GAA fan appeals for help to get ticket to his 65th All-Ireland final

An avid GAA supporter is appealing for help to ensure he gets a ticket to what would be his 65th All-Ireland men's senior football final this weekend.

Harry Smith has been at almost all the GAA finals since seeing Galway win the Sam Maguire against Cork in 1956 and hopes to be in the crowd to watch Galway again this Sunday, this time taking on Armagh.

The 81-year-old sportsman has also attended seven replays, 42 All-Ireland hurling finals and 32 women's All-Ireland finals, but admits he didn't look for a ticket to this year's Clare and Cork hurling clash.

He has also witnessed seven counties – Louth, Offaly, Down, Derry, Donegal, Tyrone and Armagh – win the Sam Maguire for the first time over the years.

However Harry, who is living in Collon, Co Louth, admits that football isn't exciting anymore and hopes the rules will change that currently allow players to pass the ball back to the goalie.

"I'm not a one-trick pony, I'm a real GAA man and I go to as many games, involving all counties, as I can," he said.

"I'm originally from Slane, Co Meath where I won an intermediate championship medal with the GAA club there in 1968 so I follow Meath around the country but as I've been living in Louth for 55 years, I also follow the wee county.

"My wife laughs that because I go to so many matches that if I didn't turn up at one, it wouldn't be played.

"I watched my first final at the age of 14 when I saw Galway beat Cork in 1956. I've only missed the finals since in 1972, 1980 and of course in 2020 because of Covid-19.

"I don't think there are many out there who have gone to more finals, though I'm told there is a man in Donegal who has been at 74 matches. I'm hoping to make it to 65 anyway," he laughed.

"I've got to know many of the