GAA OFFICIALS in Croke Park are awaiting, this morning's launch of the Government report on crowd safety. Leaked reports in yesterday's Cork Examiner indicate that the GAA is likely to be most affected by the report, as they own virtually all the country's stadiums with capacities over 20,000 - the reported benchmark capacity subject to the report's findings.
"We saw a draft version of it back eight or nine months ago," says GAA spokesperson Danny Lynch, "but we haven't seen the complete document and don't know what's in it."
Based on the experience of the Croke Park redevelopment, provisions to instal video cameras and control centres in all relevant venues would cost between £6 million and £10 million.
This cost would be significantly enlarged if such provisions as all seater stadiums were introduced. Speculation suggests that this may be a recommendation rather than a regulation and will be introduced on a voluntary basis after consultation between the Government and sporting bodies.
Lynch said: "Any provisions have to be realistic and a realistic time frame is needed for their implementation. If all seating is to be introduced, a realistic contribution towards cost would be needed.
He was also anxious to draw attention to the GAA's sizeable investment in grounds, with £6 million being this year's projected expenditure in upgrading grounds.
The Government paper is largely based on the Hamilton report, which was influenced by the Taylor Report in Britain, and the inquiry into last year's riot at the Ireland England soccer match at Lansdowne Road.
Meanwhile, venues for the Railway Cup semi finals on Sunday week have been decided. The football matches will be staged in Navan, where Leinster take on Connacht, and Clones, where Ulster play Munster. Ulster are seeking a seventh successive title.
A final announcement on these fixtures had been delayed, according to Sean O Laoire at Croke Park, by "a good deal of discussion examining a request from Munster" for a venue nearer than Clones. In the end Ulster said no.
The hurling semi finals, with the same pairings, will be played in Ballinasloe and Ennis on February 25th.
Friday's meeting of the Games Administration Committee will consider the details of a number of fixtures including the All Ireland club semi finals.
At the moment it looks likely that tee football match between Eire Og (Carlow) and Mullabawn (Armagh) will be scheduled for Dublin or Navan and the game between Laune Rangers (Kerry) and Corofin (Galway) will probably be fixed for Ennis or Limerick - although big National Hurling League matches are scheduled for both venues.
The hurling semi final between Antrim champions Dunloy and Glenmore (Kilkenny) is likely to be played in Dublin or Navan. The other tie, between Sixmilebridge (Clare) and Sarsfields (Galway) poses difficulties as the only venue between the clubs is Ennis which would confer a virtual home advantage on the Bridge. Thurles will also be considered.
. Tyrone GAA circles are fairly busy at the moment. Only last weekend the Errigal Ciaran club withdrew from the county league semi finals, citing fatigue and the effects of a long season.
This week's news has been dominated by county secretary Dominic, McCaughey's remarks, on a variety of topics, ranging from criticising RTE for their coverage of the Charlie Redmond controversy at last year's All Ireland final to a trenchant defence of amateurism.
The weekend's convention, at Galbally's newly completed community centre, will see the election of a new chairman at the conclusion of Declan O'Neill's three year term. Vice chairman, Paul Doris is favoured to succeed.
. The counties playing the most attractive football should get the GAA's sponsorship money. Sean Mockler, chairman of the Tipperary Football Board, said at the board's annual convention. Mockler was critical of the negative football being played at inter county level by the top teams and said it should not be encouraged.
I appeal to our team managers not to promote that type of football. We are asking our young players to model themselves on players who are seen in Croke Park, but I would not like to see them model themselves on come we have seen there," he said.