Taken from Hoganstand
Dublin's Croker games approved
Dublin supporters on Hill 16
22 December 2010
Dublin have received the green light from the GAA to stage all of their 2011 National Football League Division 1 home fixtures at Croke Park.
Pat Gilroy's charges will now face Cork, Kerry, Mayo and Down at GAA headquarters, while the Dublin hurlers will also play two of their National League games at Croker as part of the arrangement.
After their opening league game against Armagh in the revamped Athletic Grounds, Dublin's clash with All-Ireland champions Cork will form part of a floodlit double-header with Anthony Daly's hurlers taking on Liam McCarthy Cup holders Tipperary on Saturday, February 19.
Seven days later, the footballers play Kerry, while the game against Mayo on March 20 is the only Sunday fixture. The second double-header will take place on April 2 when Down's footballers and Kilkenny's hurlers visit Croke Park in another Saturday evening double-bill.
Meanwhile, the Kerry game is set to be preceded by the Dublin senior camogie team's league date with Kilkenny while the county's senior ladies football will play a Division 2 game before their men's fixture with Mayo
Confirmation of the decision to allow the games to take place at Croke Park came on Monday evening when Ticketmaster sent out an email revealing that the ticket packages for the six games were on sale, starting at €45 for adults and €10 for children.
And new Dublin chairman Andy Kettle has expressed his delight at the GAA's decision to approve the venture.
"We're extremely happy, this is the result of six weeks of hard work and negotiations," the Fingal Ravens clubman said.
"The games fit into our schedule nicely and this is a big part of our strategic plan as regards promotion of Gaelic games in the county.
"It's also an extra revenue stream and in these economically stricken times we have to make the most of what we can.
"Our teams will gain favourably from this, gaining more experience playing in the stadium and on the best pitch in the country at a time of year when poor weather conditions would affect other surfaces. The GAA will also benefit corporate-wise with the stadium being used at a time in the calendar when it wasn't earlier this year."
Kettle added that both the Dublin county board and Ticketmaster will be embarking on a major promotional campaign ahead of the games.
"We'll be promoting the games heavily through the clubs and there will be an incentive for them to sell tickets as they will earn a percentage of receipts."
A decent set of fixtures well priced. Hopefully with a bit of marketing this will do well and help to raise the profile of the league. 3 of the 4 games under lights, if a decent crowd should be decent.
Before the detractors pounce it should be pointed out that DCB is paying rent to CP for these fixtures. In fairness our hand has been called with the opening of the Aviva stadium and I think the prompting of Vodafone.
Big need imo here in Dublin to market the game better and I suspect the crowds will be bigger than the doomsayers will predict. Easier for me to get to CP than Parnell Park which despite having won, lost and drawn championship finals there myself I never warmed to. Only a 20min walk to CP from Parnell Park anyway.
This will stick in the craw of many in Dublin GAA and will expose our younger lads to intense scrutiny which the rest of the country avoids by and large. However personally think that PP is too narrow for intercounty games which left alot of our "prodigies" majorly exposed come summertime.
A cautious welcome from me anyway.
Btw, I predict a good 5 years ahead for the Dubs (both codes). Some really smashing players coming on stream shortly.
"Dublin get the green light"? ???
I thought it was Croker pushing hard for this rather than a DCB idea?
Pushed by DCB and voted on by club delegates late last month. Negotiation of RENT to be paid to Croke Park took some time.
While I think it's great to see more GAA games in Croke Park, there's a part of me against this idea. It really shows through the argument which prior to this was just about Championship. Croke Park is now really the home venue for Dublin Senior footballers! I expect Dublin to win all over their 'home' league games this year.
So we can say Croke Park is is now Dublin's home ground?
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on December 22, 2010, 11:52:11 AM
So we can say Croke Park is is now Dublin's home ground?
That didn't take long!!!!!!!
Great news and anyone who isn't in favour of this needs their head examined. It's good for the GAA and good for Dublin GAA.
