Main pic: A section of Donegal fans who made the long trip to Dr Hyde Park, Roscommon. Pic: Evan Logan.
The chairperson of the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCC), Brian Carroll, has defended the GAA’s venue selection for yesterday’s All-Ireland SFC clash between Donegal and Mayo.
Donegal edged to a one-point win over Mayo at King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park, a result which saw Jim McGuinness’ side finish second in Group 1 and ended Mayo’s Championship involvement.
However, speaking afterwards, McGuinness was highly critical of the decision to play the game in Roscommon and revealed that Donegal had written to the CCCC complaining about the choice of venue.
“We think it was very unfair to bring us here,” he said.
“It was the equivalent of bringing Mayo to Omagh, and we also put in an email to the CCCC to say we couldn’t get a hotel in the area so we had to stay in Athlone.
“We had to go beyond the venue to come to play in the venue. “Everybody else had a fair shake this weekend. You’re 38 minutes from Mayo’s training ground. We’re three and a half hours from Inishowen. It’s not fair.”
However Carroll has defended the decision, insisting that there was no viable alternative to Dr Hyde Park for the game.
The CCCC chief, who is also chair of Roscommon GAA, was speaking the RTÉ Radio Morning Ireland programme for the All-Ireland and Tailteann Cup draws this morning and, after Donegal were handed a home tie against Louth.
“When we sit down to put these fixtures together, there are a lot of situations that have to be taken into consideration,” Mr Carroll said.
“In the case of Donegal and Mayo, the obvious venue for us was Sligo. Unfortunately, Sligo wasn’t available because the pitch is being repaired, so the ground wasn’t available.
“ Breffni Park wasn’t available – Cavan were playing at the same time. Clones wasn’t available because Monaghan were playing two hours earlier in the day and Omagh wasn’t available because Tyrone were playing at the same time.
“So our feeling was that the most logical venue [remaining] for both of these counties was King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park.”
Kerry were arguably at more of a disadvantage in having to face Meath in Tullamore, he added.
Carroll pointed out that some parts of Mayo are as far from Roscommon town as Donegal, but did not address McGuinness’ point about a lack of accommodation.
“People in Mayo had to travel just short of three hours as well, so it wasn’t ideal for both, but there are a lot of things that have to be taken into consideration.
“When we’re doing these fixtures and when you have the most northerly county and a western county playing each other, it’s always going to be difficult to find an ideal venue.
“In fairness, I think both counties were looked after well and got a good welcome, and I’d say most people are fairly happy this morning.”
The time and day for next weekend’s clash between Donegal and Louth in MacCumhaill Park will be confirmed this afternoon.
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