Pitch Invasion

[KILLKERRY]

After the Kilkenny Fans invaded the Pitch last Sunday, is there any point in the GAA trying to keep fans off the pitch?

Maybe it might Be time for the Gaa to embrace this tradition and structure it, IE. let everyone on to the pitch after a 5 minute break to give time to the players and officials to get together in front of the Hogan, at least this may eliminate the pushing and 'injuries' cased by people trying to force there way on!!...

[mountainboii]

http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=13700.0

http://gaaboard.com/board/index.php?topic=13667.0

[Frank Casey]

This is in today's Sunday Independent. Its a touching letter about a couple of acres that mean so much. Life is more than an insurance claim.

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/letters/croker-means-so-much-1885423.html

Croker means so much

Sir -- After the brilliant yet disappointing match from my Tipperary perspective, I was dragged by my Kilkenny girlfriend down onto the pitch to watch the presentation.

Since it has been nearly eight years since Tipp were there, I decided to go down and have a closer look at the pitch and soak up the atmosphere.

There were lots of happy Kilkenny supporters around us, many having their pictures taken on the pitch in Croke Park.

Towards the end of the presentation, we made our way towards Hill 16 to have our picture taken in front of it. Another Tipperary fan, a man in his 40s wearing the colours, approached me. He was carrying a disposable camera. He spotted my Tipp jersey and asked would I take a picture of him on the holy turf of Croke Park as he probably would not get the chance again to stand on it.

I laughed and told him we'd be back next year even better and stronger. He then stunned me by telling me he probably wouldn't as he had terminal cancer and did not have long to live. I stood looking at this man in front of me who had this illness and all he wanted was his picture taken on the pitch of Croke Park. I talked with him for a few minutes as he told me of his battle with cancer and it turned out he was from the same town I grew up in.

I told him how my own father had passed away last year from cancer and would also have loved to have been at the game.

He's looking down on us he told me. There was a tear in both our eyes as he handed me the camera. He walked away from me and I thought he was going to keep walking but he turned around and lifted his head high, unbowed even by his illness, proud to be a Tipperary man and proud to be on the Croke Park pitch. I then stood beside him while my Kilkenny girlfriend took the picture, this man whom I had not met before, arms around each other, brought together through the great game of hurling.

To those who want to try and stop people from entering the pitch after the game, I write this to show how much it means to people and Irish society.

Trevor Conroy,

Ballina, Co Tipperary

[Donnellys Hollow]

Great letter

[longrunsthefox]

That is some letter alright. GAA has totally misjudged the mood of the people on thsi one but seem determined to turn it into UEFA Cup. I remember Cork hurlers won All Ireland in 1999 and Tyrone Ulster in 2001 and platforms in the middle of the field. Soulless. I'm susupicious GAA is overcooking all this stuff about previous insurance claims.   

[KILLKERRY]

Ah well looks like they've learned their lesson!!!!   Presentation to take place in The Hogan...proper order too!!