Personal injury claims after Limerick pitch invasion
Three people have taken personal injury claims against the association after “falls or slips” on the field as close to 30,000 Limerick fans cheered their new hurling heroes. As well as the financial hit to the GAA, the claims are also likely to ensure the heralded scenes of celebration are stamped out in future years at the Limerick GAA headquarters.
Mike O’Riordan, Limerick GAA secretary, said: “The pitch invasion at the Gaelic Grounds after the Munster senior hurling final has produced a number of claims against the stadium — obviously this is very disappointing after what was a memorable day.”
O’Riordan confirmed the personal injury claims had been lodged against their insurance. “To see the scenes after the game was fantastic in particular the crowd swarming on to the pitch. It really epitomised all that is good about the GAA,” he said.
National GAA bosses have continually expressed concerns at supporters racing onto the field of play and are in favour of all grounds following procedures in Croke Park, where pitch invasions now appear a thing of the past.
“What will happen now is that for big games in the Gaelic Grounds, the front row of seats will have to be occupied by stewards and there will have to be more stewarding,” added a disappointed O’Riordan.
“The cost of insurance is already substantial and this will only force up the cost to us,” said the secretary of the injury claims made after the July pitch invasion.
Last week, Limerick GAA chairman Oliver Mann revealed the fans invasion was his “image of 2013”.
