This is the decision awaiting Sligo at this time. Mayo and Galway and up to last year Roscommon have home and away agreements, as do Sligo and Leitrim with all Connacht counties but when it is a final both Carrick and Sligo can not host the final due to the venue size.

When Mayo last played Sligo in the 2012 final, Mayo choose Hyde Park as the "neutral" venue so this time it is Sligo's turn and it is a tough one for them, Salthill or MacHale Park. Where do the Sligo fans want to see this one go to? Galway is a nighmare traffic wise and SLigo and Mayo will be using the same road for the large part (n17) and with the Galway tourist season in full swing and the arts festival on.

Latest word is Sligo will play in Castlebar if certain financial addons are approved.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 23/06/2015 11:34:39    1741431

Not a great choice for Sligo after their great win on Saturday. Is it a more money, safety or other reason for not letting them play at home. 16,000 all-ticket. Would be a cracking atmosphere.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7337 - 23/06/2015 12:23:39    1741473

if they have any sense it will be in castlebar
taking both sets of supporters all the way to salthill would be madness

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 23/06/2015 13:32:24    1741536

I agree with green an red Mayo should play them in Sligo.

mod (Mayo) - Posts: 859 - 23/06/2015 15:24:12    1741622

Is Dr. Hyde Park not an option?

SeppBlatter (Dublin) - Posts: 187 - 23/06/2015 15:39:13    1741636

Excuse my ignorance but what is wrong with Hyde Park ?

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 23/06/2015 15:40:57    1741638

They should push for Croke Park! Tyrone and Armagh played an Ulster final there so the precedent has been set.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 996 - 23/06/2015 16:00:22    1741653

Gaillimh_Abu
County: Galway
Posts: 522

1741653 They should push for Croke Park! Tyrone and Armagh played an Ulster final there so the precedent has been set.

It would definitely be easier to get to Croke Park

onlyhurling (Galway) - Posts: 800 - 23/06/2015 16:35:17    1741684

I'll be very surprised if this game isn't played in McHale Pk. The Connacht Council will want to maximise revenue and there would be at least 5,000 more at the game if it's in McHale Pk. A lot of Mayo and Sligo fans won't travel if the game is in Salthill. Sligo will get an incentive for agreeing to it being in McHale and all will be rosy in the garden.

pdempsey (Mayo) - Posts: 1313 - 23/06/2015 16:45:35    1741692

Mayo should want to play this anywhere but Castlebar, they might actually get a test like they did v Roscommon last year.

SeppBlatter (Dublin) - Posts: 187 - 23/06/2015 16:56:07    1741702

Hyde Park was deemed not to comply with health and safety regulations required to hold a Connacht final. There are plans in place for a redevelopment of the stadium, hopefully ready for the 2017 season. Should be a quality ground if and when it goes ahead.

D.Hyde (Roscommon) - Posts: 143 - 23/06/2015 17:29:04    1741724

i hope any 'sweetener' that the Sligo County board get to go to C/Bar will be to the direct benefit of real fans, like family ticket deals, preference for stand tickets etc

salmoneile (Sligo) - Posts: 65 - 23/06/2015 19:41:30    1741809

It's the Limerick saga all over again, heard a rumour that Ballybofey is also on the table

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 24/06/2015 09:25:46    1741914

Ballybofey wouldn't be big enough would it ?!

Its a no brainer for everyone involved to have it in Castlebar

HurlerOnTheFenc (Mayo) - Posts: 282 - 24/06/2015 09:41:58    1741921

Mayo have no say on where this game is played. It is Sligo's turn to decide so it is between them and the Connacht Council. Mayo management have stated they don't mind where it is played and are just focusing on the game. Supporters are another matter but again have no say. The fact the venue was due to be announced yesterday and has been pushed back to tonight suggests that some negotiating is going on here.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 24/06/2015 09:59:49    1741927

salmoneile - considering how cash greedy the CB is, any incentive received will be used to pay for that disaster of a center of excellence

And it is not a no brainer to have the game in Castlebar, Sligo have a shocking record there and the advantage to Mayo would be huge, I'd have no problems travelling to Galway if it was worth a point or 2 in Sligo's favour, (saying that this should be an easy win for Mayo and prob best to get the game out of way and look to last round of qualifiers)

muscles (Sligo) - Posts: 441 - 24/06/2015 11:12:03    1741982

Joking aside I'd say its Castlebar with Sligo receiving a few quid maybe majority of the gate receipts especially with the venue supposedly revealed last night but it is now to be revealed this evening. Salthill is a disaster with both sets of supporters heading south in the morning and north after the game on mostly the same road, there is no difference between playing the game in Salthill than playing it in Achill, Clifden, Belmullet, Louisburgh, Enniscrone, Easkey etc all have 1 road in and the same road out and would be a traffic disaster

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 24/06/2015 11:39:16    1742003

Shocking decision to play in Dr. Hyde Park with a limited capacity surely Sligo was a better option, well done Sligo ye choked in the 1st battle get used to the same in the match

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 24/06/2015 19:45:42    1742280

It's going to be in Dr. Hyde Park after all! I thought it was out of commission for Connacht finals due to health and safety concerns?

http://www.the42.ie/mayo-sligo-connacht-final-2180082-Jun2015/

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 24/06/2015 20:41:16    1742302

Very surprised Hyde Oark has been deemed fit to host a Vonnacht final when up to yesterday it was deemed not fit by the Connscht council. Ah well Mayo are well used to playing there. Sligo gave us a scare in the 2012 final before we got over the line by 2 points. Looking forward to it now...all that matters it what goes on inside those white lines.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 24/06/2015 21:16:53    1742323