Action needed immediately on this. How does Wexford only get 2,000 stand tickets. It appears many supporters will not get any tickets. Over the last 5 or 6 weeks Wexford supporters have had 6 senior intercounty games and a number of underage games also. These matches should be moved to Croker. Let no one say it cant be done or its too late. I know of supporters (not living in Wexford) who travelled 1000 km in one weekend to see the hurlers in Ennis and the footballers in Wexford Park. And now they cant get tickets. GAA come on if Garth said he wanted to play in Thurles all next week the two matches would be switched immediately to Croker.

lochgarmanabu (Wexford) - Posts: 1020 - 22/07/2014 10:27:40    1623688

I sincerely doubt that this is fully true

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 22/07/2014 10:43:50    1623706

I said this when fixture was announced if Wexford beat waterford there was going to be problems in thurles I usually go to these game every year on the train from Portlaoise but I wounldnt deprive a fan of any of the 4 counties a ticket.Pity soo many people in particular Wexford fans will miss out and such a big game.
The GAA should move Tipp and Dublin to Portlaoise

BigJohn.6_8 (Galway) - Posts: 704 - 22/07/2014 10:59:22    1623730

i've no sympathy for wexford. ye have brutal support. i was at a cork v wexford qualifier in thurles in 2012 and ye had nobody there at all. there was little support in ennis either this year. ye can't expect to the gaa to facilitate ye just beacuse ye win a few games and everybody wants a piece of the action. thurles is adequate enough for the hurling quarter finals and the gaa won't change this venue at this late stage. Its all the one anyway limerick will beat ye by 7 or 8 points. Ye won't have the players to cope with browne, downes, mulcahy & dowling. These fellahs are too pacey for wexford.

The_Bull (Cork) - Posts: 248 - 22/07/2014 11:05:14    1623735

Not having a pop here but thousands of Limerick and Cork people missed out two weeks ago but geniune hurling fans got tickets. The problem arose that Limerick and Tipp are both playing the same day and they have massive support and will take up at least 35k of that support and those fans could buy tickets in advance knowing they were there already. I feel sorry but i don't think we should have to go to Croke Park, Wexford county board should have secured more tickets, it is at their doors.

Hoover78 (Limerick) - Posts: 865 - 22/07/2014 11:10:39    1623745

I was at the Cork v Clare Munster semi-final last year. Low turn out for the game. All then falling over themselves for tickets in September.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7842 - 22/07/2014 11:23:46    1623758

The_Bull, that is unfair and I was there that day and if there is 1 county of bandwagon supporters it is Cork. Where were they all for the match v Waterford earlier this year?
Every county has its bandwagon who want to follow a successful team, and every county has it's die-hard supporters through thick and thin. That is the reality and dont pontificate otherwise. I know people from every county who go to semi finals and finals who wouldnt be able to name 5 clubs in their county.

I knew people would trade insults at Wexford supporters for being a bandwagon but to be fair would you go watch a team where players are drinking a week before a championship match like we had a few years ago?

We had 19k in the park for Kilkenny in senior 2-3 years ago when we were just starting to recover our form, we had 14k at U-21 final last year, we outnumbered Dublin in Parnell Park at U-21 a few weeks ago, practically filled Wexford Park a few weeks ago for Dublin and Clare, had a small few loyal supporters who went to Ennis where there was zero expectation (would you drive for 3.5 hours to see your county bet out the gate?) this is not as much of a bandwagon as it is made out to be.

The big problem here is that those who bought of their clubs (like me) for this game and many others are the last ones being looked after, if you cant see the error in that then I despair.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 22/07/2014 11:30:08    1623769

Think it's a bit late in the day to change it now.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 22/07/2014 11:37:19    1623783

Its too late guys, simple as that. People have Train tickets, buses hired and some probably have hotels booked. The match has to go ahead in Thurles. As bad as the GAA look now if they they change it, the will get slated altogether. BTW: I got my stand ticket yesterday on tickets.ie so it seems the Wexford boys have been slow to the draw. Plenty of room and if you have kids it is possible to go to the Terrace, you just need to move away from the centre. Hoping for Limerick and Dublin wins but expect two great games and may the best teams win. Will support Wexford if they beat us, they have brought life to hurling this year (a little like Clare, Dublin and Limerick did last year). Anyone can beat anyone this year! Stop the side show and plan for Thurles. I doubt there will be 53,000 people there!!

