London being lined up to host re-run of GAA final between Mayo and Kerry
London is being lined up to stage a re-run of last month’s dramatic GAA All-Ireland Football Championship between Mayo and Kerry.
Saracens’ StoneX Stadium is being eyed by the two counties who are seeking permission from the Central Council in Ireland to stage the match, according to the Irish Independent.
The match could see the Prem Rugby ground’s capacity expanded to 15,000 to stage the match, with each team boasting a strong fan base in the capital.
The challenge game would need to acquire special dispensation from the GAA Central Council, with such matches not permitted by the league between the end of the season and December.
Underdogs Mayo beat favourites Kerry by a total of three points at a packed out Croke Park In July to end a run of 70 years without a domestic title.
London getting GAA?
The 1-20 to 1-17 scoreline at the 82,000-capacity arena saw Mayo end a run of 11 finals in a row without a title since their last triumph in 1951.
A spokesperson for Saracens said: “We’re unable to comment on speculation regarding potential events or fixtures at StoneX Stadium.”
The Prem Rugby club are understood to have held talks with a rugby league team about playing matches at their Hendon home, while Athlos, the all-female athletics event backed by Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian is set to take place next month at the StoneX, which is also home to Shaftesbury Barnet Harriers and Barnet and District AC.
Mayo played a match in London in April and used Premier League football club Brentford’s facilities during their stay.
It is unlikely a full GAA All-Ireland Football Championship final will be played outside of Ireland, with the 1947 showpiece between Cavan and Kerry the last such occasion held overseas, at the Polo Grounds in New York City.
CityAM approached the GAA for comment.