Fans not availing of group discount, says Sweeney

LEITRIM secretary Diarmuid Sweeney says not enough supporters are taking advantage of the Connacht Council’s group ticketing scheme.

Even with unreserved ticket prices costing €30 and terrace admission €20, a healthy crowd of 7,354 turned up for the county’s provincial quarter-final win over Sligo at Markievicz Park (the lack of live TV coverage may also have been a factor).

However, Sweeney feels it could have been bigger had more fans taken up the offer of group tickets via their clubs, which would have seen them gain entry to the game for €10. The scheme was available through the Leitrim County Board.

“The ticket price is something out of our control but I think the standard price has been the same for the last four years,” stated Sweeney.

“In reducing it, you could devalue the whole thing very quickly. The concessions are there but the availability of group prices is not being availed of.

“There were several challenge games between clubs from each county in Sligo on Sunday morning and why they didn’t avail of the group packages I don’t know.

“The price of tickets is a perennial matter but what do you reduce it by?

“Do you make it €25 for the stand and €15 for the terraces? But if you do that and keep the club concessions, a terrace ticket would cost €5 which is below what admission to a championship game should be.”

The stand ticket at Markievicz Park on Sunday was €3 more than that for the Donegal v Antrim Ulster preliminary round game in Ballybofey, which drew so much criticism.

“It was a good game of football and the added excitement of Leitrim winning diverted attention away from ticket prices,” suggested Sweeney. “The sales were slow but 7,500 was the crowd that was expected. We’ll have more at Páirc Sean MacDiarmada the next day (against Roscommon on June 12).”

Meanwhile, Friend of Sligo Football’s Donal Brennan believes the GAA have to consider reducing the standard ticket price.

“I thought it was a strong price and it initially looked hefty, although it was a decent crowd,” he said.

“However, people have to realise you’re not going to get the crowd if the price isn’t right.

“I wouldn’t be too critical of the GAA. They are attempting to address the situation but I still feel they have to look at the ticket situation.

The discount for children (€5 entry) isn’t bad but people are concerned where they are putting €30. €20 is reasonable price for a match ticket.”