Charity Age NI, which campaigns for the elderly, has called on the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) to reconsider its ticketing policy.
Before a new ticketing policy was brought in by Croke Park officials last year, tickets for any GAA game could be bought on the gate using cash or card payments. Now, tickets can only be purchased online in advance with no facilities available to buy on the gate.
Age NI wrote to the Ulster Council recently, outlining its concerns and how this move could negatively impact older people.
As reported by The Irish News, Dr Paschal McKeown, charity director of Age NI, said: “Age NI recognises that sporting organisations like the GAA play a key role in encouraging their participation and involvement in sport and leisure activities and in being part of their community.
“We fear that adopting a ticketing policy which precludes the use of cash may exclude and have an adverse impact on older people, particularly those who are over 75 years. We therefore would ask the GAA to reconsider this decision and reintroduce cash payment as an alternative payment option.”
Age Action, which is based in Ireland, also called on the GAA to reconsider the new ticketing system.
According to the report from The Irish News, almost 2,000 people have signed an online petition calling on the GAA to change its policy.
A spokesperson for the Ulster Council said: “Ulster GAA today received a letter from Age NI and it will be considered and responded to in due course.”