LEINSTER SEMIS NOT IN CROKER

LEINSTER GAA chairman Derek Kent has confirmed that this year's provincial football semi-finals will move out of Croke Park for the first time in over a quarter of a century.

- BY KARL O'KANE

The province have come under pressure in recent years due to dwindling attendances and a lack of atmosphere at Croke Park for two of their showpiece games.

Dublin's dominance has been a major factor in this, with the capital side going for a 20th Leinster title in 21 years.

And with a new Championship structure featuring more games in a tighter window, the matches have been coming thick and fast, putting financial pressure on hard-pressed fans.

A €5 price drop for first round headline ticket prices is an indicator of where the Leinster Football Championship stands.

The last time one of the Leinster semi-finals was played outside Croke Park was 1997, while the last occasion neither was hosted at GAA HQ was 1995-20 years ago.

Leinster chairman Kent explained: "The prime reason is we have great provincial grounds.