There was no queue for tickets for Cavan, Derry or Tyrone. It was simply ‘pay at the gate’.
The queue for tickets at the St Eunan’s clubhouse for tickets for the Ulster final against Down threw up a delay of just five seconds.
The queue for tickets for the All-Ireland quarter-final against Kerry lasted just 60 seconds.
And the queue for tickets for the next game – the semi-final against Cork – was just a few seconds more.
But tonight in Letterkenny, it took two hours from the back of that queue to the very front.
This time there would be no tickets for the children who’d accompanied you to all those other games. Adults only this time – with a draw for those aged over-14 for some other tickets. And it was strictly for the over-14s, we were told.
So many of us were nervous wrecks by the time we reached the top table to claim our two adult member tickets.
First there was the €5 draw for the county board. No problems there. Happy to pay it.
Then it was a check to make sure your name was on the club database (it is, thank God we filled that form out properly!!!)
The palpitations subside for a few moments.
Then came the Lucky Dip – this was not expected. What the hell is the Lucky Dip?
You had to reach into a box and pick out an envelope. There would be no guarantees about sitting or standing together.
The guy in front goes for it – and lands two seats together in the Cusack.
We wouldn’t be that lucky, could we?
Hands shaking, I reach for a brown envelope, and slowly open one end.
“That guy in front stole my tickets,” I wanted to shout, for I wouldn’t be so lucky.
A terrace ticket for the Nally Terrace and an Upper Tier Davin Stand seat with a Restricted View!
The Great Master Plan to get two seats or terrace tickets together was gone.
No chance of an adult to stay at home, so one of the kids could go.
Mustn’t complain though.
There’s two tickets sitting here to the greatest show on earth – the All-Ireland Football Final.
Just one decision left – who gets to sit behind a post in the Davin, and who gets to stand away down at the other end?
This ticket stuff would put years on you!
Roll on Sunday…….
