OPINION - Mind our pitch and stay off the grass

TRADITION is a wonderful thing in the GAA. There are so many special aspects both on and off the pitch which make the GAA a stunning sporting association. Whether it is the parish-based club system or supporters from opposing sides sitting beside one another on the biggest days, the traditions and foundations of the GAA are special.

However, this weekend, Mayo are asking the supporters inside Hastings Insurance MacHale Park to change their habits.

One of the age-old traditions enjoyed by many is the pitch invasion when the final whistle sounds. The surge of the crowd onto the hallowed turf is seen by many as a regular part of match-day, but Mayo GAA are pleading with supporters to change that on Sunday.

The torrents of rain falling from the sky in recent times have left the pitch in a very vulnerable state and if crowds surge onto the grass at the end of the game against Dublin the surface will be cut to shreds. Mayo supporters need to mind their own pitch.

The call has gone out to all clubs to help spread the word and make supporters aware of the need to change habits, and by all accounts thousands of people are taking notice. It remains to be seen whether the plea will actually make a difference when the final whistle sounds, but here's hoping.

Of course, the joy of running onto the pitch at the end of games is something engrained in GAA followers, but it may now be time to change that (at least in the winter).

Think about it for a moment. Do we surge forward at the end of a theatre performance? Do we run onto the stage when a band finishes their set in the TF Royal?

Maybe we should adopt a similar attitude in MacHale Park tomorrow and mind the pitch for upcoming games which will gladden the heart and make us all smile.

The GAA is built on tradition, and that's great, but maybe we should change that a little tomorrow. Save the pitch invasions for later in the year.