League final ticket hike down to 1916 event

Adult stand tickets for the Allianz Football League Division 1 and 2 finals in Croke Park on April 24 have increased by €10 as a result of the GAA’s 1916 commemoration which will follow the matches.

Admission to the Hogan, Cusack and Davin Stands is priced at €35, almost 30% more than the €25 “on the day” entry last year and over 40% up on the advance cost of €20. The cost for juveniles in the Cusack and Davin Stand remains €5.

Last month, the GAA made available 1,916 stand tickets at the discounted price of €25 but all have been snapped up for the double-header which is followed by a “Laochra” theatrical production, billed by the GAA as “a must-see spectacular live event” featuring special effects and a cast of 3,500 performers.

A decision has yet to be made on whether Hill 16 will be opened for the games, although the likelihood is the terrace will be should Dublin beat Donegal this Sunday.

“If terrace tickets are to go on sale they will do so following confirmation of all of the Allianz Leagues finalists for that matchday,” stated the GAA communication’s department. Season ticket holders of the four participating counties will be entitled to admission.

Entry to the previous day’s Division 3 and 4 finals in Croke Park has been set at €20 for adults and €5 for children, the same prices as in 2015.

A larger than usual crowd is expected to attend the Division 1 and 2 deciders and 1916 tribute, which falls on the exact date of the Easter Rising 100 years’ ago.

The involvement of Dublin in a Division 1 final would boost numbers, although Cavan are sure to bring a large following for their clash in the curtain-raiser with Tyrone.

Last year’s Dublin-Cork and Roscommon-Down games attracted a 31,548 attendance. In 2014, 38,841 watched the Dublin-Derry and Monaghan-Donegal matches, while 33,134 took in the Dublin-Tyrone and Derry-Westmeath clashes.