Christy Cooney has once again defended the GAA's decision to erect barriers at the front of Hill 16 ahead of next month's All-Ireland finals.

"The call to re-install barriers to a height of 2.8m was a last resort for us and if there was an alternative to it, it would have been opted for. There wasn't," the GAA president insisted.

"This was not a decision that was taken lightly but Coiste Bainistí and Ard Chomhairle both fully recognised the seriousness of the situation we find ourselves in when presentations were made to them last weekend. We can never afford to treat the all-important issue of the health and safety of our players, supporters and officials lightly and it's from that stance that we are coming from making the decision.

"There are one or two observations in relation to the practice of pitch invasions that are worth making. Firstly, we should never have the numbers on the field that have flooded onto it in recent times to witness presentations.

"Second, we don't have exit facilities in the ground to cater safely for those same numbers when they try to leave the field, many of them through the same exit. We ask for your support and understanding in this matter and thank our players for their co-operation." Tweet

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