The GAA's Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) took the decision that has forced Roscommon's league match against Down to be relocated to Longford's Pearse Park.

On Thursday evening the Roscommon County Board issued a statement announcing the switch because of problems with the county's main ground, Hyde Park, which had been scheduled as the original venue but CCCC then ruled out Kiltoom, used as the secondary ground for county matches.

Feargal McGill, the GAA’s Head of Games Administration, said that the decision was unavoidable.

“Roscommon deemed that Hyde Park wouldn’t be playable. Roscommon have beaten Kerry and beaten Cork and the amount of people who would want to see their next league game wouldn’t be able to be accommodated in Kiltoom. The expectation would be that a crowd of around 4,000 would be in attendance and Kiltoom holds less than 3,000.

“Plus there’s no guarantee that Kiltoom would be playable either. It’s not something we wanted to happen but unfortunately we feel it’s the best option. The only other alternative was to postpone the game and we’ve just come from a congress which discussed at length club fixtures and related matters. Postponement would have taken away another weekend when no club fixtures could be played.”

New surface

In a statement Roscommon chair Séamus Sweeney said the plan is to develop a new surface in Hyde Park on which work will commence after the potential Connacht semi-final against Sligo, should the counties overcome New York and Leitrim respectively.

“Up until Sunday last the surface condition had improved but due to the weather over the last few days the surface has deteriorated and is now unplayable for Sunday’s game. Accordingly Roscommon GAA had to find alternative venue for the match. We are especially grateful to Longford GAA for making their grounds available.

“Roscommon GAA intend to redevelop Hyde Park. In this regard our clubs agreed that we install a new playing pitch at Dr Hyde Park. We will close Hyde Park in June and hope to reopen the following summer.

“We also intend developing Hyde Park as per our development plan which will see a total reconstruction of the spectator areas and the addition of much required facilities for players, patrons and officials. We will not be able to start that work immediately as there are planning processes to be addressed. We are working very closely with Croke Park and Connacht Council to ensure that we are in a position to do the job as soon as possible.”

Despite having had to take action this weekend, McGill said that quality of GAA grounds is improving significantly in all respects.

“The first thing to say is that compared to 10 years ago the quality of surfaces is in a much better condition and far less games nowadays are subject to postponement. In more general terms things can always be improved. It’s an ongoing job to keep updating facilities and upgrading them.

“People expect better facilities nowadays. They’re not really prepared to stand on grass banks to watch matches if at all avoidable. More families are going to games and you need more seats and better toilet facilities. There has been a marked improvement in that regard over the past few years.

“Purely in terms of availability of venues we’d be in an unrecognisable position compared to 10 or 20 years ago.”

He also confirmed that some of last weekend’s congress decisions would be the subject of further debate at the next Central Council meeting.

Current rules

The switch of minor to under-17 has created an anomaly for the cohort born in 2000, who won’t under the current rules have the opportunity to play minor as 18-year-olds when the change is made in 2018

“We received calls about that and we’re going to look at the idea of playing a special under-18 tournament in 2018,” said McGill. “There was a feeling that it wouldn’t be fair on those missing out. The next Central Council meeting is on 19th March.”

Also for consideration will be the Antrim motion to allow the Christy Ring Cup winners access to the same year’s Leinster championship, which attracted the support of 80 per cent of the delegates.

n There will be a memorabilia and book fair in the South Tipperary GAA Centre, Western Road, Clonmel, on Saturday March 19th from 12 noon until 4 pm. Tables will be free and admission to all will be €3. For further information or to book a table contact Sean Nugent 087-2669304 or Noel Byrne 086-8076080.