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Kevin McStay and Cillian O'Connor after the game. James Crombie/INPHO

McStay the latest manager to question Croke Park pitch surface after recent concerts

The Roscommon boss saw his team draw with Mayo yesterday.

KEVIN MCSTAY HAS become the latest GAA manager to question the condition of the Croke Park pitch after recent concerts.

Jim Gavin wasn’t happy after the Leinster final on 16 July when Dublin’s clash with Kildare was held a week after Coldplay had played at the venue.

The section of the pitch in front of Hill 16 was again torn up before last weekend’s U2 concert before being relaid for this weekend’s GAA football qualifier and quarter-final action.

Roscommon manager Kevin McStay watched his side draw with Mayo yesterday and didn’t feel the quality of the pitch ‘was good enough’ with players on both sides slipping at various stages.

“It certainly had (an effect). There’s no question. We were watching the games in the hotel last night and it seemed to have more of an influence last night.

“I don’t want to be dissing on Croke Park but it’s not good enough. If one of our young corner-backs slipped there at a crucial moment and the ball ends up in the net, he’ll never be let forget that moment.

“And there was a lot of slipping going on. I’m sure ye noticed that. We had a big issue of studs this morning and what they were going to wear.

“Look, it wasn’t a defining thing but it’s not good enough to have a third of your pitch or whatever it was of the arena or platform.

“I don’t know how far out it went but it was slippy up to between the 20 and the 45.”


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