Great idea and great value.
Promote the thing properly and the crowds will follow.
This was driven by Croke Park and it's a good deal for everyone concerned.
If it works out, ungrateful culchies will still get their grants to build clubhouses, the Dublin teams will get more experience playing in Croke Park, Dublin clubs can earn a few bob by pushing ticket sales out to their wider membership and GAA members get the opportunity to get to some decent games in front of a decent crowd - some of which will be double headers under lights.
If it doesn't work out, the the atmosphere at the games will be terrible with a small crowd.
Fair play to all concerned for trying though.
Personally on a selfish level, I'd prefer the games to be in Parnell Park though.
Quote from: Zulu on December 22, 2010, 01:42:41 PM
Great news and anyone who isn't in favour of this needs their head examined. It's good for the GAA and good for Dublin GAA.
If they get the numbers. Dublin football home crowd in the league is what, average of 8,000 and the hurlers 1,000?
I think its worth a try, but you need to add the guts of 30,000 to the gate every week to make it work, and the Dubs didn't do that in some games in the Championship this year -including a double header.
The GAA centrally seem to have pushed Dublin towords this and made them take the risk on rent.
Not that I would ever question the competence of the DCB
It's been proved already that the GAA can get 80,000 for league games in CP and with the ticket package is practically giving seats away I see know reason why an average of 40,000 isn't achievable. I'd be very surprised if this falls flat on its face and I expect it to be a massive success. The poor crowds at some of the championship was on the back of some poor results, this league will be played on the back of Dublin's best championship in a long time, as long as the results are pretty good I think the crowds will be excellent.
Dublin's drug dealers will be delighted
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 22, 2010, 03:34:53 PM
Dublin's drug dealers will be delighted
Well you play golf with half of them in that public golf course of yours so you would know
Quote from: Zulu on December 22, 2010, 03:10:28 PM
It's been proved already that the GAA can get 80,000 for league games in CP and with the ticket package is practically giving seats away I see know reason why an average of 40,000 isn't achievable. I'd be very surprised if this falls flat on its face and I expect it to be a massive success. The poor crowds at some of the championship was on the back of some poor results, this league will be played on the back of Dublin's best championship in a long time, as long as the results are pretty good I think the crowds will be excellent.
We will see.
But the point I am getting at is that if it is a success the GAA centrally reap the financial benefits, if its a flop, the DCB carry the can.
Quote from: heffo on December 22, 2010, 04:12:50 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 22, 2010, 03:34:53 PM
Dublin's drug dealers will be delighted
Well you play golf with half of them in that public golf course of yours so you would know
Drug dealing in Dublin is a lucrative business I'd say,so I'd imagine them boys would play in a more high class course than my "public" course.
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 22, 2010, 04:30:33 PM
Quote from: heffo on December 22, 2010, 04:12:50 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 22, 2010, 03:34:53 PM
Dublin's drug dealers will be delighted
Well you play golf with half of them in that public golf course of yours so you would know
Drug dealing in Dublin is a lucrative business I'd say,so I'd imagine them boys would play in a more high class course than my "public" course.
Again I'll have to bow to your superior knowledge/morbid obsession on the issue
Does this mean the Dubs won't have any 'home' games?!
Quote from: heffo on December 22, 2010, 05:56:18 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 22, 2010, 04:30:33 PM
Quote from: heffo on December 22, 2010, 04:12:50 PM
Quote from: The Real Laoislad on December 22, 2010, 03:34:53 PM
Dublin's drug dealers will be delighted
Well you play golf with half of them in that public golf course of yours so you would know
Drug dealing in Dublin is a lucrative business I'd say,so I'd imagine them boys would play in a more high class course than my "public" course.
Again I'll have to bow to your superior knowledge/morbid obsession on the issue
Ah I only get to play Golf twice a month its hardly a morbid obsession...... :)
Croker inspires all teams, not just the Dubs. Hill 16 may not even be open.
In my opinion, it is an excellent idea.
