A number of clubs in Kilkenny have failed to sell out their allocation of All-Ireland hurling final tickets because of the expense involved.

The GAA's decision to hike the price of stand tickets from €70 to €80 is in danger of backfiring on them as clubs return hundreds of unsold tickets. With no family tickets available, a typical family with three children will spend €400 on tickets alone - before the cost of travel, food and drink is taken into account.

Ned Moran, who is secretary of the Black & Whites club in Kilkenny, said they had returned over 40 tickets.

"I know a lot of other clubs returned tickets too. I'm heavily involved in the GAA and I know there is nothing better than the atmosphere in Croke Park, but you cut your cloth to your measure and families can't afford it like they used to three or four years ago."

By contrast, demand for tickets in Tipperary is high according to county board secretary Ger Ryan.

"People didn't go during the year in some cases, they were saving up and hoping we'd be in the final. What I'm hearing is that clubs here are looking for more tickets rather than less," he said. Tweet

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