Change of venue for Roscommon school’s All-Ireland semi-final because of vandalism
The vandalism caused to the playing surface at Tuam Stadium earlier this week.
A County Roscommon school’s All-Ireland semi-final had been forced into a last minute change of venue because of vandalism at the original venue.
Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, were scheduled to face Naomh Muire, Ennis, in their Lidl LGFA All-Ireland Post Primary Schools’ Senior C Championship semi-final at Tuam Stadium on Friday at 2 p.m..
However, vandals broke into the historic Galway ground on Tuesday night, taking a large lawnmower from a shed and causing significant damage to the playing surface.
“Because of this vandalism, we have lost an All-Ireland PPS football semi-final which was due to be played in Tuam Stadium this Friday. We are also in danger of losing Connacht minor and U-20 championship games, which are due to be played here in the coming weeks,” said Tuam Stadium Secretary, Ian Doyle.
“The thugs who broke into the stadium and then into the storeroom which stores our lawn mower, which they drove onto the pitch to cause this damage, have shown absolutely no respect whatsoever for all the work that so many local people,” he continued.
The stadium had undergone extensive refurbishment in recent years, including the construction of a new stand that replaced Tuam Stadium’s infamous “shed”, and attracted 7,000 supporters for Galway’s recent Division One League game against Tyrone.
Consequently, Scoil Mhuire’s game has now been moved to Duggan Park, Ballinasloe, on Friday (tomorrow) with the same 2 p.m. throw-in.
