*Inagh/Kilnamona’s Keelan Guyler in action with Bryan O’Loughlin of Kilmaley. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill.
CLARE GAA are introducing admission charges for the knockout stages of the county leagues despite clubs protesting against such a move.
Quarter-finals in the willwego.com Clare Cup take place on Friday evening with Clare GAA moving to implement admission fees for the game this week without consulting the clubs of Clare.
It comes less than three months after Clare GAA confirmed that patrons attending domestic league fixtures in the county this year would not have to pay to gain access to these games. Clare’s absence from the All-Ireland SHC will impact on the county’s coffers this year which is a potential reason why the top brass moved to expedite the introduction of entry fees.
Cash prices of €10 are in place for the quarter-finals, prices for card payments are €8 for adults and €5 for OAPs. Online payments via the competition’s sponsor stand at €7 for adults and €5 for OAPs and students.
Similar admission fees are expected to be in place for the semi-final of the Cusack Cup. Personnel critical of the move have previously cautioned that Clare GAA will struggle to make a profit on such a move when payments to gate-checkers which are in the region of €50 per game are given out.
The Clare Echo has contacted Clare GAA for comment but has received no response. In a social media post which went online subsequent to receiving the press queries, Clare GAA confirmed, “There will be an entry fee for all four games. This includes members of the host club”.
At the February meeting of the County Board, clubs kicked back at plans by Clare GAA to administer entry fees. Chairman Kieran Keating suggested they would introduce a €5 charge for all league games which prompted a strong reaction from delegates.
Flan Mullane of Clonlara described the proposal as “absolutely outrageous” and stated, “Clare GAA was never in a better position financially. We backed ye when ye came to our clubs selling tickets for the Win a House. We will not pay and we will walk past those at the gates”.
A proposal from Clarecastle’s Tommy Guilfoyle seconded by Ruan’s Michael O’Regan that there will be no charge wasn’t accepted by the chairman who repeated that “it’s a matter for the management committee to decide. We will discuss it and come back at the March meeting”. At the March sitting it was agreed to pause such plans.
Friday’s quarter-finals see reigning Clare Cup champions Newmarket-on-Fergus put their title on the line against Sixmilebridge, neighbours Inagh/Kilnamona and Kilmaley square off, Clonlara face St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield and Crusheen host O’Callaghans Mills.
It is not the first time that Clare GAA have charged admission prices for knockout games in the club leagues but entry to games in the Clare Cup and Cusack Cup has been free for well over a decade.
“On becoming aware they are charging for knockout games it goes against what I believe was agreed at the meeting,” Guilfoyle told The Clare Echo.
