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11th June 2024
12:57pm BST
Comments made by GAA president Jarlath Burns in 2019 have resurfaced in response to the latest ticket price hike for the All-Ireland final.
For the first time in four years tickets for the All-Ireland final have risen to the three-figure mark as seated tickets are now €100 while a terrace ticket will be €55.
The decision has been met with plenty of backlash from supporters however Burns has defended the price despite admitting it's "a lot".
Speaking on RTE’s Morning Ireland, he said: "I understand that there will be certainly eyebrows raised at that.
"It was a very big move for us to go to three figures, but remember, it’s the first time since 2018 we’ve changed (prices). It’s only the second time since 2011.
"We all know where inflation has gone, but I think our members understand that 83% of everything we earn is ploughed right back into the game. We have 350 coaches, we’re spending €7m on those at the minute. That’s going to go up to €12m. We’re increasing that number, we’re actually giving them better terms.
"Over the next year, we’re going to spend €5m on our county grounds. Last year, we gave €3m to our clubs in grants. That’s going up to €4.5m next year and the year after up to €5m."
Defending the price hike was a far cry from his comments when he was on his campaign trail to become the president of the GAA
During an interview with Off the Ball in 2019, the former Armagh footballer criticised the cost of a ticket and claimed they had unnecessarily risen.
He said: "I personally think that ticket prices are too expensive. I think the GAA charge very often too much.
"The All-Ireland is the GAA's big pay-day. I think it is 60% of all games that the GAA organise at a national level are done at a loss, and I think it is something like 90% of any GAA game you go to from underage upward are free."
In amongst the ongoing ticket feud the GAA did make steps to ensure that people could enjoy all of the action at a cheaper cost by introducing the three-for-two ticket scheme.
Individual tickets remained €25 on Ticketmaster however a new three-match package was offered, with fans being able to save €25.
If your county is playing in the All-Ireland SFC, you would be able to pay €50 for the three group stage matches as oppose to €75.
An individual juvenile ticket costs €5 while the juvenile fee for a three-match package is €15.
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