Dublin likely to face earlier throw-in time

Dublin's All-Ireland football quarter-final looks certain to switch to an earlier throw-in time following safety concerns raised yesterday by the Garda.

As expected, Dublin's meeting with either Galway or Westmeath was effectively given stand-alone status earlier this week when confirmed for Saturday, August 12th, with the Nicky Rackard Cup final providing the curtain-raiser.

The throw-in time was fixed for 4pm, with the Nicky Rackard Cup final starting at 2pm, but yesterday afternoon the Garda submitted a written request to the GAA's Central Games Administration Committee (CGAC) for the Dublin game to be switched to their preferred throw-in time of 2pm.

It is understood the Garda have several issues with later throw-in times involving Dublin, not least of them the greater opportunities entailed for supporters to spend time in bars prior to the game and in the stadium itself, where alcohol is now freely available.

The Garda request spoke of their "experiences with Dublin fixtures" and "interests of public safety" as the main reasons behind their preference for an earlier start.

The Garda have submitted similar requests in the past and have a good relationship with the GAA and other Croke Park officials, and such requests are normally given strong consideration.

The CGAC are therefore likely later in the week to confirm the change and announce the 2pm start, which means the Nicky Rackard Cup final will be brought forward to 12 noon - hardly an ideal time on Saturday, yet the best the GAA can do given the circumstances.

Later throw-in times are also known to contribute to a greater chance of pitch invasions by the supporters after the game, as was fully evident in Dublin's Leinster final win over Offaly in Croke Park last Sunday week.

That game also had a 4pm start.

Croke Park stadium director Peter McKenna said yesterday the earlier throw-in time was almost certain to be considered: "In fact my understanding is that the throw-in time had yet to be confirmed," said McKenna, "and that it was only a provisional schedule released earlier this week."

McKenna did make it clear, however, that every effort needed to be made to minimise the risk of further pitch invasions.

The GAA have been resisting the installation of fencing and barriers, which would make such invasions impossible, and rely instead on appealing to the common sense of supporters.

They stepped up that appeal during Sunday's All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals, when the managers of Waterford and Tipperary were shown on the stadium's two giant screens next to a request not to invade the field after the game.

"I think we had . . . very successful hurling quarter-finals at the weekend," added McKenna, "and part of that was the appeals of the managers. A lot of it is about getting the right group dynamic.

"Right now we're still talking about a minority of people starting a pitch invasion, and we always have to make sure that doesn't become the majority. But the one approach we don't want to make is more aggressive stewarding."

Despite ongoing concerns that a further pitch invasion is an accident waiting to happen, the GAA continue to hold out on more drastic measures - although according to McKenna, the need for co-operation with supporters is greater than ever.

"Fencing is not something we've explored yet for the simple reason we don't want to. But all it will take is one major incident involving a pitch invasion and then the whole issue will be taken out of our hands," explained McKenna.

"We'll be forced to make the changes, which could also include a reduction in capacity.

"All I can say is that we're on the edge right now, and it will only require one more problem with a pitch invasion to push us over the edge."

Croke Park's ability to stage a major game without a pitch invasion will be fully tested over the coming weeks, with 10 major games set for headquarters between next weekend and the end of the championship.

They include the four All-Ireland football quarter-finals, the two semi-finals in both football and hurling, and then the two finals - almost all of which are likely to draw capacity crowds.

Meanwhile, the GAA have confirmed that admission to this weekend's round-four qualifiers between Fermanagh and Donegal (at Enniskillen), and Offaly and Laois (at Portlaoise) will be by ticket only.

Tickets are available from the usual county sources and through Ticketmaster outlets nationwide.

Tickets are not required for entry to the games between Kerry and Longford (at Killarney) and Galway and Westmeath (at Pearse Stadium).

Saturday, August 5th

All-Ireland football, quarter-finals:

Cork v Donegal/Fermanagh

Armagh v Kerry/Longford

Sunday, August 6th

All-Ireland minor hurling, semi-final:

Cork v Galway, 12.30

Christy Ring Cup final:

Antrim v Carlow, 2.0

All-Ireland hurling, semi-final:

Waterford v Cork, 4.0

Saturday, August 12th

Nicky Rackard Cup final:

Derry/Armagh v Donegal/Longford, 2.0

All-Ireland football, quarter-final:

Dublin v Galway/Westmeath, 4.0

(Times to be confirmed)

Sunday, August 13th

All-Ireland minor hurling, semi-final:

Kilkenny v Tipperary, 12.30

All-Ireland football, quarter-final:

Mayo v Laois/Offaly, 2.10

All-Ireland hurling, semi-final:

Kilkenny v Clare, 4.0

Sunday, August 20th

All-Ireland football, semi-final:

Armagh/Kerry/Longford v Cork/Fermanagh/Donegal

Sunday, August 27th

All-Ireland football, semi-final:

Dublin/Galway/Westmeath v Mayo/Laois/Offaly

Sunday, September 3rd

All-Ireland hurling final

Sunday, September 17th

All-Ireland football final