Kildare do not want to play Mayo in Croker

Kildare are reportedly refusing to play Saturday's All-Ireland qualifier against Mayo in Croke Park.

Capacity issues at St. Conleth's Park in Newbridge were cited as one of the reasons why the fixture was moved to GAA headquarters, with the apparent initial agreement of the Kildare County Board.

However, following a backlash from Lilywhites supporters on social media, it seems the Kildare County Board is set to dig its heels in and refuse the move, according to a Leinster Leader report.

One of the rules of the qualifier draw is that the first-named team would have home advantage (unless playing a team that operated in Division 3 or 4 of the National League this year), and Kildare were pulled out of the hat first in this morning's draw. The game was pencilled in to be played in Croke Park on Saturday evening (June 30) at 7 p.m.

Regarding the change of venue, Ewan MacKenna tweeted: “Kildare's home game with Mayo fixed for Croke Park. Calling on @KildareGAA to hand a walkover, let the ball be thrown in with just one team on field. Much bigger issue than a game and a stand needed. Yet more biased bullshit from @officialgaa who are a step away from rigging it.”