Steward fears for crowd crush in MacHale Park
One of Mayo GAA's top match-day stewards has expressed serious concern at the potential for a crowd crush on match-day at MacHale Park in Castlebar. Picture: INPHO/Laszlo Geczo
A match-day steward has expressed his fear of a major crush occurring at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park in Castlebar unless something is done to improve access to toilet facilities at the stadium. Peter Geraghty was speaking subsequent to a 27,000 attendance at this month’s Connacht SFC final between Mayo and Galway. His fear is specific to the gents toilets situated nearest the main entrance and to the usual half-time rush.
“There’s going to be a major crush there some day. I have noticed the last two big matches; the entrance and exit is one door, 3000 people want to go to that toilet. It’s an accident, a crush waiting to happen. There’s no doubt about that,” said Geraghty at last Wednesday’s Mayo GAA County Board meeting.
In response, board secretary Ronan Kirrane acknowledged that there seemed to be a “gravitation” towards those toilets while a similar size facility at the other end of the stand was being totally under-utilised by supporters.
Improved signage was one of the short-term measures being taken to help alleviate the problem, said Mayo GAA vice-chairman Michael Diskin who indicated the one-door access would also to be assessed.
