One thing that struck me yesterday was the low attendance at the games. How can we get the people back? The prices are far too high.
You made me stay at home, Kathleen.
Quote from: Truth hurts on April 08, 2024, 09:14:38 AMOne thing that struck me yesterday was the low attendance at the games. How can we get the people back? The prices are far too high.
Are the numbers down?
I agree with prices, especially as the games are coming thick and fast.
* Unless you're from Dublin / Kerry, there is no reason to buy a season ticket. It's almost like they're trying not to shift them
* when you're not looking at sell out, U16s should be free
* should be some sort of loyalty scheme (individual and family) for those who attend most games.
The whole package including travel, tickets and what you spend that day is really getting to be too costly, especially for families. When you then add in the schedule of games that will come think and fast, then low numbers at the outset is inevitable.
There is no jeopardy for the majority of teams in the top 2 divisions. Being beaten doesn't mean what it used to mean. The provincials should be separate from the all Ireland . The system is not the finished article.
4k in Carrick* and De Páirc. About what you'd expect at those 2 fixtures.
Dungarvan just over 1k, probably about what you'd expect.
Didn't see any figures for Leinster where crowds have been declining for years in a one team Competition.
Cavan v Monaghan was a pretty poor turn out for a fixture which regularly drew 5 figure crowds.
*€30 for a stand seat was a disgrace for a Qtr Final. No wonder the Stand was half empty.
Quote from: Rossfan on April 08, 2024, 10:08:21 AMDidn't see any figures for Leinster where crowds have been declining for years in a one team Competition.
The likes of Kildare and Meath should have substantial numbers of supporters and have had in the past, but now lack any sense of championship.
However, a few Wicklow people will likely turn out for the Kildare game.
Quote from: lurganblue on April 08, 2024, 09:35:56 AMThe whole package including travel, tickets and what you spend that day is really getting to be too costly, especially for families. When you then add in the schedule of games that will come think and fast, then low numbers at the outset is inevitable.
Also add in the standard of football, Fermanagh / Armagh could be 0-04 - 0-02.
Quote from: Rossfan on April 08, 2024, 10:08:21 AM4k in Carrick* and De Páirc. About what you'd expect at those 2 fixtures.
Dungarvan just over 1k, probably about what you'd expect.
Didn't see any figures for Leinster where crowds have been declining for years in a one team Competition.
Cavan v Monaghan was a pretty poor turn out for a fixture which regularly drew 5 figure crowds.
*€30 for a stand seat was a disgrace for a Qtr Final. No wonder the Stand was half empty.
I was on the hill in Clones and there was hardly a Monaghan fan around me. Maybe they were all in the stand but it felt like there was more Cavan support at the match?
The early championship doesn't help either. Bobble hats at championship just isn't right. They're going up against PL run in. And pricing fans out of it. 20 euro for a seat and 15 for terrace would be enough. U16s need to be free. The crowds were abysmal yesterday. It's 1980s attendances. It's as if they're doing it on purpose to get rid of the provincial. The gaa do nothing to promote the championship either. Its dying a death. We only have 3 games now . The 2 AI semis and the AI final.
It's not just price. It's timing. League was 2 weeks ago. I was at Clones yesterday, but I don't live in my home county anymore. It's tiring driving around so often each weekend. That was my 8th game in 11 weeks, 5 of those away (although all 8 are away for me now). It's exhaustion after League, and haven't time to decompartmentalise the League and get over it. If April was back to club games, May for Championship, the you'd have the time and money to get back up for it after Lague was well over. And it'd be better weather, harder pitches and so on. And you'd still finish it in August and not be competing with other sports like the soccer derbies yesterday or rugby and so on. It needs a clear break for people to refresh and be ready to go back at it
Quote from: snoopdog on April 08, 2024, 11:56:58 AMThe early championship doesn't help either. Bobble hats at championship just isn't right. They're going up against PL run in. And pricing fans out of it. 20 euro for a seat and 15 for terrace would be enough. U16s need to be free. The crowds were abysmal yesterday. It's 1980s attendances. It's as if they're doing it on purpose to get rid of the provincial. The gaa do nothing to promote the championship either. Its dying a death. We only have 3 games now . The 2 AI semis and the AI final.
It's exactly this. Slowly suffocate a product so when you want to kill it, it'll be easier done. And it'll be a shame rather than trying to make them work
And oddly it'll be bad overall for the GAA. If there's one thing they understand is money. And bad attendance hits them in the pocket. They might have to move things back into summer to try and get crowds back. They need to
They are devaluing every competition.
League finals they want to keep, yet some teams are out again 6/7 days later. So they have one eye on that
Provincials are played off in Benny Hill style like they are an inconvenience. Even the All Ireland semis and finals are rushed. No time to prepare, digest and preview big games.
I understand the need for a split season , but the whole thing is being handled really poorly
Great article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
Quote from: AustinPowers on April 08, 2024, 12:26:42 PMQuote from: Dreadnought on April 08, 2024, 12:04:54 PMQuote from: snoopdog on April 08, 2024, 11:56:58 AMThe early championship doesn't help either. Bobble hats at championship just isn't right. They're going up against PL run in. And pricing fans out of it. 20 euro for a seat and 15 for terrace would be enough. U16s need to be free. The crowds were abysmal yesterday. It's 1980s attendances. It's as if they're doing it on purpose to get rid of the provincial. The gaa do nothing to promote the championship either. Its dying a death. We only have 3 games now . The 2 AI semis and the AI final.
It's exactly this. Slowly suffocate a product so when you want to kill it, it'll be easier done. And it'll be a shame rather than trying to make them work
And oddly it'll be bad overall for the GAA. If there's one thing they understand is money. And bad attendance hits them in the pocket. They might have to move things back into summer to try and get crowds back. They need to
I understand the need for a split season , but the whole thing is being handled really poorly
The hiring of Croke Park to international acts over the summer?
Quote from: Rossfan on April 08, 2024, 10:08:21 AM4k in Carrick* and De Páirc. About what you'd expect at those 2 fixtures.
Dungarvan just over 1k, probably about what you'd expect.
Didn't see any figures for Leinster where crowds have been declining for years in a one team Competition.
Cavan v Monaghan was a pretty poor turn out for a fixture which regularly drew 5 figure crowds.
*€30 for a stand seat was a disgrace for a Qtr Final. No wonder the Stand was half empty.
Is 8k pretty poor in Clones for early April first round Ulster tie whereby the home support wouldn't overly keen to travel to another game so soon after relegation?
Quote from: Tones on April 08, 2024, 12:30:21 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on April 08, 2024, 12:26:42 PMQuote from: Dreadnought on April 08, 2024, 12:04:54 PMQuote from: snoopdog on April 08, 2024, 11:56:58 AMThe early championship doesn't help either. Bobble hats at championship just isn't right. They're going up against PL run in. And pricing fans out of it. 20 euro for a seat and 15 for terrace would be enough. U16s need to be free. The crowds were abysmal yesterday. It's 1980s attendances. It's as if they're doing it on purpose to get rid of the provincial. The gaa do nothing to promote the championship either. Its dying a death. We only have 3 games now . The 2 AI semis and the AI final.
It's exactly this. Slowly suffocate a product so when you want to kill it, it'll be easier done. And it'll be a shame rather than trying to make them work
And oddly it'll be bad overall for the GAA. If there's one thing they understand is money. And bad attendance hits them in the pocket. They might have to move things back into summer to try and get crowds back. They need to
I understand the need for a split season , but the whole thing is being handled really poorly
The hiring of Croke Park to international acts over the summer?
That's the one! ;D
The split season might be a factor but I don't think it's a weather related one. More that clubs around the country are getting their competitive seasons going this week and last, and there's only so much time any man/woman can give to Gaelic Games.
The ultimate factor though has to be cost. Upwards on €100 for a family to attend any match is bearable for most. But it becomes less bearable if you start thinking about doing it 8-10 times in a season. Thats when the opportunity to watch some of those on TV becomes attractive.
Quote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
Quote from: Itchy on April 08, 2024, 11:19:47 AMQuote from: Rossfan on April 08, 2024, 10:08:21 AM4k in Carrick* and De Páirc. About what you'd expect at those 2 fixtures.
Dungarvan just over 1k, probably about what you'd expect.
Didn't see any figures for Leinster where crowds have been declining for years in a one team Competition.
Cavan v Monaghan was a pretty poor turn out for a fixture which regularly drew 5 figure crowds.
*€30 for a stand seat was a disgrace for a Qtr Final. No wonder the Stand was half empty.
I was on the hill in Clones and there was hardly a Monaghan fan around me. Maybe they were all in the stand but it felt like there was more Cavan support at the match?
Would the lower cost of the hill have attracted more Cavan supporters. ;D
Quote from: LeoMc on April 08, 2024, 01:38:35 PMQuote from: Itchy on April 08, 2024, 11:19:47 AMQuote from: Rossfan on April 08, 2024, 10:08:21 AM4k in Carrick* and De Páirc. About what you'd expect at those 2 fixtures.
Dungarvan just over 1k, probably about what you'd expect.
Didn't see any figures for Leinster where crowds have been declining for years in a one team Competition.
Cavan v Monaghan was a pretty poor turn out for a fixture which regularly drew 5 figure crowds.
*€30 for a stand seat was a disgrace for a Qtr Final. No wonder the Stand was half empty.
I was on the hill in Clones and there was hardly a Monaghan fan around me. Maybe they were all in the stand but it felt like there was more Cavan support at the match?
Would the lower cost of the hill have attracted more Cavan supporters. ;D
And it is nearer Cavan.
Quote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Quote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Are any of those you talk to GAA decision makers?
Jarlath Burns isn't a dictator, only Congress can change the Rules in th'oul Treoir Oifigiúil ;)
Quote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
You clearly don't know how things work expecting Burns to effect some sort of change in your hope that the clubs will be put back in their box
Quote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
Cahair O'Kane rightly calls bullshit
AH, April, the GAA calendar's middle child.
Just sitting minding its business, not really bothering anyone but feeling as though it's to blame for everything.
On Sunday, Monaghan and Cavan met in Clones.
Just 8,324 people showed up.
Thanks to the explosion of commentary around the meek attendance, we've learned that this was the first GAA championship match ever to be played in middling weather.
Storm Kathleen blew straight down the field in Clones. It didn't really rain or anything, but damn you anyway April.
If only we'd waited another few weeks for our standard three months of summer sunshine to begin, then the people would have flocked. Flocked, I tell ye!
On Saturday week, Derry play Donegal in Celtic Park.
Same competition. Same month. Fair good chance it'll even lash the rain.
Club committees have been investing heavily in reinforced glass from behind which they can tell members that there just aren't enough tickets.
In Derry, clubs have been given 10 seated tickets, 50 for the main terrace and 50 more for behind the goal. Many have restricted their allocations to just one-per-person.
When those two counties met in the 1993 Ulster final, the Donegal Democrat's preview of the match began by recalling how not even 5,000 people had turned up when they'd met three years previous.
The game had clashed with Ireland's World Cup game against Egypt, just as the same two counties would clash with the 2002 penalty shootout against Spain.
On July 18, 1993, Clones was a mudbath. The rain didn't take time to fall out of the sky.
In the minor game, Cathal Scullion from Derry broke his leg.
Neither side has ever really deviated from the sentiment that the senior game should never have gone ahead.
It's nine months since Dublin and Kerry met in the 2023 All-Ireland final on the last day of July.
Every third head in the crowd was covered by a yellow mac bought on the streets outside Croke Park. It poured non-stop for two hours.
But April
Yeah, the old Club Month. Could we not go back to that utopia? Sure didn't the clubs have it great, they got their lads for a full month.
Except county training carried on, and naturally that's where they went.
And inter-county challenge games too.
And sure what odds about club games in April really? Best not to chance it in case you pick up a knock.
