The GAA has confirmed that its Central Council approved its All Ireland Finals ticket prices for the next two years at it"s meeting last Saturday.

Ticket prices for 2004 and 2005 for All Ireland Finals will be €60 for stands and €30 for terraces compared with €50 and €25 respectively in 2003. The Semi Final price of tickets will be €40 for stand, €25 for terrace and €5 for juvenile, compared to €35, €20.00 and €5 respectively in 2003.

Tickets prices will remain the same at €20 in respect of terrace for Quarter Final double headers in Croke Park but there will be a €5 increase in the price of a stand ticket to €35.

Quarter Finals played outside of Croke Park will have admission prices of €30 for stand and €20 for terrace. It is pointed out that these admission prices compare favourably with analogous sporting and entertainment events.

The GAA has stated that amongst the reasons for the price increases was the necessity for increased borrowings of €100 million as a result of the accelerated redevelopment works at Croke Park and the decision to proceed with works to Hill 16.

Also, additional increased costs that had to be met include costs being incurred as a result of the Amateur Status Committee recommendations approved by Central Council last year. This includes subsidies to counties as a result of increased costs in team expenses. A major factor in this context is the increased mileage rate from 38c to 50c and other player related costs, which will require subsidies of close to €2 million in 2004  (team expenses costs are now in excess of €13 million).

Another new cost will be the implementation of strategic review recommendations which will cost €2.5 million in developments in urban areas, games development projects which will cost €4.7 million and grounds grants €5.2 million.

The new Players Injury Scheme will cost circa €7.3 million to fund and 6% of all gate receipts will be levied in this context.