Who should get tickets for the final?

Flukey · 10-09-2006 6:10pm #1

There has been some debate, as there always is at this time of the year about who should get tickets for the finals. Many argue that fans only from the competing counties should get tickets and those with no affiliations to them should not really be getting tickets.

I am from Dublin and I was at last Sunday's finals and hope to be there next Sunday too. Not on this board, but some people I know have argued that I am taking tickets from the competing counties supporters. I was at the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Final between Cork and Kilkenny. As we all know, the Senior is the biggest of all the finals. Also being played was the minor final between Galway and Tipperary, which is the third biggest final. By being there, some would contend that I was taking a ticket from supporters of those counties. Croke Park was completely full last Sunday, and many people would have been looking for tickets in the days before it.

Today I was in Croke Park again. Today we had the Under 21 Hurling final, second only to the Senior final in importance. Kilkenny and Tipperary were the contenders. We also had the All-Ireland senior Camogie final, the most important game in the sport. It was between Cork and Tipperary. So we had 3 of the 4 counties that played last Sunday, so we'd expect their supporters back again.

Such was the size of the crowd, that the entire upper deck of all stands were empty. The lower deck of the stand at one end was also empty as was the terrace at the other end of the ground. All that remained open were the lower decks on either side of the pitch, neither of which were full. There was only a quarter of the crowd that was there last Sunday.
So about 75% of the people that people would say are supporters of their county and I was depriving of a ticket last Sunday, showed how great supporters they are, by not bothering to come and support their county in an All-Ireland Final in Croke Park today. Great supporters, aren't they?

Next Sunday Kerry will compete in both the minor and senior football finals. All week these loyal supporters will be screaming for their right to have a ticket and how much they want to be there to see their county play. Come the time of the throw-in for the minor final, as is always the case, a very small amount of those "loyal" supporters will be there. Even when the final whistle is blown a considerable amount of them will have not arrived, and not because they have been delayed or anything like that. Of the many that will be there for the start of the senior match, a lot will have left before it finishes.

So a lot of these great supporters that will be searching frantically for a ticket this week and some say should get a ticket instead of me, will not bother to go to one match that their county is playing in and not stay for the entire second match. Many of these people will only arrive at the interval of the show and leave before it is over. So after screaming for a ticket many will only bother to use less than 50% of what it entitles them too. Many Mayo fans won't go to the minor final either, having being screaming for tickets to be in Croke Park next Sunday, as they are great fans of Gaelic Football.

Yet some people think that these people, great followers of their counties that they are, should get tickets over those that are actually interested in what is going on in Croke Park next Sunday. They are arguing the case for someone that is less than half interested in what is going on, against those that are 100% interested and will be there well before it all starts and not leave until well after it finishes. Does that not strike you as a bit askew? Comments please.

Blackjack · 10-09-2006 6:59pm

I don't think anyone would begrudge you a ticket Flukey. The only thing that surprises me is why you would not go for a premium seat - I appreciate the atmosphere is not the same, but given you would go to Croker to watch 2 cats fighting, it would have perhaps made some sense.

Flukey · 10-09-2006 7:44pm

The waiting list is long, though I have my name down alright. There are pros and cons to them. You have the guaranteed seat, the comforts, the good view etc. As others have said here though, the atmosphere isn't quite the same as right amidst the crowd. I've been in them a few times. Being always in the one place would be a bit tedious. As it is, I get all sorts of angles on the different occasions I go. I also like going with other people and have often brought friends or relations, occasionally a large group, so a Premium seat would not be practical there. You couldn't bring 7 or 8 or possibly more with you to the Premium area or bring them to Croke Park and leave them by themselves while you go off to your own seat. I like being with them, explaining the game to them, if necessary. It is just for the guarantee of a seat for the final that a Premium seat wins out, but I'd miss out on the other things if I was stuck to it every time I went, and it would not be worth buying if I was to lose out. I am not in a position to buy a corporate box, or a block of premium seats to facilitate bringing friends.

So there are drawbacks like that to a Premium seat. You are more isolated from the other things that make going to games interesting. The freedom to go where I want and with who I want is great. It's just those few occasions where getting a ticket is hard that you'd like a guaranteed seat.

Flukey · 10-09-2006 8:07pm

Now here is a real GAA fan, apparently with a ticket:

A GAA Fan
:mad:

Blackjack · 10-09-2006 8:10pm

Unfortunately there are a number of tickets for Sale on Ebay. Check the locations of the sellers and a pattern emerges.

Flukey · 10-09-2006 9:25pm

Yes, there are assholes everywhere! :mad:

Carcharodon · 10-09-2006 9:30pm

As said, no one would begrdge you a ticket for the game, it is obvious that you have genuine love for GAA and support it year round.
I would not begrudge anyone a ticket for the game, if somenone wants to go to the game, whether they be a true fan or not, who am i to say they shouldn't get a ticket.

