KILDARE MANAGER CIAN O’Neill has re-iterated his stance on the GAA’s decision to move the Lilywhite’s All-Ireland qualifier against Mayo to Croke Park on Saturday.
Speaking on Kfm this morning, O’Neill stressed that he feels health and safety is being used as a ‘convenient untruth’ to move the clash from St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, and that there will be ‘long-standing implications’ for the GAA if the decision remains.
“I think we need to hold firm on this,” he told Shane Beattie. “We need to be strong on our resolve.
“I don’t want this to be viewed as Kildare issuing a threat. The term collision course is being used — that’s not how we’re viewing this. If you have a stadium that has a capacity of 9,000, or whatever the figure is, then you offer an all-ticket match. Obviously your season ticket holders, both from Mayo and Kildare will be offered theirs and then a public sale for tickets up to the amount that fits.
“Then let’s go and play football. I know that means that some people that want to go may not get a ticket. But that’s the same for Taylor Swift in Croke Park and the same as an All-Ireland football final.
“Are these rules being made up as we go along? If it was in existence, we wouldn’t have any argument because it’s a rule and it’s a regulation from Croke Park.
“Now they just want to take that [home advantage] away from us because it’s a convenience for them? No, we’re not having that.”
The Lilywhites boss was then questioned on nominating alternative venues like Portlaoise or Tullamore, like the GAA supported as well as Croke Park, with Cavan-Tyrone — the other game in the double-header — to be played in Enniskillen.
“Why would a team who have home venue against a second or third seeded team in the country opt to play a game somewhere other than their home ground when they have rightfully being awarded it?
“It absolutely makes no sense. Why are we being asked to compromise here? Why is this happening — I haven’t heard any logical or rational reason from Croke Park as to why this is happening.”
He added: “If they’re saying it’s to accommodate more supporters, well then that’s a financial reason. We’re here to play football — this is a football competition, not a financial report we’re trying to produce here.
“They’re making things up as they go along. I really would worry for the integrity of any organisation that starts to compromise on its own rules and regulations, and tweak them as they go along to suit their narrative.
This to me is an issue that really effects the fabric of the GAA as an organisation. If they don’t see the error that has been made here and change their stance, I think there’s going to be long-lasting implications for the organisation as a whole.”
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
Just get Crowley back, he hasn’t played since September and during the RWC got maybe 70mins total ?
@Owen ODonoghue: you don’t think he needs a mental break after the World Cup? What about his training load since pre season? It’s not just about game time.
@Pierce O’Hehir: Reckon if you asked him he’d prefer to play….
@Owen ODonoghue: long season ahead.
@Owen ODonoghue: could not agree more. Carbery has already probably more minutes this season. It’s completely insane. He’s played 30 mins since Sept 23rd. He’s 22. Get him playing.
Give Butler game time. No harm. We know what we get with RS, who is not a long-term option at 10, and I’d hate to lose Frisch’s ability at 13 where he is first choice. If Carbery is injured, then why wouldn’t we give youth a chance?
@Brenda Collins: Something tells me there are going to be more competitive matches in the URC this year- not many occasions to give some young lad a ‘run’, especially as you’re champions with a target on your backs in every game.
@Brenda Collins: agree completely Brenda
@Brenda Collins: Butler looks like a decent player, obviously green but with a nice touch and not afraid to attack the line, hope in a situation like this they back him.
please play Daly at 13, thank you.
There needs to be some sort of loan system introduced between provinces. Someone like Charlie Tector at Leinster is going to be very limited in terms of playing time, while Munster will struggle during the six nations should Carbery rediscover his best form and get selected along with Crowley
@philip kelly: I don’t think Munster will have to worry about having two Out Halves away during the 6N.
@David Finn: what if both are unavailable for selection?
@David Finn: Why not?
@David Finn: I’d imagine it’s a distinct possibility. If joey is going well it’d be very easy to see him bypass Ross byrne
@munsterman: or Ross Byrne could be injured at 6 nations time. Could mean Carbery and Crowley both in the Ireland camp. Or R Byrne could stay fit but one of the two Munster flyhalfs is injured with the other in Ireland camp. Unless there’s a surprise pick (Carty, Burns comeback, one of the younger flyhalfs selected) it looks like any injury at flyhalf and Munster are out of specialists in that position.
@Kevin Volf: it’d be nice to still have Ben healy
@munsterman: Or Flannery.