It should make playing the dubs in the league an experience for all fans, not only dulin fans. I also think it will help lift the profile of the league with all the promotion that will be done. Crowds of around 30000 would be a huge achievement.
It also is an excellent avenue for gilroy to blood some new talent, in a much more realistic situation. All in all the DCB and the team should really benefit.
I just hope all the dubs fans travel to the athletic grounds (or whatever it may be called then) for the game against Armagh. Should be a great game.
Quote from: applemad on December 24, 2010, 11:48:54 AM
Crowds of around 30000 would be a huge achievement.
But crowds like that could also be a huge loss financially for the DCB...
All depends on the deal the DCB were forced to take, and I'm not confident knowing their previous.
This is great. We'll get to beat the Dubs in Croke park again..won't even have to wait till the summer.
Dublin team full tilt training at 7am on Tuesday 4th January on the Astro-turf at Clontarf Dart.They're clearly up for it but I am always a bit worried about teams giving it the message so early in the season.It's a marathon not a sprint and you need that aggressive cutting edge in the summer months. That said, fair play to the players and with the traffic problems they probably have to make these arrangements.Looking forward to Down's game in Croke on 2nd April and renewing friendships from the last time the two teams were in HQ on the same day ;)
On Twitter:
GAA Breaking News: Conal Keaney has packed in football and will play hurling in 2011....news will break in today's Herald..
Quote from: muppet on January 06, 2011, 01:37:52 PM
On Twitter:
GAA Breaking News: Conal Keaney has packed in football and will play hurling in 2011....news will break in today's Herald..
Worst kept secret for a long time - best of luck to him.
Quote from: heffo on January 06, 2011, 01:43:58 PM
Quote from: muppet on January 06, 2011, 01:37:52 PM
On Twitter:
GAA Breaking News: Conal Keaney has packed in football and will play hurling in 2011....news will break in today's Herald..
Worst kept secret for a long time - best of luck to him.
surprised at that - based on what he told some friends about 18 months ago I didnt see this coming - would have thought he would have switched at that stage if at all !
Still I never thought he was really the right kind of player for dublin - or not utilised properly.
Dont think gilroy wants him either.
Still reckon the dubs will be very close to winning sam this year- though Darragh o'se reckoned on tg4 they wouldnt be candidates !
Hi Keith, I'll keep the exclusives coming for you and you keep writing good stuff in Sideline Cut.
Croke Park
Saturday February 19th
Dublin v Tipperary (Hurling)
5-15pm
Jedward
6-50pm
Dublin v Cork (Football)
7-30pm
Who's Jedward playing against?
Quote from: Jinxy on January 20, 2011, 04:15:14 PM
Who's Jedward playing against?
Our eardrums. They are strong favourites.
Quote from: Jinxy on January 20, 2011, 04:15:14 PM
Who's Jedward playing against?
Battle to the death with the Brush
Quote from: Jinxy on January 20, 2011, 04:15:14 PM
Who's Jedward playing against?
Evolution, not looking good.
Quote from: heffo on January 20, 2011, 04:21:16 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on January 20, 2011, 04:15:14 PM
Who's Jedward playing against?
Battle to the death with the Brush
You'd fill the place twice over for that on it's own.
To be fair, Jedward is a step up from Brush!
Damien Dempsey for the Kerry game is a decent enough one.
QuoteValue is at the core of these events with an adult stand ticket, to cover all four nights, costing just €45 (if purchased as a bundle of four) and a family ticket consisting of one adult and one child to cover each event costs just €55. Tickets to individual games are priced at €13 for adults for stand tickets and only €5 for children. These can be purchased at your local Dublin GAA club, on www.gaa.ie or on www.ticketmaster.ie.
