gaaboard.com

GAA Discussion => GAA Discussion => Topic started by: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM

Poll
Question: Do you still enjoy the "Croke Park Eperience"
Option 1: Yes votes: 24
Option 2: No votes: 12
Option 3: Don't go anymore votes: 4
Option 4: My county/club has never played there. votes: 0
Title: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM
https://www.balls.ie/gaa/croke-park-internet-connectivity-372606 (https://www.balls.ie/gaa/croke-park-internet-connectivity-372606)

So this is corporate GAA's idea of improving the Croke Park experience, couldn't be any more corporate. We need to get kids away from their devices and start living in the moment and capture it in their minds not on their phones.

To me the Croke Park Experience is

1. Overpriced tickets
2. Crap atmosphere
3. Expensive Parking
4. Crap food at all levels

I have serious Croke Park fatigue, Corporate GAA have sucked the joy out of the stadium. Provincial grounds so much better. My highlight of the summer was kicking a football around with my son and daughter in O'Connor Park after the Kildare/Meath game. That was an experience and a memory.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Redhand Santa on September 12, 2017, 10:48:17 AM
Personally love going to games in croke park. Tickets usually good value though food/drink inside the ground over priced. I wouldn't argue that the atmosphere can be poor at some games but for others it's brilliant. The Kerry Mayo semi final had a great atmosphere as did last years semi finals and finals in the football. From talking to one's at it there was a great atmosphere at the hurling final.

There was a poor atmosphere at the Tyrone Dublin game due to how the game went but I was in for the two games before it that day and thought there was a great buzz around the ground. There was a stage up out the back of the cusack and plenty going on in the couple of hours before the senior game. Even for early season games I thought the Tyrone Dublin league game was a good night out.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: ashman on September 12, 2017, 11:35:14 AM
As a hurling person there are now only 4 big games played in Croke Park .  three games this year were great events because of the big crowds , enthusiasm and the games were great contests .  The Leinster final too was a wonderful event albeit not a great contest .

Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 12:05:33 PM
For people outside Leinster it's fine, and still signifies serious progress being there. The rest is secondary. Still the best stadium in Ireland by a distance.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: PW Nally on September 12, 2017, 02:29:49 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?
I'd say you are.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: seafoid on September 12, 2017, 02:58:45 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM
https://www.balls.ie/gaa/croke-park-internet-connectivity-372606 (https://www.balls.ie/gaa/croke-park-internet-connectivity-372606)

So this is corporate GAA's idea of improving the Croke Park experience, couldn't be any more corporate. We need to get kids away from their devices and start living in the moment and capture it in their minds not on their phones.

To me the Croke Park Experience is

1. Overpriced tickets
2. Crap atmosphere
3. Expensive Parking
4. Crap food at all levels

I have serious Croke Park fatigue, Corporate GAA have sucked the joy out of the stadium. Provincial grounds so much better. My highlight of the summer was kicking a football around with my son and daughter in O'Connor Park after the Kildare/Meath game. That was an experience and a memory.
Dinny, please name any venue in ireland that can feed more than 2000 people where the food is good.
the food has nothing to do with the GAA imo. I am quite willing to flog your Shergar but I would draw the line at bringing in food. 

If motorway restaurant food was quality you might have a point.
The attitude across the country in my experience is lowest common carvery.
Neil Postman has a great quote

"One way of looking at the history of the human group is that it has been a continuing struggle against the veneration of crap"
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: seafoid on September 12, 2017, 02:59:37 PM
I love the matches but I think the extras are shite
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.

Really?  Is that even legal?  Or is that just the way the shortlist ended up having been open to all potential candidates?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 03:09:33 PM
Quote from: PW Nally on September 12, 2017, 02:29:49 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?
I'd say you are.

You look like a bit of a tit.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: GalwayBayBoy on September 12, 2017, 03:11:15 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."


Never knew that. Passed Tomas on the street outside the hurling final. Presumed he was just up for the match.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Captain Scarlet on September 12, 2017, 04:29:32 PM
Croke Park experience is a bit subjective. Kildare haven't won a serious game there in a fair while and the fans are staying away, but you can't blame that on the venue. Compare that to nice days in O'Connor Park where they hammered Laois and Meath then the vibes are different.
Also there does tend to be rose-tinted spectacles in terms of the older days with those hard wooden seats and there wasn't much food at all that I remember.
I know I am lucky in that I used to live in Fairview so did the odd neutral trip, but I find the whole thing to be great. I know I was spoilt in that I had to walk ten minutes and not worry about parking, but the actual stadium for the big games is still class.
I still think the regional venues should get more games.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: seafoid on September 12, 2017, 04:39:55 PM
I think Croke Park is too expensive and it makes the GAA do stuff that is not in its long term interest .
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: heffo on September 12, 2017, 05:41:31 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.

