Semple Stadium officials have apologised for the crowd problems which led to the start of last Saturday's All-Ireland hurling qualifier between Waterford and Offaly being briefly delayed. Hundreds of spectators had to walk across the pitch after difficulty arose when some people who had reserved seats found them occupied and also when those at the bottom end of the new stand saw better seats available on the opposite side. They began streaming across the pitch just as the game was about to start. Stadium chairman Con Hogan explained: "People down at the bottom end were obviously unhappy with their seats and came out on to the pitch. Rather than restrict them we decided to let them go across. We had no shortage of capacity in the stadium." Tweet

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