I have always felt that the GAA do a poor job of marketing their games despite the incredible potential they have.
Although, I will be there regardless, with the place most likely to be three quarters empty, it could turn out to be the ultimate damp squib. As somebody on a related thread mentioned, the atmosphere at a stadium with this many empty seats will be crappy at best.
What could Croke Park have done to avoid this;
Anticipate this a month ago and tell the prospective counties involved that they would be given 2,500 tickets each to distribute to national schools players, even reward divisional finalists of u8,u10, u12, u14, u16.
Do same as above for all Division 4 teams. Generate interest for potential next generation of footballers from weaker counties.
Provide giveaways,vouchers for GAA gear at the GAA stores in Croke Park.
Have the finals of a skills competition.
A decent band between the games.
A celebrity race between people like Pat Spillane, Joe Brolly and Colm o Rourke, while the band is setting up. I am sure somebody would sponsor it and in-turn a charity would benefit from it.
A charity boxing match at both half-times between whomever, same concept as above.
There must be twenty ways that this could have been accomplished.
None of those would have got those or anybody I know, including kids, to head to CP.
At the end of the day we want to see a good match live with a decent crowd and atmosphere. The trimmings do nothing for me or anybody I know. The Dallas Cowboy Cheergirls maybe or the a Lingerie Football League match ( why not - we were forced down to limerick to accommodate some lads playing in helmets and padding last year). Why not indeed. CP is a hoor of a ground anyway.
I'd have gone to Sligo or Castlebar to see Galway/Donegal. I know 6/8 would be there without stretching it. Wild horses wouldn t drag me to Dublin and probably leave the telly viewing to recording or highlights.
Sligo/Tyrone might get fewer neutrals but play the gig in Enniskillen ffs.
Yeah it's ridiculous bringing this to CP. It's a hell of a journey for all counties involved.
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
Race week in Galway this year, that won't help Galway support.I was at the triple header in Croke Park a few years ago...Cavan London...Cork Galway and can't remember the third match.
Galway didn't bring many that day...Meehans free off the crossbar was highlight of the day...and maybe a Cavan forward hitting the post 2 yards out.
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
People in Donegal are very unhappy with this & rightly so.
We want to go to a game that's an occasion with atmosphere & there will be none in Croke Park with 30,000.
For my own part I'm having nothing to do with it.
Would Clones have been a better alternative to Croke Park for this double header?
How about a Garth Brooks concert at half time of the second game?
Very good thread.
Croke Park is a joke for this.
There's a lot to be said for a good Mass..
Quote from: theticklemister on July 21, 2015, 09:10:18 AM
Croke Park is a joke for this.
Absolutely.
3 teams from the West Coast on Bank Holiday weekend.
Lunacy.
Quote from: ballinaman on July 21, 2015, 08:28:11 AM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
Race week in Galway this year, that won't help Galway support.I was at the triple header in Croke Park a few years ago...Cavan London...Cork Galway and can't remember the third match.
Galway didn't bring many that day...Meehans free off the crossbar was highlight of the day...and maybe a Cavan forward hitting the post 2 yards out.
Meath Tyrone was the other match Ballinaman.
Anyway it's all about the corporate boxes and vendors. As well as that it is easier for Sky camera crews to set up shop. All pay the GAA handsome money and the GAA have to accommodate them. This is not about anything else.
Who was the county that made a huge fuss when their Quarter final wasn't fixed for Croke Park a few years back?
These are Round 4 games.
Why is it OK to have 4a played at venues in between the Counties but 4b have to be traipsed to Croker??
Quote from: From the Bunker on July 21, 2015, 10:27:30 AM
Quote from: ballinaman on July 21, 2015, 08:28:11 AM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
Race week in Galway this year, that won't help Galway support.I was at the triple header in Croke Park a few years ago...Cavan London...Cork Galway and can't remember the third match.
Galway didn't bring many that day...Meehans free off the crossbar was highlight of the day...and maybe a Cavan forward hitting the post 2 yards out.
Meath Tyrone was the other match Ballinaman.
Anyway it's all about the corporate boxes and vendors. As well as that it is easier for Sky camera crews to set up shop. All pay the GAA handsome money and the GAA have to accommodate them. This is not about anything else.
I guess your last point does sum it up. I purposely omitted reference to this in my original point, as I did not want to be the focal point of the discussion, but at the end of the day, it appears that this is what is dictating it.
Aside from Dublin being involved, which they never were going to be due to A and B groups, this fixture was never going to sell out or even come close to it. The GAA could have planned for this day two or three months ago.
