The Munster Council are to investigate the circumstances which led to crowd difficulties at the provincial football semi-final at Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney on Sunday. Hundreds of Cork supporters were ushered on to the sidelines of the pitch after becoming caught up in a potentially dangerous half-time crush.
"Naturally, we will be examining the incident very thoroughly. What appears to have happened is that a large number of supporters left their places on the terrace for the shop and toilets at half-time and there was a bit of overcrowding in the passageway behind that terrace," said Sean Kelly, the chairman of the Munster Council. Gardai and stewards officiating at the match decided to open a gate leading onto the pitch fearing that the congestion would get worse.
"It got a bit tight in the passageway and a few people were getting a bit worried, so we took the decision to allow the fans on to the field immediately. There was no one hurt, the measure was largely precautionary and the people in question seemed quite content to watch the remainder of the match sitting on the endline," said Superintendent Michael O'Neill of Killarney Garda station.
The venue recently underwent a notable refurbishment and the passageway where the crush developed was constructed according to recommended measurements.
"Unfortunately, Fitzgerald Stadium only hosts a major championship game every two or three years and while detailed planning went into the organisational aspect of Sunday, it is difficult to foresee what might happen," Kelly said.
"The passageway does meet regulatory requirements but it is possible that it may be widened a little now and that more toilet facilities will be added to that area of the stadium," he suggested. Meanwhile, Connacht hurling final outsiders Roscommon have named their team to face Galway on Saturday evening.
Noel Cunniffe, who hurls with Roscommon champions Four Roads, makes his debut at corner back, replacing Pauric Mannion, who is out with injury.
Anything other than a comfortable Galway win will be regarded as an upset, but Roscommon's spirits have been lifted by the return of Adrian Kelly, a seasoned attacker who missed last summer's championship drubbing by Galway due to a torn cruciate ligament.
Roscommon PRO Tommy Connolly says that the county's National League record last season - they posted just a single win, against Armagh - did not reflect the solidity of their performances.
"We played a lot of the stronger sides in our division first, losing narrowly to Derry, Kerry and Wicklow, and that essentially ended our season," he said. Team manager Michael Conneely invited his former club, Sarsfields to meet Roscommon in a challenge and felt the Roscommon players gained a lot from the 4-18 to 5-15 draw. They also met Westmeath and Kerry in preparation for the game at Dr Hyde Park, which has a 7 o'clock throw-in.
"The lads have been putting in a lot of effort for this and most of them are genuinely looking forward to the game. Most of them feel that the only way they will improve is by facing sides from the higher echelons," Connolly said.
Galway are expected to announce their side tonight. Justin Campbell is still out with a broken bone in his hand, while Liam Burke and Cathal Moore are also extremely unlikely starters. They are nursing injuries following club games.
It is anticipated that team manager Cyril Farrell will name the strongest possible side.
Roscommon (SH v Galway): A Tully; T Healy, M Mulry, N Cuniffe; A Coyne, M Healy, B Mulry; M Cunniffe (capt), C Kelly; R Mulry, B Boyle, L Murray; P Regan, A Kelly, T Galvin.
