Clare's county board is likely to face financial sanction for its failure to implement the GAA's admission prices at Sunday's National Hurling League match against Meath.
Central Council's decision to set the cost at £7 for a Division One league match was criticised last week in Waterford and Clare and at the weekend, the latter charged only £5 into Cusack Park.
Whereas county officers declined to comment on the matter, it is clear Croke Park will have to take action. The rationale behind Clare's decision is that a number of Division One matches are less competitive and therefore less attractive than others. Consequently the county decided to charge less for the opening match against newly-promoted Meath which was won easily by the home side.
Danny Lynch, the GAA press officer, yesterday confirmed it was not within the power of any one county to reduce its admission rates. "The decision to increase was taken by Central Council, the highest decision making body in the association outside of annual congress. Any decision to deviate from this will be also an issue for Central Council."
The main problem is the administration of National League revenues is organised centrally. As a result every county has an interest in how much is charged at all matches. "It's not something a county can take unilateral action on," Lynch said.
Although it has only recently begun to attract controversy, the raising of the entrance charge was decided before the National Football League started in October. Coincidentally, complaints arose before Christmas that one county had been charging only £5 into its league fixtures. The county claimed this was an oversight. At the time, GAA president Sean McCague issued a stern warning to counties that official policy couldn't be ignored in such a manner so it is unlikely a blind eye will be turned to Clare's action.
Among the disciplinary measures at the GAA's disposal, two have been mentioned. First, Clare can be asked to compensate for the shortfall in central funds and in addition be fined for ignoring the directive. Second, the county could be ordered to play its matches away from home on the basis it can't be trusted to collect the correct amount on the gate.
Reports on the size of the attendance at Cusack Park vary between 700 and 1,000 - which adds up to a potential bill of between £1,500 and £2,000.
John Leahy has been ruled out of Tipperary's opening hurling league game against Derry on Sunday because of a hamstring injury.
