Fitzpatrick calls for All-Ireland junior final to be played in Croke Park

GARRYMORE legend Billy Fitzpatrick has called for the All-Ireland Ladies Junior Club Final to be played in Croke Park.

In an interview with The Mayo News, the ex-Mayo and Garrymore footballer said fixing the much anticipating meeting of Claremorris and Cork’s O’Donavan Rossa for Parnell Park made 'no sense at all'.

The game has been fixed for Dublin’s Parnell Park at 2pm on Sunday, December 17, with the senior and intermediate deciders being played in Croke Park the previous day.

Two of the three camogie club championship finals have also been fixed for Croke Park while the junior decider is to be played in Kinnegad.

"Here you have a bunch of young girls, win or lose, they need to get into Croke Park to play. I cannot see no reason for it," he said.

Fitzpatrick, whose grand-daughter Alana is a mainstay of the Claremorris team, added that most of the current Claremorris team may never get the opportunity to play in Croke Park because of the move.

"Even if it wasn't in Croke Park, why have to go to Parnell Park? Why not play the game between Cork and Mayo? Down in the Gaelic Grounds or in Ennis? Some place central for supporters to travel. There is no sense at all to it."

An LGFA spokesman told The Mayo News that the LGFA is only permitted to play double headers at Croke Park at this time of the year 'when there is little to no pitch growth'.

In order to protect the playing surface, three matches can be played in one day in Croke Park only for the Christy Ring/Nicky Rackard/Lory Meaghan hurling finals, Camogie Association All-Ireland finals and LGFA All-Ireland finals.