Health and safety concerns carry a cost for young Mayo GAA fans

Young GAA fans under the age of 16 will be charged entry to Mayo's National Football League games at Hastings Insurance MacHale Park next year.

At the October monthly meeting of the Mayo GAA County Board, delegates arrived at the decision after hearing about concerns over health and safety at the Castlebar venue during league games earlier this year.

County Board chairman Seamus Tuohy said many of those concerns surrounded large numbers of young people running onto the pitch and engaging in other anti-social activities around the grounds.

“Our main concern is the health and safety of all patrons,” said Mr. Tuohy, who pointed out that they did not seem to have the same problems at championship matches, when children are charged entry.

Aside from charging young people to attend games, the alternative option put to delegates was to deny them entry unless accompanied by an adult. This wasn't a popular choice, however.

The chairman was keen to point out that the decision was not about money. “It's a tough decision but it's all about health and safety,” he concluded.