Munster semi-final attendance below expectation, says Walsh

Munster chairman Sean Walsh admitted the attendance for the province’s senior hurling championship semi-final between Clare and Waterford at Semple Stadium fell below pre match expectations.

12,296 punters clicked through the turnstiles in Thurles – 1,000 fewer that the council had hoped for. A worst-case scenario of 13,000 patrons was forecast while a figure of 15,000 would have exceeded all expectations. Walsh revealed: “We were looking for between 13,000 and 15,000. The last time they met in Thurles (2010 semi-final) the attendance was 11,000 in Thurles. But Sunday’s attendance, just above 12,000, was a thousand short of what we expected.”

Walsh confirmed Munster GAA chiefs are keeping a close eye on local and national trends but conceded low figures are a sign of the times as fans feel the economic pinch. He said: “We just have to realise that this is the situation that we’re in and make the best of it. We’re monitoring things the whole time but our packages are good enough to get families in and we believe that our packages to the terraces, which can be bought through clubs at reduced rates, are exceptionally good. We feel that we have done enough in that respect.”

Kerry native Walsh was pleased with the standard of fare served up by Clare and Waterford yesterday. He added: “It was a good, enjoyable game and very exciting towards the finish. From a patron’s point of view, we had a thrilling finish and in relation to the hurling, I’ll leave that analysis to the purists!”

Walsh added he was anticipating a very healthy attendance at Páirc Uí Chaoimh for next Sunday’s second Munster SHC semi-final, between hosts Cork and Tipperary. He said: “We would be hoping to get 30,000.”

Meanwhile, the Leinster Council expressed satisfaction with the 16,178 crowd at their provincial double-header in Portlaoise. “We were very pleased with the crowd — we were looking at a crowd of 12,000 attending and we were thrilled with those who came on the day,” said Leinster chairman Martin Skelly. “The crowds so far have been tremendous. There were over 5,000 at the (Meath v Carlow) replay in Tullamore on Saturday. Again, that was above what was expected so things have been positive.”

With healthy support from Offaly, who were involved in both games, and Kildare, O’Moore Park’s covered stand was sold out yesterday while the main terrace was close to capacity. Last year, 11,618 attended Galway’s semi-final against Dublin in Kildare.

A similarly large attendance is expected at the same venue for the Leinster SHC semi-final between Kilkenny and Dublin.

“I genuinely feel people will get real value for money next week,” said Skelly.