Allocation is not quite the ticket for Armagh fans
ARMAGH are to receive around 11,000 tickets in the first allocation released from Croke Park ahead of the Bank of Ireland SFC semi-final on August 29.
However, such is the demand in the Orchard county, the Ulster champions are looking for double that amount for the eagerly awaited clash with Meath. T
he first batch of tickets, which could arrive as early as next week, will comprise of stand tickets plus a smaller number of family and juvenile passes.
Armagh have been informed they are to have the Hill against Meath and will also receive several thousand tickets in the first allocation for this area.
Locating Armagh on the Hill could be construed as a cunning plan to keep the Orange Army off the Croke Park turf, as in keeping with recent matches in the stadium, but should the county beat Meath it is unlikely to work.
Armagh received just 9,200 tickets for the Ulster football final at Clones against Down, yet somehow supporters managed to scramble almost double that amount together.
County spokesman Paddy Nugent is hoping similar Houdini stunts can be pulled off in the run-up to the All-Ireland semi-final.
“We could be doing with the same (11,000) again such is the demand,” he said.
“Once all the other counties have applied for their tickets some of the remainder will be given to us as will the extra tickets sent back from around the country.”
Armagh are also hoping some of the other counties can do them a favour with regards surplus tickets.
Nugent was also able to quash speculation Armagh fans are being forced to pay sterling for their Croke Park tickets.
“We are a border county and will take punts or sterling, whatever people want to give us,” he said.
While the fans enjoy the build-up, the Armagh squad are continuing their training and with confirmation coming last week over Justin McNulty’s fitness for the match, they have no major injury scares.
Festival fight night special for Camlough
CAMLOUGH’S annual Festival will feature a 12-bout promotion special matching a select representing Cuan Mhuire Sacred Heart ABC of Newry against a Scottish invitational team on Monday night at Shane O’Neill’s GAC.
Last year’s U18 light-heavyweight champion and Ulster Senior semi-finalist Martin Mallon tops the bill for Newry along with his brother Sean, also a Ulster Seniors semi-finalist last season.
Bangor boxers Gary McClure and Johnny Gray, John Bosco ABC’s Brian Muckian, Peter Cowan, Immaculata’s Paddy Maguire and Newry’s Ulster juvenile champions, James and Eddie Ward will take on a quality Scottish side.
Gold medalist at the Gaelic Games, Craig McEwan, Scotland’s 42 kilos juvenile champion Gavin Wallace, ABA semi-finalists Stephen Maguire and Chris Duggan are among a strong team which will travel for the Festival show.
Wayne tops Cafe menu
WAYNE McCullough’s return to the punch for pay scene will take place now at the Hard Rock Cafe in Las Vegas on August 30.
McCullough headlines a card featuring junior-welterweight prospect Hector Camacho jnr and Nevada light-heavyweight Derrick Hermon.
Two days previously, at the same venue, 13-0 David Reid defends his WBA junior-middleweight title against ex-WBC champion Keith Mullings.
