APPEAL TO G.A.A. TO LOWER TICKET PRICES FOR ULSTER CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES

The level of ticket prices for Ulster Championship football games came in for criticism at Monday night’s meeting of Monaghan Town Council.
Council Cathaoirleach Robbie Gallagher called on the Ulster GAA Council to lower the admission charges for the current series of championship games, expressing the view that many people would stay away from the games and watch them on television if prices didn’t fall.
The Cathaoirleach said that it cost €27.50 per ticket to attend last Sunday’s Ulster Championship opener between Donegal and Antrim at Ballybofey, where there was only one stand. 7,500 people had turned up to watch a match that would normally attract double that attendance, he noted.
Calling on the GAA to examine their pricing structure, Colr Gallagher said such prices might or might not have been okay a number of years ago, but they represented a major issue for families at present, with many people unemployed.
“This level of pricing is going to turn people off going out to view our sports, particularly given the alternative of live television coverage,” the Cathaoirleach remarked. He thought this was something the GAA should look at.
Donal Sherry supported, saying that people did their talking at the Donegal-Antrim game by not turning up. Even the Antrim manager said he would not have paid to see the match.
Tommy Hagan said the Council should write to the GAA in relation to the matter.

Full story in The Northern Standard