Ladies lead the way by slashing price of All Ireland tickets..
- Sep 22,2010
THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association has taken the lead amongst Irish sporting organisations by reducing the admission price to Sunday’s TG4 All-Ireland finals by 20% for supporters of the six participating counties.
The association has developed a well deserved reputation for innovation, with the sin bin, clean pick up off the ground and especially the use of a match clock admired by many Gaelic games observers.
The rule adopted by the GAA this year, whereby the team in possession restarts the game if play is stopped to allow an injured player to receive treatment, also originated in ladies football.
And while the GAA, and in particular the IRFU, have been heavily criticised of late for their ticket prices, ladies football chiefs are anxious not to place too much of a burden on its core support.
"We will be expecting somewhere around 20,000 spectators on Sunday which I think would be quite good, given the harsh economic times" said the president of the LGFA, Pat Quill at Croke Park yesterday.
"I’m sure there’ll be a lot of people coming on the day as well. It’s a great family day out as because you have the run of Croke Park. And if it’s anything like last year when we’d three fantastic games with tremendous value at €25.
While there is always much conjecture about the cost of holding All-Irelands at HQ for ladies football and camogie, Quill insists that having them anywhere else could not even be considered. He also revealed the GAA provides the facility free of charge.
"People say the GAA charge us. The GAA do not charge us for holding the All-Ireland finals. The security it the big cost we have to pay but we’re hopeful it’s still well worth it because of the profile it gives the game.
"Everybody wants to play in Croke Park, it’s the mecca for anybody in Gaelic games to play in so it’s well worth it."
This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Wednesday, September 22, 2010
By Daragh Ó Conchúir
