VENUE ISN’T A SMALL MINDED CONCERN NOW

JOHN SMALL insists Dublin would have been happy to take on Roscommon in Parnell Park in their final Super 8s fixture.

GAA chiefs have set what is now a dead rubber encounter – on the back of the Rossies’ opening two losses and Dublin’s two wins – at Croke Park on Sunday week.

And the fact that there is little to play for from the perspective of either side could well be reflected in a small attendance making the effort to watch the game at Headquarters.

“We’re happy to play wherever, whether it’s Parnell Park, Croke Park, Healy Park...” said Dubs defender Small.

“We’re all just delighted to be able to represent Dublin and to go out and to perform to the best of our ability. We don’t really mind where the games are.

“Whatever way it comes, it comes.”

Small made his first start of the Championship in the win over Tyrone in Omagh ROSCOMMON manager Kevin Mcstay has been hit with a 12-week ban following his outburst during last Saturday’s defeat to Donegal.

Mcstay was incensed with two decisions approaching half-time and remonstrated with the match officials, particularly linesman Niall Cullen, resulting in referee Ciaran Branagan ordering him off the sideline.

With footage clearly after Injury and suspension had kept him out of Jim Gavin’s plans until then.

As expected, it was the first searching examination of Dublin’s All-ireland credentials in 2018.

“It was a great game up there, very tough, very physical,” Small said. “Tyrone are a great side. We didn’t expect anything less, there was only one score in it in the end.”

A big Arsenal fan, Small would love to see them take on Chelsea at the

Aviva Stadium in a week’s time.

“I don’t know if we’re training that night,” he said. “I’d like to go, yeah!”

And he believes the GAA should allow the Liam Miller testimonial game to go ahead at Pairc Ui Chaoimh.

“I don’t see why they wouldn’t.

“I’d have no issue with them opening up the gates and playing soccer games at all.

“It can’t be a bad thing if more people are going to Croke Park or the different stadiums, watching games.” showing Mcstay laying his hands on the

Cullen’s chest, he was always likely to be in the dock.

He also hit the linesman on the head with the ball as they left the field at half-time though the Mayo native insisted it was an accident.

Mcstay (above) has apologised to the match officials and accepted the ban rather than seek a hearing, as is his right.