The GAA says it can’t rule out the possibility of Hill 16 going seated after violence broke out during this weekend’s All-Ireland championship.
An altercation broke out during the clash between Armagh and Monaghan in the All-Ireland football championship on Saturday. The altercation went viral on social media.
The GAA has said it's rare that such incidents happen and has condemned the actions of a "small number of spectators".
GAA Director of Communications Alan Milton said it would have to be considered if fights continue to break out at matches.
"We can't turn a blind eye to it – there are lots of things we have to tend to and look after a busy weekend like this," he said.
"I wouldn't be overly concerned going forward that this will be an issue for the remaining fixtures."
Fans of the game are now divided on whether or not the standing area should be seated – with some supporters claiming the area is a risk to health and safety.
Former GAA President Liam O'Neill said that there should be sanctions for those involved in the fighting on Saturday.
"I like the fact that we can offer teenagers and young people cheaper tickets to stand and see the game with their friends and I'd hate to see us lose fat just because a few people misbehaved," he said.
"Quite simply, all we have to do is turn that footage over to the authorities. If it's not acceptable to fight on the streets, it's certainly not acceptable to fight on a terrace.
"We have to confront these people with their own images, show them their behaviour, and say, 'You're not really welcome on our terraces."
Safety
On Lunchtime Live, Tony, who was at Saturday's game, said he can sympathise with the "emotional" side of standing in Hill 16.
"This is the third biggest stadium in Europe – there should be no standing purely for health and safety," he said.
"What we should do is just increase the capacity of Hill 16 and that it's fully seated because the safety of the fans is paramount.
"We have not had a tragedy in any of our stadiums. We have had them in European stadiums, we do not want that issue."
1 July 2023; A 'flare' is thrown by a Monaghan supporter, on Hill 16, before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Armagh and Monaghan at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Ray McManus/Sportsfile'Absolutely not'
One listener, David, said Hill 16 should not be seated due to "tradition."
"I have been going to GAA games all my life, I've been lucky enough to be on the Hill," he said, "The atmosphere that it creates would be lost."
"I know this is all to do with the incident that happened on Saturday, which was not acceptable.
"I think it's been blown out of proportion – there were more people trying to break up that fight than there were people actually involved.
"We cannot start segregating supporters .... that can't be allowed to be sacrificed for a few idiots that can't behave themselves."
2 July 2023; Supporters on Hill 16 during the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Dublin and Mayo at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile'Intoxicated'
Art, a lifelong fan, said the GAA "must keep the Hill open".
"It's the only place I can get in," he said, "There's no need for it to be closed whatsoever."
Art said the issue is the Hill's proximity to the Croke Park bar.
"You can look at the state of people there – intoxicated with drink and drugs," he said.
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The main image shows supporters on Hill 16 before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship quarter-final match between Armagh and Monaghan at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
