Fans urged to avoid ‘dangerous and illegal' practice as Meath GAA and Gardai issue traffic warning for All-Ireland clash
FANS have been warned to avoid using "dangerous and illegal" pyro as Gardai issued a traffic notice for the All-Ireland quarter-final between Meath and Galway.
The Royals and Tribesmen meet at
seal
a place in the final four of the Sam Maguire.
2
Meath face Galway in the All-Ireland quarter-final on Sunday
Credit: Tom Beary/Sportsfile
2
Meath GAA and Gardai have issued a traffic notice for fans going to Croke Park
Credit: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
On Saturday evening, Meath
It read: "The Gardai and Croke Park Stadium Operations have asked that supporters be mindful of the below information ahead of tomorrow's GAA
Football
All-Ireland Quarter Final against
"Come early and enjoy the atmosphere, stiles open 90 minutes prior to the first game.
"Plan your journey in advance and leave plenty of time to arrive in the stadium. There are a number of other city events taking place.
Read More on GAA
"Where possible use
"Have your ticket downloaded in advance.
"Follow the instructions of Stewards and An Garda Siochana at all times".
As well as instructions for how and when to get to GAAHQ, fans were also advised as to what to bring to the stadium or, more appropriately, what not to.
Most read in GAA Football
It added: "Supporters are reminded that flares and smoke cannisters are dangerous and illegal and are strictly prohibited.
"Anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
'So much integrity' - RTE viewers hail Stephen Cluxton for 'principled stand' Dublin GAA icon took during Parnells saga
"Remember Croke Park is in a residential area. Please Respect our
neighbours
."
Meath and Galway will be looking to join Donegal -
The final quarter-final will pit reigning champions Armagh against
Heading into the weekend's action, 1999 All-Ireland winning Meath legend Graham Geraghty ranked the quarter-finalists in his
And Galway and Meath were difficult to separate, with the former Royals captain ranking Padraic Joyce's side in eighth and his native county in seventh.
He said of Galway: "This one might raise eyebrows straight off the bat.
"And such are the fine margins at play, there will be no great surprise on my behalf if Galway are back at Croke Park in a fortnight.
"But for me, a Tribe side capable of blowing hot and cold are not as formidable as they were 12 months ago.
"When Shane Walsh does not catch
fire
, they tend not to function well as a unit.
"They have coped without Damien Comer, though the different dimension he can provide would be a huge asset for them.
"After losing an All-Ireland final by a point, the
road
to atonement is long and arduous.
"Both mentally and physically, there is a lot of mileage on the clock."
'SHACKLES ARE OFF'
As for Meath, Geraghty said: "Beating Galway is well within Meath's capability. The Royals have excelled under the new rules and they have become a very confident outfit under Robbie Brennan.
"It is as if the shackles have been taken off, particularly for the younger players as they have really started to express themselves.
"Meath have done extremely well to persevere in the face of injuries to some important players.
"But that has left them a bit light on the bench.
"Losing Martin Corey and Joe McMahon from the backroom staff was a massive blow in March.
"Having since taken the scalps of
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an hour ago
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Jack O'Connor credits switches for Kerry's untouchable second half
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White pointed, Clifford followed it with another two minutes later and then Graham O'Sullivan was key to them adding a second from the follow-up kick-out, a free converted by O'Shea. Armagh bounced back with three points including a Jarlath Óg Burns's two-pointer and the likes of Jason Foley were keeping them from stringing further scores. At the other end, O'Shea and O'Sullivan were finding their range again and Kerry led by three in the 25th minute. For the remaining 10 minutes of the half, they were outscored by four, though. In the 29th minute came the game's only goal. Dylan Casey was lax in retrieving a short Ryan kick-out, Kelly stole in on his inside, fed Rory Grugan and he struck high to the net. Kerry wasted little time in recommencing play and may have been fortunate to win a free from Ryan's longer kick. However, it paved the way for a much-needed O'Shea point and within a minute he was contributing another two-pointer to restore Kerry's edge. Dylan Geaney sent over a point in the 32nd minute but Rafferty then pumped over a two-point free and McElroy's second came just after the buzzer. Armagh started the new half with the same zeal and went five up in the first five minutes. Rian O'Neill curled over a two-point free in the 37th minute after a great dash by Jarlath Óg Burns to win the placed ball. He and Conaty followed it up with points and the margin could have been six but for a poor Ben Crealey strike at the posts. And then Kerry took over. Completely. Scorers for Kerry: S. O'Shea (0-12, 3 tps, 3 frees); D. Clifford (0-7, 2 tps); J. O'Connor, B. O'Beaglaoich, G. White, P. Clifford, G. O'Sullivan, M. Burns (0-2 each); D. Geaney (0-1). Scorers for Armagh: O. Conaty (1 tp), R. O'Neill (1 tpf, 1 free) (0-6 each); R. Grugan (1-0); J. Burns (tp), E. Rafferty (tpf), J. McElroy (0-2 each); T. Kelly, D. McMullan, C. McConville (0-1 each). KERRY: S. Ryan; D. Casey, J. Foley, P. Murphy; B. Ó Beaglaoich, G. White (c), T. O'Sullivan; S. O'Brien, M. O'Shea; J. O'Connor, S. O'Shea, G. O'Sullivan, D. Clifford, C. Geaney, D. Geaney. Subs: E. Looney for T. O'Sullivan (inj 24); P. Clifford for C. Geaney (h-t); M. Burns for M. O'Shea (50); D. Moynihan for M. Burns (temp 56-57); K. Spillane for D. Geaney (63); G. O'Sullivan for T. Kennedy (69); T.L. O'Sullivan for D. Casey (69-ft). ARMAGH: E. Rafferty; P. Burns, P. McGrane, B. McCambridge; R. McQuillan, T. Kelly, J. Burns; N. Grimley, B. Crealey; R. Grugan, J. McElroy, O. Conaty; D. McMullan, A. Murnin, R. O'Neill. Subs: C. Turbitt for J. Burns (temp 37-47); J. Duffy for N. Grimley, C. Turbitt for R. McQuillan (both 50); A. Forker for T. Kelly (54); C. McConville for B. Crealey (56); S. McPartlan for R. Grugan (66); C. O'Neill for A. Murnin (temp 66-ft). Referee: B. Cawley (Kildare).
