Northern Ireland

GAA under political pressure to scrap cashless ticket policy

Assembly member Mark H Durkan
Assembly member Mark H Durkan

The GAA has come under political pressure to scrap its controversial cashless policy.

Under a contentious new approach brought in by Croke Park officials last year, tickets for any GAA game can now only be bought online in advance with no facilities provided to pay by cash or card at the turnstile.

The Irish News revealed last week that GAA chiefs, who are under mounting pressure over their stance, in Ulster are now planning to "trial" a system allowing supporters to buy tickets by card at some grounds.

However, paying by cash will still be banned.

Concerns have been raised that older people are particularly impacted by the new rules.

Opponents of the policy include Age NI, which campaigns on behalf of the elderly, which recently wrote to the Ulster Council outlining its concerns.

President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association Micheál Naughton has also said the GAA needs to reverse its decision.

More than 3,200 people have signed a petition calling for a the policy to be reversed.

Last week GAA pundit Joe Brolly branded the policy "impractical and discriminatory" on Twitter.

His sister Nodlaig Ní Bhrollaigh is leading a campaign opposing the current ticketing system.

Meanwhile, Foyle assembly member Mark H Durkan urged the GAA to "rethink" its policy.

"The GAA is a tremendous organisation and I have always been proud of how it's so accessible, so reflective of the community," he said.

"The last thing they should be wanting to do is exclude people, which this policy ultimately does and will, by virtue of their age."