THE HUGE interest in the All Ireland hurling and football finals is reflected in the official viewing figures released by RTE yesterday. At peak viewing times, RTE reported 879,000 viewers for the hurling final and 795,000 for the football decider. Average viewing figures for the afternoon were 584,000 and 552,000 respectively, peaking during the actual matches.

It is interesting to note that the hurling significantly out distanced the football and reflects an apparent view by armchair fans that hurling is a more exciting spectacle.

Football was certainly more popular the last time Mayo and Meath met in the final. In 1951, interest was so great that an official attendance of 78,201 was returned. However the receipts then were £9,334 and 11 shillings - small change in comparison with the expected bonanza of some £2 million for Sunday's match, bringing the receipts for the two matches to almost £4 million.

In 1951, Mayo retained the title which they had won the previous year when beating Louth. On both of those occasions the Mayo left corner back and captain was Sean Flanagan, whose son, Dermot, is playing in the same position on Sunday.

Coverage of matches in those days was not nearly as extensive as it is now. On the Saturday before the match, a single column article of 12 inches appeared in The Irish Times and was almost matched by coverage of the opening matches in Leinster club rugby.

The report of the match itself earned a three column headline, with a short description of the scene and the ebb and flow of the match. Most of the report was taken up by a score by score description of about 20 inches, although two double column photographs were used.

The preview and match report were by "Pat O", the GAA correspondent of the day who also wrote under his own name of Carbery.

It is interesting that in the week before the match, the Meath players were inoculated in preparation for a trip to the US in their capacity as National League champions. Many people in Meath still believe that some of the players reacted badly to the injections and were not in a proper state of mind or body for the final in which they were beaten by 2-8 to 0-9.

The theory that Meath were not at their best seems to be confirmed in "Pat O's" match report. He writes Meath were really disappointing in the second half. They were beaten in every race to the ball, were out manoeuvred and, to a large extent, outclassed.

Dixon, a veteran, put in great work for the winners at centre half but Carney was the man of the match."

Mayo's goals were scored by Tom Langan and "Joker" Gilvarry.

In view of the strict crowd controls which now apply at public events it is quaint to reflect on what "Pat O" reported in 1951. "The sidelines were closed long before the minor game. The stands were packed and every vantage place on the spacious terraces was fully peopled. Yet there appeared to be ample room for a few more thousands, though the attendance was again of huge proportions."

In this context a ceiling of 65,000 on Sunday's match and much stricter crowd control is, perhaps, a sign of less innocent or even less disciplined times. Gardai and the safety authorities have issued an instruction to Croke Park that the gates at the Canal End which give access to the pitch must not be opened on Sunday unless in the case of an emergency.

At previous matches the gates have been opened, allowing supporters to pour onto the pitch. The authorities now believe this creates a dangerous situation at the Canal End and have given instructions that it must not be allowed on Sunday.

Meanwhile Croke Park has announced that all arrangements for Sunday's match are the same as that which applied for the drawn game. Patrons are advised to come early. Stiles open at 12.15 pm and the minor match starts at 1.30 p.m.

Only patrons holding valid tickets will be admitted. Children will not be permitted without tickets. Parking will not be allowed in the vicinity of Croke Park and cars parked illegally may be towed away. Extensive parking is available in the grounds of Clonliffe College, on Drumcondra Road, and in the grounds of O'Connell schools.

Patrons are asked not to drop litter and to obey gardai and stewards at all times, both inside and outside the ground.