We're in a fix over fixtures

GAA fans' fury at long trips to watch counties in hurling & football...as Dubs land two ties in Croke Park

- BY SEAN MURPHY

GAA fixture scheduling has been criticised as “ridiculous” and “unfair” by fans ahead of this weekend's crunch matches.

The crucial period for football and hurling sees eight games in just two days, involving 13 counties from all four provinces, geographically.

The biggest matches of the season to date will be played across Saturday and Sunday, with three of the 13 competing counties facing two win-or-die games.

But supporters claim the fixture scheduling is “crazy” and “stupid” - prompting GAA chiefs to issue a robust defence to The Star.

After Donegal’s Jim McGuinness last Sunday claimed it was “unfair” to put their match against Mayo in Roscommon, fans are now making the same point.

For example, Galway fans will spend 10 hours in a car and clock up 700km if they want to back their footballers and hurlers this weekend.

Loyal fans of Galway must travel over three hours from dedicated GAA villages like Cappataggle to make the 200km return trip to the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick on Saturday to face Tipperary at 6.15pm in the All-Ireland Hurling Championship quarter-finals.

Then they must leave early the next morning if they also want to support the county's footballers on Sunday.

CLASH

They will spend over six hours making the 500km return trip to face Down at 1.45pm in Pairc Esler, Newry.