We are always reluctant to mention the "T" word. There are simply so many things that annoy us about the methods of distribution, the allocations and the general carve-up of tickets for big and small GAA matches that, well, once we start giving out, we're not sure when we'll stop.

Why are family tickets usually for a corner of the stand? Why are supporters who are out every weekend supporting their local teams not given preference when it comes to major, high-profile, intercounty clashes? Why do student and OAP tickets usually seem as scarce as a Kilkenny footballer?

Having got all that off our chest, September Road feels obliged to defend the GAA from another common charge - that tickets are always excessively priced.

Our eyes were opened yesterday after we discovered how much it would have cost us to secure a ticket for one of the other big sporting events being staged somewhere outside Ireland over the weekend.

A stand ticket with a superb side view of the action on the Croke Park pitch for all three of yesterday's games cost supporters a modest €30.

A similar ticket, with a decent view of the action, for the United States Grand Prix would have set you back $85 (€66.50).

If you decided it was worth the long queue on Saturday morning to secure a ticket for the third-round action on Centre Court at Wimbledon, you would have ended up £51 (€74) lighter in the wallet.

Also across the water in Derby, the British MotoGP was held yesterday, with a good stand ticket costing £60 (€87).

And for the fans that attended the snore-fest that was the England v Portugal World Cup quarter-final on Saturday (and how England could have done with Matty Forde taking a penalty), the face value of a decent stand ticket was €180.

Even Wexford supporters should feel a little better now.

Quote of the Week: "It was perhaps a combination of a number of factors - exhaustion, apprehension and the get-me-out-of-here syndrome." - John Maughan ponders Roscommon's defeat.

Compiled by Damian Cullen

dcullen@irish-times.ie