Is there such a thing as a 'spare ticket'?

AS the All-Ireland final replay looms between Dublin and Mayo this Saturday, the scramble and desperation for tickets continues, writes Claire McNamara.

Tickets for All-Ireland finals are never easy to come by, especially when two strongly supported teams are providing the on-field entertainment.

If anything, demand for tickets for the replay is exceeding the original fixture. It's an arduous journey trying to source a precious gold ticket, and plenty of loyal supporters will be left heartbroken despite Croke Park's 82,300 capacity.

Since full-time blew on September 18 people have been on their phones, ringing and texting people they haven't spoken to in a year, decades in some instances. Some are even trying to rub up their exes (desperate times calls for desperate measures).

Anyone looking for a ticket needs to be pro-active and use their time wisely. Engaging in social media is pivotal, and liking, sharing and commenting on every Facebook post that says it has two tickets to give away has become top of every Mayo person's 'to do' list. Heck, why not set up a second Facebook profile to like and share again!

'Spare tickets' is the question everyone asks. But is there really such a thing? The answer is no.

If anyone has an elusive second ticket you can be assured that it is anything but spare. It's got a list of names for it a mile long and if you haven't heard from them, it's not earmarked for you.

Perhaps you made it to the semi-final to see Mayo beat Tipperary, but for now, those of you who don't have tickets, and have little prospect of getting one, just remember somebody else is sitting in your seat!