Lower crowd numbers at club GAA matches are far from ideal, especially when you consider the level of interest being shown in the sport at the moment.
Due to Government guidelines, clubs are able to cater for no more than 50 or 60 supporters at each game. While many games are being streamed live by county boards in order to appease those unable to attend, it still isn't the same as seeing a match in the flesh.
That's what makes this decision by the Leitrim County Board so bizarre. they have opting to ban supporters from all remaining games in their senior, intermediate, and junior football championships.
In a statement on their website, Leitrim GAA explained that they took this decision in order to ease the pressure on clubs when it came to choosing who would be given tickets.
While this is a decision that is bound to register immediate shock, there is a strong rationale behind it. It is widely recognised that when arriving at the concluding stages of any competition, interest levels rise accordingly.
Interest in our games at group stages has been heightened in the very fact that there was such a long layoff from sporting activity and we also believe that interest levels will have risen sufficiently high enough to ensure that the current restriction of a maximum of 200 people per venue, inclusive of players and officials, will not be near enough to satisfy demand.
This, almost certainly, will place club officials and county officials in a near-impossible situation as regards who will gain access to the limited number of ‘golden tickets’ in match situations which would, in all practicality, see the number of tickets available to supporters reduce from a heretofore 60 per club to a number at most 50 and probably even less when one considers the various interested parties who will naturally look to attend as our competitions move towards a conclusion.
With the current crowd restrictions, it is viewed as being the fairest solution to all concerned to allow access to no supporters as distinct to having to cater for an impractical situation that would arise at the local level with regard to the distribution of these few precious tickets.
Unsurprisingly, this decision has not gone down well.
One in the stand is better than 140 sitting at home where they have been confined for the last 5 months.This is not for people’s safety, it’s to avoid hassle of who should or who shouldn’t get a ticket..The height of disrespect to GAA people closing the gates. https://t.co/3o4Sa7N6gz
— David Brady (@D9BMayo) August 14, 2020
This year nobody thought we were going to see any games and now that there is its being taken away? Imagine running out on county final day and there’s no support from your supporters, it would feel like you’re just going out to play a challenge match 🥴 https://t.co/9Ot0tkagQM
— Emma Quinn (@Emma_Quinnx) August 14, 2020
An absolute joke ...not even 200 or any fans allowed at games so they all have to pay a fiver to stream it then ...crazy https://t.co/ajUzZl8z3H
— Sean Reynolds (@SReyno17) August 14, 2020
Incredible, staggering decision.
I can't believe it.
Been at a few matches and all guidelines being adhered to.
Seriously lads.— Terence Reynolds (@TerenceR78) August 14, 2020
If the government are saying you can have 200 people outside,I’d imagine 200 is better than none. Once the players and officials are allocated give the rest of the tickets (approx 60 per club ) to the players so they can give to their partners or parents of whom they wish
— Shane kelly (@Shanekel73) August 14, 2020
Scandalous decision. Exact same reason why Leitrim was the only county not to run the Cúl camps this summer. County board too lazy and want to avoid having to do any work at all costs.
— Gerry Martin (@DMGT_4LM) August 14, 2020
Absolute crazy decision by @leitrimgaa. We are an small population and with no covid and no clusters. We are all been careful. An awful lot of things in our lives but to have no spectators at the play offs. Going to the matches was like the new going out. Thoughtless...
— clodagh reynolds (@Thone75) August 14, 2020
Why are @LeitrimGAA going on a solo run here, there's been great examples around the county of how to safely implement the guide lines provided without issue. Don't understand this?
— Padraig Mcgarry (@padraigmcgarry1) August 14, 2020
Stupid decision by @LeitrimGAA of course demand will go up but if you weren’t fighting for your ticket for your clubs group games why would you deserve a “golden ticket” in the latter stage! Also taking away clubs live stream, the only good thing to come out of this COVID mess!🙄
— Christine Quinn (@ChristineQuinn3) August 14, 2020