Who the hell would blame them for that? It was a total nonsense of an operation with no winners.
Some counties, particularly big dual counties, were so desperate for space in the calendar that they threw in two rounds of club championship in April.
By the end of game two, hundreds of young lads were off looking for their J1 visa, their footballing year over already.
Could we not go back to that though?
Because All-Ireland finals in July just don't hit the same, apparently.
Look at the thousands of empty seats in Croke Park last summer.
Of the 82,300 capacity for the All-Ireland football and hurling finals there were only... er... *checks notes*... 82,300 there.
That there were only 43,192 people at Derry's semi-final against Kerry was deemed worthy of note.
Must be because we're playing championship in April now.
2004 was the second-highest attended football championship in history, drawing in 1.157m spectators at the gates, second only to the previous year.
When Derry and Kerry met at the same stage in the stadium at The Proper Time For An All-Ireland Semi-Final, there were 35,457 at it.
Only five years ago, just 33,848 turned up for a Kerry-Tyrone semi-final in the middle of August.
But damn you April and your split season, go on out of the road with ye.
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Quote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 10:30:06 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Grassroots ?
Grassroots is the club's, son who are delighted with the defined split season
Not so happy are the paid shills and expensed intercounty managers who have had a bit of power taken away from them.
Oh and the prawn sandwich crew which live for the days in Premium in "Croker" and would struggle to find their nearest club grounds
Maybe the Club Players Association with its 25,000 members should come back into being to lobby every CLUB delegate before every county convention, should any motion to erode what has been hard won come before Congress
Quote from: clonadmad on April 08, 2024, 10:38:12 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 10:30:06 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Grassroots ?
Grassroots is the club's, son who are delighted with the defined split season
Not so happy are the paid shills and expensed intercounty managers who have had a bit of power taken away from them.
Oh and the prawn sandwich crew which live for the days in Premium in "Croker" and would struggle to find their nearest club grounds
Maybe the Club Players Association with its 25,000 members should come back into being to lobby every CLUB delegate before every county convention, should any motion to erode what has been hard won come before Congress
Everybody who follows county has a club and is grassroots. It is not one or the other. People are happy with more time for clubs but not with the state of the all Ireland- things like not playing in August and September, the rushed nature of things, the lack of joined up thinking.
The current all Ireland system is not a solution. And club vs county is not a culture war. Most people are both. They want an all Ireland system that works.
Cahair O Kane has his say
https://www.irishnews.com/gaa/cahair-okane-its-all-bloody-aprils-fault-isnt-it-TAS7SU3BIVBJ3JSJCTAREZZOBY/
AH, April, the GAA calendar's middle child.
Just sitting minding its business, not really bothering anyone but feeling as though it's to blame for everything.
On Sunday, Monaghan and Cavan met in Clones.
Just 8,324 people showed up.
Thanks to the explosion of commentary around the meek attendance, we've learned that this was the first GAA championship match ever to be played in middling weather.
Storm Kathleen blew straight down the field in Clones. It didn't really rain or anything, but damn you anyway April.
If only we'd waited another few weeks for our standard three months of summer sunshine to begin, then the people would have flocked. Flocked, I tell ye!
On Saturday week, Derry play Donegal in Celtic Park.
Same competition. Same month. Fair good chance it'll even lash the rain.
Club committees have been investing heavily in reinforced glass from behind which they can tell members that there just aren't enough tickets.
In Derry, clubs have been given 10 seated tickets, 50 for the main terrace and 50 more for behind the goal. Many have restricted their allocations to just one-per-person.
When those two counties met in the 1993 Ulster final, the Donegal Democrat's preview of the match began by recalling how not even 5,000 people had turned up when they'd met three years previous.
The game had clashed with Ireland's World Cup game against Egypt, just as the same two counties would clash with the 2002 penalty shootout against Spain.
On July 18, 1993, Clones was a mudbath. The rain didn't take time to fall out of the sky.
In the minor game, Cathal Scullion from Derry broke his leg.
Neither side has ever really deviated from the sentiment that the senior game should never have gone ahead.
It's nine months since Dublin and Kerry met in the 2023 All-Ireland final on the last day of July.
Every third head in the crowd was covered by a yellow mac bought on the streets outside Croke Park. It poured non-stop for two hours.
But April.
Yeah, the old Club Month. Could we not go back to that utopia? Sure didn't the clubs have it great, they got their lads for a full month.
Except county training carried on, and naturally that's where they went.
And inter-county challenge games too.
And sure what odds about club games in April really? Best not to chance it in case you pick up a knock.
Who the hell would blame them for that? It was a total nonsense of an operation with no winners.
Some counties, particularly big dual counties, were so desperate for space in the calendar that they threw in two rounds of club championship in April.
By the end of game two, hundreds of young lads were off looking for their J1 visa, their footballing year over already.
Could we not go back to that though?
Because All-Ireland finals in July just don't hit the same, apparently.
Look at the thousands of empty seats in Croke Park last summer.
Of the 82,300 capacity for the All-Ireland football and hurling finals there were only... er... *checks notes*... 82,300 there.
That there were only 43,192 people at Derry's semi-final against Kerry was deemed worthy of note.
Must be because we're playing championship in April now.
2004 was the second-highest attended football championship in history, drawing in 1.157m spectators at the gates, second only to the previous year.
When Derry and Kerry met at the same stage in the stadium at The Proper Time For An All-Ireland Semi-Final, there were 35,457 at it.
Only five years ago, just 33,848 turned up for a Kerry-Tyrone semi-final in the middle of August.
But damn you April and your split season, go on out of the road with ye.
Recency bias: That there were only 43,192 people at Derry's semi-final against Kerry was deemed worthy of note - but that was almost 10,000 more than when the same two counties met at the same stage in 2004.
Gaelic football has an attendances problem but it has had an attendances problem almost 15 years.
The decline in fans coming through the gates for championship football has been masked by continually adding more games.
In 2015, the Ulster Championship drew a combined attendance of 140,000 people.
The first year of the April championship in 2022, that figure dropped to 99,000.
But then, guess what? Last year, played in April and May, it jumped back up to more than 112,000.
That is not evidence of big crowds of yesteryear but it's evidence that April isn't the problem here.
Why fans stay away is a combination of factors.
One of the most significant is always ticket prices.
If a Monaghan fan had gone to all their games so far this year, they'd have spent over €200 on tickets, an average of more than €100 on fuel and then the rest.
For Cavan fans, it's been €189 on tickets and over €165 on fuel because their fixture list wasn't as kind.
Everyone always hopes there's more to be spent, but they don't always have it to spend.
If prices stay as they were last year, the round-robin stage alone will cost €75, at €25 per game.
An Ulster final, €35.
A possible All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final, another €25. Quarter-final, €40.
Semi-final, €50.
There's talk that tickets for the final will jump from €90 to €100 this year.
The absence of a proper season ticket that gives supporters really good value and rewards their loyalty is a massive blind spot.
When the GAA announced a price hike in National League tickets at the start of the year, they promised championship packages. Those are nowhere to be seen yet.
They'll play on the fact that the provincial championships aren't centrally organised by Croke Park but the average punter sees championship as championship, rightly so.
Weather can be a factor but when you look at how the 10,000 figure is regularly topped in Division One of the league, played in February and March, then you can't really hold tight to that buoy.
Ulster people have been out fighting the corner of our provincial championship hard, naturally. It is brilliant.
But it's tied down by the dead weight of the other three.
If Cavan reach an Ulster final, they'll sell out Clones twice over. Same for everyone else.
Louth brought thousands upon thousands of people to Croke Park for last year's Leinster final, but there were still only 40,000 there in total, because the Dubs have stopped bothering altogether.
Dean Rock's admission last week that he doesn't know how many Leinster medals he has was just a truthful reflection of the reality.
We're guilty up here of being the one-eyed man, seeing only the good in Ulster, without really wondering why the rest of Gaelic football should hitch itself to dead competitions because ours still works.
Do we break Ulster football if we let go? Maybe the selfishness is justified.
Fans are voting with their feet, not in the sense of abandoning the sport, because the league is thriving. The All-Ireland series remains healthy.
It's just this bit of flab in the middle that isn't doing it for the viewing public.
But nah, don't worry about any of that.
It's all because we're playing championship in April.
Thanks Itchy ;D
The once excellent season ticket scheme has been totally fkd up this season and was also being downgraded the last 2 seasons.
The oul problem of the folks who set the prices never have to pay in themselves.
Quote from: seafoid on April 09, 2024, 09:31:59 AMQuote from: clonadmad on April 08, 2024, 10:38:12 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 10:30:06 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Grassroots ?
Grassroots is the club's, son who are delighted with the defined split season
Not so happy are the paid shills and expensed intercounty managers who have had a bit of power taken away from them.
Oh and the prawn sandwich crew which live for the days in Premium in "Croker" and would struggle to find their nearest club grounds
Maybe the Club Players Association with its 25,000 members should come back into being to lobby every CLUB delegate before every county convention, should any motion to erode what has been hard won come before Congress
Everybody who follows county has a club and is grassroots. It is not one or the other. People are happy with more time for clubs but not with the state of the all Ireland- things like not playing in August and September, the rushed nature of things, the lack of joined up thinking.
The current all Ireland system is not a solution. And club vs county is not a culture war. Most people are both. They want an all Ireland system that works.
Go on then
Give us a system that "works"
Because all I'm seeing everywhere is a whole load of lads that are making money out of the game whinging
But not offering a lot of workable solutions
exactly. Sounds like a paid journalist with little else to talk about.
The difference in quality between provincial championships is distorting the argument I think. Some are box office (Ulster football, Munster hurling), whereas others are completely pointless and are actively suffocating the game (don't need to mention where). I for one would not want to see them abolished if it meant no ulster championship.
As a club and county supporter I like the split season.
Not going to pretend I know how players feel though so would be interesting to hear.
I will add I don't understand the too many games argument either. So what if a county team plays 6 games in 6 weekends or whatever, wouldn't this be standard at club level? It's not like teams are being asked to play multiple games a week. Is 1 game a week over a few months too much?
Quote from: clonadmad on April 09, 2024, 10:27:02 AMQuote from: seafoid on April 09, 2024, 09:31:59 AMQuote from: clonadmad on April 08, 2024, 10:38:12 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 10:30:06 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Grassroots ?
Grassroots is the club's, son who are delighted with the defined split season
Not so happy are the paid shills and expensed intercounty managers who have had a bit of power taken away from them.
Oh and the prawn sandwich crew which live for the days in Premium in "Croker" and would struggle to find their nearest club grounds
Maybe the Club Players Association with its 25,000 members should come back into being to lobby every CLUB delegate before every county convention, should any motion to erode what has been hard won come before Congress
Everybody who follows county has a club and is grassroots. It is not one or the other. People are happy with more time for clubs but not with the state of the all Ireland- things like not playing in August and September, the rushed nature of things, the lack of joined up thinking.
The current all Ireland system is not a solution. And club vs county is not a culture war. Most people are both. They want an all Ireland system that works.
Go on then
Give us a system that "works"
Because all I'm seeing everywhere is a whole load of lads that are making money out of the game whinging
But not offering a lot of workable solutions
Have you ever come across Michael Foley's analysis? He did it in last Sunday's sunday times.
There are too many matches that don't mean anything. The league has been devalued.The championship has elements of the league. And there is no margin. I think the club idea is fine. It's how the championship is run
This is what he said :
"The GAA aren't quite there yet with running the provincial championship in early spring before stretching a league-based all Ireland championship from April to early august "
What would you think of that ?
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 09, 2024, 11:10:22 AMI will add I don't understand the too many games argument either. So what if a county team plays 6 games in 6 weekends or whatever, wouldn't this be standard at club level? It's not like teams are being asked to play multiple games a week. Is 1 game a week over a few months too much?
