As the gaa bemoans championship crowds declining the league seems to be gaining in popularity with the public if the crowds at this weekends games are anything to go by. Are there any stats on league attendance trends available?
The actual football seems to be improving also, maybe that's down to improvements in stadia, pitches etc so the winter footing conditions aren't as detrimental to skill levels.
At least for certain match-ups, teams seem to be much more into it. Monaghan seemed very happy with their win against Mayo for instance (only in the unique world of the GAA would teams that hardly every play but train year round, be almost embarrassed to beat their peers in a competitive match - 'tis only the league etc).
It's easy enough to envision regular crowds of 20k at any match between the division one sides with crowds of up to 40k for the bigs ones (Mayo Dublin I suppose at the moment). That's comparable to Rugby league, Australian rules or championship soccer in England.
Better pitches, stadia, floodlights, good competitive matches, good crowds. Is the solution to the fixtures mess staring us in the face here?
The actual football seems to be improving also, maybe that's down to improvements in stadia, pitches etc so the winter footing conditions aren't as detrimental to skill levels.
At least for certain match-ups, teams seem to be much more into it. Monaghan seemed very happy with their win against Mayo for instance (only in the unique world of the GAA would teams that hardly every play but train year round, be almost embarrassed to beat their peers in a competitive match - 'tis only the league etc).
It's easy enough to envision regular crowds of 20k at any match between the division one sides with crowds of up to 40k for the bigs ones (Mayo Dublin I suppose at the moment). That's comparable to Rugby league, Australian rules or championship soccer in England.
Better pitches, stadia, floodlights, good competitive matches, good crowds. Is the solution to the fixtures mess staring us in the face here?