After the draw this afternoon we know that round 3 will be held in neutral venues. I have had a stab at choosing the venues. Of course Croke Park will be used for at least 2 games but I have not picked Croke Park for any of the games as I have gone with stand alone fixtures to fill stadiums and create a better atmosphere. This fixtures also depend on how wins provincial finals over the next 2 weeks. I have predicted that all 4 favorites will win them. (Galway, Kerry, Dublin and Derry)

Kerry VS Louth - O'Moore Park, Portlaoise - Capacity: 22,000
Mayo VS Cork - TUS Gaelic Grounds - Capacity: 44,000

Tyrone VS Westmeath - Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada, Carrick-on-Shannon - Capacity: 10,000
Galway VS Armagh - Breffni Park, Cavan - Capacity: 25,000

Dublin VS Sligo - Dr. Hyde Park, Roscommon - Capacity: 19,000
Roscommon VS Kildare - O Connor Park, Tullamore - Capacity: 18,000

Derry VS Clare - MacHale Park, Castlebar - Capacity: 26,000
Monaghan VS Donegal - Healy Park, Omagh - Capacity: 18,000

Imagine the atmospheres that we could get at some of these games!!!

Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 513 - 02/05/2023 15:00:54    2475120

Even though I live in Dublin, it would be great if the vast majority of the round three matches were played in rural towns. Less travelling for supporters and not stuck in Dublin traffic. The rural towns could certainly do with the extra business. For example playing the Dublin v Sligo match or the Galway v Armagh match in Roscommon would go down well in Roscommon town.
Unfortunately we will probably have double headers in Croke Park on the Saturday & Sunday?
Getting stewarts might be a problem if your county team is playing away on the same day.
Probably the GAA will consider this when deciding if the match is on a Saturday or Sunday.

letsgetgoing (Roscommon) - Posts: 631 - 02/05/2023 15:24:16    2475139

Id imagine that there will be a double header in Croker at some stage for these neutral clashes

Jack L (None) - Posts: 3141 - 02/05/2023 15:24:32    2475141

if_in_doubt (Kildare) - Posts: 3685 - 02/05/2023 22:53:33    2475279

Whilst I completely agree with you, it's nonsensical to have any of these games in a half empty Croke Park, but it's inevitable there will be a Double header somewhere. There's plenty of provincial grounds all over the country capable of hosting big games.

I could see that Dublin Vs Sligo & Roscommon VS Kildare fixture being the double header. The GAA won't be able to resist the revenue whilst hiding behind the whole "Oh we have to fulfil the Dublin season ticket holder" argument. Dublin will only play 1 game outside of Croke Park for the remainder of the championship and it'll be that away game in the group stage

hyperache (Meath) - Posts: 251 - 03/05/2023 11:17:31    2475354

Think it's disgraceful that the best team in the championship gets 2 home games while every other team gets one.

Why play a group game in a half empty croker when you can generate a great atmosphere in a provencial ground?

Either Galway or Sligo should refuse to play their nuetral game in the Dub's back yard. Regardless of the result It's the principal and if Galway or Sligo boycot the game it'll set the precedent.

centrefield99 (Galway) - Posts: 136 - 03/05/2023 12:13:19    2475372

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 03/05/2023 12:15:00    2475373

anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 955 - 03/05/2023 12:23:44    2475375

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 8284 - 03/05/2023 13:09:40    2475389

Probably a question for another thread but there will likely be dead rubbers by the neutral venue round. Would they not have been better off have 3 groups of 5 with 2 home and 2 away games each.

Top 2 come out for each group + 2 best runners up from across all groups, giving 8 for a quarter final round. If you want to promote the game to kids we need local games.

Bit more cutting to it too than 16 teams down to 12. I can see the 3rd round being played in a lot of empty stadia. People won't travel unless there is something worthwhile at stake.

dahayeser (Cork) - Posts: 353 - 03/05/2023 13:13:50    2475391

Joxer (Dublin) - Posts: 4734 - 03/05/2023 13:25:28    2475400

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 03/05/2023 13:28:58    2475402

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 03/05/2023 13:29:13    2475403

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 03/05/2023 13:33:26    2475407

Actually, this is interesting. There's a line in the T&Cs of season tickets that says:
There is a small number of venues where there is insufficient stand capacity to guarantee a seat.

That blows the "season ticket holder argument" out of the water, and Barney is actually correct that it doesn't exist at all.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 03/05/2023 13:39:32    2475411

I think there just has to be a firm and rigid line in the sand drawn. If Dublin nominate Croke Park as their home venue for any game in a year (league/championship) Croke Park then cannot be considered a neutral venue for them for the remainder of that year. I understand having Croker used for Leinster finals, all Ireland semi finals and finals, but Dublin playing such a majority of their games there, their fans having to travel the least, familiarity etc.. undermines the integrity of the competitions they're in.

Sweetspot (Kildare) - Posts: 323 - 03/05/2023 14:16:02    2475420

Sligo fans would prefer travelling to Dublin than travelling to Roscommon. Let's be honest, Dublin against Sligo will be a blow out so at least a day out for the supporters in Croke Park would be better than being hammered and been in Roscommon

muscles (Sligo) - Posts: 460 - 03/05/2023 14:29:15    2475425

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2621 - 03/05/2023 14:39:30    2475428

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6144 - 03/05/2023 14:43:14    2475431

Forgive my ignorance, and going slightly off topic.
If 3 teams get out of the group, what happens after?
I'd assumed that only 2 teams get out of the 4 groups, and there we have our quarter finals?

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 03/05/2023 15:01:06    2475436