Lower gate receipts for All-Ireland football series expected

LOWER GATE RECEIPTS: The GAA are bracing themselves for lower attendance figures and gate receipts in the senior football season as the All-Ireland SFC reaches the knock-out stages. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

The GAA are bracing themselves for lower attendance figures and gate receipts in the senior football season as the All-Ireland SFC reaches the knock-out stages.

At last month’s Central Council meeting, it was revealed that gate receipts for non-provincial games in both codes organised by Croke Park were estimated to be down €500,000 from last year at €7.2 million.

National Football and Hurling League attendances dropped roughly 7% from 2023, although it was pointed out at the meeting that the figures for last year were “exceptional”.

However, compounding the issue are estimates that the crowds for the first two rounds of the Sam Maguire Cup group stages have decreased by between 12% to 15%.

Last year, the 35 Sam Maguire Cup fixtures, the 24 round-robin matches, four preliminary quarter-final and four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and final, were attended by 564,398 and brought in €18.18m in gate receipts. According to the GAA’s annual financial report, it was expected the group stages’ crowd would increase having been described as “modest” in 2023.

However, the allure of the Munster senior hurling championship has never been better and the presence of Cork in the All-Ireland SHC series from the preliminary quarter-final stages could yet bump the hurling attendances, which were recorded at 239,352 for the seven games last season and accrued €10.949m in gate income.

Meanwhile, Kerry have made one change to their side to face Roscommon in All-Ireland MFC quarter-final in Cusack Park, Ennis (6.30pm). Éanna Murphy comes into the half-forwards line with Oisin Fleming dropping out of the starting line-up.

Kacper Robak starts in goals with Rionnan Ryan, Michael Lynch and Ruadhan Donovan making up the full back line.

Sean Ó Cuinn, Aodhna Ó Beaglaoich and Gavin O'Keefe are in the half-back line with Ben Murphy and Killian Dennehy continuing their midfield partnership.

Murphy is joined in the half-forwards line by Gearóid White and Joey McCarthy. Jack Joy moves into the full-forward line linking up with Ronan Carroll and Michael Horan.

KERRY (MFC v Roscommon): K. Robak (Dr Crokes); F. Ryan (Austin Stacks), M. Lynch (Miltown-Castlemaine), R. Donovan (Annascaul); S. Ó Cuinn (An Ghaeltacht), A. Ó Beaglaoich (An Ghaeltacht), G. O’Keeffe (Finuge); B. Murphy (c, Austin Stacks), K. Dennehy (Cordal); G. White (John Mitchels), J. McCarthy (Spa), É. Murphy (Listry); J. Joy (Ballymacelligott), R. Carroll (Austin Stacks), M. Horan (Scartaglen). 

Subs: B. Dineen (Beale), E. O’Flaherty (Ardfert), D. Sargent (John Mitchels), G. Casey (Austin Stacks), N. Ryan (Dingle), C. Mac Gearailt (An Ghaeltacht), S. Kelliher (Cordal), R. O’Driscoll (Austin Stacks), D. O’Sullivan (Tuosist).