I understand your resentment towards supporters(especialy Kerry) that are screaming for a ticket for final and these supporters wont be seen untill next year when we are in the final again

but i think this is not just a football thing, its human nature and we all are guilty of behaving that way in regards to other things in life, maybe an example would be if Shelbourne got into Champions League at some stage, people that would never of gone to a regular league game would automatically go to the champions league game for the sheer fact thats its the big stage and the novelty of it.

Kind of confusing myself with that ramble but i understand what you say and i just think its part and parcel of all sport.
I am sure you might be able to relate to it on some level in your life, gone to some event that was of too much interest and may of denied someone of true interest.

I also think the people going to final should be from the counties in it, it makes perfect logic, whether they are true fans or not, an outsider wont feel the same way they do when they watch the game, wont feel the same excitement, wont scream with every ball kicked etc
Nothing like the taste of victory to bring out the passion in people
I wouldn't begrudge anyone who has a true love for the sport a ticket, if they are willing to go to alot of effort to get ticket, they deserve it

Trampas · 10-09-2006 9:34pm

I am sure kerry only need about 15,000 tickets for the final going by their attendence for the previous matches.

blackbelt · 11-09-2006 8:07am

Well going by the fact that I got tickets for the semi final between Kerry and Cork so easily without any hassle is further evidence of this Kerry supporters belief that they will wait for the final but the real issue we should be talking about is these f'n ticket touts.

These people selling for hundreds or even over a thousand euro are the scumbags that prosper over the desperation of others.Obviously real supporters will suffer that cash loss for love of the game to a money greedy tout who somehow got a ticket.Simply put....search for tickets and receive tickets if you genuinely want to go to the game and have a big interest.I feel that under no circumstances should anybody give in to these touts who are so greedy,they seek any opportunity to rip people off.

If you are a tout reading this,know that you are a bastard.

Blackjack · 11-09-2006 9:50pm

blackbelt wrote:

If you are a tout reading this,know that you are a bastard.

QFT. I cannot begin to describe how much I detest ticket touts.

blackbelt · 12-09-2006 9:32am

I hate them too.I don't mind seeing somebody sell a ticket for 10 euro more but hundreds and even thousands is taking the p1ss.

p.s what is QFT?

netwhizkid · 12-09-2006 6:05pm

blackbelt wrote:

p.s what is QFT?

Quoted for truth,

The ticket drought has hit Kerry hard despite one of our biggest allocations in recent years, We got over 30,000 tickets in 2000 when croker could hold 60,000+ people now however with it holding over 82,000 people tickets are scarcer than ever? Anyone have any ideas, I smell prawns.

Of the last three finals this has been the hardest ever to attain tickets, wheter it is down to Mayo fans thinking they will win :rolleyes: or what I don't know. They should knock it and build a huge proper National Stadium somewhere in Laois with a dedicated rail ine to Dublin with over 100,000 capacity, plus we culchies could get there easily. I am packing a ConSaw and my finest boltcutters for those tramping private clampers.

UP THE KINGDOM!!!!

Flukey · 12-09-2006 7:47pm

Every year is always the hardest year to get tickets, until you get one. We have one got, but still need more. Still a few potential sources to get back to us. It is good going to have one secured by Tuesday. It has been as late as Sunday morning on some occasions in the past.

patmac · 13-09-2006 9:17am

Flukey wrote:

Now here is a real GAA fan, apparently with a ticket:

A GAA Fan
:mad:

This sickens me I am a club officer in Roscommon and I got a Nally Terrace ticket but we are way short of what we need and am finding it hard to hang onto it. If I sold it to an outside source I would be lynched. £3100 for 3 tickets crazy. I am thinking about emailling sportscall there must be away to trace these fúckers, any help would be appreciated.

rlogue · 13-09-2006 11:07am

Surely the tickets should be sent to the participating county boards and any surplus passed back to the GAA who could put them on open sale to the public?

Giving a block of tickets to non-participating counties strikes me as a waste of valuable tickets.

patmac · 13-09-2006 11:54am

rlogue wrote:

Surely the tickets should be sent to the participating county boards and any surplus passed back to the GAA who could put them on open sale to the public?

Giving a block of tickets to non-participating counties strikes me as a waste of valuable tickets.

Not really. There is an awful amount of unpaid work done by officers, many hours a week spent coaching and managing teams, organising functions and the general day to day running of clubs all voluntary. They're paltry reward is an All-Ireland ticket at the end of the year. If these are not used then they should be sent to the participating county boards to divide up among club members and not sold on Ebay for ridiculous amounts of money. The GAA should start trying to trace these tickets to its original source and slap a lifetime ban on the individuals responsible.

thebionn · 13-09-2006 11:58am

2 years ago I ended up watching the final in a pub in Dublin, unable to get a ticket despite being at the matches up to the final. I hope its not the same again this year, but tickets are scarce again.