Really?  Is that even legal?  Or is that just the way the shortlist ended up having been open to all potential candidates?

It was open and advertised by one of the Senior IT recruiters and some non-IC qualified people applied - they just didn't make the shortlist.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Dinny Breen on September 13, 2017, 01:05:14 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 05:41:31 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.

Really?  Is that even legal?  Or is that just the way the shortlist ended up having been open to all potential candidates?

It was open and advertised by one of the Senior IT recruiters and some non-IC qualified people applied - they just didn't make the shortlist.

The GAA pay significantly below the market rate but they do emphasize a requirement that candidates have a background in the GAA.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 03:31:01 PM
The "Croke Park experience" does nothing for me.
Only go there now when I have to (Ros teams playing).
Arriving 15 minutes into the Galway/Kerry Qtr Final and seeing more people milling around out the back drinking eating talking than were in seats watching the game just sums it up for me.
An earlier poster referred to it a a good night out.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Redhand Santa on September 13, 2017, 03:40:36 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 03:31:01 PM
The "Croke Park experience" does nothing for me.
Only go there now when I have to (Ros teams playing).
Arriving 15 minutes into the Galway/Kerry Qtr Final and seeing more people milling around out the back drinking eating talking than were in seats watching the game just sums it up for me.
An earlier poster referred to it a a good night out.

And would you rather it is a bad night out? It was me said it and I would be at club and county games all year long. I wouldn't miss a minute of the games when there but enjoy the experience of going down early and having a few drinks after for the early season league games when we play there.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: johnneycool on September 13, 2017, 03:50:40 PM
Club takes a load of kids to the AI hurling semi-finals and for the last few years they've been fantastic games.

Everything else is immaterial IMO.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 03:52:27 PM
I only go to grounds for the match not the peripheral stuff.
At least when you go to a club game or County games outside of Croker you don't feel like a consumer who just happens to also take in the match as an optional extra.
Each to our own though.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: johnneycool on September 13, 2017, 03:54:42 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 03:52:27 PM
I only go to grounds for the match not the peripheral stuff.
At least when you go to a club game or County games outside of Croker you don't feel like a consumer who just happens to also take in the match as an optional extra.
Each to our own though.

You don't have to partake in the other crap if you don't want to.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Redhand Santa on September 13, 2017, 04:09:39 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 03:52:27 PM
I only go to grounds for the match not the peripheral stuff.
At least when you go to a club game or County games outside of Croker you don't feel like a consumer who just happens to also take in the match as an optional extra.
Each to our own though.

What exactly is your issue with it? There's a pitch with a game on and a seat to sit in to watch it. What is so different to other grounds that you dislike? The fact that there's stalls out the back that sell food and beer that are expensive? If that bothered me I just wouldn't buy anything there.

As I said earlier there was a good buzz out the back the day of Tyrone Dublin, I went out between games. I'm sure there was people out there during the minor match. The people out the back during the game don't spoil the match for me as I'm inside watching it. The only bad experience I had was at a big Dublin game were I was seated among their supporters (this is not a dig at Dublin supporters just the experience). For the 3/4's of the match people going in and out to their seat and standing up restricting my view. I can certainly see why that would annoy someone but that's the only time it was a huge issue in croke park and happens at other games outside croke park too.

At club double header games I regularly see people coming in or leaving depending on whichever game they aren't interested in. I assume that would annoy you too?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Keyser soze on September 13, 2017, 04:56:59 PM
Its the loud pop music and recorded piffle about smoking etc that gets my goat. They will soon be getn to the stage where the patrons aren't allowed to clap or cheer so that canned applause can be boomed out over the state of the art speakers.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 05:00:50 PM
Dear Redhand Santa I don't like the whole Croke Park "experience".

OK?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: heffo on September 13, 2017, 05:09:48 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 13, 2017, 01:05:14 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 05:41:31 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.

Really?  Is that even legal?  Or is that just the way the shortlist ended up having been open to all potential candidates?

It was open and advertised by one of the Senior IT recruiters and some non-IC qualified people applied - they just didn't make the shortlist.

The GAA pay significantly below the market rate but they do emphasize a requirement that candidates have a background in the GAA.

This was pitched at €125k IIRC
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Redhand Santa on September 13, 2017, 06:15:47 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 05:00:50 PM
Dear Redhand Santa I don't like the whole Croke Park "experience".

