1695084

Children are allowed into club functions before 9pm so why not in Croke Park. Again this is just another one of the countless examples of Croke Park becoming more and more alienated from its roots. I don't care if a private management company run Croke Park for the GAA- if true- they must adhere to the GAA's own rules and regulations. Still I would like to hear a response from Croke Park.

lilywhite1 (Kildare) - Posts: 2990 - 19/02/2015 19:25:55    1695113

Sounds bad, but they have enforced this rule before on other teams, including inter county seniors. Seems clumsy if it is on basis of children not being on premises that serve alcohol after 9pm. It is not a public bar anyway as members of public cannot not arrive in without permission. I did think that players could bring in family members.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 19/02/2015 19:52:42    1695126

There's an outrageous amount of bureaucracy and health & safety involved with the GAA these days. Maybe it's the modern world that we're living in, maybe the GAA have been stung in the past with compensation claims but someone in the GAA has made their mark on this stuff which can be pretty off-putting at times for those who just want to do their best for their club.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 19/02/2015 20:30:18    1695146

Seriously, although this is an unfortunate one for the Ardfert lads, how does something like this even become newsworthy? And then the number of posters up in arms about it. This is so typical of Ireland, getting worked up over something so trivial - anyone realise there's a round of national hurling league matches coming up you could be talking about?

Ballboy (Dublin) - Posts: 88 - 20/02/2015 08:05:45    1695187

If this is the premium section that is being referred to in the article its no place for chidren. I often wonder why people bring their children in there. There seems to be an obsession with "getting premium tickets" everytime a team makes croker now. Why not just watch the game from the hogan stand anbd go home after it?

Did they even have tickets to enter the players lounge?

Why do childredn need to join the "celebrations"? I'm sure there was a cup brought round the parish the following night.

lowballplease (Galway) - Posts: 935 - 20/02/2015 11:28:30    1695256

For heaven's sake, would someone please think of the children?

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 20/02/2015 11:39:49    1695260