Jim Gavin hit out at the condition of the Croke Park pitch after yesterday's Leinster SFC final.

A section of the pitch at the Hill 16 end was dug up and replaced after the Coldplay concert last Saturday week, while the same area was being dug up immediately after yesterday's clash between Dublin and Kildare in preparation for next weekend's U2 concert.

Questioning the GAA's decision to stage concerts at Croke Park during the height of the GAA season, Gavin said: "That part of the pitch was replaced from the concert last weekend and it wasn't great now for both teams, and it's probably something the GAA need to have a little reflection on," 

"The groundsmen did an excellent job, an outstanding job actually, to turn it around so quick but going into a provincial final is that the right thing to do to be replacing that part of the pitch, probably a fifth of the pitch?"

The Dublin manager added: "I could see both sets of players slipping in that part (of the pitch). It was very hard, that's one thing I'd say about it.

"It's not a fault of the groundsmen - they were put in a situation to turn the pitch around - so it's probably for the management of Croke Park to have a look at it. A provincial showcase football game in Leinster, is that the right thing to do?"

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