Five new ticket packages for the closing stages of the football and hurling championships have been announced by the GAA today. The deals will allow supporters to combine quarter-final and semi-final games and matches from both codes.
At €90 the ‘Hurling Heaven’ package will cover quarter-final and two semi-finals, while the €99 ‘Football Feast’ includes tickets to two quarter-final days and both semi-finals.
The latter means each match costs €25 and represents a saving of €60 on last year’s package, according to the GAA.
The hurling package saves the fan €35.
There is also package comprising of a quarter and semi-final for €65 and a ‘Dual Deal’ that includes the both stages of both championships for €175.
Admission prices for this weekend’s qualifiers have also been finalised, with stand tickets set at €20 and terrace admission reduced by €5 to €10.
GAA president Christy Cooney unveiled the scheme at Croke Park today.
“We have been very happy with attendances at our games to date this year but we have said all along that in these challenging times we would continue to review our ticketing arrangements in an effort to offer our members and followers value for money,” he said.
“By producing these packages we believe that’s exactly what we have done.
"We have attempted to cater for different types of GAA supporters by offering
combined football and hurling deals and a variety of options and we are confident that followers of our games will take up deals that will provide excellent live sporting entertainment at an affordable price."
Meanwhile, Tommy Freeman'scontention that the Central Competitions Controls Committee was not authorised to initiate disciplinary proceedings after an incident during the Ulster championship game against Derry has been dismissed by the Central Appeals Committee (CAC).
In a statement released by the GAA today, it was revealed that in "accordance with Rule 155 (c) (iii) T.O. 2008", the CAC decided last night it is not possible to “appeal against the decision to commence disciplinary action".
Freeman is expected to take his case to the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) in the slim hope of being cleared to play in Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier against Armagh in Clones.