Gate receipts 'excellent' as final stages beckon in championship
GAA news
Gate receipts in the Cavan club football championships have been described as “excellent” by the county board as the competitions reach their business end.
Cavan county board treasurer Martin Cahill revealed that gate receipts have exceeded expectations and are are well up on other seasons prior to 2020, which saw a sharp drop due to government restrictions.
“Gate receipts are excellent, we have seen a good increase over the 2019 figures,” Cahill told the Anglo-Celt.
The highest attended match so far in the three championships was Gowna v Mullahoran in the SFC quarter-final, which attracted a paying crowd of 1400 for a Sunday evening game.
Sunday evenings at Kingspan Breffni are traditionally regarded as the 'prime slot' for club games but Cahill stated that Friday evening games have proven very popular this year.
“Friday night attendances have been particularly good, we had 1100 at the Butlersbridge v Cuchulainns game (IFC semi-final) last Friday for example,” Cahill said.
Gate receipts in 2020 fell from €402,585 to €145,928, which Cahill described at the time as “a dramatic reduction and tough going.”
However, the overall figure seems set to increase this year.
“It is hugely welcome. In a time of so much uncertainty, it is an opportunity for people to get out in a relatively safe environment in that it is outside. People are taking the chance to get out and meet people, there hadn't been much opportunity to do that in the previous 12 to 18 months.”
The county board have introduced a new pre-paid ticketing system, organised by ClubSpot, which is thought to have contributed to the increase, with every attendee now buying a ticket in advance.
However, Cahill believes that while the online system “is working excellently”, generally high interest in the games is the key driver of the increase at present.
Large crowds are expected this Sunday as the two Senior Championship semi-finals are down for decision. Extra time is not playable on the day, meaning there is the possibility of replays, which is the case in the Junior Championship semi-final between Denn and Knockbride which takes place on Friday evening.