Roscommon cruised to a Connacht final today with a 0-24 to 0-10 victory over Leitrim today. The result means they will play Sligo or Galway in the Connacht final on June 17, a game that per the rota system should be played in Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon.
However, there have been suggestions in places that game may be moved to MacHale Park, due to capacity and safety-related problems. The Irish Independent reported that the Connacht Council met last week to discuss the issue and decided the 18'000 stadium in Roscommon would not be used.
In 2017, Galway and Roscommon met in the final. That game was played at Pearse Stadium, Galway, which has a capacity of over 26'000. In 2016, Galway also played Roscommon and the final was played in Pearse Stadium, Galway. The replay was played in MacHale Park, Mayo, which has a capacity of 38'000.
Am told that if @RoscommonGAA win today, putting them through to Connacht final, that's a game they will refuse to play anywhere other than Hyde Park. Finally a bit of backbone and pushback against the sport's elitism.
— Ewan MacKenna (@EwanMacKenna) May 26, 2018
However, today Roscommon manager Kevin McStay was affirmative in his stance. They would be playing in Dr. Hyde Park.
We are in the Connacht final, we have the home venue. It will be played in the Hyde. I have no doubt it will. We will certainly be turning up in the Hyde. I hope someone else is there to meet us on the day. We would be very, very absolute about that.
Watch the @RoscommonGAA senior manager Kevin McStay be very clear on where the Connacht Final must be played. #RosGAA pic.twitter.com/gbwKSKO4MP
— Club Rossie (@clubrossie) May 26, 2018
McStay did say should Sligo beat Galway next week, they would accept the final being played in Castlebar.
