Saturday’s All-Ireland SFC club semi-finals will not be going to Croke Park if an escalation in poor weather renders either or both of St Conleth’s Park and Kingspan Breffni unplayable.
It was reported today that Croke Park had been put on standby to host the games, which were postponed last weekend due to the freezing conditions.
The clash of Dr Crokes and Errigal Ciarán has already been moved once this week, from O’Moore Park to Newbridge, after the pitch at the Portlaoise venue was deemed unplayable.
As it currently stands, the GAA are cautiously optimistic that the two venues will be suitable to play and host the games, albeit they retain the agency to refix them in the event of further snow or heavy frost.
However, a GAA spokesperson told independent.ie this morning that Croke Park is not an option, despite reports that stewards had been notified that it could be used.
The stadium will host three All-Ireland finals on Sunday; the intermediate football and hurling deciders and the Junior hurling final between St Lachtain’s of Kilkenny and Cork’s Russell Rovers.
Playing five matches in one weekend would increase risk of damage to the pitch, just a week out from the All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals.
GAA HQ will also host two Allianz League games involving Dublin’s footballers and hurlers before the end of the month.
There is also the issue of asking supporters to travel long distances – around 320km in the case of Dr Crokes – in potentially treacherous weather conditions.