By Cian O’Connell

Leinster GAA chairperson Derek Kent has confirmed that the SFC semi-finals in the province will not be played at Croke Park this year.

Speaking at the launch of the Leinster SFC at Cedral St Conleth’s Park, Kent discussed the decision. “Today, I will confirm – and I know it’s been speculated over the last number of months – that we will be moving our semi-finals out of Croke Park after 30 years,” Kent remarked.

“The prime reason for that is we have great provincial grounds, we haven’t been filling Croke Park like we thought we would over the last number of years and I will also say it will give a better experience of the Leinster Football Championship.”

Kent outlined the chief reasons for the switch. “The logic behind it was that we were playing our games in Croke Park with half or quarter of an empty stadium, the atmosphere wasn’t there,” he added.

“Our counties weren’t travelling. Really at the end of the day we can go out to provincial grounds which are all up standard and the point I’m making is that going out there is a win-win for everybody, it’s a win-win for supporters, it’s a win-win for the county boards.”