I agree with this. For example Tyrone if they were to make the All Ireland final via winning Ulster (I know I know highly unlikely but not impossible) they would play 9 matches in 15 weeks from 21st April to 28th July. Is that excessive? They played 8 matches in the same number of weeks in the old system in 2008 though I appreciate they would have had a longer break between league and championship but would have been playing club football in that break.
Quote from: seafoid on April 09, 2024, 11:26:35 AMQuote from: clonadmad on April 09, 2024, 10:27:02 AMQuote from: seafoid on April 09, 2024, 09:31:59 AMQuote from: clonadmad on April 08, 2024, 10:38:12 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 10:30:06 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Grassroots ?
Grassroots is the club's, son who are delighted with the defined split season
Not so happy are the paid shills and expensed intercounty managers who have had a bit of power taken away from them.
Oh and the prawn sandwich crew which live for the days in Premium in "Croker" and would struggle to find their nearest club grounds
Maybe the Club Players Association with its 25,000 members should come back into being to lobby every CLUB delegate before every county convention, should any motion to erode what has been hard won come before Congress
Everybody who follows county has a club and is grassroots. It is not one or the other. People are happy with more time for clubs but not with the state of the all Ireland- things like not playing in August and September, the rushed nature of things, the lack of joined up thinking.
The current all Ireland system is not a solution. And club vs county is not a culture war. Most people are both. They want an all Ireland system that works.
Go on then
Give us a system that "works"
Because all I'm seeing everywhere is a whole load of lads that are making money out of the game whinging
But not offering a lot of workable solutions
Have you ever come across Michael Foley's analysis? He did it in last Sunday's sunday times.
There are too many matches that don't mean anything. The league has been devalued.The championship has elements of the league. And there is no margin. I think the club idea is fine. It's how the championship is run
This is what he said :
"The GAA aren't quite there yet with running the provincial championship in early spring before stretching a league-based all Ireland championship from April to early august "
What would you think of that ?
Firstly that's Michael Foleys solution not your own
Do you have a solution that isn't anyone else's ?
Secondly
Foleys solution adds a week at most to the intercounty season which isn't what the vast majority of anti split season proponents in the media are looking for.
They want a return to all Irelands in September
Thirdly
It's highly improbable that the GAA will ditch their second most important national competition
Here's what I'd do and I'm speaking purely from a hurling viewpoint
1.Every County needs at least 2 hybrid pitchs and every province at least one dome
The weather is changing and infrastructure needs to be put in to recognise this and also allow for greater numbers playing our games
A trip to Iceland might open lads eyes in terms of sporting infrastructure
2.Intercounty season goes from January to end July
Club August to December
3.Put a cap on intercounty training sessions and a cap on team spending
Both are an out of control industry at the minute
You had that football manager from Roscommon claiming they had done 75 sessions in 80 days like it was some sort of badge of honor when even anyone with basic cop on would know that rest and recovery are more important than training
Counties allowed to start training end of November at the minute
Ban that also
County Training starts January
Players needs at least December off if they aren't involved in club finals
Monitor Enforce and Fine heavily if it's being broken
4.Scrap all early season competitions
Scrap League Semi finals
Scrap preliminary championship quarter finals
The winner of the Joe Mc Donagh plays Liam McCarthy the following year but get rid of the farce of the Joe McDonagh finalists taking trimmings every year in the preliminary quarter finals
All this frees up a min of 2 months in a 6 month schedule
5.Market the Games
Lads claiming that All Irelands in September inspires kids
We have had 120 odd Hurling Finals in September and Hurling hasn't grown outside of its traditional base in all that time
GAA marketing is a laughable oxymoron
The only time it's been effective is when the likes of Guinness have ran campaigns
Headhunt and hire in people who have worked with the rugby,they know how to turn a sows ear into a silk purse in terms of visibility engagement and ticket sales
Quote from: square_ball on April 09, 2024, 11:32:46 AMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 09, 2024, 11:10:22 AMI will add I don't understand the too many games argument either. So what if a county team plays 6 games in 6 weekends or whatever, wouldn't this be standard at club level? It's not like teams are being asked to play multiple games a week. Is 1 game a week over a few months too much?
I agree with this. For example Tyrone if they were to make the All Ireland final via winning Ulster (I know I know highly unlikely but not impossible) they would play 9 matches in 15 weeks from 21st April to 28th July. Is that excessive? They played 8 matches in the same number of weeks in the old system in 2008 though I appreciate they would have had a longer break between league and championship but would have been playing club football in that break.
The issue isnt the players its the fans. If you took a family of 4 to all 9 games in the 15 weeks at todays prices it would cost a fortunate for the tickets and fuel alone never mind actually buying anything.
Say this weekend for armagh fans. 2 adults and 2 kids is £40 plus another £20 in fuel. £60 before a drink or snack is bought.
Bear in mind the costs goes up significantly as the season progresses.
Still can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
Quote from: clonadmad on April 09, 2024, 11:59:51 AMQuote from: seafoid on April 09, 2024, 11:26:35 AMQuote from: clonadmad on April 09, 2024, 10:27:02 AMQuote from: seafoid on April 09, 2024, 09:31:59 AMQuote from: clonadmad on April 08, 2024, 10:38:12 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 10:30:06 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Grassroots ?
Grassroots is the club's, son who are delighted with the defined split season
Not so happy are the paid shills and expensed intercounty managers who have had a bit of power taken away from them.
Oh and the prawn sandwich crew which live for the days in Premium in "Croker" and would struggle to find their nearest club grounds
Maybe the Club Players Association with its 25,000 members should come back into being to lobby every CLUB delegate before every county convention, should any motion to erode what has been hard won come before Congress
Everybody who follows county has a club and is grassroots. It is not one or the other. People are happy with more time for clubs but not with the state of the all Ireland- things like not playing in August and September, the rushed nature of things, the lack of joined up thinking.
The current all Ireland system is not a solution. And club vs county is not a culture war. Most people are both. They want an all Ireland system that works.
Go on then
Give us a system that "works"
Because all I'm seeing everywhere is a whole load of lads that are making money out of the game whinging
But not offering a lot of workable solutions
Have you ever come across Michael Foley's analysis? He did it in last Sunday's sunday times.
There are too many matches that don't mean anything. The league has been devalued.The championship has elements of the league. And there is no margin. I think the club idea is fine. It's how the championship is run
This is what he said :
"The GAA aren't quite there yet with running the provincial championship in early spring before stretching a league-based all Ireland championship from April to early august "
What would you think of that ?
Firstly that's Michael Foleys solution not your own
Do you have a solution that isn't anyone else's ?
Secondly
Foleys solution adds a week at most to the intercounty season which isn't what the vast majority of anti split season proponents in the media are looking for.
They want a return to all Irelands in September
Thirdly
It's highly improbable that the GAA will ditch their second most important national competition
Here's what I'd do and I'm speaking purely from a hurling viewpoint
1.Every County needs at least 2 hybrid pitchs and every province at least one dome
The weather is changing and infrastructure needs to be put in to recognise this and also allow for greater numbers playing our games
A trip to Iceland might open lads eyes in terms of sporting infrastructure
2.Intercounty season goes from January to end July
Club August to December
3.Put a cap on intercounty training sessions and a cap on team spending
Both are an out of control industry at the minute
You had that football manager from Roscommon claiming they had done 75 sessions in 80 days like it was some sort of badge of honor when even anyone with basic cop on would know that rest and recovery are more important than training
Counties allowed to start training end of November at the minute
Ban that also
County Training starts January
Players needs at least December off if they aren't involved in club finals
Monitor Enforce and Fine heavily if it's being broken
4.Scrap all early season competitions
Scrap League Semi finals
Scrap preliminary championship quarter finals
The winner of the Joe Mc Donagh plays Liam McCarthy the following year but get rid of the farce of the Joe McDonagh finalists taking trimmings every year in the preliminary quarter finals
All this frees up a min of 2 months in a 6 month schedule
5.Market the Games
Lads claiming that All Irelands in September inspires kids
We have had 120 odd Hurling Finals in September and Hurling hasn't grown outside of its traditional base in all that time
GAA marketing is a laughable oxymoron
The only time it's been effective is when the likes of Guinness have ran campaigns
Headhunt and hire in people who have worked with the rugby,they know how to turn a sows ear into a silk purse in terms of visibility engagement and ticket sales
You talk about the importance of recovery and training less, but you want adult teams to train and play more on synthetic pitches?
Insurance will go through the roof after the 10th ACL in a team who train on a synthetic pitch.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 09, 2024, 01:09:36 PMInsurance will go through the roof after the 10th ACL in a team who train on a synthetic pitch.
I've my doubts about 3G/4G pitches and ACL's as well, but have you any evidence on this?
Quote from: johnnycool on April 09, 2024, 01:31:26 PMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 09, 2024, 01:09:36 PMInsurance will go through the roof after the 10th ACL in a team who train on a synthetic pitch.
I've my doubts about 3G/4G pitches and ACL's as well, but have you any evidence on this?
I have a contact in SIS that make synthetic pitches. He reckons in a few years insurance companies will start refusing insurance cover on Astros that don't have the shock proof underlay on them. That underlay probably adds 80k to the cost of an Astro and it is compulsory in rugby but not in GAA and Soccer as far as I am aware.
Quote from: johnnycool on April 09, 2024, 01:31:26 PMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 09, 2024, 01:09:36 PMInsurance will go through the roof after the 10th ACL in a team who train on a synthetic pitch.
I've my doubts about 3G/4G pitches and ACL's as well, but have you any evidence on this?
It's not really in any doubt when it comes to the NFL for example, obviously different game etc but the players absolutely hate artificial pitches. Much harder on the body
Quote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
Quote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 01:57:12 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
I wouldn't say 2 tiers is plenty and a couple of freak results doesn't change that.
Quote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 01:57:12 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
I wouldn't say 2 tiers is plenty and a couple of freak results doesn't change that.
Probably you are right, but think we need to hold fire a wee bit and let these 2 tiers settle. The current ones are still washing out the way it should work properly. It'll take a fews more seasons to settle, and when it becomes apparent where the lines of 3 tiers lie, then set a separation for a number of years time and work toward them with rankings or such, not the arbitrary way they did it here.
Quote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 01:57:12 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
I wouldn't say 2 tiers is plenty and a couple of freak results doesn't change that.
How many 'freak' results would it take - should Wickla not be allowed to bet Westmead?
Quote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 02:27:25 PMQuote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 01:57:12 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
I wouldn't say 2 tiers is plenty and a couple of freak results doesn't change that.
How many 'freak' results would it take - should Wickla not be allowed to bet Westmead?
"Wicklow" or Waterford haven't even a hope of winning the Tallthin cup and would be more beneficial for them to be in a third tier competition.
Quote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:34:47 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 02:27:25 PMQuote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 01:57:12 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
I wouldn't say 2 tiers is plenty and a couple of freak results doesn't change that.
How many 'freak' results would it take - should Wickla not be allowed to bet Westmead?
"Wicklow" or Waterford haven't even a hope of winning the Tallthin cup and would be more beneficial for them to be in a third tier competition.
And no-one would have given Cavan a hope of winning the Covid Ulster (except Mickey Harte) but they did
There's 16 teams who won't win the Tailteann, they might not all have the goal of winning it, they of course want to get as far as possible but some could be targeting a quarter final or semi-finals as a real sign of progress, to bounce from into next year and beyond
Leave that race to the bottom mentality for hurling with its 5 tier nonsence
For me the tier stuff falls down as there is such a huge gap between Dublin alone now and the others. I reckon it will be a long long time before another team retains the All Ireland that isn't called Dublin.
Quote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 03:08:39 PMQuote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:34:47 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 02:27:25 PMQuote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 01:57:12 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
I wouldn't say 2 tiers is plenty and a couple of freak results doesn't change that.
