€4 charge for Cork homecoming event 'absolutely not the way to go' 

Concerns have been raised about the €4 charge for tickets to the Cork senior hurling team’s homecoming at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh today.

Details were announced on Sunday for the fully ticketed and alcohol-free event, with tickets costing €4 per person.

Amongst the artists taking to the stage at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh will be The Frank and Walters, John Spillane, J90, and Myles Gaffney, with KC from RedFM acting as MC for the evening.

The line-up of Cork music and entertainment is being organised by Cork GAA and Cork City Council, with from Cork’s RedFM.

Concerns

While fans wait in anticipation to welcome back the team that saw the Rebel county to the All-Ireland final, concerns have been raised about the €4 charge for tickets.

Speaking to The EchoSinn Féin councillor for Cork City North West, Michelle Gould, said that charging fans is “not the way to go”.

“Charging fans to come and their team is absolutely not the way to go. If the GAA were thinking at all, a small nominal fee for the Fanzone could have been done. But no way should a charge be put on welcoming home our brilliant hurlers,” she said.

“These lads have sacrificed so much to play intercounty and have given us fantastic days out - they really need our tonight but charging to see them is a really really bad decision by the GAA.

“An open top bus with free access to cheer on the team should have been the way to go.” 

Labour Party councillor for Cork City South East, Peter Horgan, said: “Ultimately, this is a matter for the GAA to communicate. If it is a matter of ticket management and security then that should be communicated including the costs of the event.

“The Fanzone was a great success with over 8,000 watching the final in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh but 17,000 tickets were allocated so there is an issue with ensuring there is the right amount of security and event management staff, for safety, commensurate with the amount that will show up.” 

Distasteful

Meanwhile, the public has taken to social media to voice their concerns about the ticket charge.

“People spent hundreds travelling to the matches ing Cork. The homecoming should be on South Mall. Just think how disappointed the players would be if there's only a few people at the park,” one social media posted.

“A little distasteful charging €4 for this. ers should be allowed welcome them home for free,” another posted.

One fan who traveled to Dublin for the match said they paid €210 on a ticket, fuel, parking and a match programme and said a family would have paid an additional €300, not including accommodation for those who stayed in Dublin overnight.

“People have paid enough to ,” they posted.

Others welcomed that the homecoming would take place at the stadium but said it was unreasonable to charge for the event.

“The decision to utilise Pairc Ui Chaoimh was logical but can you at least attempt to explain the decision to charge fans the majority of those who've spent hard earned money following the team this year to welcome the team home,” another fan posted.

Security

A spokesperson for Cork GAA told The Echo that the charge covers additional security and safety measures needed to run the event.

“The need for the modest charge is to pay for the extra security and additional safety measures that are needed in order to run the event safely,” the spokesperson said.

“The charge is also in place to ensure organisers can manage tickets for the event in a fair way. It is essential that the event is run in a family friendly and safe way which means we need to hire additional security.” 

Doors will open at 4.30pm and Cork GAA and Cork City Council said they hoped in particular that younger fans who were unable to travel to Dublin for the yesterday's match will have a chance to savour some of the special All-Ireland final atmosphere.