Tickets for All-Ireland final fanzone at Páirc Uí Chaoimh sell out in 45 minutes

The family-friendly event will see the Cork vs Clare final shown live on big screens, with entertainment being provided before and after the game

Cork fans watch their team play Tipperary in the Munster Championship. Picture: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

As the scramble for All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship final tickets intensifies, tickets for the next best thing have sold out. 

Tickets for the Rebels’ Fanzone at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh went on sale on Tuesday with 15,000 being made available. There was phenomenal interest in the event, and all tickets were allocated within 45 minutes of going online.

The free event will see a live screening of the highly anticipated Cork v Clare decider in the first "fanzone" event of its kind in the stadium.

The family-friendly event will see the game shown live on big screens, with entertainment being provided before and after the game. 

Cork GAA and Cork City Council are appealing to those who have secured the tickets to use them, and ensure the best possible atmosphere at the stadium.

People will be able to cancel their tickets via their Eventmaster account, should they decide not to attend. Those tickets could then be made available to others closer to the time.

Cork City Council said partons should be aware that:

• Doors open at 2pm, and only valid ticket holders will be admitted 
• TV coverage will be shown from 2.15pm 
• Patrons are to obey stewards and gardaí at all times 
• Pedestrian access to the stadium is via Centre Park Road 
• No parking is provided in the vicinity of the stadium 
• Patrons are asked to respect the neighbours around the stadium and not to park illegally 
• Patrons are also being reminded they will have to dress for the weather as no umbrellas or hurleys will be allowed in the Fanzone.

On Monday, Cork GAA chairperson Pat Horgan said: "We are grateful to the support of Cork City Council to facilitate the Rebels’ Fanzone, which will allow supporters of all ages an opportunity to come together, and support an incredible team on an incredible journey."

Ted Owens, Seanie McGrath, Fergal Ryan, Mark Landers and Donal Óg Cusack, in their suits. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

The deputy chief executive of Cork City Council, Brian Geaney, said they were delighted to be involved in the event.

"There's huge excitement building across Cork and we're planning for an electric atmosphere at this free, family friendly event at the home of Cork GAA."

Meanwhile, the demand for tickets for Croker has been illustrated by the massive response to a fundraising raffle for a pair of match tickets organised by Simply Suits on behalf of the charity, Breakthrough Cancer Research.

The company, an official partner to Cork GAA, is dressing all 38 players on the current Cork squad, the management, and backroom team, as well as members of the Cork panel that won the 1999 All-Ireland hurling final who will be the silver jubilee team honoured in Croke Park before throw-in on Sunday.

Members of that squad, including Donal Óg Cusack, Seanie McGrath, Diarmuid O’Sullivan, and team captain Mark Landers, have been in to Simply Suits’ outlet at the Kinsale Rd, Cork, for measuring and fitting in recent days.

Chloe Keating, of Simply Suits, helps Fergal Ryan with his tie ahead of the silver jubilee team being honoured in Croke Park on Sunday. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Simply Suits’ Conor Mullane said the response to their raffle for two All-Ireland final tickets, a Cork jersey signed by the team, and an overnight stay in the Clayton Hotel in Ballsbridge, has been overwhelming.

“We set a fundraising target of €5,000 but, as of Monday afternoon, we had over 1,100 people enter the draw and we have raised over €16,000,” he said.

The lucky winner will be selected on Thursday.