GAA criticised for ticketing decision

The ticketing system for the All-Ireland hurling semi-final has been criticised after many fans were left waiting in long queues for hours to get tickets.

Joe Cooney, the Clare County board chairman, called the system a “joke” after the GAA announced it would not sell tickets through the clubs, but rather through official shop outlets throughout the country, as well as on tickets.ie.

According to The42, all three ticketing outlets experienced severe congestion, with users reporting up to two hour waits online.

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“We found out this morning at about half-10 in an email from Croke Park,” Cooney told RTÉ regarding the release of tickets for Sunday’s Thurles replay.

The replay hurling game between Galway and Clare is scheduled for August 5 at the 46,000-capacity Semple Stadium in Thurles. However, attendance at Galway and Clare’s original clash at Croke Park was about 8,000 higher.

Stand tickets reportedly sold out around lunchtime, while tickets.ie’s allocation is completely sold out.

The GAA said the decision not to distribute the tickets through local clubs was due to the short turnaround between each game, and in part because the Galway footballers are also in action on Saturday.

One fan tweeted: “#GAA It is a absolute disgrace that the majority of the tickets for Clare/Galway replay are not available through the clubs. Most people were working today with no opportunity to go online or wait in queues at the shops. What about the club members?”

Image: Seaninryan