Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Fianna Fail)

I congratulate the Cork team on a fantastic win on Saturday. Up the Rebels. I am wearing red today in support of them. I thank the team, the officials and the backroom team for giving Cork city and county such a magnificent lift. Go raibh maith agaibh. It does lead to the issue of amateur sports, the commitment involved and the pure exhaustion the match last Saturday led to for the players and the officials.

There are several things I would like the GAA to look at. One is the ongoing issue of the price of tickets. They are in great demand and I know supply is low. Even people who can access the tickets often cannot pay for them. It is a shame if money comes against young people in particular attending our national game. The length of the GAA season does not allow for replays at this stage. Even though it went Cork's way on Saturday, for which I am very grateful, the pure mental and physical exhaustion when it came to the penalties was very tough to look at from all sides. I would like the GAA to extend the season and to look at the price of the tickets. Will the Minister with responsibility for sport come before the House and speak about the issue of amateur sports? These are volunteers. Perhaps we could look at ways to help them in pursuit of their sport.