Friday night lights on Leinster Council agenda

The chairperson of the GAA's Leinster Council Martin Byrne has suggested that it is time for the provincial body to explore the possibility of playing Friday night championship fixtures.

In his programme notes for this weekend's football championship games, the Laois official wrote that while it may not be practical in every instance, a weekend like this with neighbouring counties playing each other, would be an ideal opportunity to trial such an approach.

The Leinster championship began with Laois winning away to Offaly on Saturday, with Longford hosting Westmeath and Carlow hosting Wicklow on Sunday.

Byrne believes that the GAA is increasingly finding itself in a situation where championship games are competing with each other for coverage and attention.

He argues that by moving one match to a standalone Friday evening slot, it would not only easy fixture congestion, but also allow that game to take centre stage and receive the attention it deserves.

Byrne, who took over the role from Derek Kent in January, told readers that the governing body is looking at ways to enhance the overall championship experience for players, supporters and all involved, and he is of the view that the Friday night idea is worth exploring.

While midweek slots are regularly used for club games and inter-county underage fixtures, as well as pre-season competitions, they are a rarity in the senior championship.

In 2013, Carlow played Laois at Dr Cullen Park in a Friday night All-Ireland football qualifier watched by a crowd of 4,606.

Before that in 2003, a Thursday night hurling championship qualifier was staged in Thurles between Limerick and Offaly, with just over 12,000 supporters in attendance.

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