OK?

I'm trying to work out what this 'experience' is you are talking about. You said you are only interested in the football which is fair enough. I can't work out what in the experience is stopping you from watching the game and enjoying it? Walk in, take seat, watch game, go home - what is so different in croke park to other venues? No one is asking you to stand out the back and watch people not watching the game, that was your initial issue.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Beffs on September 13, 2017, 06:26:16 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM

To me the Croke Park Experience is

1. Overpriced tickets. Nonsense. The price of tickets is very, very good, compared to other sports, especially as more often than not, you get to see more than one game on the day.

2. Crap atmosphere. A massive over generalisation. The quality of the game, the competitive aspect to it and the history of the two teams playing has a big role to play in the atmosphere on the day. The Dublin/Tyrone game was over as a contest after five minutes. Hence the crap atmosphere. The hurling final was a different ball game entirely. To say that every single game has a crap atmosphere, is ridiculous. It is not the fault of Croke Park (the stadium, not the GAA as a whole) that Kildare play so few exciting, competitive games there.

3. Expensive Parking. Croke Park doesn't have any parking. So how can you call it expensive? It is an inner city stadium. It is hard to find any of them, with multi storey car parks attached. Parking is free on many of the the surrounding roads, especially on Sundays. I have no sympathy for the GAA supporter who expects to be able to rock up to an 82,000 seater stadium, park right next door to it, have a handy get away and oh yeah, do it all for 50p.

4. Crap food at all levels. No argument there. The near constant smell of cheap, mass produced curry sauce (which is watery as fcuk when poured over your chips,) is stomach churning. And the beer ain't much better ! But show me an equivilent stadium of its size, that has decent grub.

I have serious Croke Park fatigue, Corporate GAA have sucked the joy out of the stadium. Provincial grounds so much better. My highlight of the summer was kicking a football around with my son and daughter in O'Connor Park after the Kildare/Meath game. That was an experience and a memory.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 06:44:16 PM
Red hand don't be worrying about why I don't like Croke Park.
By the way I didn't stand out the back looking at people not watching Kerry v Galway. I was trying to bate me way through the drinkers, eaters, smokers Queuers and talkers and just can't understand how thousands of people wouldn't go in to look at an AI Qtr Final.
I find the whole thing sterile and don't feel I'm part of it or belong as you would in Hyde Pk, Omagh or wherever.

That said the stewards have become more human this year - volunteers as opposed to gum chewing gum "security"people??
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Cunny Funt on September 13, 2017, 06:54:13 PM
Quote from: Beffs on September 13, 2017, 06:26:16 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM

To me the Croke Park Experience is

1. Overpriced tickets. Nonsense. The price of tickets is very, very good, compared to other sports, especially as more often than not, you get to see more than one game on the day.

2. Crap atmosphere. A massive over generalisation. The quality of the game, the competitive aspect to it and the history of the two teams playing has a big role to play in the atmosphere on the day. The Dublin/Tyrone game was over as a contest after five minutes. Hence the crap atmosphere. The hurling final was a different ball game entirely. To say that every single game has a crap atmosphere, is ridiculous. It is not the fault of Croke Park (the stadium, not the GAA as a whole) that Kildare play so few exciting, competitive games there.

3. Expensive Parking. Croke Park doesn't have any parking. So how can you call it expensive? It is an inner city stadium. It is hard to find any of them, with multi storey car parks attached. Parking is free on many of the the surrounding roads, especially on Sundays. I have no sympathy for the GAA supporter who expects to be able to rock up to an 82,000 seater stadium, park right next door to it, have a handy get away and oh yeah, do it all for 50p.

4. Crap food at all levels. No argument there. The near constant smell of cheap, mass produced curry sauce (which is watery as fcuk when poured over your chips,) is stomach churning. And the beer ain't much better ! But show me an equivilent stadium of its size, that has decent grub.

