Clarion call by Dublin's chief
Harrington calls on Blues to back Gilroy's new-look side
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Wednesday July 28 2010
DUBLIN chairman Gerry Harrington has called on the wavering Sky Blue Army to become Pat Gilroy's 16th man against Tyrone this Saturday (4.0).
Dublin attendances this summer have been well down on the bumper standard of recent years, especially since the team toppled out of Leinster and launched a 'back door' assault on the All-Ireland series.
Their three qualifiers - all part of Croke Park double-headers - have been watched by crowds of just 22,084 (Tipperary), 25,947 (Armagh) and 47,738 (Louth). As the above figures show, however, there was a marked upsurge in support last Saturday and now Harrington is imploring the Dubs to come out in even greater numbers for their last-eight litmus test against Tyrone.
"I'd like to thank our supporters who have turned up and supported the team to date - but now we're in the quarter-finals and we need all hands on deck," the county board chief explained.
"In that regard, I would make a special appeal to all our supporters to get a ticket and to give us the 16th man on Saturday when we need it.
"The players will definitely respond on the pitch when they hear the Hill and they see the Dublin support there, there is no doubt about that," added Harrington, who also urged fans to come early for the opening Kerry/Down tie, thereby ensuring there is no delay to the throw-in. Even for Dublin's opening provincial forays, there hasn't been the same ticket frenzy that prevailed during the Paul Caffrey era, when Dublin held Leinster in a vice-grip. The Wexford game was watched by 49,757 and the Meath defeat by 60,035 - again, both were played as part of double-headers.
"Yes, we would be disappointed, from the numbers we would be used to. We do know there is a recession going on and people are finding it hard to make ends meet. But having said all that, Saturday is a big one for us and we really would appreciate if we can get everyone into Croke Park, to give us an extra edge," he concluded.
p The GAA Ticket Office (53 Lr Dorset St, Dublin 1) is open today until 5pm, tomorrow (10am - 7pm), and 10am - 5pm on Friday.
- Frank Roche