TICKET PRICING INFORMATION
4 Match Deal: Adult €45 (stand) Child €20
4 Match Deal: Adult Terrace €35
Family Packages – 4 matches: 2 Adults and 2 Children €110
Family Packages – 4 Matches: 1 Adult and 1 Child - €55
Single game: Adult €13 Child €5
Single game: 1 Adult and 1 Child €15
Single game: 2 Adults and 2 Children €30
Have to hand it to the Dubs on this one. This is the kind of 'outside the box' thinking that is missing at HQ and around the rest of the country.
Quote from: Maguire01 on January 20, 2011, 06:05:07 PM
To be fair, Jedward is a step up from Brush!
Damien Dempsey for the Kerry game is a decent enough one.
>:(
Quote from: Jinxy on January 20, 2011, 07:33:06 PM
Quote from: Maguire01 on January 20, 2011, 06:05:07 PM
To be fair, Jedward is a step up from Brush!
Damien Dempsey for the Kerry game is a decent enough one.
>:(
;D
Good to see the GAA finally putting a bit of effort into promoting the games. Its a step in the right direction. Hopefully it works out and it can be extended to more games going forward.
I hope we have Brush booked for a few home games in Navan anyway.
Quote from: Maguire01 on January 20, 2011, 06:05:07 PM
To be fair, Jedward is a step up from Brush!
Don't diss the Brush Maguire!
Joking aside it is to be commended the effort that is being made. I think it will be a success and for the guys who fought to get this it deserves to be one. Other counties may follow suit in due course.
Fair Play to DCB for this good initiative :
Some good double headers here , it should work well ..
Fixtures:
Saturday Feb 19: Dublin Hurlers v Tipperary + Dublin Footballers v Cork
Saturday Feb 26: Dublin Camogie v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Kerry
Sunday Mar 20: Dublin Footballers v Mayo (support game tentative & possibility that fixture may be moved to Fri 18th March)
Saturday April 2: Dublin Hurlers v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Down
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html)
Quote from: mick999 on January 21, 2011, 10:20:25 AM
Fair Play to DCB for this good initiative :
Some good double headers here , it should work well ..
Fixtures:
Saturday Feb 19: Dublin Hurlers v Tipperary + Dublin Footballers v Cork
Saturday Feb 26: Dublin Camogie v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Kerry
Sunday Mar 20: Dublin Footballers v Mayo (support game tentative & possibility that fixture may be moved to Fri 18th March)
Saturday April 2: Dublin Hurlers v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Down
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html)
Hope they move it to the Fri or Sat night. Better atmosphere under lights, and more Mayo people likely to come up and stay the night and make a weekend of it, rather than if it was on the Sunday.
Why would they be considering the Fri night over the Sat night?
I presume a lot of people will take Friday off work anyway to make a 4-day weekend of it so it should bring a big crowd anyway, but for those who are working on Friday it will make it harder to make the journey up.
Quote from: Tubberman on January 21, 2011, 10:36:38 AM
Quote from: mick999 on January 21, 2011, 10:20:25 AM
Fair Play to DCB for this good initiative :
Some good double headers here , it should work well ..
Fixtures:
Saturday Feb 19: Dublin Hurlers v Tipperary + Dublin Footballers v Cork
Saturday Feb 26: Dublin Camogie v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Kerry
Sunday Mar 20: Dublin Footballers v Mayo (support game tentative & possibility that fixture may be moved to Fri 18th March)
Saturday April 2: Dublin Hurlers v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Down
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html)
Hope they move it to the Fri or Sat night. Better atmosphere under lights, and more Mayo people likely to come up and stay the night and make a weekend of it, rather than if it was on the Sunday.
Why would they be considering the Fri night over the Sat night?
I presume a lot of people will take Friday off work anyway to make a 4-day weekend of it so it should bring a big crowd anyway, but for those who are working on Friday it will make it harder to make the journey up.
Sadly won't happen. Mayo CB have already shot down the suggestion. Could be wrong but I think it is because of an U21 game Mayo are involved in.
Quote from: Canalman on January 21, 2011, 11:30:31 AM
Quote from: Tubberman on January 21, 2011, 10:36:38 AM
Quote from: mick999 on January 21, 2011, 10:20:25 AM
Fair Play to DCB for this good initiative :
Some good double headers here , it should work well ..
