No GAA hike in admission prices to 2009 games

RECESSIONARY pressures and the likelihood of a supporter backlash — which is evident in declining interest in early rounds of the qualifier series — mean that there will be no increase in admission prices to games in 2009.

However, in the expectation that revenues will suffer as a result of the worsening economic outlook for the country, falling fuel prices have resulted in a planned increase in the official mileage rate being deferred.

Back in August, it was decided that the mileage rate (applicable to official travel and player attendance at training) should be increased from 50c to 60c on January 1 of next year. It was pointed out yesterday that at the time this proposal was mooted, petrol had risen to €1.43 a litre. This matter will be re-visited at a later stage as circumstances change.