GAA Finals: Shane McGrath Calls for Hurling League Deciders to Return to Croke Park
The debate over venue selection for Allianz Hurling League finals is intensifying, with former Tipperary hurler Shane McGrath arguing strongly for a return to Croke Park. Currently, the finals are rotated between provincial grounds, a practice McGrath believes diminishes the prestige of the competition and limits access for supporters.
Speaking on RTÉ’s GAA podcast, McGrath pointed to the upcoming Division 1A and 1B finals – Cork versus Limerick and Clare versus Dublin respectively – as prime examples of matches that would draw significant crowds and are ideally suited for the larger capacity of Croke Park. The Division 1A final, scheduled for Easter Sunday, at the Gaelic Grounds, is projected to be a particularly compelling contest, renewing a burgeoning rivalry between Cork and Limerick. The preceding Division 1B decider featuring Clare and Dublin also promises a strong attendance.
“I think the Gaelic Grounds is the wrong call,” McGrath stated. “This is ideal for Croke Park. Limerick and Cork will sell this out on their own (the Gaelic Grounds capacity is just shy of 45,000). All the football league finals are on in Croke Park.”
The current rotation system, which has seen the league showpiece held at Semple Stadium and Páirc Uí Chaoimh in recent years, has drawn criticism for creating logistical challenges for fans traveling from across the country. McGrath highlighted the difficulties experienced by supporters of Offaly and Waterford last year when the final was held in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, noting that limited ticket availability restricted attendance. He anticipates a similar situation with Clare and Dublin supporters eager to attend their respective final.
“Look what happened last year with the Offaly and Waterford supporters for the league final when it was Tipp and Cork in Páirc Uí Chaoimh,” McGrath explained. “There were only a handful from Offaly and Waterford that were able to go. The ticket distribution might be different this time, but you’d get a right Clare and Dublin crowd that will wish to go to this.”
The move to rotate finals away from Croke Park began after the turn of the millennium, with only three league finals held at GAA headquarters since 2003 – in 2003, 2011, and 2019, when Limerick defeated Waterford. While acknowledging potential concerns about the cost of traveling to Croke Park for some fans, McGrath believes the demand for tickets would outweigh these considerations.
“This should be on in Croke Park,” he insisted. “The counter-argument, putting a cost on people to go to Croke Park, but I would think people would gladly go.”
The discussion surrounding venue selection comes on the heels of a significant victory for Tipperary in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final, where they defeated Cork 3-27 to 1-18. That triumph was preceded by a break from tradition, as the team opted to have their team bus pull up directly outside Croke Park, allowing supporters to greet them upon arrival – a gesture seen as a morale booster before the final. This unconventional approach, highlighted by Tipperary sports broadcaster Stephen Gleeson, underscored the importance of fan engagement and the team’s connection with its supporters.
The All-Ireland final win also carried a poignant emotional weight, as the team dedicated their performance to the memory of their late teammate, Dillon Quirke, who tragically passed away in . Manager Liam Cahill spoke movingly after the match about the profound impact Quirke’s loss had on the team and the enduring legacy he leaves behind, not only through his athletic achievements but also through the Dillon Quirke Foundation, which aims to save lives through increased awareness of cardiac health.
“Dillon is with us every day,” Cahill said. “When we started out in this journey in 2023 we were all hit with that devastating tragedy of what happened to Dillon. I was 50 yards from it the day it happened in Semple Stadium and I’ll never forget it. It had a huge effect on our dressing room… He should be with us today but the legacy he’s leaving and the work that he’s doing to save lives across Ireland at the moment through his name and the foundation is just incredible.”
While the focus currently rests on the upcoming league finals and the debate surrounding their location, the broader conversation highlights the evolving priorities within the GAA – balancing the desire to promote hurling at a local level with the need to maximize attendance and create a compelling spectacle for fans nationwide. McGrath’s call for a return to Croke Park for league finals represents a significant voice in that ongoing discussion, advocating for a venue that can accommodate the growing popularity of the sport and provide an unforgettable experience for supporters.
The Allianz Hurling League finals are scheduled to take place on , with the Division 1B final preceding the Division 1A clash between Cork and Limerick at the Gaelic Grounds.