Across Dublin and Kerry over the past two nights GAA clubs have been holding the tensest nights of the year as draws have taken place for members to win the ‘Willy Wonka’ Golden Ticket of a spot in Croke park to see Sunday’s eagerly anticipated final.
The distribution for the hottest tickets to those who are members of their clubs is a democratic and fair way of rewarding those who put the most into the sport at grass roots level but until a decision is taken to add a third or fourth tier to Croke Park demand will far exceed supply.
The bigger clubs around the capital have been getting an average of around 100 tickets for the game. They distribute through a variety of means. Some hold back tickets for club officers or members of committees, others for their players who have represented the county at senior level in the past.
Many have strict policies on #BeingThereAllTheWay by insisting that people were present on the night at the time their name was drawn. That meant many clubs were packed to the gills and it’s one of the biggest benefits of getting to an All Ireland that you get to see all the people in your club that are turning up with teams and organising fundraisers that you yourself might not be involved with.
Tickets are also heading around the country, reports from various counties suggest that the number being given to non competing counties will be down around 20% this year, meaning for for Kerry in the morn and Senior Finals, as well as Dublin and Tipperary.
Over the next 24 hours the calls will increase, the lucky few will feel blessed and the countdown will tick inexorably towards 1.15 for the Minors and 3.30 for the Seniors.
Cuala GAA Club hosts a big lunch today in the Ballsbridge Hotel where more than 400 will listen to the wit and wisdom of Des Cahill and pat Spillane. Countless there will be whispers of tickets there, as there will, closer again to the witching hour as crowds flock to Shelbourne park on Saturday Night for the Final of the Boylesports Irish Greyhound Derby.
There’s a Kerry dog in the final and connections are planning to stay in the capital on the off chance of tickets finding their way towards them.
Dublin and Kerry is a magical rivalry. The All Ireland Final is a magical day. There is no magical hole in the wall to get your ticket from but hopefully those who deserve them most will manage to secure one. It tends to work out that way. Fingers crossed…
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