I have serious Croke Park fatigue, Corporate GAA have sucked the joy out of the stadium. Provincial grounds so much better. My highlight of the summer was kicking a football around with my son and daughter in O'Connor Park after the Kildare/Meath game. That was an experience and a memory.
A small bucket of about 15 chips in total for 4 euro and the curry sauce is an extra 50 cent. WTF like.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Beffs on September 13, 2017, 07:12:08 PM
It is mass produced slop, concocted for the masses. I only ever eat the food there, when in dire need. Mind you, the worst culinary experience of my life - not just my GAA one - was from a chipper van outside Nowlan Park. I can still see the sweat falling from the uncovered hair of the solo worker, into the food he was grilling, his grubby, ungloved hands as he took my money and handled my food with the same hand... and the taste of the cremated shoe leather, that masqueraded as a piece of edible food. At least Croke Park/Aramark make an effort to enforce some health and safety standards at HQ.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: JimStynes on September 13, 2017, 10:14:31 PM
Some yaps in here. If you don't like Croke Park then don't go.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 11:52:05 PM
Piss off "Jim Stynes".
As paying "patrons" we have a right to criticise what we don't like.
As supporters we'll go wherever our team plays.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Syferus on September 14, 2017, 12:13:27 AM
Quote from: Rossfan on September 13, 2017, 11:52:05 PM
Piss off "Jim Stynes".
As paying "patrons" we have a right to criticise what we don't like.
As supporters we'll go wherever our team plays.

Yer a tad spoilt if you think there's any other world class stadium in the developed world that lets you see top tier sport for a cheaper price than Croke Park.

About the only thing bad about it is the food prices but that's mostly the same as other big stadiums.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Dinny Breen on September 14, 2017, 12:27:47 AM
Quote from: Beffs on September 13, 2017, 06:26:16 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM

To me the Croke Park Experience is

1. Overpriced tickets. Nonsense. The price of tickets is very, very good, compared to other sports, especially as more often than not, you get to see more than one game on the day.

2. Crap atmosphere. A massive over generalisation. The quality of the game, the competitive aspect to it and the history of the two teams playing has a big role to play in the atmosphere on the day. The Dublin/Tyrone game was over as a contest after five minutes. Hence the crap atmosphere. The hurling final was a different ball game entirely. To say that every single game has a crap atmosphere, is ridiculous. It is not the fault of Croke Park (the stadium, not the GAA as a whole) that Kildare play so few exciting, competitive games there.

3. Expensive Parking. Croke Park doesn't have any parking. So how can you call it expensive? It is an inner city stadium. It is hard to find any of them, with multi storey car parks attached. Parking is free on many of the the surrounding roads, especially on Sundays. I have no sympathy for the GAA supporter who expects to be able to rock up to an 82,000 seater stadium, park right next door to it, have a handy get away and oh yeah, do it all for 50p.

4. Crap food at all levels. No argument there. The near constant smell of cheap, mass produced curry sauce (which is watery as fcuk when poured over your chips,) is stomach churning. And the beer ain't much better ! But show me an equivilent stadium of its size, that has decent grub.

I have serious Croke Park fatigue, Corporate GAA have sucked the joy out of the stadium. Provincial grounds so much better. My highlight of the summer was kicking a football around with my son and daughter in O'Connor Park after the Kildare/Meath game. That was an experience and a memory.

I hate when people use double headers as a justification for high ticket prices, I am there to see one team and one team only. And double headers kill the atmosphere. I am not a happy clappy fan. Majority of football games in Croke Park in my opinion are shit spectacles, the odd game doesn't make up for that.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Dinny Breen on September 14, 2017, 12:33:57 AM
Quote from: heffo on September 13, 2017, 05:09:48 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 13, 2017, 01:05:14 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 05:41:31 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.

Really?  Is that even legal?  Or is that just the way the shortlist ended up having been open to all potential candidates?

It was open and advertised by one of the Senior IT recruiters and some non-IC qualified people applied - they just didn't make the shortlist.

The GAA pay significantly below the market rate but they do emphasize a requirement that candidates have a background in the GAA.

This was pitched at €125k IIRC

That's below market rate for a top CIO. I think their model is right btw they are able to attract high level candidates precisely because people want to work in the GAA and will take less for the privilege. I see the same in the IRFU, they pay below market rate as well.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Redhand Santa on September 14, 2017, 08:36:10 AM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 14, 2017, 12:27:47 AM
Quote from: Beffs on September 13, 2017, 06:26:16 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM

To me the Croke Park Experience is

1. Overpriced tickets. Nonsense. The price of tickets is very, very good, compared to other sports, especially as more often than not, you get to see more than one game on the day.

2. Crap atmosphere. A massive over generalisation. The quality of the game, the competitive aspect to it and the history of the two teams playing has a big role to play in the atmosphere on the day. The Dublin/Tyrone game was over as a contest after five minutes. Hence the crap atmosphere. The hurling final was a different ball game entirely. To say that every single game has a crap atmosphere, is ridiculous. It is not the fault of Croke Park (the stadium, not the GAA as a whole) that Kildare play so few exciting, competitive games there.

