CCCC Chief Defends Donegal Venue Amid Criticism
The chairperson of the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC), Brian Carroll, has responded to the backlash surrounding the choice of Roscommon’s King & Moffatt Dr Hyde Park for the All-Ireland SFC showdown between Donegal and Mayo. CCCC chief defends Donegal venue amid criticism after Donegal secured a narrow one-point victory over Mayo, eliminating them from the Championship and securing second place in Group 1. Despite the win, Donegal’s manager Jim McGuinness voiced frustration over the venue choice, revealing that his team had formally objected to the CCCC about it before the match.
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McGuinness Raises Concerns Over Travel and Fairness
McGuinness described the venue decision as deeply unfair. Drawing comparisons, he likened it to making Mayo play in Omagh. He noted logistical issues such as the inability to find local accommodation, forcing the team to stay in Athlone, which is farther away. “We had to go past the venue just to reach it,” he said. McGuinness also highlighted the geographical imbalance, explaining that Mayo was just 38 minutes from the venue, while Donegal players had to travel over three and a half hours from Inishowen. He felt that every other team had a fairer arrangement over the weekend.
CCCC Chair Justifies Decision with Scheduling Conflicts
In response, Carroll explained the decision-making process during an appearance on RTÉ, where he addressed fixture logistics after Donegal drew Louth for their next game. He said several factors were considered when determining the match location. Sligo was the first choice, but pitch repairs ruled it out. Breffni Park in Cavan and Clones were unavailable due to matches involving their home counties, and Omagh was off the table because of Tyrone’s game. Given all those limitations, Roscommon’s Dr Hyde Park was deemed the most practical option remaining.
Comparative Travel and Broader Challenges
Carroll added that even parts of Mayo are just as far from Roscommon as Donegal. He admitted the situation wasn’t perfect for either side but emphasized the difficulty of picking a venue suitable for counties as geographically distant as Donegal and Mayo. Although he didn’t directly address the issue of local accommodation, he insisted that both counties were treated respectfully and received warm welcomes. He concluded by expressing satisfaction that, overall, things went smoothly and most people seemed pleased.
