Big match pricing won’t be reduced

THE four provincial councils have no plans to cut championship ticket prices, according to Leinster GAA’s Patricia Clear.

Munster chairman Seán Walsh told the Irish Examiner on Tuesday the council were seriously considering reducing admission prices.

However, Central Council delegates have already been informed the provinces are reluctant to drop their headline ticket prices because of financial commitments to priority areas such as coaching. Instead, the four councils are planning to offer a variety of ticket packages as well as discounted tickets, which will be exclusive to club groups.

“None of the provinces are looking at cutting championship ticket prices,” said Clear. “There will be packages and possibly lower priced tickets for clubs made available.”

Clear’s comments were corroborated by a Connacht Council source. “We have a meeting in the next few weeks to discuss the matter. We will review the matter. Packages are definitely going to be considered.”

The provinces could replicate the club group pass initiative established in 2009, which saw members (a minimum of 15, a maximum of 50) pay just €10 for a Davin Stand ticket. Juvenile tickets were also priced at €3 and for every 10 juveniles each club was entitled to a free adult ticket.

The price of tickets for families are expected to come down for provincial championship games while it remains to be seen if the councils replicate the “two for one” offer the Munster Council laid on for their 2008 SFC Munster final between Cork and Kerry.

Central Council will next month ratify a cut in ticket prices for the knockout stages of both All-Ireland championships, from the qualifiers to the semi-finals.