Leinster final capacity may be 44,000

Croke Park may have a capacity of just 44,000 for the Leinster football final between Kildare and Dublin on Sunday week. With the redevelopment of GAA headquarters still some way behind schedule, it is sure to create a major ticket shortfall for what is the most eagerly-anticipated football championship clash so far this summer.

When the two counties last met in 1998, 58,427 showed up for what was then a quarter-final replay. This year, however, the Hogan Stand redevelopment is as yet unable to accommodate any spectators and the new Canal End stand may be restricted to only its lower deck.

It was unclear yesterday as to whether or not the upper tier of the Canal End would be available for the game. That section had to be closed off for recent games due to work being carried out on the roof. If that remains the case, then space in Croke Park is expected to be somewhere around 15,000 less than the demand.

"As of now, nothing is certain as to what seats will be available for the Leinster final," said the GAA's Danny Lynch yesterday. "As for Sunday's hurling quarter-finals, we do expect the capacity to be around the 44,000 mark."

The Roscommon County Board was told at a meeting last night that Gay Sheerin has stepped down as manager of the county's senior football team. Selectors Gerry Fitzmaurice and Sean Kilbride have also resigned. Sheerin has been in charge for the last three years.