Maybe a 10k or 15k attendance may embarrass the idiots who broke up the Q/Final August bank Holiday football feast, I mean the latter point genuinely. This load of nonsense that it was to allow for smoother fixture flow, also does not cut it, as Cork are still out a week after losing Munster final replay. Somebody with a pair in Croke Park, should direct the provincials to have their respective completed by complete by third Sunday in July.
Quote from: joemamas on July 21, 2015, 01:28:41 PM
Maybe a 10k or 15k attendance may embarrass the idiots who broke up the Q/Final August bank Holiday football feast, I mean the latter point genuinely. This load of nonsense that it was to allow for smoother fixture flow, also does not cut it, as Cork are still out a week after losing Munster final replay. Somebody with a pair in Croke Park, should direct the provincials to have their respective completed by complete by third Sunday in July.
Whatever about the venue at the weekend, I think the 7 days after a replay is difficult to address, if replays are allowed. It isn't desireable to have all provincial finals on the same day, even in this forum. You could create huge gaps, but this could means that the winning provincial team would have a 5 week wait for a game and that's not ideal either.
Quote from: BluestackBoy on July 21, 2015, 08:41:35 AM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
People in Donegal are very unhappy with this & rightly so.
We want to go to a game that's an occasion with atmosphere & there will be none in Croke Park with 30,000.
For my own part I'm having nothing to do with it.
Most gaa "fans" find reasons not to go to support their county after they get beat. The venue is always a good solid excuse not to go. If Donegal took as many fans as they did to the ulster final and they were all seated together in Croke park there'd be a good atmosphere for that game.
Quote from: Redhand Santa on July 21, 2015, 02:28:13 PM
Quote from: BluestackBoy on July 21, 2015, 08:41:35 AM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
People in Donegal are very unhappy with this & rightly so.
We want to go to a game that's an occasion with atmosphere & there will be none in Croke Park with 30,000.
For my own part I'm having nothing to do with it.
Most gaa "fans" find reasons not to go to support their county after they get beat. The venue is always a good solid excuse not to go. If Donegal took as many fans as they did to the ulster final and they were all seated together in Croke park there'd be a good atmosphere for that game.
I'd agree with this. While its obvious and reasonable to say more suitable venues could have been found, a lot of GAA supporters will find a reason not to travel after a defeat. I remember one of the Monaghan games in Clones in the qualifiers when about 1,000 monaghan supporters turned up in a crowd of 10,000 V Armagh. Monaghan probably had 10,000 in Belfast V Down a week previous. One of the players told me it was soul destroying running out on the field that day, when they needed a lift they got kicked down. Always stayed with me him talking about it like that. The average GAA supporter love a big day out.
In fairness to supporters Donegal v Galway should be in Castlebar, I for one would travel and I am sure many more neutrals would travel, Galway have hurling this Sunday, its just two much to ask supporters, if Sligo v Tyrone was in Carrick on Shannon a reasonable crowd would travel. Croke park will be empty, 20000 at most, just not good enough.
Quote from: Redhand Santa on July 21, 2015, 02:28:13 PM
Quote from: BluestackBoy on July 21, 2015, 08:41:35 AM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
People in Donegal are very unhappy with this & rightly so.
We want to go to a game that's an occasion with atmosphere & there will be none in Croke Park with 30,000.
For my own part I'm having nothing to do with it.
Most gaa "fans" find reasons not to go to support their county after they get beat. The venue is always a good solid excuse not to go. If Donegal took as many fans as they did to the ulster final and they were all seated together in Croke park there'd be a good atmosphere for that game.
I'd argue that there are valid reasons for many Donegal fans to miss this game. Dublin is 2 hours further south of Clones. That's a massive journey if you have children, adds significant fuel costs, and possibly the cost of an overnight stay.
Stage a Garth Brooks concert
When Tyrone and Armagh were the big dogs on the block and bringing 50-60,000 to croker for an ulster final, the point was raised regarding bringing a few ulster finals to Croker in the following years. The gaa said no because it takes at least 35,000 through the turn styles to make opening Croker viable. Yet all Dublins league games are there ( not attracting that crowd)and these hollow atmosphere qualifiers staged there also. Why not fill Breffni, Brewster, the Mark etc and get an atmosphere going.. Let the kids in free and get back to supporters travelling in big numbers again. I will be in Croker because I rarely miss and we don't get too many games there these days but I would like the atmosphere generated by a near full house in a smaller ground. But sure what do I know.......
