GAA apologises over ticket mishap

Spokesperson Fergal McGill has issued an apology on behalf of the GAA after yesterday's All-Ireland hurling finals saw hundreds of empty seats at Croke Park.

The Galway v Limerick minor match and the Cork v Galway senior decider were part of a double fixture that had been billed as a complete 82,300 sell-out at the Jones' Road stadium.

However, an estimated 800-1,000 seats were left unoccupied as the senior match was played out. It was particularly noticeable as there were clusters of vacant seats on the lower and upper decks of the Cusack Stand and the upper deck of the Hogan Stand.

The official attendance yesterday was given as 81,136. Croke Park officials are to launch an investigation into the matter.

McGill said: "I'd like to apologise to the fans from counties who were watching it (on television) and would have liked to have been there. We offer our apologies to them.

"There is no doubt there were problems and we will be meeting for discussions during the week," he added.

Meanwhile, the victorious Cork team are due to arrive home to Kent Station at 7.30pm this evening.

The winning minors and vanquished seniors of Galway are expected at a reception at 2.30pm this afternoon in St Michael's Square, Ballinasloe.