‘Happy ending’ to Cavan GAA All-Ireland final tickets controversy

We didn't see this coming!

There has been a lot of uproar over the last week over the allocation of tickets for the All-Ireland SHC final between Tipperary and Cork.

The game takes place this Sunday, July 20, at Croke Park, with throw-in at 3.30pm.

Tickets for the game have been given to clubs and county branches all across the country, and are generally raffled off to raise funds.

However, this has caused upset given the scarcity and value of the tickets, with counties not involved in the final receiving large amounts of tickets, as well as counties seen as 'non-hurling' areas.

One story in particular, involving the Breffni County, has grabbed the headlines.

On Wednesday evening, Cavan GAA sent a tweet congratulating Seán O'Brien, the winner of a raffle for an eye-watering 10 All-Ireland final tickets.

There were more than a few eyebrows raised, with Cavan being a football county traditionally, while their hurling side competed this year in the lowly fifth-tier Lory Meaghar Cup.

One commenter said: "It is truly baffling that 10 tickets would be awarded to a single prize winner. The optics and potential consequences of this are horrendous. How Cavan GAA didn’t recognise this in advance beggars belief."

Another added: "I’ve no problem with CB’s raffling tickets but why 10 tickets for ONE winner Surely 5 winners for 2 tickets would’ve been a better way to do it".

However, Cavan GAA have since revealed that the winner is from Kilbrittain GAA in West Cork.

So while the ten tickets for a single person is inarguably excessive, at least they are going to a Cork supporter and will likely be distributed among other Rebel fans.

Cavan GAA wrote: "Big congratulations to our deserving winner of the All Ireland Hurling Final Tickets, Seán O'Brien — a builder from @kilbrittaingaa in West Cork! Wishing him and his family an amazing day at Croke Park this Sunday as they cheer on the Rebels and thanks for entering our draw."