Offaly lose home advantage for U-21 clash with Laois

OFFALY have lost home advantage in their upcoming Leinster U-21 Football Championship clash with Laois.

The midweek game, fixed for February 19, was due to be played in Gracefield but the venue has been deemed to be not up to Health and Safety standards. The issue of grass banks for supporters were specifically cited. The game could not be switched to the weekend as it would clash with Allianz League games. No other floodlit venue in Offaly was considered as being up to standard.

All Offaly’s home games in the Leinster U-21 Football Championship, including one with Kildare, were accomodated in Gracefield last year. There was a tremendous atmosphere at each of the games and they ran without a hitch which was a great credit to all at Gracefield GAA Club. It was also deemed suitable to host the recent O’Byrne Cup game with AIT however in the intervening three weeks there has been a major u-turn on the suitability of the ground.

The game could yet be played just across the Barrow in Portarltngton however O’Moore Park is the more likely venue.