In the tighter surrounds of Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, Jim McGuinness's side were able to put the clamps on a Kerry forward unit who were always generally within arm's reach. But Fitzmaurice wonders if they'll be able to keep such a close eye on David Clifford, Seanie O'Shea and Co at Headquarters.
According to my research Croke Park measures 145m x 88, Ballyshhannon 145 x 87. Does one metre in width make that much of a difference? Have heard this openness time and time again.
Replying To bogger from meath: "Eamonn Fitzmaurice on RTE site writes today,
In the tighter surrounds of Fr Tierney Park, Ballyshannon, Jim McGuinness's side were able to put the clamps on a Kerry forward unit who were always generally within arm's reach. But Fitzmaurice wonders if they'll be able to keep such a close eye on David Clifford, Seanie O'Shea and Co at Headquarters.
According to my research Croke Park measures 145m x 88, Ballyshhannon 145 x 87. Does one metre in width make that much of a difference? Have heard this openness time and time again.
About 1' 6" either side, in old money. I've often thought exactly the same when I've heard that peddled out. You've answered your own question to be honest.
It's always funny that the "tight pitches" are always either claimed to be in:
1. Ulster counties, because it supports the notion they play "negative" football 2. Weak counties, because it supports the notion that everyone they play will be better than them, so they want to deny the opposition space to express their ability.
As if counties knew decades in advance where they'd stand in the football landscape and designed their pitches accordingly.
As this article shows, most "common knowledge" about GAA pitch dimensions is wrong;