Dublin GAA fans - not renowned for having to venture outside the capital to watch their side very often - faced quite an odyssey on their way to see their side take on Roscommon this afternoon. Owing to a waterlogged pitch at Dr. Hyde Park, the game was switched to Sean Macdiarmada Park in Carrick-on-Shannon, 44km away. The decision was made at 9am this morning, by which time many Dublin fans were already on their way to Roscommon: the train from Dublin to Roscommon left Heuston station at 8am.
And as for moving a game 60km just five and a half hours before throw-in. No respect for people.
— Malachy Clerkin (@MalachyClerkin) April 3, 2016
To appease the situation, Roscommon GAA confirmed that they were putting on complimentary bus travel to ferry the Dublin fans stranded in Roscommon to the game in Leitrim.
Roscommon GAA complimentary bus transfer from Roscommon to Carrick 12-20pm from Molloys bakery, Hannons Hotel & The Square @DublinGAAnews
— Roscommon GAA (@RoscommonGAA) April 3, 2016
It soon emerged, however, that a number of Dublin fans were forced to pay €10 each for the supposedly free travel:
Dublin fans charged €10 for the 'complimentary' bus laid on by @RoscommonGAA
— Stephen Doyle (@dubsoulrebel) April 3, 2016
Throw-in delayed 15 mins in Carrick. Meanwhile, someone just off the 'complimentary bus' from Ros says he was charged a tenner! #ROSvDUB
— Frank Roche (@FrankApproach) April 3, 2016
Balls.ie spoke to Hugh Lynn, the PRO of the Roscommon GAA county board, who confirmed that the issue was brought to his attention by a number of Dublin fans at the game. Lynn said that this was totally unintended and that Roscommon GAA are launching an investigation into the incident:
We hired buses to bring Dublin supporters from Roscommon to the game in Carrick-on-Shannon.
We hired the buses on the undertanding that the GAA would pay for them. Nobody was meant to be charged.
We will be investigating the matter just in case that Dublin fans were charged by another bus operator.
Lynn also wished to place on record his regret at how late the decision was made to change the match venue:
We genuinely regret the lateness of the call. It's an awful shame the National Central Competitions Control Committee did not make the call earlier, although it was the right call.
Roscommon were edged out by a point by the champions - 1-13 to 1-12 - although they progress to the semi-finals, where they face a Kerry side they beat in Killarney in February. Dublin will face Donegal in the other semi-final.