3. Expensive Parking. Croke Park doesn't have any parking. So how can you call it expensive? It is an inner city stadium. It is hard to find any of them, with multi storey car parks attached. Parking is free on many of the the surrounding roads, especially on Sundays. I have no sympathy for the GAA supporter who expects to be able to rock up to an 82,000 seater stadium, park right next door to it, have a handy get away and oh yeah, do it all for 50p.

4. Crap food at all levels. No argument there. The near constant smell of cheap, mass produced curry sauce (which is watery as fcuk when poured over your chips,) is stomach churning. And the beer ain't much better ! But show me an equivilent stadium of its size, that has decent grub.

I have serious Croke Park fatigue, Corporate GAA have sucked the joy out of the stadium. Provincial grounds so much better. My highlight of the summer was kicking a football around with my son and daughter in O'Connor Park after the Kildare/Meath game. That was an experience and a memory.

I hate when people use double headers as a justification for high ticket prices, I am there to see one team and one team only. And double headers kill the atmosphere. I am not a happy clappy fan. Majority of football games in Croke Park in my opinion are shit spectacles, the odd game doesn't make up for that.

But what are you comparing ticket prices too when you say they are high? Leinster are playing Munster in the pro 14 in the Aviva (very much a secondary competition) and the half decent seated tickets are 55-60 euro. Even for a home game against one of the Scottish teams a lot of the seats are 45-50 euro. I think I saw ulster ticket prices for the seated stand at over £50 for a pro 14 game. I've no idea how much the European games are but presumably they're dearer again and at one stage the six nations games were around 100 euro. Ireland play Moldova next month and tickets are 40-60 euro.

All Ireland quarter finals cost 35 euro with 5 euro tickets widely available for children. Even for the all Ireland semi finals (the biggest games of the year) tickets cost 45 euro with 5 euro children's tickets widely available. Dublin's home league games in croke park are 15 euro for adults and 5 I think for children.

People can argue that the other sports are professional but they have greater source's of income and I'd rather my money went to the gaa where the money got ploughed back into the association rather than pay players huge inflated salaries. I sometimes wonder what people expect from the gaa in terms of ticket prices or where they think the money goes.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: seafoid on September 14, 2017, 08:38:43 AM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 14, 2017, 12:33:57 AM
Quote from: heffo on September 13, 2017, 05:09:48 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 13, 2017, 01:05:14 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 05:41:31 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.

Really?  Is that even legal?  Or is that just the way the shortlist ended up having been open to all potential candidates?

It was open and advertised by one of the Senior IT recruiters and some non-IC qualified people applied - they just didn't make the shortlist.

The GAA pay significantly below the market rate but they do emphasize a requirement that candidates have a background in the GAA.

This was pitched at €125k IIRC

That's below market rate for a top CIO. I think their model is right btw they are able to attract high level candidates precisely because people want to work in the GAA and will take less for the privilege. I see the same in the IRFU, they pay below market rate as well.
The GAA has a turnover of 60m. It is huge in the national imagination but a Cavan  in business terms
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Hound on September 14, 2017, 08:52:46 AM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on September 14, 2017, 08:36:10 AM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 14, 2017, 12:27:47 AM
Quote from: Beffs on September 13, 2017, 06:26:16 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 12, 2017, 10:38:36 AM

To me the Croke Park Experience is

1. Overpriced tickets. Nonsense. The price of tickets is very, very good, compared to other sports, especially as more often than not, you get to see more than one game on the day.

2. Crap atmosphere. A massive over generalisation. The quality of the game, the competitive aspect to it and the history of the two teams playing has a big role to play in the atmosphere on the day. The Dublin/Tyrone game was over as a contest after five minutes. Hence the crap atmosphere. The hurling final was a different ball game entirely. To say that every single game has a crap atmosphere, is ridiculous. It is not the fault of Croke Park (the stadium, not the GAA as a whole) that Kildare play so few exciting, competitive games there.

3. Expensive Parking. Croke Park doesn't have any parking. So how can you call it expensive? It is an inner city stadium. It is hard to find any of them, with multi storey car parks attached. Parking is free on many of the the surrounding roads, especially on Sundays. I have no sympathy for the GAA supporter who expects to be able to rock up to an 82,000 seater stadium, park right next door to it, have a handy get away and oh yeah, do it all for 50p.

4. Crap food at all levels. No argument there. The near constant smell of cheap, mass produced curry sauce (which is watery as fcuk when poured over your chips,) is stomach churning. And the beer ain't much better ! But show me an equivilent stadium of its size, that has decent grub.

I have serious Croke Park fatigue, Corporate GAA have sucked the joy out of the stadium. Provincial grounds so much better. My highlight of the summer was kicking a football around with my son and daughter in O'Connor Park after the Kildare/Meath game. That was an experience and a memory.

