The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Ticket scramble hots up
Sheehan goalkeeper rumours unsubstantiated
WITH a Croke Park full house of over 82,000 spectators guaranteed, the scramble for tickets for the much anticipated All-Ireland semi-final meeting between Kerry and Dublin on August 28 is well and truly underway.
On-line tickets have been sold out and there has been a huge demand for tickets allocated through the County Board and clubs. Kerry and Dublin have never failed to grab the imagination of their rival supporters and when you add in the fact that the GAA public at large have been waiting on this game to ignite the Championship season, one can understand why the demand for tickets is so great.
There is, of course, a third county involved and that is Kildare who have surprised many observers by reaching the Minor semi-final where they will meet a treble chasing Kerry team.
Tickets which were available on general sale online at GAA.ie are not available at the moment but a further on-line allocation will be added by Croke Park.
Any tickets not allocated through the clubs here in Kerry will go on public sale at the County Board Office in Austin Stack Park and the Kerry GAA Store in Killarney Outlet Centre tomorrow (Thursday) from 2.30pm.
Admission Prices: Hogan Stand (no concession), Cusack and Davin Stands - €40;Terrace - €25; Family tickets for Cusack/Davin Stands - Adults - €40; Juveniles €5; Students and Senior Citizens (Cusack and Davin Stand only) will receive a €10 refund on production of valid ID at the usual stiles.
The minor semi-final between Kerry and Kildare throws in at 1:30 while the senior semi-final between Kerry and Dublin will have a 3:30pm throw-in.
Meanwhile, the latest - and best - rumour to come out of the Kerry football camp this summer continues to gain traction ahead of the All-Ireland semi-final but remains unsubstantiated and would appear to be untrue.
Almost immediately after Kerry’s quarter-final win over Clare the stories started about Bryan Sheehan being seriously considered to take the goalkeeper’s jersey and play in goals against Dublin.
Sheehan, of course, played some of his underage football in goals for his club St Marys and with Colaiste na Sceilge, and wore the no.1 jersey for the Kerry minor team nine times in 2001 and 2002 before switching to midfield and the forward line as a minor in 2003.
Rumours persisted last week with an ‘A’ versus ‘B’ training team released naming Sheehan in goal and Mark Griffin at midfield, but with Kerry’s preparations for Dublin on August 28 remaining behind locked gates, it seems fanciful to believe Sheehan will take over from Brian Kelly as Kerry’s first choice goalkeeper.