GAA President Jarlath Burns defends All-Ireland finals ticket price increases

GAA President Jarlath Burns has defended the hike to All-Ireland final ticket prices, but conceded that "€100 is a lot" for the showpiece matches.

At the end of May, the association announced a rise in prices for the latter stages of the 2024 championship, with All-Ireland final stand ticket prices now €100 - an increase of €10 on 2023.

Terrace tickets for the hurling and football deciders will rise to €55, an increase of €5 from last year.

Burns, speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland after the draw for the Tailteann Cup quarter-finals, said: "I understand that there will be certainly eyebrows raised at that.

"It was a very big move for us to go to three figures, but remember, it's the first time since 2018 we've changed (prices). It's only the second time since 2011.

"We all know where inflation has gone, but I think our members understand that 83% of everything we earn is ploughed right back into the game. We have 350 coaches, we're spending €7m on those at the minute. That's going to go up to €12m. We're increasing that number, we're actually gving them better terms.

"Over the next year we're going to spend €5m on our county grounds. Last year we gave €3m to our clubs in grants. That's going up to €4.5m next year and the year after up to €5m.

"If you have a child and you're bringing your child to the National League matches it's free into that. It was only €5 for a juvenile to get into all of the games in all of the championship matches so far.

"It is quite good value, but we do understand that €100 is a lot for an All-Ireland final ticket."

"We should have a genuine football and hurling setup in every county."

Burns has suggested before that he's open to the possibility of tweaks being made to the championship calendar next year.