I hate when people use double headers as a justification for high ticket prices, I am there to see one team and one team only. And double headers kill the atmosphere. I am not a happy clappy fan. Majority of football games in Croke Park in my opinion are shit spectacles, the odd game doesn't make up for that.

But what are you comparing ticket prices too when you say they are high? Leinster are playing Munster in the pro 14 in the Aviva (very much a secondary competition) and the half decent seated tickets are 55-60 euro. Even for a home game against one of the Scottish teams a lot of the seats are 45-50 euro. I think I saw ulster ticket prices for the seated stand at over £50 for a pro 14 game. I've no idea how much the European games are but presumably they're dearer again and at one stage the six nations games were around 100 euro. Ireland play Moldova next month and tickets are 40-60 euro.

All Ireland quarter finals cost 35 euro with 5 euro tickets widely available for children. Even for the all Ireland semi finals (the biggest games of the year) tickets cost 45 euro with 5 euro children's tickets widely available. Dublin's home league games in croke park are 15 euro for adults and 5 I think for children.

People can argue that the other sports are professional but they have greater source's of income and I'd rather my money went to the gaa where the money got ploughed back into the association rather than pay players huge inflated salaries. I sometimes wonder what people expect from the gaa in terms of ticket prices or where they think the money goes.
Exactly. People who say that GAA tickets are overpriced are talking absolute shite.

The beer and food on the other hand....
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Beffs on September 14, 2017, 09:44:53 AM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 14, 2017, 12:27:47 AM
I hate when people use double headers as a justification for high ticket prices, I am there to see one team and one team only. And double headers kill the atmosphere. I am not a happy clappy fan. Majority of football games in Croke Park in my opinion are shit spectacles, the odd game doesn't make up for that.

Well yeah, but remember who you are going to watch. If I was only ever going to Kildare games, I'd think they were pretty shit spectacles too.  :D

As for the prices...are they all not the same, when at the same stage of the champo, regardless of the venue? I know they go up, as the champo progresses, but how much is a Leinster final ticket in Croker, compared to a Munster final in the Pairc, or a Connacht final in Salthill?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Beffs on September 14, 2017, 10:25:18 AM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on September 14, 2017, 08:36:10 AM


But what are you comparing ticket prices too when you say they are high? Leinster are playing Munster in the pro 14 in the Aviva (very much a secondary competition) and the half decent seated tickets are 55-60 euro. Even for a home game against one of the Scottish teams a lot of the seats are 45-50 euro. I think I saw ulster ticket prices for the seated stand at over £50 for a pro 14 game. I've no idea how much the European games are but presumably they're dearer again and at one stage the six nations games were around 100 euro. Ireland play Moldova next month and tickets are 40-60 euro.

All Ireland quarter finals cost 35 euro with 5 euro tickets widely available for children. Even for the all Ireland semi finals (the biggest games of the year) tickets cost 45 euro with 5 euro children's tickets widely available. Dublin's home league games in croke park are 15 euro for adults and 5 I think for children.

They were only a tenner if bought in advance. According to the ads on the telly, there was some sort of deal, where they were even cheaper (per game) if you bought a package deal for all of the games. You usually got to see the hurlers too. Although they are so shite these days, the Dublin Co Board should be paying spectators to watch them, not the other way around.  ::)
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Redhand Santa on September 14, 2017, 10:44:09 AM
Quote from: Beffs on September 14, 2017, 10:25:18 AM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on September 14, 2017, 08:36:10 AM


But what are you comparing ticket prices too when you say they are high? Leinster are playing Munster in the pro 14 in the Aviva (very much a secondary competition) and the half decent seated tickets are 55-60 euro. Even for a home game against one of the Scottish teams a lot of the seats are 45-50 euro. I think I saw ulster ticket prices for the seated stand at over £50 for a pro 14 game. I've no idea how much the European games are but presumably they're dearer again and at one stage the six nations games were around 100 euro. Ireland play Moldova next month and tickets are 40-60 euro.

All Ireland quarter finals cost 35 euro with 5 euro tickets widely available for children. Even for the all Ireland semi finals (the biggest games of the year) tickets cost 45 euro with 5 euro children's tickets widely available. Dublin's home league games in croke park are 15 euro for adults and 5 I think for children.

