GAA fans wishing to attend the Connacht quarter-final between London and Mayo in Ruislip later this month should have a clearer idea of the ticket situation next week.
London GAA’s County Board pulled the tickets from general sale early last month in order to prioritise their affiliated club members, many of whom were on course to be left empty-handed, such has been the demand.
“As soon as the allocation of tickets to clubs has been completed we will make a further announcement in regards to general ticket availability,” a statement from the board read at the time.
A spokesman for London GAA has now confirmed to The Irish Post that the allocation of tickets to members is nearing completion, with clubs due to finalise their individual allowances by Friday, May 6.
Club delegates will then collect their quantities at Monday night’s monthly County Board meeting and, should there be any returns or allocations not taken up, the remaining tickets may be re-released for general sale.
However, the large majority of the tickets reserved for club members are expected to be taken up, meaning fans without membership of a London GAA club will likely have to resort to paying in at the gate on a first come, first served basis – as has been the case in previous years for Championship games.
Incidentally, concession tickets are currently available from the GAA office in Ruislip (West End Road, Ruislip, Middlesex, HA4 6QX) for £10 upon presentation of a valid ID, while under 16s can gain access free of charge.
Adult tickets are priced at £20 or €25.
There was 4,285 registered GAA members in London in 2015, according to London GAA Secretary Mark Gottsche’s annual report, while the Irish TV Grounds in Ruislip has an official capacity of 3,000.
Meanwhile, Ireland-based fans will not be able to obtain tickets through the Mayo County Board, who have been given ‘a limited allocation’ to cater only for players, management, officials and team sponsors, according to Mayo News.
