GAA to raise barrier heights at Croke Park

The GAA will raise the height of the barrier across Hill 16 and the Nally/Dineen stands to over nine feet in a bid to increase the safety of spectators at Croke Park and prevent scenes such as those that marred this year’s Leinster football final between Meath and Louth.

The move comes after a detailed review of issues arising out of that game, in particular the intrusion of Louth supporters on to the field and the subsequent assaults on referee Martin Sludden after he awarded a controversial late goal that saw Meath win the game.

In today’s statement the GAA also pointed out the threat to supporters after a pitch invasion in relation to their ability to leave the field in an orderly and safe manner.

The former waist-high barrier will now be raised along what was formerly the Railway End of the ground after the management committee’s proposal was given the green light at a meeting of the Central Council this morning.

A number of proposals have already been looked at, with work expected to start as early as next week in a bid to have the barrier in place before the football semi-finals, which get underway with the clash of Dublin and Cork on August 22nd.