Advice for GAA fans heading for Croke Park in heat wave as massive crowds to watch All-Ireland semis
The heat is on at Croke Park this weekend with close to 150,000 fans expected to attend the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals and Tailteann Cup final in scorching conditions. According to Met Éireann, air temperatures are forecast to peak at around 28 or 29 degrees on Saturday afternoon and will reach 26 or 27 degrees on Sunday. The Wimbledon men's singles semi-final between Carlos Alcaraz and Taylor Fritz was stopped twice in one game due to spectators falling unwell in the 31- degree heat on Friday. The previous day, women's world number one Arnya Sabalenka rushed to the aid of two stricken fans in 30-degree heat during her semi-final. READ MORE: Meath name team for All-Ireland SFC semi-final against Donegal READ MORE: 'It left an inspirational legacy for the youth' Tyrone hero Stephen O'Neill on 2000s team Supporters heading to Croker are advised to stay hydrated with a Saturday double-header of the Tailteann Cup final between Kildare and Limerick preceding the All-Ireland SFC semi-final that pits Kerry against Tyrone. On Sunday, an 82,300 sell-out is expected for Meath's first All-Ireland semi-final appearance in 19 years, with the Royals facing back to back Ulster champions Donegal. Over 140,000 spectators attended the All-Ireland SHC semi-finals last week and similar figures are predicted for this weekend. A GAA source said: "Advice is for patrons to take the usual precautions in terms of hydration and sun cream - especially those in seats that will be in the sun." The GAA has also confirmed that there will be no additional water breaks in place for players despite the conditions, but there will be no limit on the intake of water during natural breaks in play and no restrictions on maor uisce delivering drinks onto the pitch. The association has promised to make sure there is an "ample supply" of water for players. Meath boss Robbie Brennan has named an unchanged side for the clash with Donegal. Brennan has kept faith with the line-up that started against Galway in the last eight championship encounter that the Royals won 2-16 to 2-15. Mathew Costello, who scored four points against the Tribesmen, has been named at full-forward but is likely to switch to wing-forward, with Keith Curtis reverting to the edge of the square.The Meath boss confirmed last week that Ronan Jones, James Conlon, Jack Kinlough and Jack Flynn, who all missed the Galway game, won't feature in the county's first All-Ireland semi-final in 16 years. Jones and Conlon miss out with hamstring injuries while Kinlough (cruciate ligament) and Jack Flynn (torn pec) are also unavailable. "What we have is, I know I heard a few people saying, ‘oh you could have this guy back,’ but they definitely won't be," said Brennan. "They're all in rehab for next season."We have certainly said all year, next man up. It's just about the next man up and that's what we've installed and luckily we have some really good players there and still more that haven't even been used yet. So, we'd be quite happy with the squad we have." Donegal have recalled Caolan McGonagle to their squad but Jim McGuinness has named an unchanged side Tyrone are also unchanged for their encounter with Kerry, with Michael McKernan named among the reserves having been injured since the All-Ireland group game against Cavan. Meath (v Donegal): B Hogan; S Lavin, S Rafferty, R Ryan; D Keogan, S Coffey, C Caulfield; B Menton, A O'Neill; C Duke, R Kinsella, K Curtis; J Morris, M Costello, E Frayne. Donegal (v Meath): S Patton; F Roarty, B McCole, P Mogan; R McHugh, EB Gallagher, C McColgan; H McFadden, M Langan; S O'Donnell, C Thompson, C Moore; C O'Donnell, M Murphy, O Gallen. Tyrone (v Kerry): N Morgan; C Quinn, P Hampsey, N Devlin; P Teague, R Brennan, K McGeary; B Kennedy, C Kilpatrick; S O’Donnell, P Harte, C Daly; D McCurry, M Donnelly, D Canavan. Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts.
