Joe Hayes: 'I wish that the GAA would look after the past players better'

2016: Joe Hayes and members of the Tipperary Jubilee Team are introduced. Pic: Ray McManus/Sportsfile

Former players should be entitled to purchase more tickets when their counties reach All-Ireland finals, says Tipperary’s two-time All-Ireland SHC winner Joe Hayes.

In both Tipperary and Cork, previous All-Ireland winners have been allowed to buy two tickets for Sunday’s game.

In Cork, senior medal holders were issued with emails from the county board informing them they have the option of purchasing two, while in Tipperary, the Celtic Cross winners were directed to make contact with their board.

Hayes is adamant their allocations should be increased for what they contributed to the GAA in previous years. 

“The general conversation is tickets and it’s chaotic, really” he told the Irish Examiner. “It’s not enjoyable, parts of it. I wish that the GAA would look after the past players better.

“There was a very poor allocation for the past players. These were players that did it all in the past, brought 60,000 to Thurles, and they’re under pressure to get tickets for family members and people. So far, the GAA has let us down and I’m really disappointed.” 

Hayes fully accepts that the demand for tickets far outstrips supply, but maintains those amateur players who contributed to the GAA coffers in the past can’t be forgotten. 

"I know there are loads out there and they will be giving them to GAA people anyway, but appreciation in life is a nice thing, and the GAA do take the players for granted. These lads playing on Sunday will be begging for tickets the same way we are in 10 or 20 years’s time.” 

The Clonoulty-Rossmore man was part of the 1989 and ’91 All-Ireland winning groups, the second of which had their jubilee celebrations in 2016. 

Although Tipperary later beat Kilkenny in the final, his recollection of the day is a mixed one.

“The ticket allocation was disgraceful, really. The tickets were so bad that you couldn’t see the scoreboard. I thought it was very disappointing for players that contributed to the game.” 

The quality of tickets issued to All-Ireland jubilee teams has been raised as an issue before, while the timing of their presentation to the crowd has been a difficulty for some teams. 

Two years ago, Offaly lobbied for their 1998 All-Ireland winning hurlers to be announced at half-time rather than before the game. A 2.45pm time, 15 minutes before the participating took to the field, was the compromise.

Hayes said the Gaelic Players Association should be doing more for former players on the issue of All-Ireland final tickets. 

“I think we should have a past players’ association where we fight for our rights.”