GAA considers increasing All-Ireland final ticket prices

Stand admission could cost €100 in July.

Sat, 27 Jan, 2024 - 15:40

John Fogarty

The GAA is considering raising the price of stand tickets for All-Ireland senior football and hurling finals to €100.

The proposal to increase admission – a Cusack, Davin or Hogan Stand ticket is currently €90 and Hill 16 and Nally (terrace) €45 – was put forward by the association’s national finance management committee at today’s Central Council meeting in Croke Park.

A number of delegates expressed opposition to the idea and no decision was taken. However, a vote could be taken at the next Ard Chomhairle meeting.

All-Ireland final stand tickets last increased in 2019 when they rose from €80 to €90. The previous jump was in 2011 when they went from €70 to €80.

Meanwhile, a workgroup charged with identifying the feasibility of a TV match official in the GAA has declined to recommend the technology be introduced.

Calls for a video match official were made following last Sunday’s All-Ireland senior club hurling final when O’Loughlin Gaels’ Owen Wall was denied a genuine goal in the first half as St Thomas’ Fintan Burke failed to prevent the sliotar cross the goal-line. However, neither umpire determined the ball had passed the whitewash.

While not off the agenda, the committee, which includes former referees Maurice Deegan and Johnny Ryan, explained in their preliminary report that an 18-month lead-in would be required for a TMO to be made a reality. Further feedback is to be requested from referees.

A major discussion point at today’s gathering was the alarming rise in costs of preparing inter-county teams with the total figure almost doubling to €40 million since 2013. It is anticipated GAA president-elect Jarlath Burns will put together a committee aimed at finding ways to either invigilate or curb the spending or devise a financial fair play structure.

Meanwhile, next month’s Congress will debate cards carrying into extra-time, after all. The matter appeared to be dead in the water but following interventions from a number of delegates it will now form a motion in Newry.

The standing playing rules committee had initially called for black cards earned in normal time not to be operational in the additional two periods. However, Central Council rejected their recommendation. If supported at Congress, a player sent off in normal time will not be replaced in extra-time and yellow cards will not be wiped for it.

The trial rules that were implemented in the freshers football and hurling competitions at the end of last year have been referred to the standing playing rules committee.

As reported by the Irish Examiner earlier this week, June’s U20 All-Ireland hurling final is set to be played in UPMC Nowlan Park to mark the 100th anniversary of the death of former GAA president James Nowlan. Central Council have recommended to the Central Competitions Control Committee that they organise the decider for the Kilkenny venue following a request from their county board.

Former Offaly hurler Rory Hanniffy was also reappointed as secretary of the Disputes Resolution Authority. Hanniffy, the County Registrar for Laois/Offaly, has held the position since May 2017 when he succeeded Jack Anderson.