American football forces replay out of Croker

August 24, 2014

Kerry's Paul Geaney is tackled by Ger Cafferkey of Mayo during the All-Ireland SFC semi-final.
©INPHO/Cathal Noonan.

Many Kerry and Mayo fans - not to mention thousands of neutral supporters - are angry that Croke Park will not be able to host the All-Ireland SFC semi-final replay.

The eagerly-awaited rematch has been fixed for next Saturday in the Gaelic Grounds at 5pm. GAA headquarters is unavailable as it's due to host an American football match on the same day between University of Central Florida and Penn State in what is being billed as the 'Croke Park Classic'.

After today's thrilling draw, which was watched by an attendance of 52,495, a far bigger crowd would have been expected for the replay had it been at Croke Park. Croker's unavailability means a lot of supporters won't get to see the replay as the Gaelic Grounds' capacity is capped at 45,000.

In the RTE studio today, pundits Colm O'Rourke and Joe Brolly vented their fury at the fact that the replay won't be taking place in Croke Park. Brolly labelled it as "disgraceful", while O'Rourke said it was "absolutely dreadful that we have to go to Limerick for an All-Ireland semi-final because there's an American football match in Croke Park next Saturday."

The former Meath star reasoned: "I think they should have put the replay off until the following Saturday evening - the day before the hurling final - to allow everyone in the comfort of Croke Park.

"An All-Ireland semi-final deserves to be played (at Croke Park). It's not insulting to Limerick in any way. An All-Ireland semi-final of this status should be played in Croke Park."


Most Read Stories