LONDON AND LEITRIM played out a dramatic draw in their Connacht SFC semi-final in Carrick-on-Shannon yesterday.
The hosts hit two last-gasp points to avoid a shock exit from the provincial championship.
London will not now have the benefit of home advantage for the replay, it has emerged, however. It’s a decision that has caused some debate online and in media.
The Connacht Council have instead announced that the game will take place in Dr Hyde Park, Rosocmmon.
A spokesperson told TheScore.ie: “The Connacht Council have a long-standing agreement with London GAA that dates back several years. When London first entered the Connacht championship, they travelled across to play games in Connacht but they found that wasn’t working very well for them.
“After consulting with the Connacht council and the five counties in Connacht, it was agreed that they would get home advantage for their first game every year. The proviso was if they won that, all their remaining games in the Connacht championship would be played in Connacht. It was part of a long term strategic plan to help London promote GAA by giving them a game every year while they were also allowed to keep the proceeds of the gate when they hosted a game.
“The Connacht Council also subsidise the cost of travelling for the team that heads to London,” the spokesperson adds.
In addition the decision has been criticised by Galway GAA chiefs.
“Galway GAA County Committee, representing both the Clubs and the GAA Members in the county, is disappointed with the decision to fix the Connacht MFC game in Hyde Park, Roscommon, for a number of reasons,” a statement reads.
“Galway’s home advantage in this fixture has been forfeited, without any prior discussion or consent with the County Committee or county management team. The Galway Junior Club Championships fixtures on 30 Sunday June must now be postponed!
“In these difficult economic times the position of supporters should be considered and respected more! Instead of paying €15 to see both Galway senior and minor Teams play in Pearse Stadium on Saturday, 29 June, Galway Supporters are now expected to pay €35, travel to two separate venues and then pay a further €35 and travel to Croke Park for the Leinster final on Sunday, 7 July, all in a period of eight days!
“We respect the fact that the Connacht Council and CCC. has the authority and have made the decision on this Fixture. Galway County Committee has made its representation on the matter and now we must ‘knuckle down’ to the tasks ahead without creating any further distraction for our players, and their management teams.”
So what do you think?
Have London been hard done by?
