Waterford concerned about Dr Cullen Park capacity

June 14, 2005
Waterford have questioned the GAC's decision to fix an All-Ireland hurling and football qualifier double-header for Dr Cullen Park on Saturday. The Waterford and Offaly hurlers have been fixed to meet in the Carlow venue on Saturday evening after the Carlow/Offaly football qualifier which throws in at 5pm. The decision to stage the Offaly hurlers and footballers at the one venue has been welcomed by Offaly fans, but Waterford officials fear that Dr Cullen Park won't be able to accommodate all the supporters wishing to attend both games. "They tell us in Croke Park that Dr Cullen Park can hold 20,000. We wouldn't accept that," said Waterford secretary Seamus Grant. "Don't get me wrong, it's a fine pitch. We've played football there and a lot of good redevelopment work has been completed. But we just have concerns," he added. An estimated 20,000 Waterford fans attended the Munster SHC semi-final against Cork in Thurles a few weeks ago and while only about half of that figure would be expected to travel to Carlow, it would still put enough pressure on the capacity. Carlow football manager Liam Hayes is also expecting a big turnout from the home supporters. "I would expect anything up to 9,000 of our supporters to go to Carlow. They want to get behind the team again. But I'd fear that some would stay away because they might feel it would be a tight squeeze," he said.

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