Angerat the GAA’s ‘exorbitant’ charges

September 1978

The fact that Wexford GAA charged £1.30 admission instead of the usual £1 to two matches at Bellfield last Sunday (a senior hurling semi-final, and senior football semi-final replay), and then subsequently cleared the grounds and charged a further 30p for anybody wishing to see a third, has been severely commented upon by supporters around the country.

And while some with harsh words were reluctant to allow their names into print, that was not the case with long-time GAA supporter, current GAA member, and former player, John Doyle, Duffry Gate, Enniscorthy.

John told us that the one topic of conversation in his licensed premises on Sunday evening was not about the victory of one or other of the teams involved, but of the ‘exorbitant’ cost of entry.

‘People of low incomes were asked to pay £1.30 to stand for three hours to see two poor games. It is just not good enough,’ he said.

‘In Britain, one cane see any First Division soccer game for just 75p, and in that instance, they are witnessing the expertise and skills of twenty-two professionals who could be paid as much as £500 per week from the gate receipts,’ he added.

There was criticism of other aspects of Sunday’s programme, too. One was how half-time in the football match lasted almost 25 minutes, after local chancers made off with the only football that was supplied by the Co. Board.