Croke Park seem intent on outlawing pitch invasions on big match days. GAA president Christy Cooney spoke out in the last number of days about the "need to ensure that patrons stay off the pitch at the end of matches".

Semple Stadium was invaded tonight following Waterford's extra time win over Cork in the Munster senior hurling final replay,likewise Pairc Uí Chaoimh was invaded when Kerry won the Munster senior football final a few back.

No doubt the venues for both the Ulster and Connaught finals will also be invaded tomorrow and there wont be a word about it.

The Leinster finals therefore have to be moved away for Croke Park if patrons of counties from Leinster are to be treated on a par with their counterparts from the three other provinces.

I await GAA President Cristy Cooneys comments on tonight's invasion of Semple Stadium.

BallsMcQ (USA) - Posts: 941 - 17/07/2010 21:51:46    712694

we al know that BallsMcQ but sure let him and his mates talk in the National press if it keeps them happy

newryview (Down) - Posts: 748 - 18/07/2010 08:41:02    712727

There should be a rule whereby only supporters of "WINNING" teams are allowed to invade the pitch after the match. In that way you would not get any angry losing supporters trying to attack referees etc. So stewards should ask people when they are invading "are you a winning team supporter or a losing team supporter" If they answer that they are the losing team supporter then the steward should say "No No back you go lad, into the stand with you now." that would have prevented the ugly scenes that we witnessed after the recent Leinster final.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5520 - 19/07/2010 19:27:22    715211

Yesterday the stewards were told to stay in their positions well after the trophy presentation in the Ulster final was over to make sure nobody got on.

tir_eoghain_abu (Tyrone) - Posts: 773 - 19/07/2010 19:32:48    715224

There should be a rule whereby only supporters of "WINNING" teams are allowed to invade the pitch after the match. In that way you would not get any angry losing supporters trying to attack referees etc. So stewards should ask people when they are invading "are you a winning team supporter or a losing team supporter" If they answer that they are the losing team supporter then the steward should say "No No back you go lad, into the stand with you now." that would have prevented the ugly scenes that we witnessed after the recent Leinster final.


Lol

51longago (Mayo) - Posts: 2981 - 19/07/2010 19:34:19    715228

STEWARDS TO PLAN B, STEWARDS TO PLAN B

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1428 - 19/07/2010 19:39:28    715235

Yesterday's presentation in Clones of the Anglo Celt Cup was as drab an affair as I've ever witnessed.

BallsMcQ (USA) - Posts: 941 - 19/07/2010 19:42:32    715242

Yesterday's presentation in Clones of the Anglo Celt Cup was as drab an affair as I've ever witnessed.

It always is when a team has bigger fish to fry. Im sure its the same when Kerry win Munster

Might not have been so drab if Monaghan had won!

benjyyy (Donegal) - Posts: 1428 - 19/07/2010 19:57:50    715274

Contact the Minister for Defence!!!

Regards,

Snufalufagus....Laochra Gael

Snufalufagus (Dublin) - Posts: 8100 - 19/07/2010 20:25:48    715324

Just let people on the field after the final and they will go on in an ordinary manor and no one will be hurt trying to push themselves in.

Kilkenny32 (Kilkenny) - Posts: 7 - 19/07/2010 21:18:17    715407

the gaa seem hell bent on banning pitch invasions, but for croke park only. they dont seem to mind what happens anywhere else. pitch invasions at semple and in castlebar.i didnt see what happened in clones.around 300 kids entered the field in parnell at half time at the U21 leinster hurling final to puck ball around.the GAA didnt seem to care about any of this. they only seem to care about croker as if affects the corporate image of the stadium and its internationally frowned upon in terms of selling the ground to an international audience. dont be fooled by their calls of how dangerous it is, it is dangerous, but its as dangerous as in semple,castlebar or anywhere else, (apart from the fools who try to attack refs), once revenue might be affected the hierarchy take a stance.same old same old.

seany16 (Dublin) - Posts: 1661 - 19/07/2010 21:24:38    715417

Pitch invasions are NOT dangerous

even when people are intent on causing pain they can't manage it

Take the recent Louth meath final for example some unhappy supporters ran at the ref and as they wound up to hit him some force made them lose co-ordination and the punched thin air, threw shoulder wobbles and the ref was spared

So no issue!

ochonlir (Cavan) - Posts: 4343 - 20/07/2010 09:44:30    715535

is there a PLAN C?

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11553 - 20/07/2010 11:24:55    715707

Nothing like a good pitch invasion.

Hanley2 (Longford) - Posts: 420 - 20/07/2010 11:34:09    715730

yew_tree
County: Mayo
Posts: 1321

715707 is there a PLAN C?

Yes - 'release the dogs'... would be fun to watch from the top of the hogan.

Brolly (Monaghan) - Posts: 4472 - 20/07/2010 11:40:58    715746

A very simple solution: Around the Hogan stand presentation area close off some of the pitch with a ring of Gardai, (NOT private security people, as some of them don't get from or give respect to patrons). Open the gates 3-4 mins after the final whistle. If everyone knows they'll eventually get on to the pitch there won't be a crush in the stands... the players from the losing side can stay on the pitch in the enclosed area and watch the presentation without being surrounded by opposing fans...and players from the winning side can enjoy a few mins on the pitch with there teammates and chose whether or not they want to stay there or go up to the stand. In my opinion presenting the cup in the middle of the pitch as happened in the late 90's early 00's is a joke...doesn't compare at all for atmosphere to lifting the cup up in the stand with the fans down below on the pitch

GloryHunter (Meath) - Posts: 136 - 20/07/2010 12:15:39    715809

they may just hope Down dont reach the final!!!

newryview (Down) - Posts: 748 - 20/07/2010 12:20:41    715821

Well louth soccer fans have made it worse now by attacking ref, and players as i was in favour of poeple coming on the pitch.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 20/07/2010 14:17:39    716066

Delboy stop talking about something you know nothing about. The people who went at the ref were not soccer supporters at all and what is more it is getting boring hearing people talking about Louth as a soccer county. Look at the attendance at a Drogheda utd game, it is far below any attendanc of a Louth league game and we are in Division 3. Also you have said Louth fans have ruined it and that there should be no pitch invasions, what about the Roscommon/Sligo fans having a punch up after the Connacht final, i didnt hear you mention that.

PK57 (Louth) - Posts: 1661 - 20/07/2010 14:37:39    716119

PK57 makes it worse if there not soccer fans and never heard about sligo supporters fighting with roscommon ones is there a link.?

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 20/07/2010 14:44:08    716132