By Drew McClimon

The GAA has confirmed that this weekend it will host its biggest attendances at Croke Park since before the pandemic, with up to 125,000 expected across the two days, and Sunday’s Football quarter-final double bill almost sold out.

Not since the capacity crowds of the 2019 All-Ireland senior hurling and football finals has there been a crowd of that size at GAA HQ. Last year the All-Ireland finals were restricted to a capacity of 50 per cent, and there were no supporters permitted at the 2020 finals due to lockdowns.

The prospect of seeing Kerry and Mayo renew their epic rivalry has fanned the flames of anticipation.

Also, the excitement behind Connacht champions Galway meeting a rejuvenated and in-form Armagh - playing championship at Croke Park for the first time since 2017 - in the curtain raiser on Sunday has resulted in a strong demand since the fixture was confirmed.

A crowd in excess of 70,000 would be the biggest All-Ireland senior football quarter final crowd since 2013 and the meeting of the then 2011 v 2010 champions Dublin and Cork.

Saturday’s double-bill which features qualifier stars Clare against newly-crowned Ulster champs Derry, and the clash of Leinster champs Dublin against a battle-hardened Cork has already sold 45,000 tickets.

Tickets for Saturday remain available online and at selected Centra and Supervalu stores.

In other news, the CCCC has confirmed that following a toss, Kerry senior footballers will wear their green and gold jerseys on Sunday with Mayo wearing their alternate black and red stip. In the meeting of the counties on Saturday in the Electric Ireland All-Ireland minor semi-final, Mayo will wear their traditional green and red with Kerry wearing their all blue alternate strip.