National hurling and football leagues:Croke Park will be unavailable for the National League finals in hurling and football on the last two Sundays in April because of repair work and a sustained growth period which the surface requires to regain prime condition before the championship.
"In an ideal world we would like that period to play games on or even to use the lights but we have to be conscious that the field is likely to need some work," GAA president Nickey Brennan said. "That situation is out of our hands. While the field is good, excellent ifact, there is not a lot of growth at this time of year. The growth period is April and May so we have to do something to get the grass up again."
Two games have already been played on the pitch - the Dublin-Tyrone National Football League opener on February 3rd and the Ireland-France rugby match on February 11th. The second rugby international takes place on Saturday with the visit of England. Two soccer internationals also take place at the venue in March - Ireland play Wales (24th) and Slovakia (28th).
The soccer matches are preceded by six club finals, ensuring the junior and intermediate deciders in football and hurling are given the chance to play at GAA headquarters.
The traditional St Patrick's Day double-header times have been confirmed with Ulster and Armagh football champions Crossmaglen Rangers facing the winners of Saturday's semi-final replay between Moorefield and Dr Crokes at 2pm. This is followed by Kilkenny champions Ballyhale Shamrocks and Galway holders Loughrea at 3.40.
That match will be refereed by Cork's Diarmuid Kirwan. The new floodlights will be used if required.
Brennan was also relieved there were no complaints followed Ireland's 20-17 defeat to France regarding the surface, which caused problems during last year's championship. Gordon D'Arcy lost his footing in the opening play of the game but nobody remarked on underfoot conditions afterwards.
"I must say the grounds people were out working as soon as everyone was out of the stadium. It came through remarkably well. We all had a little fear, would it cause some trouble, (but) it certainly didn't. The players opted for a longer stud to play the game."
ALL-IRELAND CLUB FINALS AT CROKE PARK
Saturday, March 10th: Junior football final: Duagh (Kerry) v Greencastle (Tyrone), 5.30, D Fahy (Longford). Extra-time if necessary; Intermediate football final: Eoghain Euadh (Ulster) v Ardfert (Kerry), 7.30, M Duffy (Sligo) Extra time if necessary.
Sunday March 11th: Junior hurling final: Danesfort (Kilkenny) v Clooney Gaels (Antrim), 2.0, E Shaughnessy (Galway). Extra-time if necessary; Intermediate hurling final: Killimordaly (Galway) v Robert Emmets (London), 3.40, E Morris (Dublin). Extra-time if necessary.
Saturday, March 17th: Senior football final: Crossmaglen (Armagh) v Moorefield (Kildare)/Dr Crokes (Kerry), 2.0; Senior hurling final: Ballyhale Shamrocks (Kilkenny) v Loughrea (Galway), 3.40, D Kirwan (Cork).
