Friday Night Lights coming to a GAA ground near you

In an effort to add some much needed pizzazz to the early rounds of the championship, Leinster officials are considering playing matches under lights on Friday nights from next season on.

According to a report in The Irish Sun today, officials in Leinster are open to the possibility of playing Leinster Championship clashes on a Friday night where the arrangement would suit both counties involved.

Given the level of preparation involved in inter-county GAA these days, playing games on Friday nights is easier said than done when players who might have to do a full day’s work beforehand are involved.

It has been mooted, however, that a game that involves two neighbouring counties who mightn’t have far to travel could be suitable for a Friday night slot, such as the meeting between Kildare and Offaly in next season’s Championship, for example.

If it suited all parties involved, Friday night football seems like a great idea for the GAA.

It would help build an atmosphere in grounds throughout the county and help create a sense of occasion about championship games, particularly fixtures early in the season where the build-up can often be very low-key under the current format.

It would also be easier for the GAA to market such games and would be an attractive proposal for supporters and, of course, local publicans who will relish the sight of punters stopping in for a pint before and after the main event.

It remains to be seen whether or not this proposal will get off the ground, but fingers crossed we’ll see it in Leinster next season and perhaps further afield in the future.