Croke Park showcase has focus firmly fixed on Tailteann

There has been much talk of late about the lack of crowds at Croke Park for key championship games.

The Leinster football final, which was preceded by the Leinster senior women's decider, had an official attendance of 33,328, the lowest at GAA HQ since 1991. A week later, the hurling finale in the province - the second part of a double-header that featured a thrilling conclusion to the Joe McDonagh Cup - had a paltry enough attendance.

Galway v Kilkenny, in marked contrast to the thrills and spills of the Munster final a day later, was not a game of beauty. Those that stayed away, in fairness, did not miss much. At least Antrim and Kerry gave value of money for those who entered the Jones' Road venue early.

And then last weekend's attendance of close to 16,500 for the All-Ireland round two qualifiers. Clare, Roscommon, Mayo and Kildare were in town. Yes there was the counter attraction of Stephen Kenny's troops turning it on against the Scots on the other side of the river, but GAA's top brass would have been disappointed with Croker being only 20% full, this despite concern over accommodation and rising fuel costs.

A pick up is expected for the All-Ireland football quarter-finals, with in excess of 60,000 due at HQ for Derry-Clare & Dublin-Cork on Saturday week and Armagh-Galway & Kerry-Mayo the following day. The latter double-bill is expected to surpass 70,000.

Before all that we have the Tailteann Cup semi-finals on Sunday next at Croke Park. It's the only show in town in men's football this weekend. The footballers of Sligo, Cavan, Offaly and Westmeath have it all to themselves. It's live on RTÉ television and radio; local radio in the respective counties will give it maximum coverage. Those outside of Ireland can watch