GAA to pocket €4million from All-Ireland…

GAA to pocket €4million from All-Ireland quarter-finals as fans fume over hotel prices

The GAA are set to pocket €4million as well over 100,000 fans flock to Croke Park for this weekend's All-Ireland football quarter-finals.

Two double headers take place in Dublin, with around 120,000 supporters expected over the two days, 70,000 of which are predicted to attend Sunday's games.

Clare and Derry clash in the first game on Saturday at 3.45pm before the meeting of Dublin and Cork at 6pm.

Sunday's action starts with Galway v Armagh at 1.45pm before the mouthwatering clash between Kerry and Mayo at 4pm.

After last year's All-Ireland finals were capped at 50% capacity and the 2020 Championships being played behind closed doors, this weekend's crowds will be the biggest at Croke Park since pre-Covid times.

But supporters have blasted the prices hotels are charging for accomodation in the city over the weekend, with the cheapest available three-star hotel room on Booking.com for Saturday at the time of writing coming in at €301 for a double bed.

Cork fans are furious with the prices as it means they won't get home to the Rebel County until late at night due to the 6pm throw-in time.

It is understood that Cork requested to have the game played at Pairc Ui Chaoimh, but Dublin wouldn't agree to it.

And it's not just Cork supporters that have voiced their concerns over Croke Park hosting all four games.

One person tweeted: "7 of the 8 teams in the quarters, aren't from Leinster. Hotels can't be got in the city and it would be cheaper to fill your car with vodka at the minute, so the GAA decide to play the matches at Croke Park. What planet are these people living on."

Another posted: "The #GAA brass must think people have access to subsidised petrol/diesel/hotel room rates... hence them whacking everything into Croke Park."

Someone else said: "Cork at 6pm on a Saturday in Croke Park… either pay CRAZY overnight prices for hotels or make a 7/8 hour round trip and get home about midnight."

One other tweet read: "Ridiculous by Croke Park. Very easy to put both Kerry Mayo games on in Limerick. Do they appreciate cost of hotels? Or availability?"

Another fan commented: "It makes sense to play quarter finals out of croke park, would create a better atmosphere at smaller stadia and also give teams a better chance of securing hotel accommodation. GAA should spread the wealth throughout the country."