The GAA has invested €1 million in a new high-tech security system at Croke Park with over 200 cameras set-up in the stadium and the surrounding area.
"The system will greatly assist Croke Park officials and gardaí to marshal crowds in the vicinity of the grounds and to deal speedily and effectively with any disturbance or mishap that might arise. The cameras monitor all approach routes within half-a-mile radius of the stadium," said a GAA statement.
The new system was designed and installed by Omada Fire and Security Group. The cameras will assist all security operations within the ground as every seat can be zoomed in on.
Stadium director, Peter McKenna, said: "The system is designed to provide optimum security and to protect both GAA fans and the stadium itself. Control room personnel with a bank of over 20 colour screens can monitor all aspects of security and the new system is a welcome support to our manned security operations."
Connacht cashes in
The Connacht council has announced record attendances at its provincial championship matches this year, an increase of 74 per cent (58,023) on 2003.
This was partly caused by two replays - Roscommon v Sligo and Leitrim v Roscommon - but even when these replays were factored out, an increase of 36 per cent on the previous year was still recorded.
A record 34,790 were present for the Connacht senior football final in McHale Park, Castlebar between Mayo and Roscommon last month.
"These figures indicate the huge appeal that Gaelic games, as live events, still have in Connacht, particularly in a year when four of the province's eight senior championship matches were broadcast live on television," said a Connacht council statement.
Daly files report
The GAC will begin dealing with the incidents that arose at the end of the Cork-Laois minor quarter final at a meeting on Saturday, as referee Michael Daly's report has been received.
At present, the incident regarding Henry Shefflin's eye injury is not on the agenda, as referee Pat Horan's report has yet to arrive.
Devenney deferral
Donegal footballer Brendan Devenney has requested, and been granted, a deferral of his personal hearing regarding charges that he repeatedly pushed referee Joe McQuillan in his county's All-Ireland qualifier defeat to Fermanagh.
Devenney was reacting to being shown a second yellow card.
Jersey to New York
O'Neills have launched a licensed FDNY Gaelic jersey with a royalty from the sales being donated to charities that look after the families of deceased fire fighters. Many of the firemen who died in the September 11th attacks on the World Trade Centre were of Irish descent and some were heavily involved in Gaelic games in New York. Gaelic Park in the Bronx hosts the New York championships every summer.
The shirt is available from the O'Neills website and from leading sports retailers in Ireland and the United States.
