Clearly, things are bit messy if the nearest suitable venue for a home League game is one where the Stand is sinking into the ground.
That's the situation that the Rossies find themselves in this weekend.
Roscommon's form has been so scintillating of late that they may not require the fillip but they have been forced to surrender home advantage for the League game with a dejected Down outfit.
Hyde Park, in urgent need of a makeover anyway, is unplayable.
They proffered Kiltoom, the home of 2013 All-Ireland club champions St. Brigid's, as an alternative venue but the CCCC said they were not satisfied that it could accommodate the expected crowd.
The ground can only cope with 3,000 spectators. Thus, they're off to a stadium in a neighbouring county with no working Stand.
Oddly enough, Kiltoom was deemed satisfactory for the Monaghan visit. Perhaps, the GAA figured the sight of Roscommon hitting 4-25 in a game was likely to swell the crowds the next day out.
In the same way, that Ireland held friendlies with Oman and Italy in Craven Cottage, the Rossies are being forced to decamp to Pearse Park in Longford for their next home game.
It was with great regret that Roscommon GAA had to give up home advantage in the Allianz League Division One for the clash with Down.
We found ourselves in the situation, where our county ground Hyde Park was unplayable and Croke Park and the CCCC refused to allow us to use our secondary county ground Kiltoom.
CCCC would not be happy with Kiltoom as an alternative venue given the expected attendance and the restricted capacity at the ground we were told.
Up until Sunday last the surface condition had improved but due to the weather over the last few days the surface has deteriorated and is now unplayable for Sunday’s game. Accordingly Roscommon GAA had to find alternative venue for the match. We are especially grateful to Longford GAA for making their grounds available.
Hyde Park may be out of commission this summer too. Roscommon GAA intend to redevelop the creaking old ground, installing a playing surface in the process, this June.
Roscommon GAA intend to redevelop Hyde Park. In this regard our clubs agreed that we install a new playing pitch at Dr Hyde Park. We will close Hyde Park in June and hope to reopen the following summer.
We also intend developing Hyde Park as per our development plan which will see a total reconstruction of the spectator areas and the addition of much required facilities for players, patrons and officials.
Considering their only loss thus far has occurred in Kiltoom and taking Down's abysmal form into account, having to travel all the way to Longford shouldn't discombobulate McStay and O'Donnell's men too much.
