Bringing Laois And Dublin To Kilkenny Is A ‘Disgrace’ – Mick Lillis
Written 1 year ago by Will O'Callaghan
Tickets have gone on sale this morning for the Leinster Senior Football quarter-final between Laois and Dublin at Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Saturday June 4th.
Laois advanced to the last eight with a 3-16 to 0-18 win over Wicklow in Portlaoise on Saturday night with goals from Gary Walsh, Ruairi O’Connor and captain Donie Kingston.
O’Moores boss Mick Lillis feels it’s a mistake to fix the Dublin game for Nowlan Park
“We will play wherever we are asked to play, but I think the game being played in Nowlan Park is a disgrace.
“I genuinely think it was a shocking bad decision and one the people who voted for it will have to live with.
“But it’s all down to money and it is a terrible indictment of the GAA it is down to money. It is not down to bums on seats, which was the reason (given): that there are more seats in Nowlan Park. Sure the Dubs don’t sit down in Croke Park, why would they want to sit down in Nowlan Park?
“I’m not so sure if it’s disrespectful to Laois – it’s disrespectful to every county who would have a chance of drawing Dublin at home.
“The fanfare of bringing Dublin to any venue would be phenomenal, you couldn’t write away for it. It would be just fantastic.
“It’s a poor decision, it’s a pity it was made and on reflection, I would hope that a different decision would be made but look, that’s out of our hands, we had no hand, act nor part it in it, no more than Dublin.”
Laois football board chairman Peter O’Neill admits the game probably won’t be changed but says they’ll be lobbying Leinster Council to change the game to O’Moore Park
“The only thing we can do is appeal to the Leinster GAA Executive to show fairness and give Laois the home match they’re entitled to, and give the people of Laois people their match.
“There’s not one person around the country that I’ve met that can understand the decision of this match going to Kilkenny of all counties.
“I don’t think this is going to promote football down in Kilkenny by moving Laois and Dublin to it.”
Image – INPHO/Ryan Byrne
