Is it any wonder the conspiracy theorists out there were roaring, 'Watch, now, he'll blow it up', as Stephen Cluxton prepared for a kickout following Cillian O'Connor's sensational last-gasp equaliser.
The All-Ireland football final replay on Saturday October 1st will earn the GAA at least a whopping €3m - this presuming they reduce ticket prices as they've done for hurling final replays in recent years.
Two years ago, a replay ticket to watch Kilkenny and Tipp from the stand went from €80 to €50, with terrace tickets down to €25 from €40. For that final and the hurling replays in the two years previous, children's tickets were also available for as little as €10. It's worth pointing out, however, that this year's hurling semi replay between Kilkenny and Waterford saw no price reduction (though tickets for a semi-final are generally cheaper anywhere).
The total income from the 118 Allianz National Football League games last year was €2.5 million, with Bruce Springsteen's two Croke Park concerts earlier this summer pulling in €2m for the GAA.
The GAA's accounts for 2014 showed an increase of €1.5million in revenue to €56.2m, but no replay last year in either hurling or football saw a drop of €0.5m in revenues to €56m, and
gate receipts down by €2.7m.
The All-Ireland final is worth upwards of €5m for traders in the city, and will provide a suitable boost on a day when Dublin Bus is scheduled to strike.