How many 'freak' results would it take - should Wickla not be allowed to bet Westmead?
"Wicklow" or Waterford haven't even a hope of winning the Tallthin cup and would be more beneficial for them to be in a third tier competition.
And no-one would have given Cavan a hope of winning the Covid Ulster (except Mickey Harte) but they did
There's 16 teams who won't win the Tailteann, they might not all have the goal of winning it, they of course want to get as far as possible but some could be targeting a quarter final or semi-finals as a real sign of progress, to bounce from into next year and beyond
Leave that race to the bottom mentality for hurling with its 5 tier nonsence
Why not they were in the Final in 2019 so it was not a big step to come back the following year and go on and win it.
Quote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 03:15:52 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 03:08:39 PMQuote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:34:47 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 02:27:25 PMQuote from: Cavan19 on April 09, 2024, 02:06:11 PMQuote from: tiempo on April 09, 2024, 01:57:12 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 09, 2024, 12:30:06 PMStill can't work out why we don't have an All Ireland Senior, Intermediate and Junior Championship. Works a treat at club level where every trophy is hard fought and cherished. It would deliver lots more meaningful, evenly contested and attractive games.
Everything else adds to the issue: ticket prices; state of grounds; tv coverage; other sports etc.
The quality of the product is an issue with the coaches, not the rules.
And how many people even knew Monaghan were playing Cavan on Sunday - it just crept up.
There are 3 grades, Kilkenny won the Junior in 2022 and didn't take their promotion the wa*ks, NY won it last year with a team of homegrown Yanks. Going back to the previous format loads of counites opted out, Kerry cleverly used it as a bridge between their minor and Senior setups, a lot of the Kerry lads would have AI's at Junior level. The reason not to split Sam / Tailteann into a further third tier (which I think would have been your point) was provided last weekend by Wickla and Waterford, 2 tiers is plenty
I wouldn't say 2 tiers is plenty and a couple of freak results doesn't change that.
How many 'freak' results would it take - should Wickla not be allowed to bet Westmead?
"Wicklow" or Waterford haven't even a hope of winning the Tallthin cup and would be more beneficial for them to be in a third tier competition.
And no-one would have given Cavan a hope of winning the Covid Ulster (except Mickey Harte) but they did
There's 16 teams who won't win the Tailteann, they might not all have the goal of winning it, they of course want to get as far as possible but some could be targeting a quarter final or semi-finals as a real sign of progress, to bounce from into next year and beyond
Leave that race to the bottom mentality for hurling with its 5 tier nonsence
Why not they were in the Final in 2019 so it was not a big step to come back the following year and go on and win it.
A couple of freak results some might say :-X
GAA are getting called out for the lack of tickets for sale outside grounds and only with the multiple apps. Some of us have been saying that for years, it disincentives the elderly. You need to make it as easy as possible to attend matches.
Alarm bells should be ringing with 4k in Pairce Ui Caoimh for Cork in a championship match, thats barely 10% of capacity. Not much point in all the stadiums if you price out and turn off the crowds. The Clones attendance wasn't as bad but I'm not shocked either. What we really need is some journalists etc to put some analysis and stats on the stark decline in attendances in last 5-10 years, whats alarming is it's getting worse not better. Many supporters have thrown in the towel or can't afford it.
When did Cork v Limerick (fball of course) ever get more than 4k?
Quote from: full moon on April 09, 2024, 03:18:08 PMGAA are getting called out for the lack of tickets for sale outside grounds and only with the multiple apps. Some of us have been saying that for years, it disincentives the elderly. You need to make it as easy as possible to attend matches.
Alarm bells should be ringing with 4k in Pairce Ui Caoimh for Cork in a championship match, thats barely 10% of capacity. Not much point in all the stadiums if you price out and turn off the crowds. The Clones attendance wasn't as bad but I'm not shocked either. What we really need is some journalists etc to put some analysis and stats on the stark decline in attendances in last 5-10 years, whats alarming is it's getting worse not better. Many supporters have thrown in the towel or can't afford it.
De Cork lads are saving up for the hurling. Four big games in Munster in the next 2 months is the priority.
If they don't get out of Munster then some will start to follow the round robin football as up to that point all the football is arsé boxing.
Quote from: Rossfan on April 09, 2024, 03:22:49 PMWhen did Cork v Limerick (fball of course) ever get more than 4k?
That's fair if it wasn't in a 45,000 stadium. GAA are building bigger stadiums as the crowds dwindle away.
The truth is only a few of the well supported Northern teams that are going well are totally papering over the cracks especially in football crowds.
a number of factors probably at play weather competitiveness of games and competitions lack of real jeopardy cost of living lack of promotion other sports activities.
Quote from: Eire90 on April 09, 2024, 03:37:27 PMa number of factors probably at play weather competitiveness of games and competitions lack of real jeopardy cost of living lack of promotion other sports activities.
Liverpool vs United in big match with rugby same day, thats what happens due to earlier championship. Won't be getting any better and the Euros then in June/July
GAA seems to think more matches will even out the smaller crowds
Bit of common sense wouldn't go amiss.
Going to be more games- fair enough and all the better. In light of this- cut prices to a sensible level-let under 16's in free unless the game is going sell out. Realistically how many times a year will that happen? Most importantly go back to taking cash and selling f**king tickets outside the ground again.
Quote from: full moon on April 09, 2024, 03:41:08 PMQuote from: Eire90 on April 09, 2024, 03:37:27 PMa number of factors probably at play weather competitiveness of games and competitions lack of real jeopardy cost of living lack of promotion other sports activities.
Liverpool vs United in big match with rugby same day, thats what happens due to earlier championship. Won't be getting any better and the Euros then in June/July
GAA seems to think more matches will even out the smaller crowds
They did the same once stand alone All Ireland Quarter final attendance figures dropped and they gave us the Super 8s.
I think I deserve life long access to Derry v Donegal tickets. For the sole reason that I was in Clones in 2002 when Derry played Donegal during the World Cup.
It would be interesting to know if the people who call men like me "bandwagoners" where at that game? They complain yet they were probably sitting at home watching the ROI v Spain game that day.
Men like you and here you are crying like a baby about a match 22 years ago - neck in wind your!
Quote from: clonadmad on April 08, 2024, 10:38:12 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 10:30:06 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 08, 2024, 10:22:21 PMQuote from: seafoid on April 08, 2024, 09:38:57 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on April 08, 2024, 04:00:01 PMQuote from: Londoner89 on April 08, 2024, 01:36:20 PMQuote from: bennydorano on April 08, 2024, 12:28:30 PMGreat article/ piece with Jim Mcguinness in today's Irish News, a full throated defence of USFC & the provincial series. He made the point, that has been made here before, that counties trying to compete v Dublin and Kerry need financial support and development plans to make them competitive again - as a better alternative to just scrapping them.
The provincial structure is broken and most people just want them moved to the start of the season. Most counties voted for a structure in 2021 which would see them be played first followed by a league based championship. Now we've ended up with a structure which tries to please everyone and is condensed into half the year despite having more games.
If most counties voted that it would have been seen with the vote The current structure we have was voted in by Congress and any change will have to be done via Congress again.
Anyone I have spoken to recently about this said that the system doesn't work. There is no objection to making time for clubs but they all say there are too many games in too short a time period. People hope Jarlath burns will put some smacht on things.
Too many games doesn't wash. Nearly everyone thats ever played will say they'd far rather play more games rather than train for weeks on end behind games.
I predict a grassroots movement for change at the next Congress.
Grassroots ?
Grassroots is the club's, son who are delighted with the defined split season
Not so happy are the paid shills and expensed intercounty managers who have had a bit of power taken away from them.
Oh and the prawn sandwich crew which live for the days in Premium in "Croker" and would struggle to find their nearest club grounds
Sure we casual fans can't win. When we don't go we have people complaining about low attendances then when we do you have people like you calling us the prawn sandwich brigade. I personally have never been in the premium section of Croke Park despite being a casual fan.
i forgot to mention the bandwagon element too the big time jhonnys or whatever the term is who only turn up for semis and finals.
Quote from: Eire90 on April 10, 2024, 03:52:55 PMi forgot to mention the bandwagon element too the big time jhonnys or whatever the term is who only turn up for semis and finals.
Easy big lad....
Derry must have some uplift from the Roscommon game. I see 2000 tickets between Players,County board, Sponsors, Ulster GAA, I thought players only got 4 each [which hardly enough), so that seems a fair up lift for the other parties. Wonder what changes in the layout of celtic park has changed over the years that capacity has dropped from 18k to 13.5k, i see no changes i am aware off, or any incidents, every occurring here. Suppose the city council would have the answer for that.
Quote from: Norm-Peterson on April 10, 2024, 03:18:50 PMI think I deserve life long access to Derry v Donegal tickets. For the sole reason that I was in Clones in 2002 when Derry played Donegal during the World Cup.
It would be interesting to know if the people who call men like me "bandwagoners" where at that game? They complain yet they were probably sitting at home watching the ROI v Spain game that day.
I too was there - rarely missed a championship game with derry in 30 years.
I'm probably not going to get to the Derry v Donegal game as I'd need about 6 tickets.
Quote from: Wildweasel74 on April 10, 2024, 05:36:47 PMDerry must have some uplift from the Roacommon game. I see 2000 tickets between Players,County board, Sponsors, Ulster GAA, I thought players only got 4 each [which hardly enough), so that seems a fair up lift for the other parties. Wonder what changes in the layout of celtic park has changed over the years that capacity has dropped from 18k to 13.5k, i see no changes i am aware iff, or any incudents every occurring here. Suppose the city council would have the answer for that.
Is 18k going back to the days before the new (10year old) stand was built? Because the Tyrone match was close to 12k if I remember right and we were like sardines in the college field terrace so can't see where they'd fit another 4k+
Quote from: Brendan on April 10, 2024, 06:48:11 PMQuote from: Wildweasel74 on April 10, 2024, 05:36:47 PMDerry must have some uplift from the Roacommon game. I see 2000 tickets between Players,County board, Sponsors, Ulster GAA, I thought players only got 4 each [which hardly enough), so that seems a fair up lift for the other parties. Wonder what changes in the layout of celtic park has changed over the years that capacity has dropped from 18k to 13.5k, i see no changes i am aware iff, or any incudents every occurring here. Suppose the city council would have the answer for that.
Is 18k going back to the days before the new (10year old) stand was built? Because the Tyrone match was close to 12k if I remember right and we were like sardines in the college field terrace so can't see where they'd fit another 4k+
Health and safely over the years has cut the capacity back. As far as I understand it is because of facilities (or lack of) etc and crowd control.
One thing I did notice on the Sunday game at the weekend was the crowds packed into rather informal setups in New York and London, it looked a bit 1970s.
(https://focus.independent.ie/thumbor/ToNRq-ywV_88fJJgToAPqoBTwgY=/9x182:2972x2155/960x640/prod-mh-ireland/54dcbaf9-3992-4bd1-8459-3560960749f7/c7c822bc-7906-4791-ae53-f3014e25ddb7/Sports2781924.jpg)
Quote from: armaghniac on April 10, 2024, 10:42:34 PMOne thing I did notice on the Sunday game at the weekend was the crowds packed into rather informal setups in New York and London, it looked a bit 1970s.
(https://focus.independent.ie/thumbor/ToNRq-ywV_88fJJgToAPqoBTwgY=/9x182:2972x2155/960x640/prod-mh-ireland/54dcbaf9-3992-4bd1-8459-3560960749f7/c7c822bc-7906-4791-ae53-f3014e25ddb7/Sports2781924.jpg)
Another thing was the scoreboard as Béarla in london. Galway instead of Gaillimh.
