Mayo councillor calls for All-Ireland to be broadcast from The Mall

Mayo County Council have been called to get behind the Mayo GAA team and erect a big screen on The Mall in Castlebar to broadcast the All-Ireland senior football final on Sunday week.

The Mayo footballers will take on Kerry in the men's All-Ireland senior football final on July 26 after a comprehensive 17 point victory over a fancied Louth side in Croke Park on Saturday evening.

Following Andy Moran's call for Mayo fans to 'go a bit nuts' ahead of the final showdown against the Kingdom, a Castlebar-based councillor has called on Mayo County Council to install a big screen on The Mall to show the game.

Cllr Blackie Gavin made the call at yesterday's monthly meeting of Mayo County Council where he said that there will be a number of young people who won't be able to get tickets and felt the game should be shown in the county town.

“I want to congratulate the Mayo team on their success and I want to propose that Mayo County Council livestream the All-Ireland on the Mall in Castlebar on Sunday, July 26,” he said.

The Fianna Fáil councillor later added: “There are a lot of young kids unable to get tickets and I think it would be a good event for the town and it would be fantastic.”

Support

His proposal was supported by fellow Castlebar-based councillor Ger Deere who said that other counties who compete in All-Ireland finals are able to host outdoor events to show games and Mayo should follow suit.

“We should make every effort to do it and it will be a great occassion. Other counties do it when finals are on and I can't see why we can't either,” he said.

Kiltimagh-based councillor Aiden Forkan also pointed out the the committee of the Coillte Come Home Festival which took place in Kiltimagh over the weekend organised a big screen in the east Mayo town to show the semi-final.

Mayo's victory over Louth in the All-Ireland semi-final set up a repeat of the 2006 All-Ireland final against the Kingdom as Andy Moran's side look to bring the Sam Maguire to the county for the first time since 1951.

Ballyhaunis clubman and Mayo captain Jack Coyne will be the man looking to emulate Seán Flanagan and lift the Sam Maguire and his neighbour and local councillor Alma Gallagher paid tribute to him and his family.

“I want to congratulate Jack Coyne who showed great leadership last Saturday. I want to acknowledge Jack who lives just up the road from me and there is a real sense of excitement. They say it takes a village to raise a man but it also takes a club and a family and now a county. On behalf of the councillor representing Ballyhaunis I want to wish Jack and the Mayo team the very best of luck,” she said.

This is the third time Mayo have reached the All-Ireland final this decade but it is the first time reaching the final since the split season format was introduced and the first time playing an All-Ireland final in July.

Two week turnaround

With just a two week turnaround to prepare for the final, officials in clubs around Mayo will be under pressure to get their hands on tickets to try to satisfy the huge demand for tickets. It is expected that Mayo clubs will receive around 16,500 tickets to distribute among clubs with the amount received by each club depending on their status as a senior, intermediate or junior club. Mayo has around 3,500 season ticket holders who will be guaranteed final tickets if they went to at least five championship games.

Even though clubs have yet to receive their allocation, some are already running competitions to win All-Ireland final tickets as a fundraiser for their respective clubs.

Meanwhile, Mayo TD and former county footballer, Alan Dillon has also welcomed confirmation from Iarnród Éireann that it is planning additional train services for supporters travelling from Mayo and Kerry to Dublin for the final while reiterating the need for early certainty on ticket availability and sales arrangements.

Minister Dillon praised Irish Rail’s train drivers and all staff for the additional services provided for both the quarter-final and semi-finals, saying their efforts had made a real difference for supporters travelling to Croke Park.

“Firstly, I want to acknowledge the excellent work of Irish Rail’s drivers and staff in providing additional services for the quarter-final and semi-finals. Their efforts ensured thousands of Mayo supporters could travel safely and conveniently to support the team.

“I welcome the confirmation that Irish Rail is working to provide additional services for supporters from Mayo and Kerry and that detailed planning is already underway. This confirmation will provide some reassurance to supporters who are currently trying to make arrangements for the final.”

Clarity needed

However, Minister Dillon said supporters still need clarity on when train tickets for any special All-Ireland Final trains will go on general sale.

“With the All-Ireland Final now approaching, the priority is to give supporters certainty. I know demand will far exceed the number of tickets available, but people deserve clear information on when tickets will go on sale.

READ: Permission granted for redevelopment of a north Mayo hospitality business

“Irish Rail has indicated that it hopes to confirm the number of additional services later this week and that all additional trains are expected to sell out very quickly, as was the case for the quarter-final and semi-final services. It is therefore important that supporters receive timely information and fair access to tickets.”

Minister Dillon added: “I am also asking Irish Rail to introduce a queuing system for online sales, so that supporters have a fair and transparent opportunity to purchase tickets.

“I have been in direct contact with Irish Rail seeking clarification on the arrangements for special trains and ticket sales, and I welcome the engagement to date. As soon as further information is confirmed, I will communicate it to the public.”

Minister Dillon said Mayo supporters are already making plans for the final and noted that clear communication from Irish Rail will help avoid unnecessary confusion and frustration in the days ahead.