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23rd Jun 2016

Ireland v France is going to be screened in Croke Park

Alan Loughnane

A historic decision.

The second half of Ireland v France will be live on the big screens in Croke Park ahead of Sunday’s double header.

The Leinster Council originally delayed the throw-ins for the games by more than two hours, following a fixture clash with Ireland’s last 16 match with France.

According to RTÉ, the second half of the game will be played on the big screens inside the stadium for the benefit of the fans.

It is the first time that soccer will be shown on the big screens at GAA HQ during a gaelic games event making this a hugely significant moment.

Kildare against Westmeath and Dublin against Meath meet in the Leinster SFC semi-finals on Sunday, with their games delayed until 4:15 and 6:35.

The GAA were worried that fans may stay at home to watch the soccer and it would affect attendance at the games, hence the decision to show Ireland’s clash.

In the event that the game goes to penalties, the screens will focus solely on the games in Croker, but will remain on smaller screens at the back of the stands and terrace.

But come on, it’s not going to go to penalties, Ireland are going to beat them in normal time.

Gates at Croke Park open at 2.45 with the second half of the Ireland game beginning around 3 o’clock.

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