They were only a tenner if bought in advance. According to the ads on the telly, there was some sort of deal, where they were even cheaper (per game) if you bought a package deal for all of the games. You usually got to see the hurlers too. Although they are so shite these days, the Dublin Co Board should be paying spectators to watch them, not the other way around.  ::)

I didn't even factor in the fact that the average county has only 7 league games in the year and maybe about 4/5 on average championship games to pay into. On the other hand the leinster rugby team who I compared prices too would have maybe say 20 pro 14 games and a further 6 plus European games. That's a lot of games to gather up money from. When you actually compare the prices it's crazy to think someone would accuse the gaa prices of being dear.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: rosnarun on September 14, 2017, 03:19:38 PM
the best thing about croke park is how often it is not sold out .
you can have 50 to 60k attensances and there is no problem getting a ticket on like the half size stadium in lansdowne road.
aprt from finals any one who wants to go can . and any one who wants a shite burger can buy one
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: heffo on September 15, 2017, 08:55:50 AM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 14, 2017, 12:33:57 AM
Quote from: heffo on September 13, 2017, 05:09:48 PM
Quote from: Dinny Breen on September 13, 2017, 01:05:14 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 05:41:31 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 03:05:55 PM
Quote from: heffo on September 12, 2017, 02:46:59 PM
Quote from: Syferus on September 12, 2017, 01:23:49 PM
Quote from: Smokin Joe on September 12, 2017, 01:22:05 PM
I had a chuckle at this line in the linked balls.ie article in the OP:

"Tomás Meehan is the GAA's Chief Information Officer - he also won an All-Ireland with Galway in 1998 and an All-Ireland club title with Caltra in 2004. When you step inside the doors of Croke Park, presume everyone has an All-Ireland medal, even the person asking if you'd like milk with your coffee."

I wonder what were the chances that the best person for that role would have won Sam Maguire?

Quite high?

The shortlist for the role only comprised IC or ex-IC players.

Really?  Is that even legal?  Or is that just the way the shortlist ended up having been open to all potential candidates?

It was open and advertised by one of the Senior IT recruiters and some non-IC qualified people applied - they just didn't make the shortlist.

The GAA pay significantly below the market rate but they do emphasize a requirement that candidates have a background in the GAA.

This was pitched at €125k IIRC

That's below market rate for a top CIO. I think their model is right btw they are able to attract high level candidates precisely because people want to work in the GAA and will take less for the privilege. I see the same in the IRFU, they pay below market rate as well.

But it's not really a top level CIO position - it's not like comparing to even a mid size company - the brief is far different.

Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: STREET FIGHTER on March 30, 2023, 09:23:29 PM
Folks

Have all the decent seats for Football League Finals on Sunday sold out and only behind the goals in Davin available??

Or are they due to release more before the day??

Assume only the lower sections & the hill available?

SF
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: toby47 on March 31, 2023, 08:12:52 AM
Quote from: STREET FIGHTER on March 30, 2023, 09:23:29 PM
Folks

Have all the decent seats for Football League Finals on Sunday sold out and only behind the goals in Davin available??

Or are they due to release more before the day??

Assume only the lower sections & the hill available?

SF

Loads of people wondering the same. I know loads of ones that are still holding out in the hope that better seats are released.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: imtommygunn on March 31, 2023, 08:16:44 AM
I dunno if it's the same thing but for my own county we have one stand and I can never get tickets. Then even on the day of games I see messages that stand tickets are left but then it's too late as I couldn't get them  >:( find it infuriating.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Hound on March 31, 2023, 08:36:23 AM
Tickets are held for season ticket holders in all competing counties.

I know the deadline in Dublin for season ticket holders is 3pm on Friday.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: toby47 on March 31, 2023, 08:38:43 AM
What sort of attendance do you expect to see on Saturday/Sunday?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: RedHand88 on March 31, 2023, 09:11:22 AM
Quote from: toby47 on March 31, 2023, 08:38:43 AM
What sort of attendance do you expect to see on Saturday/Sunday?

45k? Probably up from last year because its 4 counties youd expect to bring a crowd. 50 might be a bit hopeful.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Mario on March 31, 2023, 09:12:21 AM
I rang Croke park about it. Lower deck between 45s most kept for season ticket holders and county board. They arent expecting big numbers to be returned there. Rest of lower deck opens in sections. Will open upper if demand is there. I presume they do it like that to manage staff needed. Id say there will be 40k at the finals on Sunday.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Walter Cronc on March 31, 2023, 09:50:23 AM
Cant see Derry taking any more than 5k to this (if that). Mayo and Dublin would take big numbers I'd assume
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Armagh18 on March 31, 2023, 10:20:23 AM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 31, 2023, 09:50:23 AM
Cant see Derry taking any more than 5k to this (if that). Mayo and Dublin would take big numbers I'd assume
Why so few from Derry?
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Milltown Row2 on March 31, 2023, 10:21:21 AM
Quote from: Armagh18 on March 31, 2023, 10:20:23 AM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 31, 2023, 09:50:23 AM
Cant see Derry taking any more than 5k to this (if that). Mayo and Dublin would take big numbers I'd assume
Why so few from Derry?

