Former GAA President Nickey Brennan believes Kildare stand no chance of hosting their All-Ireland SFC qualifier against Mayo at St Conleth’s Park.
The county have been informed by the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) that the venue’s capacity is not adequate for the expected crowd and they were asked to propose alternative stadia.
Kildare were entitled to home advantage in St Conleth’s Park but have been instructed to play the match in Croke Park as part of a double-bill.
Nickey Brennan. Image: ©INPHO/Lorraine O'Sullivan
The Kildare County Board’s management committee released a statement to make it clear they would not be fulfilling the fixture at Croke Park.
But Brennan has advised Kildare to stand down from their current position and focus their energies on developing St Conleth’s Park.
“I understand the tickets are on sale now so you can take it that the game is going to be on at Croke Park or not at all,” Brennan told Off The Ball.
“There’s going to be a lot of water going down through Kildare from Mayo between now and Friday but I do expect at this stage that the game will be at Croke Park.
Kildare's manager Cian O'Neill. Image: ©INPHO/James Crombie
“The GAA is not going to change at this stage and it’s a question of Kildare playing the game. They’ve made their point and potentially on the behalf of everybody who’s playing in the Super 8s.
“They need to just keep focused in their mind that this has happened and to get cracking on the redevelopment of St Conleth’s Park which they want to bring up to a 15,000-18,000 capacity and that will more than meet their needs in the short to long term.”
James Hopper
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