Ticket hike won’t deter Leitrim supporters, says McGoldrick

THE decision of Croke Park to charge €35 for a stand ticket for Saturday’s All-Ireland JFC final in Thurles won’t pose any difficulty for Leitrim who play Waterford in the decider.

The game is a curtain-raiser to the All-Ireland SHC quarter-final replay between Clare and Kilkenny and, according to Leitrim Co PRO Sean McGoldrick, will afford the county the chance to see a top class hurling game first hand.

“We don’t get to All-Ireland finals too often and while the price is a bit stiff, there won’t be any complaints from this county,” said Sean.

“The players will get six stand tickets free which should look after their immediate families and there will also be family tickets available (€80 for two adults and two juveniles), which also represents good value.

“Leitrim followers don’t often get the opportunity to see hurlers of the calibre of Henry Shefflin, DJ Carey, Jamesie O’Connor and Sean McMahon play in the All-Ireland series except for television and that is going to be an experience for us.

“Of course if we win the junior, which would give us our first ever All-Ireland title, it would make for a never to be forgotten day for the county,” said Mr McGoldrick.

Waterford county board chairman Paddy Joe Ryan said the venue would suit his county as it’s a short journey.

“We won’t be making any issue about the admission prices. The venue will suit us fine as it affords Waterford followers interested in the hurling game the opportunity to see what we’ll be up against in the semi-final.”

Leitrim manager Martin McGowan has had to find almost a new team for the All-Ireland series after losing 13 of his starting 15 which won the Connacht title to their senior team.

“We identified 15 players who were committed to the cause and they have come up trumps. Few people gave us much hope of defeating Kildare in the All-Ireland semi-final with almost a new team, but the lads deserved their victory.

“It proves we have the players to do well at all levels. It’s only a question of getting the commitment from them.

“I’m under no illusions about this final. Waterford have enjoyed success at this level in the past and from reports it appears they surprised a fancied Cork side in the Munster final.

“Going to Thurles will be a new experience for us. We’ll be going all out for victory which would do wonders for the game in this part of the country. Winning your first ever All-Ireland title is something special. Players will be remembered forever for it, but we are up against a county with plenty of experience and their U21 Munster success last year has increased expectations of a second junior All-Ireland title in five years.”

The full list of admission prices to Thurles is: the two covered stands €35; Terraces €20; Students and senior citizens €15; Juveniles €5; Family €80.

In a press release issued some time ago outlining price increases for this year’s All-Ireland championships, admission to All-Ireland senior quarter-finals was set at €30.

Admission to the recent junior All-Ireland semi-final between Leitrim and Kildare was €10.