The decision to stage the All Ireland semi-final replay in Limerick has 'been in gestation for 18 months' according to the GAA's Head of Media Relations, Alan Milton. During an interview on Off the Ball, Milton responded to widespread criticism that the clash between Mayo and Kerry would not be held in Croke Park because of the staging of the Croke Park Classic American football match.
The Mayo County Board have lodged an objection to the choice of venue and have asked that the GAA look into the possibility of moving the match back another week so that the match can be played at headquarters without clashing with the American football.
However, Milton says that the replay must be played this weekend due to the possibility of another draw. That would in turn force another replay which would then have to be held just a week before the All Ireland final.
Much of the criticism has been aimed at the decision to accommodate the Croke Park Classic but Milton says the GAA's decision to host the match during the Championship calendar was taken after analysing the risks involved.
If you look back over the semi-finals down through the years, of the last 56, four have finished level so you weigh up the options and you do a risk assessment of a situation.
With those odds and as keen as we are to promote Croke Park as a venue - obviously primarily for Gaelic Games - but when the opportunity arises for other codes such as the one that's taking place on Saturday - it was a democratic decision by the Ard Chomhairle
Cover image: Pat Murphy / SPORTSFILE
