Prenty defends huge hike in children's stand tickets for Connacht semi-final
April 21, 2026
Mayo's Aidan O'Shea reacts after conceding a free against Roscommon during the Connacht SFC quarter-final in Castlebar ©INPHO/James Crombie
Connacht GAA CEO John Prenty has defended the decision to increase children’s stand ticket prices for next Sunday's Connacht SFC semi-final between Mayo and Roscommon at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park from €5 to €35.
The Ballyhaunis man said the controversial decision was made for ‘logistical and economic’ reasons after the provincial body had lost €250,000 in the last two years.
“We came to the decision that we can’t afford to keep losing money. And the only way we have of making money is through the three games in the Connacht championship,” Prenty told The Tommy Marren Show on Midwest Radio.
“It’s a logistic decision, plus it's an economic decision for Connacht. Our total gate receipts last year were €1 million. The Munster Council gate receipts in the hurling championship was €10 million. We have to run the same situation in Connacht as they run in Munster.”
He added: “It’s a case of making ends meet. I understand the frustration, but I also understand the frustration that we can’t afford to lose €250,000 over the next two years.”
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