I would like to see some sort of loyalty card or something, where fans who have been at matches during the year (including other counties not competing in the finals) get preference.

How many of the Mayo "fans" who went home at half time in 2004 will be there again on Sunday? They probably couldnt even tell you where McHale Park is. Sickens me that these glory hunters take tickets from genuine fans.

thirdmantackle · 13-09-2006 3:46pm

got my ticket

come on the Ros

Flukey · 13-09-2006 4:53pm

We got one, from a Roscommon man, for a Roscommon man, which is what my father is. Still on the hunt though.

blackbelt · 14-09-2006 6:49am

Here is what I propose,

The GAA sets up a loyalty card as mentioned.You can get this from Parnell Park,POrtlaoise,Killarney etc and Croke Park.Everytime you buy tickets from outlets or online,you key in your number and details.The tickets are then sent out via post with address on them etc.If you are caught touting on eBay,you lose your loyalty card plus the balance you had on the card and you are banned from having one again.

All tickets go to the counties that play and any surplus distributed EVENLY throughout the country.No final tickets should go to America or UK or anywhere else.

I've said my piece.

Carcharodon · 14-09-2006 9:23am

elaineyxx wrote:

I have 2 all ireland final tickets for sale. i am selling them for €700, as they are selling for €1500 on ebay. they are situated in the davin stand lower tier quite near the front (you could easily get onto the pitch after the game)
email me at if interested

brilliant!!!
advertise tickets on a anti touting thread :eek:

patmac · 14-09-2006 9:35am

elaineyxx wrote:

I have 2 all ireland final tickets for sale. i am selling them for €700, as they are selling for €1500 on ebay. they are situated in the davin stand lower tier quite near the front (you could easily get onto the pitch after the game)
email me at [email][/email] if interested

Hi moderators can I personally abuse this person without getting a ban?

Culchie · 14-09-2006 9:51am

elaineyxx wrote:

I have 2 all ireland final tickets for sale. i am selling them for €700, as they are selling for €1500 on ebay. they are situated in the davin stand lower tier quite near the front (you could easily get onto the pitch after the game)
email me at [email][/email] if interested

You a F U C K I N G bitch

The Rooster · 14-09-2006 11:01am

Half price Elaine. Nice one.

Whats the section, row number and seat number?

Flukey · 14-09-2006 11:51am

:mad: I got it in a PM lads. :mad: I presume a few others did too.:mad:

I replied:

:mad:

Get lost. The tickets are worth €60 and not a cent more. The likes of you are a complete disgrace.

:mad:

:mad: :mad: As you can see, I was very restrained in my comments.:mad: :mad:

TallGirl · 14-09-2006 3:16pm

Any idea where you can buy those mayo flags for the car?

blackbelt · 15-09-2006 7:34am

Hey Tallgirl,

Most newsagents should do them but a safe bet would be to try your local petrol station as thats where I got mine.

patmac · 15-09-2006 3:39pm

If you are going to Croker without a ticket be careful of used tickets. Before stewards used to rip of the stub, now they are scanned. Some people are throwing them back outside where touts pick them up and resell them in the pubs, then when people try to get back in they are refused entry as the ticket has alreadt been scanned.

Culchie · 15-09-2006 3:49pm

patmac wrote:

If you are going to Croker without a ticket be careful of used tickets. Before stewards used to rip of the stub, now they are scanned. Some people are throwing them back outside where touts pick them up and resell them in the pubs, then when people try to get back in they are refused entry as the ticket has alreadt been scanned.

Good Point Pat, seen this for the quarter-final, people that were in to see the minor/preliminary matches gave their tickets (genuinely so) to supporters up on Dorset street, but were refused entry as they had already been scanned.

With all this technology, they should be able to spot how and why the tickets end up with the touts.... will they use it? .... will they hell.

Disgraceful scenes in Mayo, people looking for tickets. 55 tickets to my club, ....ridiculous.

Anyone reading this who has a spare ticket, or access to one, genuine supporters looking for them ... PM me, and give them a proper home, not some touts greasy palm.

Flukey · 15-09-2006 5:24pm

That reselling a ticket scam has been highlighted regularly since they stopped ripping off the stubs and scanning the home-printed tickets. It is amazing that the GAA haven't done anything about it.

whassupp2 · 15-09-2006 5:31pm

I got a Ros' ticket too.

Flukey · 17-09-2006 10:38am

Still haven't got one, but almost certain of getting one. Leaving home shortly. Let's hope we can all sing "The West's Awake" this evening.