Kerry fans fighting to score tickets

THOUSANDS of Kerry fans have begun a desperate quest for tickets for the football final, more in hope than confidence.

The county has an allocation of 10,000 tickets 6,000 seated and 4,000 for Hill 16 but this quota will go nowhere near meeting the demand. It includes an additional 1,000 stand tickets because the Kerry minors are also in the final, on Sunday week.

Kerry GAA Board is hoping to get some extra tickets from Croke Park next week, but no tickets will be on sale to the public. They will be distributed to more than 80 clubs in the county.

Many tickets are accounted for, with 2,000 going to supporters who are in a five-year ticket scheme and others going to All-Ireland medal holders, referees, players and board delegates.

Fans are also protesting at the GAA's decision not to allow family tickets, or concessions for children.

Bernard Lynch, his wife, Noreen, and their three children attended all the Kerry matches this year, availing of family tickets, but are faced with the prospect of shelling out 300 for the final.

"As an adult, I've no problem about paying 60 for a stand ticket, but it's outrageous to be also asking 60 for each child. Surely, it should be half price for kids," he said.

The three Lynch children Barry, 14, Ryan, 11, and Rachel, seven are all avid Kerry fans.

"The kids are the future of the GAA and should be encouraged to attend major occasions like an All-Ireland final," said Bernard, from Boherbee, Tralee.

"The final has a very special atmosphere, and it should be a family day out as well as everything else."

Meanwhile, the Lynches are planning to make it to Croke Park to see Kerry play in their 50th final, but haven't got tickets yet.