The first time I can remember seeing the word Gaillimh was on the scoreboard at Croke Park. I didn't recognise it at first but it always seemed to follow the team in maroon. It's weird seeing "Galway" beside the scores. Brits out. Keep Ruislip Irish.
Quote from: armaghniac on April 10, 2024, 10:42:34 PMOne thing I did notice on the Sunday game at the weekend was the crowds packed into rather informal setups in New York and London, it looked a bit 1970s.
(https://focus.independent.ie/thumbor/ToNRq-ywV_88fJJgToAPqoBTwgY=/9x182:2972x2155/960x640/prod-mh-ireland/54dcbaf9-3992-4bd1-8459-3560960749f7/c7c822bc-7906-4791-ae53-f3014e25ddb7/Sports2781924.jpg)
London match plenty chose to stand than pay the extra money for a seat. It's one big party atmosphere that match with beer tents and all. Can anyone confirm if tickets was sold at the gate in New York? those days are meant to be over but Connacht GAA were saying otherwise.
Quote from: tbrick18 on April 10, 2024, 05:44:53 PMQuote from: Norm-Peterson on April 10, 2024, 03:18:50 PMI think I deserve life long access to Derry v Donegal tickets. For the sole reason that I was in Clones in 2002 when Derry played Donegal during the World Cup.
It would be interesting to know if the people who call men like me "bandwagoners" where at that game? They complain yet they were probably sitting at home watching the ROI v Spain game that day.
I too was there - rarely missed a championship game with derry in 30 years.
I'm probably not going to get to the Derry v Donegal game as I'd need about 6 tickets.
Was at that game myself and countless Derry home games through the years but hold out no hope of tickets for Donegal match,as far as I hear 110 tickets for each club,where are the rest going???
Quare change considering Derry were playing in front of a few hundred in Div4 not so long ago.
I have a stand ticket from the season ticket, but mad after 2 terrace instead so can bring herself. Not looking likely though
Quote from: Gazboy on April 11, 2024, 03:11:29 PMQuote from: tbrick18 on April 10, 2024, 05:44:53 PMQuote from: Norm-Peterson on April 10, 2024, 03:18:50 PMI think I deserve life long access to Derry v Donegal tickets. For the sole reason that I was in Clones in 2002 when Derry played Donegal during the World Cup.
It would be interesting to know if the people who call men like me "bandwagoners" where at that game? They complain yet they were probably sitting at home watching the ROI v Spain game that day.
I too was there - rarely missed a championship game with derry in 30 years.
I'm probably not going to get to the Derry v Donegal game as I'd need about 6 tickets.
Was at that game myself and countless Derry home games through the years but hold out no hope of tickets for Donegal match,as far as I hear 110 tickets for each club,where are the rest going???
Heard that, but surely it's based on membership numbers? Would Moneymore be getting the same number of tickets as 'Screen for example?
2k odd seated tickets going to the dignitaries by the looks of it
Quote from: lurganblue on April 11, 2024, 03:23:44 PMQuare change considering Derry were playing in front of a few hundred in Div4 not so long ago.
Fans were taking a well earned break is all #allaboard
Quote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 03:41:19 PMQuote from: Gazboy on April 11, 2024, 03:11:29 PMQuote from: tbrick18 on April 10, 2024, 05:44:53 PMQuote from: Norm-Peterson on April 10, 2024, 03:18:50 PMI think I deserve life long access to Derry v Donegal tickets. For the sole reason that I was in Clones in 2002 when Derry played Donegal during the World Cup.
It would be interesting to know if the people who call men like me "bandwagoners" where at that game? They complain yet they were probably sitting at home watching the ROI v Spain game that day.
I too was there - rarely missed a championship game with derry in 30 years.
I'm probably not going to get to the Derry v Donegal game as I'd need about 6 tickets.
Was at that game myself and countless Derry home games through the years but hold out no hope of tickets for Donegal match,as far as I hear 110 tickets for each club,where are the rest going???
Heard that, but surely it's based on membership numbers? Would Moneymore be getting the same number of tickets as 'Screen for example?
2k odd seated tickets going to the dignitaries by the looks of it
Well I heard of three clubs getting 110 tickets,so take it's the same for all,and all drawing them out as there is not enough to go around members
Quote from: lurganblue on April 11, 2024, 03:23:44 PMQuare change considering Derry were playing in front of a few hundred in Div4 not so long ago.
Yeah I know what you mean,was at all them div 4 matches and seen first hand what it was like crowd wise,that's the way it goes unfortunately.
Quote from: Gazboy on April 11, 2024, 04:46:22 PMQuote from: lurganblue on April 11, 2024, 03:23:44 PMQuare change considering Derry were playing in front of a few hundred in Div4 not so long ago.
Yeah I know what you mean,was at all them div 4 matches and seen first hand what it was like crowd wise,that's the way it goes unfortunately.
I remember the lad scanning my season card for attendance and had a chuckle to himself. We have come a long way
Quote from: markl121 on April 11, 2024, 05:00:51 PMQuote from: Gazboy on April 11, 2024, 04:46:22 PMQuote from: lurganblue on April 11, 2024, 03:23:44 PMQuare change considering Derry were playing in front of a few hundred in Div4 not so long ago.
Yeah I know what you mean,was at all them div 4 matches and seen first hand what it was like crowd wise,that's the way it goes unfortunately.
I remember the lad scanning my season card for attendance and had a chuckle to himself. We have come a long way
Probably most fans were at them Div 4 games will be unable to get tickets for Donegal match
In 2017, 2018 you could have walked into the athletic grounds 5 minutes before thrown in for a league game and had your pick of a seat, now they queue an hour before thrown in, success does that, well some measure of success for Armagh. Be happy your team is doing well, don't know any real supporter not getting tickets for any Armagh game.
I would argue that the lack of success for both Armagh and Mayo has kept their fans coming back in their droves. Funny how it works. Tyrones fan base has fallen off significantly after winning their last all ireland
Quote from: Tones on April 11, 2024, 06:56:22 PMIn 2017, 2018 you could have walked into the athletic grounds 5 minutes before thrown in for a league game and had your pick of a seat, now they queue an hour before thrown in, success does that, well some measure of success for Armagh. Be happy your team is doing well, don't know any real supporter not getting tickets for any Armagh game.
Don't think so.
Derry and Donegal not exactly queuing up to guarantee their tickets, which is rather odd as Derry has a good chance of reaching the AI final.
(https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=1600/https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/5KQJU03RGANF/image.png)
Quote from: armaghniac on April 11, 2024, 09:09:03 PMDerry and Donegal not exactly queuing up to guarantee their tickets, which is rather odd as Derry has a good chance of reaching the AI final.
(https://us.v-cdn.net/cdn-cgi/image/fit=scale-down,width=1600/https://us.v-cdn.net/6034073/uploads/5KQJU03RGANF/image.png)
300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Quote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 09:12:00 PM300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Yet there will be endless whining if Derry do reach the All Ireland.
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 11, 2024, 08:04:04 PMQuote from: Tones on April 11, 2024, 06:56:22 PMIn 2017, 2018 you could have walked into the athletic grounds 5 minutes before thrown in for a league game and had your pick of a seat, now they queue an hour before thrown in, success does that, well some measure of success for Armagh. Be happy your team is doing well, don't know any real supporter not getting tickets for any Armagh game.
Don't think so.
I walk to all home games now I walk an hour early I think you'll find 4 to 5k max in those years some matches far less. They are basically 10k now.
Quote from: armaghniac on April 11, 2024, 09:21:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 09:12:00 PM300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Yet there will be endless whining if Derry do reach the All Ireland.
Could it reach the lunacy levels of '93?? That would be something to behold. Hoor's still haven't spoken to each other since. Clubs really struggled to get anyone to fill committee positions in' 94.
Thing is though, if they drastically decreased the corporate numbers attending the AI Final and increased the % to both senior finalists, pretty much everyone whose deserves a ticket would get one out of a capacity of over 82k.
I believe around 50% of the Celtic Pk stand is going to Donegal and Derry clubs, that's a hell of alot of seats going elsewhere.
Quote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 10:21:21 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 11, 2024, 09:21:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 09:12:00 PM300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Yet there will be endless whining if Derry do reach the All Ireland.
Could it reach the lunacy levels of '93?? That would be something to behold. Hoor's still haven't spoken to each other since. Clubs really struggled to get anyone to fill committee positions in' 94.
Thing is though, if they drastically decreased the corporate numbers attending the AI Final and increased the % to both senior finalists, pretty much everyone whose deserves a ticket would get one out of a capacity of over 82k.
I believe around 50% of the Celtic Pk stand is going to Donegal and Derry clubs, that's a hell of alot of seats going elsewhere.
See if we got rid of the "corporates" their money and the over paid coaches they enable would the game be in a far better place?
Quote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 10:21:21 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 11, 2024, 09:21:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 09:12:00 PM300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Yet there will be endless whining if Derry do reach the All Ireland.
Could it reach the lunacy levels of '93?? That would be something to behold. Hoor's still haven't spoken to each other since. Clubs really struggled to get anyone to fill committee positions in' 94.
Thing is though, if they drastically decreased the corporate numbers attending the AI Final and increased the % to both senior finalists, pretty much everyone whose deserves a ticket would get one out of a capacity of over 82k.
I believe around 50% of the Celtic Pk stand is going to Donegal and Derry clubs, that's a hell of alot of seats going elsewhere.
What a load of aul bollox! Derry reaches its second final ever.... Of course there's going to be a scramble with the county with the bandwagon jumpers. No different to the situation in any other county in Ireland in the same position. And I don't recall clubs struggling to fill positions the following year either?
Quote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 10:21:21 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 11, 2024, 09:21:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 09:12:00 PM300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Yet there will be endless whining if Derry do reach the All Ireland.
Could it reach the lunacy levels of '93?? That would be something to behold. Hoor's still haven't spoken to each other since. Clubs really struggled to get anyone to fill committee positions in' 94.
Thing is though, if they drastically decreased the corporate numbers attending the AI Final and increased the % to both senior finalists, pretty much everyone whose deserves a ticket would get one out of a capacity of over 82k.
I believe around 50% of the Celtic Pk stand is going to Donegal and Derry clubs, that's a hell of alot of seats going elsewhere.
Croke park had drastically reduced capacity in 93 iirc - 63k? Probably much of a muchness with the amount that's available nowadays after corporates and premium tickets are distributed.
It's a nonsense to suggest that corporate or premium tickets could be redistributed to 'real' fans. These tickets are generally bought on a 10 year basis and if the rights to the all Ireland finals were removed, they wouldn't have too much value.
Quote from: Silver hill on April 12, 2024, 12:07:43 AMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 10:21:21 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 11, 2024, 09:21:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 09:12:00 PM300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Yet there will be endless whining if Derry do reach the All Ireland.
Could it reach the lunacy levels of '93?? That would be something to behold. Hoor's still haven't spoken to each other since. Clubs really struggled to get anyone to fill committee positions in' 94.
Thing is though, if they drastically decreased the corporate numbers attending the AI Final and increased the % to both senior finalists, pretty much everyone whose deserves a ticket would get one out of a capacity of over 82k.
I believe around 50% of the Celtic Pk stand is going to Donegal and Derry clubs, that's a hell of alot of seats going elsewhere.
What a load of aul bollox! Derry reaches its second final ever.... Of course there's going to be a scramble with the county with the bandwagon jumpers. No different to the situation in any other county in Ireland in the same position. And I don't recall clubs struggling to fill positions the following year either?
;D lighten up, the committee bit was obviously in jest!
Quote from: onefineday on April 12, 2024, 12:55:59 AMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 10:21:21 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 11, 2024, 09:21:52 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 11, 2024, 09:12:00 PM300 approx as far as I'm aware in Derry
Yet there will be endless whining if Derry do reach the All Ireland.
