Home fans were shocked when they arrived in a rainsoaked Castleblayney last weekend for the Monaghan v Cork game, to find umbrellas for sale for �?�40 each.

As there is no stand for spectators at the Castleblayney Faughs ground, the 10,000strong crowd had to stand out in rain as the PA system announced the availability of the Monaghan GAA umbrellas.

Officially licensed by GAA headquarters in Croke Park, Monaghan appears to be one of the first counties to sell the umbrellas, which come in each county's colours and display each county crest.

Dermott Jewell, chief executive of the Consumers' Association of Ireland, said: "I can understand organisations like the GAA using every opportunity to make hay while the sun shines but to make money when it rains is taking it to a new level. Particularly when it is just the normal GAA fans that are being ripped off.

"Monaghan GAA need to take a very serious look at the attitude they are taking towards their fans or else they should lose fans."

Jewell added: "There is always a demand for sportsrelated equipment, and fundraising is always acknowledged as worthwhile, but when it is taken to this level, it is more like high-powered business than fundraising."

Monaghan GAA fans were certainly not singing in the rain last Sunday as their defeat to Cork also saw them dumped out of Division One.

To add insult to injury, the �?�40 umbrellas are more expensive than official Irish Ryder Cup 2006 umbrellas which retail at �?�34.99. Umbrellas for the recent Turin Winter Olympics retailed at �?�18, New York Giants umbrellas cost �?�29, and Boston Red Sox umbrellas retail at �?�19.

Official umbrellas from top cross-channel soccer teams are also cheaper than the new GAA brollies, with Chelsea FC selling them at �?�22, and Celtic FC selling them at �?�19.99.

Eddie Hobbs, consumer champion and presenter of RTE's Rip Off Republic, said: "GAA supporters are a hardy lot and they know the value of a euro. I am sure they will see that this is a sky-high price and they'll decide themselves if it is worth it."

The Sunday Tribune has learned that the new umbrellas are being manufactured in Newry and have only been officially licensed in the last few weeks.

A spokesman for manufacturers Master Crest said: "We are the only company with a licence to produce them and we got the licence from the GAA because of the quality and finish of them. We sell them on wholesale to retailers and our recommended retail price for them is �?�45 or stg£30. The reason they are more expensive than other sports umbrellas is the high cost of producing them. There are so many different types and the printing charges are so high.

"Every county crest is printed several times on the umbrellas, and counties such as Kerry, Donegal and Clare have eight colours in their crest, so that is how they cost so much. The umbrellas are also fully push-button operated and are 100% fibreglass, so they are great quality."

Meanwhile, Fine Gael TD Phil Hogan, one of those spearheading the party's campaign to curb Ireland's ripoff culture, has also criticised the price of the GAA umbrellas.

"Like any sporting organisation, the GAA has a right to sell branded merchandise.

However, the price it is charging for umbrellas seems excessive, " he said.

"Fans of hurling and football are some of the most loyal in the country, but they should not be taken advantage of by the GAA selling over-priced umbrellas to a captive audience."

Responding to criticism of the price of the Monaghan GAA umbrellas, Monaghan GAA supporters' club PRO Paddy Gollogy, said: "I totally disagree with the price of these umbrellas, as they are a rip-off. I intend to bring it up at our next meeting that we should stop selling them."

Sean McKenna, Monaghan GAA PRO, said: "We have taken the criticism on board and we will discuss it at our next management meeting."

Former Derry footballer and RTE pundit Joe Brolly was unavailable for comment.

(all official merchandise) GAA-licensed county umbrellas /40 (stg£30) Ireland Ryder Cup 2006 golf umbrella /34.99 Celtic FC Nike golf umbrella stg£19.99 (/28.95) New York Giants golf umbrella US$34.99 (/28.92) Irish Cricket Union golf umbrella /23.50 Chelsea FC golf umbrella stg£14.97 (/21.68) Boston Red Sox golf umbrella US$22.99 (/19) Turin Winter Olympics 2006 golf umbrella /18