Semi-finals kept out of Croke Park

Croke Park won't be staging any of the National Football League semi-finals on Sunday week.

The Games Administration Committee last night fixed the Tyrone-Galway pairing for Omagh after they'd agreed to toss for home venue, while the other Division One semi-final between Limerick and Kerry was fixed for the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick after an agreement between two counties.

The throw-in time at Tyrone's home ground in Omagh will be 3 p.m. while the Kerry-Limerick tie will have a 4 p.m. start. The latter game on April 18th will also be played as a double bill with the Limerick-Clare league hurling match.

Both the Division Two semi-finals were set for neutral venues. Donegal and Down will meet in Clones at 3 p.m., while Kildare and Offaly will be heading for Portlaoise, which has a 3.30 p.m. start.

It was thought that both Tyrone and Galway were eager to play their semi-final at Croke Park, with one of the Division Two semi-finals as a curtain-raiser, but the GAC deemed that idea both financially and practically unsound.

Part of their reasoning was that last year's semi-finals - which were both played in Croke Park - attracted just 27,071. It was also decided that the huge expense in opening up Croke Park would leave the counties involved with no real financial benefit.

Kerry had initially offered to toss for the home venue with Limerick, and although they declined, another agreement was reached whereby Limerick would take home advantage on this occasion.

The capacity of 50,000 in the recently-refurbished Gaelic Grounds should be more than adequate for the double bill, while ensuring a highly attractive outing for Limerick supporters.

NATIONAL LEAGUE SEMI-FINALS (April 18th)

Division One: Tyrone v Galway, Healy Park, Tyrone, 3 pm; Limerick v Kerry, Gaelic Grounds, Limerick, 4 pm.

Division Two: Donegal v Down, St Tiernach's Park, Clones, 3 pm; Kildare v Offaly, O'Moore Park, Portlaoise, 3.30 pm.