Be more at a county final
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Walter Cronc on March 31, 2023, 10:28:33 AM
Quote from: Armagh18 on March 31, 2023, 10:20:23 AM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 31, 2023, 09:50:23 AM
Cant see Derry taking any more than 5k to this (if that). Mayo and Dublin would take big numbers I'd assume
Why so few from Derry?

Div 2 final. Busy summer ahead   8)
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: toby47 on March 31, 2023, 02:34:57 PM
Go for tickets now lads
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: rrhf on March 31, 2023, 03:35:47 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on March 31, 2023, 10:20:23 AM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 31, 2023, 09:50:23 AM
Cant see Derry taking any more than 5k to this (if that). Mayo and Dublin would take big numbers I'd assume
Why so few from Derry?

Oak leafers are a bit like Kerry, their support only comes out for all ireland finals. 
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: toby47 on March 31, 2023, 03:41:55 PM
Quote from: rrhf on March 31, 2023, 03:35:47 PM
Quote from: Armagh18 on March 31, 2023, 10:20:23 AM
Quote from: Walter Cronc on March 31, 2023, 09:50:23 AM
Cant see Derry taking any more than 5k to this (if that). Mayo and Dublin would take big numbers I'd assume
Why so few from Derry?

Oak leafers are a bit like Kerry, their support only comes out for all ireland finals.

Find it strange at the amount of Derry ones not heading down to it. If last year hadn't of happened there would be twice the Derry crowd going down to Croke park on Sunday.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: oakleaflad on March 31, 2023, 03:46:49 PM
We wouldn't have the biggest crowds anyway but I get a sense that the job is done with promotion and whilst it would be nice to win, we'd be more bothered about what's to come later in the year.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: snoopdog on March 31, 2023, 04:19:18 PM
It's a long way to travel for a game that really means nothing. They've been promoted.  Only the div 1 title means anything, and the media try to devalue that every year.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Wildweasel74 on March 31, 2023, 04:27:30 PM
Sure we can't get 5k at home, why would Sunday be any change.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Eire90 on April 01, 2023, 04:35:01 PM
is  7pm too late of a throw in time to for a game at croke park
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: Wildweasel74 on April 01, 2023, 05:13:53 PM
Very poor time for a game, though was at a league game against Dublin late Saturday nite, bck in 2015,
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: clarshack on April 01, 2023, 05:16:02 PM
Quote from: Eire90 on April 01, 2023, 04:35:01 PM
is  7pm too late of a throw in time to for a game at croke park

Depends where you are driving home to after the game.

Been at plenty Saturday night Tyrone v Dublin games in Croke Park over the years and don't ever remember thinking this is too late.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: onefineday on April 02, 2023, 12:40:08 AM
Quote from: STREET FIGHTER on March 30, 2023, 09:23:29 PM
Folks

Have all the decent seats for Football League Finals on Sunday sold out and only behind the goals in Davin available??

Or are they due to release more before the day??

Assume only the lower sections & the hill available?

SF
That whole croker ticketing thing is a total mess. I took the young lad I'm to the louth gane last week, only tickets available were upper corner of Cusack lower - loads of room in the Hogan lower and davin was empty - he decided behind the goals in the davin was his preference, so went there anyway. Last year's all Ireland quarter we got shunted unto the worst seat in the stadium, upper Hogan top corner, last row, whilst the whole upper Cusack was empty. I understand they're trying to manage the stadium in a way that minimises costs when it's not full, but it significantly detracts from the experience. Open more sections and let us choose, I don't care if the shop on my side isn't open, I'd be sneaking my hang sandwiches and flask of tae in anyway!
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: armaghniac on April 02, 2023, 01:13:21 AM
Quote from: clarshack on April 01, 2023, 05:16:02 PM
Quote from: Eire90 on April 01, 2023, 04:35:01 PM
is  7pm too late of a throw in time to for a game at croke park

Depends where you are driving home to after the game.

Been at plenty Saturday night Tyrone v Dublin games in Croke Park over the years and don't ever remember thinking this is too late.

You forget that Eire90 goes to bed at 9pm.
Title: Re: The Croke Park Experience
Post by: FermGael on April 02, 2023, 09:37:39 AM
330-332 available at the minute

Loads of tickets around the middle.