TJ Ryan pleads with GAA president to reverse charge on U16s, 'the future and lifeblood'
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TJ Ryan will be writing a sternly-worded email to GAA president Jarlath Burns about the association's decision to begin charging U16s for attendance at Allianz League matches.
Speaking on Dalo's Hurling Show, the former Limerick player and manager has begged the association to reverse the decision to charge "the future and lifeblood of the GAA".
Last week, the GAA said it was about to end its practice of making tickets for Allianz League games free to children under 16. Croke Park confirmed that entry for a juvenile will now cost €5. The charge will apply only to Division 1 and 2 football and Division 1A and 1B hurling fixtures.
Previously, U16s were permitted to attend games for free except for reserved seating fixtures and selected fixtures where capacity was an issue. In future, underage admission must also be purchased along with an adult ticket, something which has also attracted comment.
The GAA say the decision has been taken as a safety measure “after consultation with our counties and to assist with event control and health and safety protocols for fixtures that attract bigger attendances".
But Ryan argues there is "no need" for the move.
"I'm very strong on this one, I don't think that charge should be there.
"Every league match you go to, it is brilliant to see all the kids in the field. We've hammered this point home day in, day out. They should not be charged.
"We need more and more and more of them to go to the games.
"The under-16 charge needs to be reversed."
Ryan feels the announcement has somewhat gone under the radar and can't understand why there hasn't been more resistance to the decision.
"I don't know why there isn't more of a clamour about this.
"I asked last week about our delegates and different people up and down the country and county boards to make some noise about this. It needs to be discussed.
"Maybe I'm going to send an email to Jarlath Burns' office for them to just review this, to say, lads, this charge needs to be reversed. There's no need for it.
"We need the players.
"They're the future and lifeblood of the GAA and I'm asking them, please reverse the €5 charge for under-16s, make it easy for these youngsters to go to the matches."
Ryan also feels there should be no charge at juvenile club games.
"I don't think there should be charges for Bord nÓg matches in the county.
"The majority of times it's the families of the kids that are playing that are going to the matches."