Home advantage is bloody crucial in knockout games.
The rules of the GAA are that the county drawn first out of the hat receive home advantage. Think about the players and the management who love playing in front of a home crowd. Think about the season ticket holders. Think about the fairness.
Instead, two qualifier games will take place this weekend in neutral venues despite Kildare and Cavan being drawn first and therefore earning home advantage.
Both Cavan and Kildare supporters have right to feel aggrieved on the back of this morning's events.
The Lilywhites were first out of the bowl in the Qualifier draw on Monday morning.
Cian O'Neill's side received the toughest possible draw when qualifier veterans Mayo were pulled out as their opponents.
Mayo will go into this game as favourites and Kildare will need a lot of things to go their way in order to pull off an upset. Home advantage is huge for a qualifier game like this, and it would be something the Kildare team and supporters would greatly benefit from.
Kildare no longer have home advantage.
The game will now be played in Croke Park due to concerns that St Conleth's Park Newbridge wouldn't have the ability to accommodate the crowd the titanic battle will draw.
The
Leinster Leader are reporting that Kildare are
refusing to play in Croke Park.
https://twitter.com/KildareGAA2018/status/1011224596115271680
https://twitter.com/KildareGAAForum/status/1011224371464155137
Cavan have been subject to the same treatment. Their clash with Tyrone was down to take place in Breffni Park after they were drawn first. It will also be moved to Croke Park. Cavan have less grounds for upset due to the fact that their home ground is under construction. You'd have to question the logic of the decision to renovate a ground in the height of the summer, but the GAA can't be blamed for that.
The games will take place as a double header this Saturday at 5.00 and 7.00 respectively.
Updates to follow...