Could it reach the lunacy levels of '93?? That would be something to behold. Hoor's still haven't spoken to each other since. Clubs really struggled to get anyone to fill committee positions in' 94.
Thing is though, if they drastically decreased the corporate numbers attending the AI Final and increased the % to both senior finalists, pretty much everyone whose deserves a ticket would get one out of a capacity of over 82k.
I believe around 50% of the Celtic Pk stand is going to Donegal and Derry clubs, that's a hell of alot of seats going elsewhere.
Croke park had drastically reduced capacity in 93 iirc - 63k? Probably much of a muchness with the amount that's available nowadays after corporates and premium tickets are distributed.
It's a nonsense to suggest that corporate or premium tickets could be redistributed to 'real' fans. These tickets are generally bought on a 10 year basis and if the rights to the all Ireland finals were removed, they wouldn't have too much value.
Not 'corporate' corporate, those seats are pre paid for...the many thousands in regular seats that won't have been to a single game all year, the sweeteners
Popcorn stuff listening to the Derry wans - "real supporters" mind you.
Quote from: Tones on April 12, 2024, 07:56:21 AMPopcorn stuff listing the the Derry wans - "real supporters" mind you.
You do realise you're quoting yourself Coco? ;D
You got your ticket for the All Ireland Final yet?
Quote from: Tones on April 12, 2024, 08:59:46 AMYou got your ticket for the All Ireland Final yet?
Quality comeback (clapping emoji)
Sixty thousand empty seats in Croke Park for a Dublin Meath championship match. What a sad state of affairs.
Quote from: Sportacus on April 14, 2024, 05:26:12 PMSixty thousand empty seats in Croke Park for a Dublin Meath championship match. What a sad state of affairs.
Sad indeed
A number of obvious reasons for it , but one thing I have to say from watching a numbers of games this weekend, is that the quality of football right now is absolutely dire
All the massive backroom teams are running and ruining the sport.
The more professional it becomes at county and club level the more of a disconnect occurs.
Jarlath Burns needs to derail the train.
Is it any consolation that more kids than I've ever seen in my lifetime are actually playing the games? Although being a Derry man the success of late may have encouraged that
Cusack Park in Ennis after getting the go ahead to increase capacity from 18.8k to over 20k to accommodate Clare v Limerick
Quote from: AustinPowers on April 14, 2024, 08:53:25 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 14, 2024, 05:26:12 PMSixty thousand empty seats in Croke Park for a Dublin Meath championship match. What a sad state of affairs.
Sad indeed
A number of obvious reasons for it , but one thing I have to say from watching a numbers of games this weekend, is that the quality of football right now is absolutely dire
As a spectacle it really has become a poor game to watch. Ruined by over coaching and stats, the level of crowd engagement at a match has never been lower.
Your money at the turnstile is effectively funding a host of professional coaches and over inflated backroom teams.
Quote from: yellowcard on April 14, 2024, 10:17:49 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on April 14, 2024, 08:53:25 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 14, 2024, 05:26:12 PMSixty thousand empty seats in Croke Park for a Dublin Meath championship match. What a sad state of affairs.
Sad indeed
A number of obvious reasons for it , but one thing I have to say from watching a numbers of games this weekend, is that the quality of football right now is absolutely dire
As a spectacle it really has become a poor game to watch. Ruined by over coaching and stats, the level of crowd engagement at a match has never been lower.
Your money at the turnstile is effectively funding a host of professional coaches and over inflated backroom teams.
Whatever about tactics etc, when games aren't competitive and the competition is largely meaningless anyway, with little or no jeopardy, why would people turn up?
By the way, I hope you've all completed your survey for the football review committee?
Quote from: yellowcard on April 14, 2024, 10:17:49 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on April 14, 2024, 08:53:25 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 14, 2024, 05:26:12 PMSixty thousand empty seats in Croke Park for a Dublin Meath championship match. What a sad state of affairs.
Sad indeed
A number of obvious reasons for it , but one thing I have to say from watching a numbers of games this weekend, is that the quality of football right now is absolutely dire
As a spectacle it really has become a poor game to watch. Ruined by over coaching and stats, the level of crowd engagement at a match has never been lower.
Yes and no. The league final was a fantastic game. The latter stages of the AI last year were pretty compelling. Lots of mismatches in the early stages, like every year, but that's not uncommon in sport. Look at the top 5 or 6 European soccer leagues this year, and the top teams are pretty much scunnering everyone else.
should be hard rule anyway that only semi finals and final of any competition is in croke park
Quote from: Jell 0 Biafra on April 15, 2024, 01:04:06 AMQuote from: yellowcard on April 14, 2024, 10:17:49 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on April 14, 2024, 08:53:25 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 14, 2024, 05:26:12 PMSixty thousand empty seats in Croke Park for a Dublin Meath championship match. What a sad state of affairs.
Sad indeed
A number of obvious reasons for it , but one thing I have to say from watching a numbers of games this weekend, is that the quality of football right now is absolutely dire
As a spectacle it really has become a poor game to watch. Ruined by over coaching and stats, the level of crowd engagement at a match has never been lower.
Yes and no. The league final was a fantastic game. The latter stages of the AI last year were pretty compelling. Lots of mismatches in the early stages, like every year, but that's not uncommon in sport. Look at the top 5 or 6 European soccer leagues this year, and the top teams are pretty much scunnering everyone else.
The League final was great but it was a rarity. I don't think we should be measuring it against soccer but it's almost become possession orientated in the way that soccer is. The difference is that the level of technical skill required in soccer is much higher to retain possession.
Gaelic football was not designed to be a possession sport. It should be a game of duels, collisions and end to end action played at fast pace. It has become anything but that due mostly to data analytics and professional coaches exploiting the rules.
Quote from: yellowcard on April 15, 2024, 10:09:59 AMQuote from: Jell 0 Biafra on April 15, 2024, 01:04:06 AMQuote from: yellowcard on April 14, 2024, 10:17:49 PMQuote from: AustinPowers on April 14, 2024, 08:53:25 PMQuote from: Sportacus on April 14, 2024, 05:26:12 PMSixty thousand empty seats in Croke Park for a Dublin Meath championship match. What a sad state of affairs.
Sad indeed
A number of obvious reasons for it , but one thing I have to say from watching a numbers of games this weekend, is that the quality of football right now is absolutely dire
As a spectacle it really has become a poor game to watch. Ruined by over coaching and stats, the level of crowd engagement at a match has never been lower.
Yes and no. The league final was a fantastic game. The latter stages of the AI last year were pretty compelling. Lots of mismatches in the early stages, like every year, but that's not uncommon in sport. Look at the top 5 or 6 European soccer leagues this year, and the top teams are pretty much scunnering everyone else.
The League final was great but it was a rarity. I don't think we should be measuring it against soccer but it's almost become possession orientated in the way that soccer is. The difference is that the level of technical skill required in soccer is much higher to retain possession.
Gaelic football was not designed to be a possession sport. It should be a game of duels, collisions and end to end action played at fast pace. It has become anything but that due mostly to data analytics and professional coaches exploiting the rules.
I was thinking about this over the weekend and how the game has changed so much and not necessarily for the better. When I first started playing senior football 20 years ago it was all about your ability as a footballer - fitness was always important but was always secondary. I think nowadays you can't make it as a footballer (including club level) unless you have the fitness and athleticism to constantly bomb up and down the pitch. Positions mean less and less nowadays and stupid rules like the mark have not enhanced the game one bit. The je ne sais quoi is gone.
In the early noughties there was a media/pundit backlash against Gaelic Football. Puke football and all that. Yet despite being told every week that football was crap, we knew better ourselves... and crowds were never higher.
What we've arrived at 20 years later is different. We now face an utterly dismal viewing experience.
There is only a limited amount of people on this earth who will travel and pay >£20 to solemnly sit bored out of their wits for an hour and a half. And that number is dwindling rapidly.
The occasional classic has saved the sport's bacon for the past decade.
But that's no longer enough.
Wake me up when the rules have changed for i'm not tuning into another game this year.
It went from a propelling game to a possession game.
The rules didn't evolve to deal with this and refs letting "possessors" do what they like when they have the ball doesn't help either.
However I doubt teams are going to revert to kicking the ball as far as you can and hope your team mate up the field can win it.
Do we need to put more *restrictions on possession or bring in a tackle on the man who has to release the ball when tackled?
* limit the amount of playing it to yourself like the 2 handling rule in hurling?
Restrict handpassing?
Will 22k turn up to Clones this year for Down v Armagh ?. I'd be surprised if it gets 15k. Standing on thr hill last year surrounded by the buckfast brigade is not something to experience. Let alone the pissing rain in a kip of a ground and getting a hiding. :D
the interprovincial football championships have been rendered meaningless for most counties either because of the round robin AI or the Tailteann Cup.
The GAA do what they do best and this halfway house is the outcome of trying to keep everyone happy.
The provinces still get to lift a bit of gate money, some counties still have little delusions of grandeur that they can "shock" some of the bigger counties on a given day and the really competitive counties can tick along until the serious stuff begins.
Quote from: snoopdog on April 15, 2024, 10:57:01 AMWill 22k turn up to Clones this year for Down v Armagh ?. I'd be surprised if it gets 15k. Standing on thr hill last year surrounded by the buckfast brigade is not something to experience. Let alone the pissing rain in a kip of a ground and getting a hiding. :D
I'd say that if both Down and Armagh were motoring well there would be a good crowd, but as you say Down people do not anticipate victory. Perhaps they should let people designate their county and guarantee an Ulster final ticket if that county wins.
Quote from: snoopdog on April 15, 2024, 10:57:01 AMWill 22k turn up to Clones this year for Down v Armagh ?. I'd be surprised if it gets 15k. Standing on thr hill last year surrounded by the buckfast brigade is not something to experience. Let alone the pissing rain in a kip of a ground and getting a hiding. :D
Same. I was sat behind the goals and the 2 lads have no interest in going to sit in the rain again. The forecast is dry and dull at the minute though. Still in for a hiding though
Last year in Clones was probably my worst experience following Down, and I've seen both Wicklow and Sligo putting us out in the backdoor.
The weather, the hammering the lack of facilities in Clones, its a ground no longer fit for purpose, anyone saying otherwise is wearing rose tinted glasses and thinking of the good oul days.
A few weeks later I was in Thurles for the Tailtain cup, Tipp v Limerick in the hurling was on after as part of a double header. The contrast in atmosphere, facilities, organisation etc was stark.
Having said that il more than likely be in Clones on Saturday week.
Quote from: ardtole on April 15, 2024, 03:16:05 PMLast year in Clones was probably my worst experience following Down, and I've seen both Wicklow and Sligo putting us out in the backdoor.
The weather, the hammering the lack of facilities in Clones, its a ground no longer fit for purpose, anyone saying otherwise is wearing rose tinted glasses and thinking of the good oul days.
A few weeks later I was in Thurles for the Tailtain cup, Tipp v Limerick in the hurling was on after as part of a double header. The contrast in atmosphere, facilities, organisation etc was stark.
Having said that il more than likely be in Clones on Saturday week.
I'd prefer Clones to Casement but you're not wrong has been totally let go to wreck and ruin. Must have been the plan along to get the games out of there. Some great memories of it and about the town before and after games.
Quote from: ardtole on April 15, 2024, 03:16:05 PMLast year in Clones was probably my worst experience following Down, and I've seen both Wicklow and Sligo putting us out in the backdoor.
The weather, the hammering the lack of facilities in Clones, its a ground no longer fit for purpose, anyone saying otherwise is wearing rose tinted glasses and thinking of the good oul days.
A few weeks later I was in Thurles for the Tailtain cup, Tipp v Limerick in the hurling was on after as part of a double header. The contrast in atmosphere, facilities, organisation etc was stark.
Having said that il more than likely be in Clones on Saturday week.
