More times than not when we put pen to paper to comment on the GAA, it tends to be negative, whether its journalists, ex-players, letter writers to newspapers or the mob on Twitter.

I was provoked into engaging briefly with an online commentator after one of the most enthralling All-Ireland football finals of all time. The GAA had just announced ticket prices would be slashed by a third for the replay.

Boringly and predictably, it wasn’t enough for some who took to Twitter to complain.

One cried, “typical GAA”, that those at the first match should be allowed go free. It got my blood boiling. So in a moment of weakness I took him on. What a waste of time that was.

Yes, €60 for the replay may sound steep – especially if you’ve a family to look after for tickets, and you’ve to travel from Kerry and possibly book lodgings.

But compare it to any other sport or equivalent form of entertainment. I’d argue you’d get more value for money.

I paid €100 for a ticket to the Ireland v France Six Nations tie earlier this year. It wasn’t even on the same page as the All-Ireland thriller between Dublin and Kerry on several fronts.

Isn’t it mainly GAA members and enthusiasts paying for the tickets anyway?

Yet once the final whistle blew last Sunday week, despite the magnificent entertainment, typical Irish, people were quick to say, “Oh another few million for the GAA”.

So what? Isn’t that fantastic? Isn’t it mainly GAA members and enthusiasts paying for the tickets anyway? So isn’t that a wonderful investment into the organisation we love?

Because for those of us privileged enough to be a member of the GAA, we can see how the money is trickled down into our club. We members benefit and so do our children as players or spectators.

Just look at the superb facilities provided by GAA clubs compared to other sports

My two were with me last Sunday week. So was my Dad who has only missed one final since 1962. He missed 1970 as he was on a holiday in New York. We all marvelled when we met up afterwards, “What a game”.

Just look at the superb facilities provided by GAA clubs compared to other sports, proof the Grab All Association also gives back. That “grab all” smear really jars with me.

Maybe it’s precisely because of the massive success that the GAA is in terms of its membership numbers and presence all over the island that it has to put up with jealous cheap shots from envious outsiders. If there is a more undesirable person, it is the bitter pub bore who hates the GAA.

More than being defined as merely a sporting organisation, the GAA is a cultural movement providing people of all ages, backgrounds and demographics with tremendous entertainment and a sense of togetherness.

Of course it isn’t perfect and I’m its biggest critic when for example it comes to the outdated structure of the provincial championships.

Still, roll on Saturday and the replay in front of 82,300 at Croker with millions more watching all over the world. For those with no interest or who despise the GAA for whatever bizarre reason, I’m sorry for your troubles.

Drawing the line

I’ve defended one of my great sporting heroes Roy Keane in the face of intense hatred for over 20 years. But he unacceptably stepped across the line with his comments about Jon Walters and Alex Ferguson last week. Such really disappointing claptrap.