DO all politicians get tickets for All Ireland Finals? Quidnunc heard moans on this subject in recent weeks. The answer is no and, what's more, those who do get them, have to pay for them. Only special guests such as the President get in free. Present and former cabinet ministers receive two tickets, on application, for which they pay £32 each. Members of the Oireachtas from participating counties can get tickets on a similar basis - and for a minor game there's four tickets. The Ceann Comhairle and leader of the Seanad have the same benefits. And that's it. All other politicians have to apply through the usual sources - i.e. the 2,000 GAA clubs here and abroad to which tickets are allocated.
Meanwhile, it was noticed that Kilkenny hurler DJ Carey was being shown round Leinster House this week by junior Minister Hugh Byrne. A future candidate? Perhaps but surely not even FF could run a Kilkenny star in the South Tipp by election.