PERHAPS THEY exist in some sphere way above the rest of us humans. Perhaps they pay more attention to the pin-striped society and blazer crests denoting their varying levels of importance. But for sure they are blind to the severe financial pinching us mere mortals of finite financial are encountering.

A hefty lump of our money, taxpayer's money - and from many, many citizens who neither support rugby or soccer - has gone into what the rugby fraternity will always refer to as Lansdowne Road.

The GAA to be fair to it tailors ticket prices with a sympathy for those within the community who are either under fiscal strain, have families or are OAPs or under 16s. Yet the IRFU seemingly dismisses the problems of the various categories of people who support, or may wish to support professional rugby by charging through the nose for international tickets.

With all-Ireland tickets going for €65 last year it makes watching the boys in green very, very expensive at €100 a game and worse still is the blackmail tactic of forcing many who supported the national team when it was playing rubbish to purchase grouped tickets.

Have they considered the fan who has several children in tow and hesitates to deny them (who have no appreciation of our economic situation) a day out to see players who have since, because of the professional era, big stars?

Then do they have any answer for the supporter who may not be in a position to attend other games perhaps for being abroad or for medical or employment reasons?

And what about the fan who, like his television choice or that for he local cinema, cares to select, yet forced to pay even in his absence.

The IRFU can organise all the summer camps, tag rugby and other initiatives it likes, but for enthusiasts who may not have a chance of seeing the game at the highest level, other than via television. And as we know the IRFU has been party to selling that opportunity to Sky and who knows, by the way their spokespeople have argued against a government move to protect Ireland games, they are quite capable of throwing in the national matches if the offer is right.

Although they stage far more major games the GAA has never even suggested selling out on their own, and if they do not have to pay professionals they have colossal overheads and plough a lot more cash back into the grassroots.

Rugby ticket prices are directly the result of the professional era and the massive wages paid, but in fairness none are in receipt of the ridiculous figures demanded by the soccer players whose entertainment value is questionable for the money they receive, here or overseas.

Perhaps the IRFU should consider that parents and patrons may just decide to find entertainment outlets elsewhere, for rugby now has placed itself firmly atop the ticket ladder, but forcing fans to pay for the lesser games is a lousy tactic instead of pricing for the status of the opposition.

Nor should the IRFU run away with any idea that the 'comfort' of a new stadium is at a price for there will be absolutely no difference between sitting on a cold seat in 'old' Lansdowne or a new cold seat in the Aviva. Just because they opted for a 48,000-seater stadium and are losing the difference between that and the 82,000 capacity in Croke Park is no excuse for forcing the loyal fan to make up the shortfall.

And has the Union considered what might happed if the national team fails to measure up over the next decade and he following for the game become slightly cooler? Or are the banking on a permanent spin-off from the success of Leinster and Munster whetting the national appetite?

Either way asking any, rich or poor, fan or fashionist to fork out €100 per game when a nation is staggering under dwindling disposable cash and bashing the government for poor economic policies, is thumbing their noses at the real supporter and catering for the financially fortunate and the elite which has ruled the game for generations.

Comparisons with other Unions do not wash either for patrons elsewhere may not be operating under similar financial restriction or indeed even be compared to other sports within their jurisdiction where government funding and commercial support may also differ.

But the general public need not lose any sleep over the issue for tickets for rugby internationals are distributed mainly to the clubs and schools with member getting first call, and with the capacity at less than 50,000 joe public will hardly get a look-in anyway.

- PAUL DONAGHY