Munster expect full house but revenue falls

GAELIC GAMES:THE MUNSTER Council are expecting a full house of 43,000 in Fitzgerald Stadium, Killarney, for Sunday's Munster football final. However, the council are still projecting a reduction of €500,000 in ticket revenue this year due to the GAA's decision to reduce prices for games by €5.

Unless, that is, they get into bonus territory with a replay or two. The meeting of Kerry and Cork in last year’s provincial semi-final went to a replay, as did the Munster hurling final between Waterford and Cork.

“The numbers are good in 2011, especially the uptake of packages, which is very strong in most counties,” explained Munster Council deputy chief executive Enda McGuane. “So while the discounted family packages, stand and terrace tickets have been enticing the income receipts will be back. We forecast in the budget for a drop of €500,000 from last year.

“The impact of this is felt, but the priority is to get families, kids mainly, attending games as they are the future, the lifeblood of the game. The recession is hitting hard, but people are also seeing the value in ticket packages.”

McGuane noted the drop in ticket prices has contributed to decent attendance figures, and the decrease in revenue, but the meeting of Kerry versus Cork in a Munster final, at a traditional venue, is the main draw.

And a draw would be most welcome to send it back to another traditional venue, namely Páirc Uí Chaoimh six days later.

“There is a track record for draws in this fixture, but that is not budgeted for, of course. This game is attracting huge interest from Cork. 36,000 came to Killarney last year, but more are expected, and I know hotels in Killarney are doing good trade, because the game is later in the summer, school and exams are finished.

“This is the holiday period for many Cork GAA people and they are the All-Ireland champions coming down to Killarney so that little bit extra is at stake. This is reflected in the demand for tickets.”

A limited number of family and terrace tickets remain on sale in the competing counties, Ticketmaster and through the council offices. At lunch time yesterday the Munster Council reported sales of 30,000.

Tickets for the Munster hurling final, between Tipperary and champions Waterford, on July 10th, are also doing strong sales, according to McGuane, and are expected to come close to the full 44,000 capacity of Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

However, 30,000 is the estimated turnout at Croke Park this Sunday for Leinster senior and minor hurling finals, that are both being contested by Dublin and Kilkenny, with a large reliance on people opting on the day to attend.

“Dublin supporters don’t traditionally buy tickets until later in the week and because of last Sunday Dublin are only beginning to move tickets today,” said Leinster Council CEO Michael Delaney.

“The response is something similar to the National Hurling League final,” said Dublin secretary John Costello, “so we expect upwards of 15,000 from Dublin to attend.

“Certainly, the demand from football clubs around the county has increased for Sunday.”

The Ulster Council are also being proactive in attempts to maintain attendances at the football final in Clones on July 17th with a “50 for 50” offer that allows up to 45 children entry with five adults for €50. For families travelling to the games, tickets are available in all open seating sections of the stadium at €25 for adults and €5 for under 16s.

There has been a further reduction in senior citizen concessions, from €18 to €15, and there is also a terrace rate of €19 for senior citizens and students.

“Attendances at this year’s championship have held up very well and the best games in this year’s football championship have been played in Ulster,” said Ulster Council president Aogán Ó Fearghail.

“The final promises to be exciting occasions and I hope our patrons will respond to these significant price reductions for our finals. Reductions up to 16 per cent will help our members and supporters in these challenging times.”