Croke Park has rejected requests by long-standing patrons to reduce its pricing structure for long-term premium seats in the stadium. A group of patrons who are extremely unhappy with the price of renewing ten-year tickets have had a number of meetings with the Croke Park director, Peter McKenna.

The group, which claims to represent 1,000 of 2,200 seats which are up for renewal this year, put forward detailed proposals which have been rejected. The move came after the group got together when individual patrons became aware that many others shared their concerns that the renewal prices were too high in the current climate.

The ten-year Premium Stand tickets cost €12,000 per seat, or €13,200 if payments are made in three instalments. The five-year tickets are €7,500, or €8,250 in staged payments. The action group had proposed that the ten-year tickets be reduced to €9,000 and the five-year tickets to €5,500. Headquarters has replied that it is not possible to make these reductions due to wider cost implications. Some concessions have been made on the three-year ticket.

Following the latest meeting between a delegation of patrons and McKenna, the latter requested to address a meeting of the full group in the Croke Park Hotel last Wednesday.

McKenna did address the group, but a number of patrons expressed sharp dissatisfaction with the stance of headquarters. References were made to the loyalty that the GAA had received from patrons down through the years. The issue now appears to be deadlocked, with the patrons having to decide whether or not they will renew.

McKenna confirmed that he had met with the patrons.

"Money is tight and we are trying to reflect that in our payment plan for tickets," he said. "I think it's a fair response to the difficulties that people are having.

"The market is difficult but we have still got a big demand for the ten-year tickets. Whatever we do it will have to be for everybody."

The group has repeatedly expressed scepticism as to the size of any waiting list should they decline to renew.

One of the group, Michael Hickey, told the Sunday Tribune that he feels a lot of people are not now going to renew. "Patrons have to decide what to do and whether or not they intend to make a stand. We still feel that the prices are too high."

The group is holding another meeting for all interested patrons at the Croke Park Hotel on 1 September. The renewal deadline, which was orgininally 13 July last, has now been put back to 3 September.

Last week also saw major concerns expressed at the price of tickets for upcoming rugby matches at the new Lansdowne Road, which include €340 for four Autumn internationals. The IRFU has defended its pricing structure on the basis of the new stadium and facilities.