Lads still think it's a session incoming or you have the ex players now pundits still thinking about the glory days on that pitch. I don't think it would take an awful lot of investment to tidy it up a bit with facilities and pathways etc. You're never putting more covered areas though.
I've got soaked in Clones some times over the years. Only really remember 1 nice sunny day, 94 Ulster final v Tyrone.
Quote from: clonian on April 15, 2024, 03:46:48 PMLads still think it's a session incoming or you have the ex players now pundits still thinking about the glory days on that pitch. I don't think it would take an awful lot of investment to tidy it up a bit with facilities and pathways etc. You're never putting more covered areas though.
I've got soaked in Clones some times over the years. Only really remember 1 nice sunny day, 94 Ulster final v Tyrone.
It has been allowed to decline owing to attention on the mirage of the Cathedral at Casement. It could be tided up and while the hill will never be roofed, behind either goal could be. I've had roasting hot days at Clones too when the factor 50 was needed, but that will not happen in April.
Clones is a shithole but personally doesn't annoy me, I'm there to watch football and enjoy an atmosphere. You can watch a match and the buzz for the semi and final last year was unreal.
Quote from: clonian on April 15, 2024, 03:46:48 PMQuote from: ardtole on April 15, 2024, 03:16:05 PMLast year in Clones was probably my worst experience following Down, and I've seen both Wicklow and Sligo putting us out in the backdoor.
The weather, the hammering the lack of facilities in Clones, its a ground no longer fit for purpose, anyone saying otherwise is wearing rose tinted glasses and thinking of the good oul days.
A few weeks later I was in Thurles for the Tailtain cup, Tipp v Limerick in the hurling was on after as part of a double header. The contrast in atmosphere, facilities, organisation etc was stark.
Having said that il more than likely be in Clones on Saturday week.
Lads still think it's a session incoming or you have the ex players now pundits still thinking about the glory days on that pitch. I don't think it would take an awful lot of investment to tidy it up a bit with facilities and pathways etc. You're never putting more covered areas though.
I've got soaked in Clones some times over the years. Only really remember 1 nice sunny day, 94 Ulster final v Tyrone.
But you went home with a lump after James Mc Cartan's boot landed on your head? ;)
It's the roads to and around Clones I have more of a problem with. It would be a great day out if the train network extended to Clones, but there's no hope of that happening
how many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Quote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
Quote from: JoG2 on April 15, 2024, 07:53:07 PMQuote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
What's a train?
Quote from: JoG2 on April 15, 2024, 07:53:07 PMQuote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
In fairness we'd have to set foot in Newry or Portadown or worse still Lurgan to avail of a train. No thanks!
Quote from: JoG2 on April 15, 2024, 07:53:07 PMQuote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
Was waiting on the shout going up before last weekend about needing extra trains to Enniskillen 🤪
Armagh ones love an auld train.
Quote from: RedHand88 on April 15, 2024, 08:03:01 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 15, 2024, 07:53:07 PMQuote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
What's a train?
Be patient , RH.
A new train line will be in Tyrone any day now
Quote from: 93-DY-SAM on April 15, 2024, 09:19:49 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 15, 2024, 07:53:07 PMQuote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
Was waiting on the shout going up before last weekend about needing extra trains to Enniskillen 🤪
Armagh ones love an auld train.
Brewster park would be 12 mins walk from the railway station.
The split season cant help either. I remember when the 1st round of the Ulster championship was a great day out played in late May or early June with decent weather. Families could make a day of it and watch two knock out matches. Yesterday only me and my brother could go. His kids have exams coming up, there was no minor game, it was expensive, it was cold, it was wet it was windy and little to nothing rested on the outcome. Win and you had at least 4 matches left this season lose and you have at least 3 matches left. I never liked the backdoor for what it did to the provincial championships it was the first nail in their coffin for me. This current format is the final nail.
Quote from: David McKeown on April 15, 2024, 10:03:41 PMThe split season cant help either. I remember when the 1st round of the Ulster championship was a great day out played in late May or early June with decent weather. Families could make a day of it and watch two knock out matches. Yesterday only me and my brother could go. His kids have exams coming up, there was no minor game, it was expensive, it was cold, it was wet it was windy and little to nothing rested on the outcome. Win and you had at least 4 matches left this season lose and you have at least 3 matches left. I never liked the backdoor for what it did to the provincial championships it was the first nail in their coffin for me. This current format is the final nail.
It definitely doesn't feel like championship as every game is heavily watered down in terms of what is at stake. It's not proper cup/championship football until the quarter finals. It will meant practically the same handful of teams will be in the last 4/8 every season.
There will be no more Cavan's or Tipperary giant killings as with the 2020 Covid championship season.
Quote from: armaghniac on April 15, 2024, 09:36:26 PMQuote from: 93-DY-SAM on April 15, 2024, 09:19:49 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 15, 2024, 07:53:07 PMQuote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
Was waiting on the shout going up before last weekend about needing extra trains to Enniskillen 🤪
Armagh ones love an auld train.
Brewster park would be 12 mins walk from the railway station.
😂😂
Quote from: AustinPowers on April 15, 2024, 06:17:02 PMQuote from: clonian on April 15, 2024, 03:46:48 PMQuote from: ardtole on April 15, 2024, 03:16:05 PMLast year in Clones was probably my worst experience following Down, and I've seen both Wicklow and Sligo putting us out in the backdoor.
The weather, the hammering the lack of facilities in Clones, its a ground no longer fit for purpose, anyone saying otherwise is wearing rose tinted glasses and thinking of the good oul days.
A few weeks later I was in Thurles for the Tailtain cup, Tipp v Limerick in the hurling was on after as part of a double header. The contrast in atmosphere, facilities, organisation etc was stark.
Having said that il more than likely be in Clones on Saturday week.
Lads still think it's a session incoming or you have the ex players now pundits still thinking about the glory days on that pitch. I don't think it would take an awful lot of investment to tidy it up a bit with facilities and pathways etc. You're never putting more covered areas though.
I've got soaked in Clones some times over the years. Only really remember 1 nice sunny day, 94 Ulster final v Tyrone.
But you went home with a lump after James Mc Cartan's boot landed on your head? ;)
It's the roads to and around Clones I have more of a problem with. It would be a great day out if the train network extended to Clones, but there's no hope of that happening
I was on the other side so missed that.
The roads in are shite, I wrecked 2 tyres on the way home last year too ffs - only remembered that now.
Quote from: AustinPowers on April 15, 2024, 09:36:04 PMQuote from: RedHand88 on April 15, 2024, 08:03:01 PMQuote from: JoG2 on April 15, 2024, 07:53:07 PMQuote from: markl121 on April 15, 2024, 07:38:36 PMhow many counties would a train station in clones benefit?
Armagh, hoor's only have trains to Belfast and the rest of the place connecting via Dublin the critters
What's a train?
Be patient , RH.
A new train line will be in Tyrone any day now
Only when the bridge to Scotland has been completed.
Bothe equally as likely unfortunately.
Just listened to Jarlath Burns on BBC. I like Jarlath and hope he has a great reign but some thoughts (hope he reads the GAA Board lol)
He was very coy about payments being made to managers. His son is on the Armagh panel.They are one of the most "professional" set ups around. McGeeney, Donaghy, Gilligan etc are on tens of thousands of pounds. The Armagh players virtually never play for their clubs and the club leagues in the county are terrible.
This is replicated up and down the country but surely Jarlath must know what's happening on his doorstep.
Because these people are getting paid so well they are placing so many demands on players to justify their existence. This is the problem in the GAA!!!!!
Quote from: The Trap on April 17, 2024, 01:30:34 PMJust listened to Jarlath Burns on BBC. I like Jarlath and hope he has a great reign but some thoughts (hope he reads the GAA Board lol)
He was very coy about payments being made to managers. His son is on the Armagh panel.They are one of the most "professional" set ups around. McGeeney, Donaghy, Gilligan etc are on tens of thousands of pounds. The Armagh players virtually never play for their clubs and the club leagues in the county are terrible.
This is replicated up and down the country but surely Jarlath must know what's happening on his doorstep.
Because these people are getting paid so well they are placing so many demands on players to justify their existence. This is the problem in the GAA!!!!!
Just started listening. Surely he doesn't really believe that the Orange Order is in any way comparable to the GAA?
Also loved how he managed to say that the tournaments etc named after IRA men aren't actually GAA organised. A clued in interviewer would have asked him who Sam Maguire was! Or maybe he was ok because he was in the old IRA.
Is the watery Jarleth of old starting to show then after a positive start, change the anthem change the flag etc
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 17, 2024, 01:56:42 PMQuote from: The Trap on April 17, 2024, 01:30:34 PMJust listened to Jarlath Burns on BBC. I like Jarlath and hope he has a great reign but some thoughts (hope he reads the GAA Board lol)
He was very coy about payments being made to managers. His son is on the Armagh panel.They are one of the most "professional" set ups around. McGeeney, Donaghy, Gilligan etc are on tens of thousands of pounds. The Armagh players virtually never play for their clubs and the club leagues in the county are terrible.
This is replicated up and down the country but surely Jarlath must know what's happening on his doorstep.
Because these people are getting paid so well they are placing so many demands on players to justify their existence. This is the problem in the GAA!!!!!
Just started listening. Surely he doesn't really believe that the Orange Order is in any way comparable to the GAA?
Also loved how he managed to say that the tournaments etc named after IRA men aren't actually GAA organised. A clued in interviewer would have asked him who Sam Maguire was! Or maybe he was ok because he was in the old IRA.
I haven't listened to this yet, but no GAA person should ever entertain any comparison with the OO. Compare with the IRFU, FAI, IFA, basketball etc by all means, but the OO is not a valid comparison.
Quote from: armaghniac on April 17, 2024, 02:05:17 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 17, 2024, 01:56:42 PMQuote from: The Trap on April 17, 2024, 01:30:34 PMJust listened to Jarlath Burns on BBC. I like Jarlath and hope he has a great reign but some thoughts (hope he reads the GAA Board lol)
He was very coy about payments being made to managers. His son is on the Armagh panel.They are one of the most "professional" set ups around. McGeeney, Donaghy, Gilligan etc are on tens of thousands of pounds. The Armagh players virtually never play for their clubs and the club leagues in the county are terrible.
This is replicated up and down the country but surely Jarlath must know what's happening on his doorstep.
Because these people are getting paid so well they are placing so many demands on players to justify their existence. This is the problem in the GAA!!!!!
Just started listening. Surely he doesn't really believe that the Orange Order is in any way comparable to the GAA?
Also loved how he managed to say that the tournaments etc named after IRA men aren't actually GAA organised. A clued in interviewer would have asked him who Sam Maguire was! Or maybe he was ok because he was in the old IRA.
I haven't listened to this yet, but no GAA person should ever entertain any comparison with the OO. Compare with the IRFU, FAI, IFA, basketball etc by all means, but the OO is not a valid comparison.
He's after saying the most popular place for work experience for St Pauls students is with the psni. All for trying to be inclusive Jarlath but come on ffs.
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 17, 2024, 02:29:35 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 17, 2024, 02:05:17 PMI haven't listened to this yet, but no GAA person should ever entertain any comparison with the OO. Compare with the IRFU, FAI, IFA, basketball etc by all means, but the OO is not a valid comparison.
He's after saying the most popular place for work experience for St Pauls students is with the psni. All for trying to be inclusive Jarlath but come on ffs.
I suppose that it is more interesting that work experience in Camlough Car & Tractor Parts!
Quote from: armaghniac on April 17, 2024, 03:14:42 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 17, 2024, 02:29:35 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 17, 2024, 02:05:17 PMI haven't listened to this yet, but no GAA person should ever entertain any comparison with the OO. Compare with the IRFU, FAI, IFA, basketball etc by all means, but the OO is not a valid comparison.
