GAA climbdown after second pitch invasion
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NEXT Sunday's trophy presentation for the All-Ireland Football Final will take place in the stands, and not in the middle of the pitch as was attempted during the All-Ireland Hurling Final.
The GAA has confirmed they will not attempt to hold a presentation ceremony on the field after another pitch invasion at Croke Park yesterday following the under-21 final.
"This doesn't mean we're giving up on keeping people in their seats," GAA spokesperson Fergal McGill said last night.
"We're going to make another renewed effort to ensure there's no pitch invasion next Sunday, because we remain seriously worried about the impact they could have on people's health and safety."
He said that officials will be appealing to the "better nature" of fans and that the association is not doing it because they are "spoilsports".
"If people aren't careful, a tragedy could happen one of these days -- our position is very clear on the subject," said Mr McGill.
His comments came after jubilant Clare fans disobeyed orders to stay in their seats when their Under- 21 team beat Kilkenny by one point in Croke Park yesterday.
"It was no great shock to officials that the fans went on to the pitch -- after all it was a long-awaited breakthrough match for them," one Croke Park source said.
Plans for a special presentation to commemorate the 125th anniversary of the GAA had to be shelved a week ago, when thousands of Kilkenny fans stormed the pitch, despite orders to stay in their seats.
Strategy
A "Plan B" strategy was immediately enforced and the fans' presence on the pitch meant that the planned fireworks display and presentation ceremony could not take place.
Before making his acceptance speech, Kilkenny captain Michael Fennelly was forced to ask supporters to stop pushing forward, as there were people on the pitch in danger of being injured.
- CAITRINA CODY
