Tyrone GAA boss Mickey Harte has started the mind-games ahead of next season’s blockbuster Ulster Championship game with Donegal by claiming Ballybofey is not big enough for the clash.
Donegal County Board have plans to increase the capacity at MacCumhaill Park to 18,000 in an attempt to get the go-ahead to stage the game.
But the Tyrone manager claims the ground will not be able to cater for the huge crowd the mouth-watering is expected to attract through the turnstiles.
“I think a lot more people would want to see the game live than would be able to be accommodated in Ballybofey or indeed in Healy Park,” said Harte.
“So I think it really does need a ground with a bigger capacity to offer that opportunity to as many people as possible to go and see the game. I certainly think it’s a game that will attract a lot of interest.”
Provincial chiefs could decide to switch the game to Clones, which has a capacity in excess of 30,000, despite the fact that the draw handed home advantage to Donegal.
Donegal County Board chairman PJ McGowan has already stated that JIm McGuinness’ side will not play the game in Clones.
Harte believes financial considerations will have a decisive influence in the Ulster Council’s final call on the matter.
“Yes, it’s a home draw for Donegal, but they have to weigh up the fact of how many people want to see this game and how many would be likely to be in attendance.
“So it could be an economic issue that would determine it at the end of it all.”
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