2 weeks Ago By Paul Dollery
DEREK KENT admits that taking the Leinster SFC semi-finals out of Croke Park was long overdue.The Leinster GAA chief confirmed yesterday that the last four of this year’s provincial series will be played away from HQ for the first time in 30 years.This weekend’s league finals generated a near identical crowd of 21k which made for an eerie atmosphereIt has become an annual procession for the DubsKent, second from left, believes it will prove to be a ‘win-win’ for county boards as well as fansPoor crowds sparked the decision after just 21,000 fans turned up for the semis as a double-header last year.
Ticket prices for the games have been cut to €15 and Kent hopes the switch breathes life into a competition that Dublin have won 14 times on the spin.He said: “The logic behind it was that we were playing games in Croke Park with half or quarter of an empty stadium. The atmosphere wasn’t there.
“Dublin will travel anywhere. They’re a county that has no issue travelling anywhere.“It’s not about levelling the playing field.
It’s about giving the support better value and an atmosphere that will suit semi-finals.“A provincial ground will get some rebate back on what they’ve spent.“At the end of the day, we can go out to provincial grounds which are all up to standard.
“The point I’m making is that going out there is a win-win for everybody.“It’s a win-win for supporters and it’s a win-win for the county boards.”Elsewhere in Leinster football news, Séan Rafferty said on Monday that he was stunned to learn that Joe McMahon and Martin Corey had quit the Meath backroom team — claiming the players had no idea the exits were coming.
The coaches left Robbie Brennan’s camp last Saturday, eight days before the Leinster SFC opener against Carlow in Navan.No reason has been given for the departures of Tyrone All-Ireland-winning player and coach McMahon and ex-Cavan trainer Corey. But Rafferty, 25, insists the players must put aside the drama and focus on the Barrowsiders.
The Royals defender said: “I don’t have much to say other than we found out last Saturday.“I don’t know why they did that but we’re just focused on Carlow on Sunday. “Whatever has to be dealt with is going to be by the powers-that-be.
It’s not ideal.”McMahon and Corey quit as the Royals came third in Division 2, just missing out on promotion following a 1-19 to 0-17 final-round loss to Louth. And Rafferty said: “We have to get on with it.
It’s not going to change anything. “We have to play Carlow regardless. They are two top-class coaches.
“It leaves a void but it’s up to the powers to decide where we go. We had no inkling that it was coming — nothing at all.“It was a shock to us all across the board but that’s just the way it is and it doesn’t change.
“Our fixture doesn’t change unfortunately and we have to play that game on Sunday.“We’re focused on the game and trying to put on a performance to get a win.”.