Limkboy (Limerick) - Posts: 72 - 22/07/2014 11:58:07    1623808

Every county has it's bandwagon, but it's the true supporters who travel countrywide in all weathers throughout the year to support their team who lose out in situations like this. The fine day 'fans' crawl out of the woodwork at the first scent of success but are the first to criticize when things are not going so well. The attitude of such 'fans' reveals a lot about them as people in general - defeatist and negative. It's time some kind of loyalty scheme was introduced e.g. a token/barcode/voucher would be printed in the programmes for Winter games like the Walsh Cup in Leinster and the NHL. Let the true supporters present their token/barcode/voucher then when it comes to the scramble for tickets. It might even attract bigger attendances to the games before the championship.

Sliotharyslope (Wexford) - Posts: 136 - 22/07/2014 11:58:09    1623809

Pinkie, you'll get a ticket alright. You'll see there'll be plenty of tickets about. In 2006 Cork played Limerick and Kilkenny played Galway in a double-header and the same hype about tickets was created. There were plenty going around after. Dublin won't bring a massive crowd. I reckon the GAA are driving demand by holding back allocations. There were plenty of tickets floating around pairc ui chaoimh the day of the munster final.Thurles will be near full on sunday. The number of people jumping on the hurling bandwagon at the moment is very frustrating for the hurling supporter who tries their best to make every game

The_Bull (Cork) - Posts: 248 - 22/07/2014 11:58:22    1623810

Utter nonsense about bandwagon supporters. Attendances from every country grow as the competition progresses. Is our cork friend saying that all those supporters at last year's all ireland final were back for the league game with laois. Natural that teams will get more support the more successful they get. Anyway hope the county board can get their hands on more tickets. Club members should be looked after first and not going on general sale in the likes of super value. Real supporters are members of their local club.

fecksakeref (Wexford) - Posts: 111 - 22/07/2014 12:03:03    1623814

Somebody from Wexford County Board on morning Ireland an hour ago, want the game moved to Croke Park, or if that's not possible want the games split up with one game Saturday night and the other Sunday afternoon. They also made the very good point that by the time they beat Waterford all the on line stand tickets were sold. Terrace tickets are available but not much good to families with small children.

clonjon (Dublin) - Posts: 665 - 22/07/2014 12:17:58    1623837

All counties are getting the same stand allocation. Wex are hardly going to be given the whole stand!

It is a great problem to have and will be great to see Thurles packed to the rafters for what could be two brilliant games. Hope the Wexicans will stay on to support your Leinster friends :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 22/07/2014 12:19:44    1623838

Whatever happens at this stage hopefully it will lead to better planning and preparation for such an eventuality in future. The genuine supporter must be looked after. The whole issue inevitably rears it's head again on All-Ireland day when so called 'celebrities' / tourists will get tickets for the finals ahead of the genuine supporters on the basis that it is an 'big event.'

Sliotharyslope (Wexford) - Posts: 136 - 22/07/2014 12:22:46    1623841

In fairness to the GAA, the quarter finals in Thurles - and I've been at them all for last four years - have never sold more than 35,000 but that is great atmosphere in Semple, not in Dublin. They couldn't have foreseen that this would sell out even two weeks ago.


Anyway, for once no-one can accuse the Dubs of wanting match switched to Croker :-)

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 22/07/2014 12:29:14    1623849

Wexford fans will stay for both games because they are hurling people. I recall a double header in Tullamore in 2012 where Dublin fans left in droves after their drubbing by the Cats and did not stay for Offaly v Wexford.

Sliotharyslope (Wexford) - Posts: 136 - 22/07/2014 12:30:12    1623852

hurlingdub, we will of course stay on to support our Leinster friends, only if you get in to support us though!

Joking aside, my only gripe with the ticket situation is the fact that the bandwagon has been looked after before the club members who are the lifeblood of the organisation and the first ones to be asked to sell tickets, train teams, support club and county.

To me, that is a disgrace.

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 22/07/2014 12:44:31    1623877

I have 3 stand tickets and will gladly swap them for 3 terrance should a wexford family want them. I have a young child but too young yet to bring to a match so I understand the whole family thing.

IMO no tickets should have been put on Sale until yesterday morning after Wexford beat Waterford. Silly move again by the GAA.

Wexford or even Waterford people should they have won were always going to be the losers on the ticket front given that Tipp , Limerick and Dublin knew for over 2 weeks they were safely in an AI QF.

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 22/07/2014 12:54:40    1623891

Sliotaryslope, I don't think Dublin ever played the Cats in Tullamore and I have a long long memory!

I will certainly be there for Wex pinkie and will be supporting you. Should be a great game and I expect Wexford to win it.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 22/07/2014 12:55:47    1623894