Fixtures:
Saturday Feb 19: Dublin Hurlers v Tipperary + Dublin Footballers v Cork
Saturday Feb 26: Dublin Camogie v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Kerry
Sunday Mar 20: Dublin Footballers v Mayo (support game tentative & possibility that fixture may be moved to Fri 18th March)
Saturday April 2: Dublin Hurlers v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Down
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html)
Hope they move it to the Fri or Sat night. Better atmosphere under lights, and more Mayo people likely to come up and stay the night and make a weekend of it, rather than if it was on the Sunday.
Why would they be considering the Fri night over the Sat night?
I presume a lot of people will take Friday off work anyway to make a 4-day weekend of it so it should bring a big crowd anyway, but for those who are working on Friday it will make it harder to make the journey up.
Sadly won't happen. Mayo CB have already shot down the suggestion. Could be wrong but I think it is because of an U21 game Mayo are involved in.
Checked the Connacht GAA fixtures. We're playing v Rossies on 12th March.
If we win that, we're down to play Leitrim on 19th so that would explain it alright.
Arent ye very sure of yereselves >:(
Quote from: Rossfan on January 21, 2011, 05:53:51 PM
Arent ye very sure of yereselves >:(
Salt and vinegar?
You seem to have missed the words "If we win that"
Sure aren't ye the reigning U-21 and senior champions - we can but marvel.
Just heard that Jedward are "performing" at Croker at the first match and not in midfield. God help us
Quote from: Declan on January 22, 2011, 03:17:23 PM
Just heard that Jedward are "performing" at Croker at the first match and not in midfield. God help us
You're right up with the game there.
Quote from: Tubberman on January 21, 2011, 11:36:37 AM
Quote from: Canalman on January 21, 2011, 11:30:31 AM
Quote from: Tubberman on January 21, 2011, 10:36:38 AM
Quote from: mick999 on January 21, 2011, 10:20:25 AM
Fair Play to DCB for this good initiative :
Some good double headers here , it should work well ..
Fixtures:
Saturday Feb 19: Dublin Hurlers v Tipperary + Dublin Footballers v Cork
Saturday Feb 26: Dublin Camogie v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Kerry
Sunday Mar 20: Dublin Footballers v Mayo (support game tentative & possibility that fixture may be moved to Fri 18th March)
Saturday April 2: Dublin Hurlers v Kilkenny + Dublin Footballers v Down
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html (http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/dublin-launch-battle-of-the-brands-2505470.html)
Hope they move it to the Fri or Sat night. Better atmosphere under lights, and more Mayo people likely to come up and stay the night and make a weekend of it, rather than if it was on the Sunday.
Why would they be considering the Fri night over the Sat night?
I presume a lot of people will take Friday off work anyway to make a 4-day weekend of it so it should bring a big crowd anyway, but for those who are working on Friday it will make it harder to make the journey up.
Sadly won't happen. Mayo CB have already shot down the suggestion. Could be wrong but I think it is because of an U21 game Mayo are involved in.
Checked the Connacht GAA fixtures. We're playing v Rossies on 12th March.
If we win that, we're down to play Leitrim on 19th so that would explain it alright.
It can't be Saturday night because Ireland play England in the rugby in Lansdowne on that evening. Hence the Dubs suggested Friday night
An invitation to all you Dublin supporters heading to Armagh for the start of the national football league on SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY. It promises to be a great ocassion with the offical opening of the new athletic grounds. Pearse Og gaa social club is located 20 metres beside the pitch and you are all welcome for a pre and post match drink. pints are the cheapest in the town and a good evenings crack and atmosphere can be guarenteed. iF If your heading into town later the best GAA bar is red neds in ogle street opposite the city hotel.
(http://www.cuchulainns-armagh.com/Images/2006/Sponsors/Mal2_2006_small.jpg)