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Snapshot: The age-old scramble for a seat at the All-Ireland final

It’s a September tradition.

IN 2013, WE’VE witnessed fans of Dublin and Mayo asking Enda, advertising in the lonely hearts section and bartering cattle (not to mention siblings) all in the desperate scramble for a ticket to the All-Ireland senior football championship final.

In case you think it’s mere empty hype, first bear in mind that it is hype that has existed for a century on this island.

Below are some pictures from finals between 1948 and 1958 released by the IFI’s Irish Film Archive as part of their release of ‘GAA Football Gold on DVD.

They were simpler times, of course, with fewer (recorded) instances of trading sisters for short-term gains. So that left more wiggle room to scale rooftops, tunnel under fences and plead at the ticket office.

Snapshot: The age-old scramble for a seat at the All-Ireland final
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  • Fans queue to see Galway take on Cork in the 1956 final.

  • Louth's last final appearance, against Cork in '57, was "positively" sold out.

  • These fans had the best (and most dangerous) seats in the house.

  • TV cameras had a decent view.

  • Fans crawled under the fence...

  • ... and over it too.

  • Fewer made it to the roof for Dublin v Derry in '58.

  • Behind the goals and close to the action as Mayo took on Cavan in 1948.

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