Mayo fans left behind as Irish Rail announces no special trains for All-Ireland quarter-final
Senator Mark Duffy brands decision “unacceptable” as additional services are provided for Kerry, Cork and Louth supporters
Mayo supporters have been left disappointed ahead of this weekend’s All-Ireland quarter-final after no additional train services were announced by Irish Rail to accommodate fans travelling to Croke Park.
The decision has prompted criticism from Mayo Senator Mark Duffy, who said it was unfair that “GAA Specials” have been organised for supporters travelling from Kerry, Cork and Louth, while Mayo fans have been left without similar transport arrangements.
Thousands of Mayo supporters are expected to make the journey to Dublin for the county’s quarter-final clash against Cork following last weekend’s victory over Meath.
Senator Duffy said he had previously called for additional rail services to be provided for Mayo supporters but expressed frustration that no extra trains had been announced.
“The Mayo support is legendary and will travel in huge numbers this weekend,” he said.
“It is frankly unacceptable that no additional services have been provided to accommodate that demand, and all the more galling when we see extra services being laid on for supporters travelling from other parts of the country.”
The senator has now called on the Minister for Transport to intervene and ensure Mayo supporters receive the same level of service as fans from other counties.
“Mayo fans have followed their team through good times and bad and will do so again this weekend,” he said.
“I am calling on the Minister for Transport to intervene as a matter of urgency and to ensure that our supporters have the same access to extra train services as their fellow supporters across the country.”
The issue comes right after Senator Duffy raised broader concerns in the Seanad yesterday (Tuesday, June 23) about access to GAA matches, particularly the increasing number of games being shown on subscription service GAA+.
Speaking during the Order of Business, he highlighted the difficulties faced by many older supporters who are unable to travel to matches and may not have access to the technology required to watch games online.
“The GAA is based on volunteerism,” Senator Duffy told the Seanad.
“The people who fundraise, the waterboys, the managers, the coaches and everyone else have kept together these rural clubs which were and are such a beacon for community and society across Co. Mayo and elsewhere.”
He added that many elderly Mayo supporters would be unable to attend matches in person or access broadcasts through digital platforms, leaving them excluded from following their county’s progress.
Responding in the Seanad, Leader of the House Garret Ahearn acknowledged the concerns and suggested that, at the latter stages of the championship, there was no reason why all remaining games could not be broadcast on RTé.
With excitement building ahead of the Mayo-Cork showdown in Croke Park, attention is now turning to whether additional transport arrangements can be secured before supporters begin their journey to the capital this weekend.