Donegal GAA hit supporters with ticket tax

No no i think they're right gant, i went down to a Sligo Donegal game last year in Ballyboffey when Donegal came back from 8 points to draw and there was only a handful of people at it. Nobody will begrudge them an extra fiver although some think the given the economic climate we now live in and given the fact the county board will make a killing from it they should not be adding it on. In my view only a fiver and they'll probably never see most of these people again.

Taking this at face value , cant say I approve .

No county has a divine right to support , generally speaking it is directly proportional to results and to the publics perception of teams being worth support .  Sometimes worthiness is not measured by on field results , it is as a result of a wider perception of doing a good job .  In that respect most county boards do a good job , some better than others  , and there occasionally pops up one you wouldn't give house room to ( not aimed at Donegal ).

Donegal have clung on to a slippery slope in the last few years , when with their natural in built problems  regarding being scattered far and wide and facing into uncertain economic times they could have been forgiven if they had contracted back into a defensive frame of mind .  That they have driven forward is to their great credit  , they get 10 out of 10 for that . And their due reward has come facing into Sunday , win , lose , or draw . All their supporters should be setting out for this weekend to have one of the most enjoyable weekends in the history of the county in GAA terms . A never to be forgotten experience  , particularly if you win , mainly because generally its your kith and kin out there with the jersey on . Still .  Unlike a lot of other sports where the protaganists are often mercenaries  , however worthy .

Just wish an element of touting had not entered the lists , other ways of generating income without appearing mercenary must be possible . 

Divided loyalties here for Sunday , family roots and relations ( my wifes ) in Mayo , friends and relations in Donegal .  Cant lose in that respect , think it could be a cracker . Betting says Donegal , but odds have not been right so far in the latter stages of this years jousts . Just hope both counties and their supporters get the most out of Sunday !

Most of these day trippers or barstoolers you look down your nose at are the backbone of most clubs.. coaching the underage and fundraising.....The easy bit is turning up on a Friday nigh half cut with your scarf on..........It's all positive and the GAA continues to grow........Must be a serious increase on last years attendances when alot of other sports are on an increasing decline.

All Ireland finals are not simply about members.

Everyone knows that the vast majority of a county teams support during the championship comes from fair weather supporters.

This is about the whole county of Donegal and every Donegal person that may be living abroad now, of which there will be loads in the UK, Australia Canada etc.

The whole county has needed a lift after being devastated by unemployment and emigration over the past few years, many of whom may have been annual members in GAA clubs. Plenty of people do not have the money for these finals tickets and will be sacrificing something else to be part of the feel good factor and to get a much needed lift. The whole weekend will see the county prosper as many people come home from foreign lands for the occasion. Dublin will be likewise and the "tourist" trade will do great business over the weekend.

The €5 extra can be harsh on many as is the original price of the ticket but it is nearly always done like this so it is not really an issue. However remarks such as putting €20 on to a ticket or milking these supporters serve no purpose. It is a great weekend for the county and the more than involve themselves the better. The knock on effects should ensure that GAA prospers in the area and more join up to local clubs etc and that is traditionally one of the major positives about achievements like this for a county.

Sorry workrider.

I meant to say that. They apply equally to Mayo and that is what is great about the occasion.

*fined