He's after saying the most popular place for work experience for St Pauls students is with the psni. All for trying to be inclusive Jarlath but come on ffs.
I suppose that it is more interesting that work experience in Camlough Car & Tractor Parts!
He's willing to go on air and debate, and he can hold his own. Presidents from south of border don't fully understand the ins and outs of what happened in the six counties so it's a one chance in a decade period to see a President explain the GAA in the north from their lived experience. The Neanderthals won't listen, thousands probably thought he sounded fair, and many of us in the GAA will have our own personal gripes that we won't agree with him on about how we are run! At the end of the day he's as well qualified as anyone to represent us.
He's in there to do a job, and the job isn't to f**k off Unionists, the BBC have their radio friendly soundbites, PUL types can react how they like, tomorrow it'll be ancient history as the business of managing the biggest sporting organisation in the country continues, and the business of winning unification proceeds elsewhere
Quote from: tiempo on April 17, 2024, 04:18:51 PMHe's in there to do a job, and the job isn't to f**k off Unionists, the BBC have their radio friendly soundbites, PUL types can react how they like, tomorrow it'll be ancient history as the business of managing the biggest sporting organisation in the country continues, and the business of winning unification proceeds elsewhere
What is evident in that interview is the good old BBC at play - it was all from the perspective of Unionists and how the GAA hurts their feelings. It is what Chris Donnelly and Cahair O'Kane have been writing about lately - the default starting position is from a unionist viewpoint. That needs to be challenged at all levels in the BBC.
On the interview itself, I thought Burns did well. He answered everything coolly and rationally. You may or may not agree with what he said and there are a few things I wouldn't agree with myself. Nothing is perfect and if you compare Burns with that wet wipe McCarthy it is day and night.
Quote from: Sportacus on April 17, 2024, 03:46:25 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 17, 2024, 03:14:42 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 17, 2024, 02:29:35 PMQuote from: armaghniac on April 17, 2024, 02:05:17 PMI haven't listened to this yet, but no GAA person should ever entertain any comparison with the OO. Compare with the IRFU, FAI, IFA, basketball etc by all means, but the OO is not a valid comparison.
He's after saying the most popular place for work experience for St Pauls students is with the psni. All for trying to be inclusive Jarlath but come on ffs.
I suppose that it is more interesting that work experience in Camlough Car & Tractor Parts!
He's willing to go on air and debate, and he can hold his own. Presidents from south of border don't fully understand the ins and outs of what happened in the six counties so it's a one chance in a decade period to see a President explain the GAA in the north from their lived experience. The Neanderthals won't listen, thousands probably thought he sounded fair, and many of us in the GAA will have our own personal gripes that we won't agree with him on about how we are run! At the end of the day he's as well qualified as anyone to represent us.
Yeah I do like him and think he'll be a super president. He speaks well and is properly passionate.
Quote from: tiempo on April 17, 2024, 04:18:51 PMHe's in there to do a job, and the job isn't to f**k off Unionists, the BBC have their radio friendly soundbites, PUL types can react how they like, tomorrow it'll be ancient history as the business of managing the biggest sporting organisation in the country continues, and the business of winning unification proceeds elsewhere
Appeasing Unionists would be about number 10000 on my priority list for a GAA president to be doing tbh.
Quote from: Armagh18 on April 17, 2024, 01:56:42 PMQuote from: The Trap on April 17, 2024, 01:30:34 PMJust listened to Jarlath Burns on BBC. I like Jarlath and hope he has a great reign but some thoughts (hope he reads the GAA Board lol)
He was very coy about payments being made to managers. His son is on the Armagh panel.They are one of the most "professional" set ups around. McGeeney, Donaghy, Gilligan etc are on tens of thousands of pounds. The Armagh players virtually never play for their clubs and the club leagues in the county are terrible.
This is replicated up and down the country but surely Jarlath must know what's happening on his doorstep.
Because these people are getting paid so well they are placing so many demands on players to justify their existence. This is the problem in the GAA!!!!!
Just started listening. Surely he doesn't really believe that the Orange Order is in any way comparable to the GAA?
Also loved how he managed to say that the tournaments etc named after IRA men aren't actually GAA organised. A clued in interviewer would have asked him who Sam Maguire was! Or maybe he was ok because he was in the old IRA.
AOH is the same as the OO.
I hope Burns didn't compare the GAA with the OO.
BBC having this interview on unionist terms as usual.
Quote from: marty34 on April 17, 2024, 07:14:43 PMQuote from: Armagh18 on April 17, 2024, 01:56:42 PMQuote from: The Trap on April 17, 2024, 01:30:34 PMJust listened to Jarlath Burns on BBC. I like Jarlath and hope he has a great reign but some thoughts (hope he reads the GAA Board lol)
He was very coy about payments being made to managers. His son is on the Armagh panel.They are one of the most "professional" set ups around. McGeeney, Donaghy, Gilligan etc are on tens of thousands of pounds. The Armagh players virtually never play for their clubs and the club leagues in the county are terrible.
This is replicated up and down the country but surely Jarlath must know what's happening on his doorstep.
Because these people are getting paid so well they are placing so many demands on players to justify their existence. This is the problem in the GAA!!!!!
Just started listening. Surely he doesn't really believe that the Orange Order is in any way comparable to the GAA?
Also loved how he managed to say that the tournaments etc named after IRA men aren't actually GAA organised. A clued in interviewer would have asked him who Sam Maguire was! Or maybe he was ok because he was in the old IRA.
AOH is the same as the OO.
I hope Burns didn't compare the GAA with the OO.
BBC having this interview on unionist terms as usual.
He was drawing a lot of parallels with it tbh. Trying to appease unionists.
Like Linda Ervine teaching Irish and kids from mixed marriages (or unionist parents) playing for the likes of East Belfast GAA , that will do more for integration than what any GAA president says.
Most kids probably start GAA between 4-7, and won't have any knowledge of any Republican links to the association (like myself at that age) unless it's been drummed into them from bigoted parents from birth.
So , if the kids enjoy the game , want to play it with their friends and make new ones , be they catholic Protestant or other , then that's the future. Eventually the anti-GAA bigots Will dwindle away
Quote from: AustinPowers on April 18, 2024, 12:07:27 AMLike Linda Ervine teaching Irish and kids from mixed marriages (or unionist parents) playing for the likes of East Belfast GAA , that will do more for integration than what any GAA president says.
Most kids probably start GAA between 4-7, and won't have any knowledge of any Republican links to the association (like myself at that age) unless it's been drummed into them from bigoted parents from birth.
So , if the kids enjoy the game , want to play it with their friends and make new ones , be they catholic Protestant or other , then that's the future. Eventually the anti-GAA bigots Will dwindle away
As far as I know the GAA still aspires to a 32 county Republic.
Rule 1.2 of the GAA official guide states our aim as the 'strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland'.
Being a Republican does not make you a bigot... 'Catholic, Protestant and dissenter...'
Quote from: Truthsayer on April 18, 2024, 01:01:05 AMQuote from: AustinPowers on April 18, 2024, 12:07:27 AMLike Linda Ervine teaching Irish and kids from mixed marriages (or unionist parents) playing for the likes of East Belfast GAA , that will do more for integration than what any GAA president says.
Most kids probably start GAA between 4-7, and won't have any knowledge of any Republican links to the association (like myself at that age) unless it's been drummed into them from bigoted parents from birth.
So , if the kids enjoy the game , want to play it with their friends and make new ones , be they catholic Protestant or other , then that's the future. Eventually the anti-GAA bigots Will dwindle away
As far as I know the GAA still aspires to a 32 county Republic.
Rule 1.2 of the GAA official guide states our aim as the 'strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland'.
Being a Republican does not make you a bigot... 'Catholic, Protestant and dissenter...'
My mistake : I meant kids from a unionist background wouldn't have any knowledge of it at that age , unless it's come from parents
Quote from: AustinPowers on April 18, 2024, 02:08:38 AMQuote from: Truthsayer on April 18, 2024, 01:01:05 AMQuote from: AustinPowers on April 18, 2024, 12:07:27 AMLike Linda Ervine teaching Irish and kids from mixed marriages (or unionist parents) playing for the likes of East Belfast GAA , that will do more for integration than what any GAA president says.
Most kids probably start GAA between 4-7, and won't have any knowledge of any Republican links to the association (like myself at that age) unless it's been drummed into them from bigoted parents from birth.
So , if the kids enjoy the game , want to play it with their friends and make new ones , be they catholic Protestant or other , then that's the future. Eventually the anti-GAA bigots Will dwindle away
As far as I know the GAA still aspires to a 32 county Republic.
Rule 1.2 of the GAA official guide states our aim as the 'strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland'.
Being a Republican does not make you a bigot... 'Catholic, Protestant and dissenter...'
My mistake : I meant kids from a unionist background wouldn't have any knowledge of it at that age , unless it's come from parents
Ok I see what you mean. Is some who'll never accept the GAA no matter what's done to appease them.
€30 adult stand ticket for the Leinster semi-finals. Now in the past you could saw 2 games is decent for that price BUT in the last decade the product in Leinster is dung.
I can't understand why they don't drop the price for provincials at least. Even the rugby lads are redicing tickets for the Croke Park match...
Quote from: Truthsayer on April 18, 2024, 01:01:05 AMAs far as I know the GAA still aspires to a 32 county Republic.
Rule 1.2 of the GAA official guide states our aim as the 'strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland'.
The GAA tries to strengthen identity in locality, county and country. It does not prescribe a form of government, as long as that is what the Irish people want. If the Irish people wanted a monarchy then there is no reason for the GAA to have an opinion on that.
Our aim should be the promotion, playing and development of gaelic games.
Quote from: Rossfan on April 18, 2024, 01:55:22 PMOur aim should be the promotion, playing and development of gaelic games.
It's a 32 county organisation promoting our games and culture and a united 32 county Ireland. Stuck in this statelet up north, that is a huge aspiration.
Have you read the Good Friday Agreement?
Quote from: Rossfan on April 18, 2024, 02:23:49 PMHave you read the Good Friday Agreement?
Aye... and?
What does it say about the GAA?
By the way some other 32 Counry organisations-
Orange Order
Presbyterian Church
Church of Ireland
Catholic Church
Cómhaltas Ceóltóiri Éireann
Cricket Union
IRFU
Hockey Association
Boxing Association
Sinn Féin
Aontú
Quote from: Rossfan on April 18, 2024, 02:48:53 PMWhat does it say about the GAA?
By the way some other 32 Counry organisations-
Orange Order
Presbyterian Church
Church of Ireland
Catholic Church
Cómhaltas Ceóltóiri Éireann
Cricket Union
IRFU
Hockey Association
Boxing Association
Sinn Féin
Aontú
This is a GAA principle and has not been changed by GFA or anything else:
.
Rule 1.2 of the GAA official guide states our aim as the 'strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland'.
Does that mean they can't do anything in an Ireland with 2 different jurisdictions operating?
Quote from: Rossfan on April 18, 2024, 04:45:47 PMDoes that mean they can't do anything in an Ireland with 2 different jurisdictions operating?
It means a united Ireland is a central tenet of GAA aspiration and should remain that way.
Quote from: Truthsayer link=msg=2266831
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Rule 1.2 of the GAA official guide states our aim as the 'strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland'
/quote]
The sentence continues after Ireland with "by promoting and preserving Irish games and pastimes"
Not by politicking ;)
Quote from: Rossfan on April 18, 2024, 08:39:28 PMQuote from: Truthsayer link=msg=2266831
.
Rule 1.2 of the GAA official guide states our aim as the 'strengthening the national identity in a 32-county Ireland'
/quote]
The sentence continues after Ireland with "by promoting and preserving Irish games and pastimes"
Not by politicking ;)
: ) your dancing on the head of a pin there!
Just quoting the full sentence from the TO.