Tickets for U2's third and final concert at Croke Park have sold hours after going on sale this morning. Lucky U2 fan Donal Gallagher from Longford town purchased the very last two tickets having heard this morning's announcement while waiting to see his local dentist.
Donal quickly cancelled the rest of the consultation and joined his local ticket outlet queue instead. "I'm delighted ..overwhelmed to get tickets....Jesus, I can't believe it....I missed out on getting tickets for their other Croke Park concerts... I can't wait to see them."
Recognising the huge demand for U2 tickets the promoters put new procedures in place combat black marketeering and to give fans throughout Ireland a better chance of seeing the one of teh world's most famous and enduring bands.
"We've put a lot of work into improving the spread of tickets. In our experience announcing and selling immediately greatly reduces abuse of the system," said Arthur Fogel, president, tour promoter The Next Adventure.
The ticket limit was reduced to two per person and the majority of tickets were sold through 84 outlets across Ireland. Each outlet had its ticket allocation guaranteed in advance.
A smaller quantity were sold through Ticketmaster by phone and on the Internet.
Tickets cost €75 and €65 for reserved seating and €55 for general admission standing tickets.
U2 manager, Paul McGuinness said: "It's very important to the band that these tickets get to the fans. Playing at home is always something special, these gigs will be no exception."
The band's two other shows on June 24th and 25th sold out within moments of being announced earlier this year and today's uptake means 240,000 fans will watch the band over the three nights.