THOUSANDS of GAA enthusiasts could be set to miss out on London’s biggest game of the year due to “unprecedented demand for tickets” for the visit of Mayo next month.
London GAA’s County Board have temporarily pulled the plug on general sale for the Connacht Championship encounter on May 29 in order to prioritise their affiliated club members, many of whom were on course to be left empty-handed, such has been the demand.
The Irish TV Grounds in Ruislip can cater for approximately 3,000 spectators, but it is believed around half of that has already been sold online as demand exceeded all expectations after being made available late last month.
There was 4,285 registered GAA members in London in 2015, according to London GAA Secretary Mark Gottsche’s annual report, though two extra clubs – St Declan’s and Gael Londain – have been affiliated to the board since the turn of the year.
When contacted, London GAA were unavailable for comment on the precise number of tickets that has been set aside to cater for their clubs, while a figure on the amount already sold has yet to be confirmed.
Fully paid up members of GAA clubs in London who wish to obtain tickets have been advised to contact their club secretary, read a statement from the County Board.
Due to an unprecedented demand for tickets, there will be no tickets on sale from the county board offices in Ruislip or online until further notice.
We are currently catering for the "clubs" in London, any requests should come through your club secretary.
Club secretaries are advised to contact the county secretary Mark Gottsche to request allocation of tickets.
If you are a fully paid up member of a club in London, you are advised to contact your club secretary in the first instance if you require tickets.
As soon as the allocation of tickets to "clubs" has been completed we will make a further announcement in regards to general ticket availability.
London GAA County Board
Meanwhile, Ireland-based Mayo fans wishing to travel over for the game have been left in the dark, according to Mayo News, after being informed that their GAA Season Tickets won’t be valid for entry.
“We’re waiting on word back from London to see exactly what they have sold,” Connacht Council Secretary, John Prenty, told the Westport-based publication.
“It’s part of our twinning with London and New York that they have full control over the arrangements for their game. It’s not a Connacht Council gate … We have to wait and see what the next move from London is.”
Having been runners-up in the All-Ireland Senior Football final twice in the last four years, as well as winning five Connacht Championships on the bounce, Mayo are considered one of the current heavyweights of Gaelic football and the Western county boasts a large Irish community in London.
