Pope’s visit could delay All-Ireland football final
The Pope’s probable visit to Ireland would force next year’s All-Ireland football final to be delayed, according to reports, .
Due to championship restructuring, the football showpiece is scheduled for its earliest ever completion – on Sunday, August 26, 2018.
However, the visit of Pope Francis is expected to coincide with the World Meeting of Families in Dublin, with Croke Park the preferred venue for a Papal mass to conclude the event on the same Sunday.
The Independent reports that the GAA’s Central Council have agreed in principle to delaying the final, should the mass be confirmed for Croke Park.
That would see the football final played on the following Sunday, September 2.
Croke Park previously welcomed 80,000 pilgrims to the Eucharistic Congress in 2012.
