Why are tickets only available in pairs?

We have understandably had some queries about the necessity to sell tickets in pairs only.

We are seriously hamstrung by the current Covid-19 restrictions to have two metre social-distancing in the stadium.

This is a government test event – there is no wriggle room here.

Despite having a seating capacity of 51,700, the only way we could get capacity as high as 6,000 was by selling tickets in pairs.

Our motivation throughout was to get as much of our fanbase under the one roof for the first time since March 2020 and behind our team.

We understand that selling tickets in pairs is frustrating for people. But to sell in singles, capacity would be drastically reduced, while the flexibility of selling in groups of more than two would require a bespoke Aviva Stadium seat map, which was not a runner for a one-off event.

We encourage fans to ‘bubble-up’ where possible, and we hope supporters will understand that this imperfect situation was preferable to having just 200 fans in Dalymount Park or 3,000 or so in the Aviva.

A lot of time and effort has gone into moving this game to the Aviva by club staff and volunteers.

And, notwithstanding the obstacles we have had to overcome and the less than ideal ticketing and social-distancing arrangements, we cannot wait to see you all on Thursday July 15 right behind Keith Long’s Red and Black Army.

• Direct link to purchase tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.ie/event/18005ADEF18F305D

Tonight’s opposition top the table on goal difference ahead of Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers, with Bohs eight points adrift in fourth.

Long said: “This is an opportunity to refocus now. They have beaten us twice this season and we know how good a side they are.

“We had been on a good run prior to Sligo and it is important that we try to bounce back with a good performance.”

That defeat in the Showgrounds was a kick in the teeth for Bohs who went into the game in form with four wins in a draw from their previous five games.

But in an encounter that saw both defences carved open with unusual ease, it was Liam Buckley’s Bit O’Red who had their scoring boots on.

Bohs had an abundance of goal-scoring opportunities but could not – other than a Georgie Kelly effort that was controversially ruled offside – find the net.

Long said: “It was a chastening experience in the Showgrounds last Saturday as we struggled badly to follow up our wins here at home to Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers. The truth is we never got going, and were a little fortunate in the end that we did not concede more.

“It looked like we lacked energy and we did not play with the tempo and intensity of recent games.

“Sligo are a good side with good attacking players but we very much contributed to our own downfall, conceding some poor goals and failing to take the chances we created.

“I don’t want to take away from Sligo’s performance but it would have been interesting if the disallowed goal we got just after half-time had stood.

“Having watched the replay back numerous times, it’s difficult to see how Georgie is deemed to be offside and at 2-1 it would have been game-on having started the second half brightly.

“Instead, we conceded a bad third goal and were comprehensively beaten. It was a bad night for us and sometimes that can happen in football but it was not for the lack of effort from the boys.”

TEAM NEWS

Stephen Mallon (hip) remains a doubt.

A change of venue from Dalymount Park was also necessitated due to temporary unforseen building works at the Des Kelly Stand end of the stadium that will temporarily affect access.

In a season where there was no guarantee that any member or season ticket holder would be able to attend any game, it is remarkable and indeed humbling to all involved in the club that we have the greatest number of members in our 131-year history.

We are indebted to that loyalty in the most challenging and uncertain times for all, and we are delighted to confirm that, with a capacity of 6000 now confirmed, all our members and season tickets will be given a 24-hour window for exclusive access to purchase tickets to this game.

Members and season ticket holders will be emailed a unique link tomorrow (Friday July 2nd) at noon, 12pm. Please add tickets@bohemians.ie to your safe-senders list to ensure you do not miss it.

General admission tickets are priced at €20, while there is a limited number of U16s tickets available at the reduced rate of €10.

Tickets will then go on general sale, via Ticketmaster, on Saturday July 3rd at noon, 12pm.

The absence of supporters has been a constant in the minds of our players and management on every occasion they have taken to the pitch since the return of football 10 months ago.

And, after 16 months apart, it means everything to us to be able to have all our first team and management, our members, our season ticket holders and our wider fanbase together once more under the one roof.

Given the current restrictions, obstacles and compromises are plentiful despite the low capacity of 6,000 in a stadium that would ordinarily hold 51,700.

The vast majority of these issues are out of our hands, but we have worked very closely with the FAI, the Aviva Stadium and Ticketmaster to navigate through those hurdles and make the very most of a challenging situation, while adhering to public health restrictions.

Please note that due to social-distancing measures, tickets can only be bought in pairs, and the logistics of trying to accommodate larger groups together are, unfortunately, unworkable under current regulations.

We know that will be frustrating to families and groups of friends, but we hope supporters will understand that the club and the FAI have done our very best to make the most of these challenging circumstances.
Keep the faith – and we hope to see you all at the Aviva!

Key points:

1. Members and season ticket holders will be emailed a unique link to purchase tickets at 12pm tomorrow (Friday July 2nd). The window of exclusivity is 24 hours.

2. Tickets will go on general sale at 12pm Saturday via Ticketmaster.

3. Tickets must be bought in pairs only due to social-distancing stadium protocols.

4. The personal contact details of all attendees must be submitted online at point of purchase in line with Covid-19 contact-tracing protocols.

But while fans’ natural inclination might be to get carried away with the bragging rights, now in his seventh season in charge of Bohs, Long has always been one to keep feet on the ground.

He is right to do so. Sligo came to Dalymount Park earlier this season and while it was a game that could have gone either way, Buckley’s men punished Bohs mistakes and went home with all three points.

They showed that night that they have a killer instinct that could punish Bohs once more tonight if Long’s men are not on top of their game.

So, understandably, Long did not dwell on Monday’s derby, and instead gave tonight’s opposition his full attention.

He said: “Sligo are an excellent team with a great balance of experience and some exciting young players.

“They beat us well in Dalymount in the last phase of games and, although we felt we could have got something from that game, they showed the quality they possess and punished us with some high quality goals.”

Bohs enjoyed a level of vocal support that belied the small number allowed to attend – 100 fans for each – their last two games.

It will be Sligo who can count on cheers from the stands this evening, with away fans yet to be allowed into games but Long’s men are fully focused on the job at hand.

Long added: “Going to the Showgrounds is always difficult and after a good couple of results, we understand that we will have to produce a really good performance to get any type of result.”

TEAM NEWS

Bohemians hope that Stephen Mallon (hip) will be available for selection once more.