'Michael Cusack would turn in his grave’ - Clare County Council to oppose GAA ticket charge for U16s

A motion opposing the move to charge juveniles gained unanimous support at the January Clare council meeting on Monday.

Supporters play on the pitch at half-time during the 2022  Wexford SHC final between St Martin's and Ferns St Aidan's at Chadwicks Wexford Park in Wexford. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Clare County Council will oppose the GAA’s move to charge U16s admission to National League matches, after a motion gained unanimous support at the January council meeting on Monday.

The Council will write to Croke Park to express opposition, while notice of the motion, proposed by Fine Gael councillor Paul Murphy, is to be circulated to all local authorities across the country in a bid to generate a groundswell of opposition to the change. 

Proposing the motion, Murphy said GAA founder Michael Cusack would ‘turn in his grave’ at the ‘ludicrous’ move to charge children.

In December, Croke Park confirmed juveniles will be charged €5 entry to Division 1 and 2 football and Division 1A and 1B hurling fixtures in the coming season. In addition, admission must be purchased along with an adult ticket. Previously, U16s were permitted to attend games for free except for reserved seating fixtures and selected fixtures where capacity was an issue.

The GAA say the move is on health and safety grounds and it is understood that several county boards have requested a charge be imposed. Last September, Wexford GAA ended free admission for unaccompanied juveniles to Chadwick's Wexford Park following an incident.

Speaking on Dalo’s Irish Examiner Hurling podcast in December, TJ Ryan expressed passionate opposition to the charge, fearing its impact on "the future and lifeblood of the GAA".

Cllr Murphy echoed that plea, thanking Ryan, Anthony Daly and Mark Landers for drawing attention to the new fee, since it hasn’t been widely publicised.

“I thank them for bring it to my attention anyway. I got in touch with them, I've told them that I felt this should be challenged, they certainly agreed and they asked me to lead the charge. 

“This was something that was down for discussion at yesterday's AGM of my own club Clarecastle. It passed without dissent. 

“This is a levy and that's what I call this, it’s a levy. It's nothing short of a money-making racket at a time when the GAA coffers have probably never been healthier."

There was some confusion at the All-Ireland club hurling semi-finals in Thurles before Christmas when at least some U16s were charged an entry fee. 

Murphy added: “People were aghast when they became aware that children under-16 were being charged. Dumbfounded.

“A repercussion is the loss of independence of our teenagers. The child’s ticket cannot be purchased on its own, an adult has to buy a ticket as well. If I want to send my two kids to Cusack Park that’s no longer an option, I have go in and buy a ticket also. It's not encouraging our kids to play hurling and football. It’s not encouraging them to go to matches, it’s awful.

“It’s absolutely ridiculous and needs to be resisted. If health and safety is the reason for the fee, do we need more stewards? Do stewards need to be paid or compensated? Give us clarity. Then we can say whether there is justification for this.” 

The motion was co-signed by Cllr Tommy Guilfoyle (SF) and Cllr Shane Talty (FF). Backing the motion, Cllr Conor Ryan added: “I think it’s a cynical move by the GAA based on an isolated incident. It’s based on health and safety grounds, but I believe all it’s going to do is discourage attendance and participation.” 

Cllr Pat Burke also expressed support for the motion: “You see in the likes of O'Connor Park in Tullamore and Wexford Park, all the kids on the field at half-time. Hundreds of young lads. All the commentators will praise that.  

“It’s an extra cost on families. I chaired our own club for five years. I’m a GAA man, but sometimes people refer to it as the Grab-All-Association, and I think this is ludicrous. It has to be sent to all local authorities and a major campaign to get this decision reversed.”

In calling on the Council to lead a charge against a levy on "our children and grandchildren," Mr Murphy summed up, quoting the motto emblazoned over the Clare GAA crest: “Na céadsa sa cát agus na déireanáca as', which means, “the first into battle, the last out of it.

“They hadn’t even the bravery to announce it. Like magic, a five euro fee. We are the county of Michael Cusack, a founding member of the GAA. I am sure he would turn in his grave. This is a bad bad move. I think that where Clare lead Ireland follows, if we can take the lead on this today."