Dublin's championship opener to be all-ticket

A capacity of 15,000 has been put on Dublin's Leinster football championship opener against Wexford, set for Dr Cullen Park in Carlow on June 1st. The first-round game will be an all-ticket affair, but the Leinster Council do not expect the demand for tickets to exceed the supply.

The exact allocation of tickets is not yet known, but it is likely only terrace tickets will be available to both counties as the small stand in Dr Cullen Park will be reserved for officials, along with the allocation of tickets for players and mentors.

According to county secretary, John Costello, the demand from a Dublin viewpoint is difficult to quantify, although he said the ground capacity seems a little low.

"I would have assumed it would have been a little more than that," he said. "But Dublin didn't have a figure of what to expect, and we'll just have to wait and see now what sort of allocation we will get."

The Saturday date for the game may reduce the demand somewhat. It is also the same day Ireland open their World Cup soccer campaign against Cameroon.

"Last year we sold 20,000 for a similar game in Croke Park," added Costello. "We won't really know until closer to the time what the demand will be, but if the Leinster Council are satisfied they can meet the demand then we will have to go with that."

Dublin play two challenge matches this weekend, starting with Mayo on Saturday at a pitch-opening on Achill Island (7.0). On Monday they meet Down in the St Sylvester's grounds, Malahide, as part of the club's opening celebrations of their new pitch in Broomfield (6.30).