GAA issues warning over All-Ireland tickets

Fans who buy tickets from unapproved vendors run risk of being denied entry to Croke Park

Dublin fans celebrate beating Kerry in the All-Ireland senior championship semi-final at Croke Park. Dozens of tickets for the final this weekend have been placed for sale on websites. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
Dublin fans celebrate beating Kerry in the All-Ireland senior championship semi-final at Croke Park. Dozens of tickets for the final this weekend have been placed for sale on websites. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill

The GAA has warned fans who buy tickets from touts for this weekend's All-Ireland football final between Dublin and Mayo that they run the risk of being refused entry to Croke Park.

Dozens of tickets have been placed for sale on websites in recent days.

Prices quoted for tickets on internet auction site Ebay. com vary wildly and range from € 315 for a single ticket in the lower Cusack Stand to more than €3,000 for another single ticket in the same part of the 82,300-capacity ground.

Other prices quoted include €680 for two tickets in the Hogan Stand and €1,200 for pair of premium-level seats. In many cases, sellers disguise the seat number in an attempt to avoid detection.

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When contacted yesterday, the GAA said fans should only buy tickets from clubs or county boards and warned those purchased on the internet or from touts could be worthless.

"We would urge them to look at other options as opposed to paying ridiculous amounts for tickets that may not gain them access on the day," said GAA head of media relations Alan Milton.

The organisation has “actively” cancelled such tickets in the past, “and we will continue to do so”, Mr Milton added.

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Éanna Ó Caollaí

Iriseoir agus Eagarthóir Gaeilge An Irish Times. Éanna Ó Caollaí is The Irish Times' Irish Language Editor, editor of The Irish Times Student Hub, and Education Supplements editor.