Jarlath Burns gives backing to CCCC after Jim McGuinness criticism

Jarlath Burns has weighed in to support the Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) following criticism over the selection of neutral venues during the weekend’s fixtures.

Donegal manager Jim McGuinness had questioned the decision to schedule their preliminary quarter-final against Mayo at Dr Hyde Park in Roscommon, describing it as “unfair” and suggesting that Mayo would not have been asked to make a similar journey.

On Monday morning, speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, CCCC chair Brian Carroll defended the venue choice, explaining that a number of factors have to be considered when assigning neutral grounds.

Later that day at the launch of the All-Ireland football championship knockout stages at Croke Park, the GAA president offered his support to the committee, though he did not directly refer to any recent criticism.

“I think they do a very good job in difficult circumstances,” he said. “There’s a lot that goes into fixture planning, particularly around neutral venues.”

Burns noted that during a recent car journey with Games Administration Manager Bernard Smith, several counties rang with fixture-related queries.

“There were seven calls in the space of the trip – counties looking for clarifications or requesting particular arrangements – and those were all handled as best as possible.”

“There’s a lot to balance, and I think the committee does that well.”