Quote from: Redhand Santa on July 21, 2015, 02:28:13 PM
Quote from: BluestackBoy on July 21, 2015, 08:41:35 AM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
People in Donegal are very unhappy with this & rightly so.
We want to go to a game that's an occasion with atmosphere & there will be none in Croke Park with 30,000.
For my own part I'm having nothing to do with it.
Most gaa "fans" find reasons not to go to support their county after they get beat. The venue is always a good solid excuse not to go. If Donegal took as many fans as they did to the ulster final and they were all seated together in Croke park there'd be a good atmosphere for that game.
Quote from: Maguire01 on July 21, 2015, 09:34:25 PM
Quote from: Redhand Santa on July 21, 2015, 02:28:13 PM
Quote from: BluestackBoy on July 21, 2015, 08:41:35 AM
Quote from: Farrandeelin on July 21, 2015, 08:19:55 AM
Donegal have good support, as have Tyrone I think. Galway will begin to muster up some more now too... I don't know about Sligo. I'd have gone to Brewster to cheer them on though. You never know, there might be more there than you think. Or am I being ridiculously naive?
People in Donegal are very unhappy with this & rightly so.
We want to go to a game that's an occasion with atmosphere & there will be none in Croke Park with 30,000.
For my own part I'm having nothing to do with it.
Most gaa "fans" find reasons not to go to support their county after they get beat. The venue is always a good solid excuse not to go. If Donegal took as many fans as they did to the ulster final and they were all seated together in Croke park there'd be a good atmosphere for that game.
I'd argue that there are valid reasons for many Donegal fans to miss this game. Dublin is 2 hours further south of Clones. That's a massive journey if you have children, adds significant fuel costs, and possibly the cost of an overnight stay.
You're right. Donegal have played plenty of times in Croke Park in the last 5 years, League and Championship, that doesn't come cheap for their fans,
People often talk about these extra costs of playing in croke park but what exactly are they? I know it's a bit extra compared to castlebar so there will be some extra fuel costs. Though for a lot of Donegal people living in Dublin they'll save on this. But other than fuel what is the extras? No one is forcing families to go for 3 course meals in Dublin.
If you were concerned about bringing children surely you'd be happy paying 5 euro for a seat with a great view rather than having them struggle to see on a terrace?
Quote from: Redhand Santa on July 21, 2015, 10:44:49 PM
People often talk about these extra costs of playing in croke park but what exactly are they? I know it's a bit extra compared to castlebar so there will be some extra fuel costs. Though for a lot of Donegal people living in Dublin they'll save on this. But other than fuel what is the extras? No one is forcing families to go for 3 course meals in Dublin.
If you were concerned about bringing children surely you'd be happy paying 5 euro for a seat with a great view rather than having them struggle to see on a terrace?
It's the experience of a smaller venue. Stadium is easier fill. Atmosphere is more electric. A chance to see a rural town, check out it's pubs and diners. On top of it all, rural Ireland needs the minor economic kick it provides. Croke Park is a great venue. But is often watered down by teams getting to play there by not really winning (m)any matches and to empty seats.
Quote from: Redhand Santa on July 21, 2015, 10:44:49 PM
People often talk about these extra costs of playing in croke park but what exactly are they? I know it's a bit extra compared to castlebar so there will be some extra fuel costs. Though for a lot of Donegal people living in Dublin they'll save on this. But other than fuel what is the extras? No one is forcing families to go for 3 course meals in Dublin.
If you were concerned about bringing children surely you'd be happy paying 5 euro for a seat with a great view rather than having them struggle to see on a terrace?
No terraces in Castlebar pal ;)
Guarantee them a AI Final ticket if their county progress. Simple
Is the style of football having an effect on attracting the more bandwagony supporter in the likes of Donegal and Tyrone?
If you think of McKenna and NFL, Tyrone would have 3000 hardcores. That correct?
Quote from: spirit0f91and94 on July 21, 2015, 11:47:40 PM
Guarantee them a AI Final ticket if their county progress. Simple
That'd be a big incentive for Sligo supporters! In fairness I don't think there could be an incentive for the bandwagon Sligo supporter. (No offence intended - we have been there)
Joke of a decision to play these games in Croker. I assumed it would be Enniskillen but won't make the game now. At least it is on TV.
Wonder how Sky will react to being given games that are held in an empty ground. Hardly the way to promote the game and I m sure they cant be happy with the setting. You ve these presenters and analysts trying to big up games against an empty stadium apart from a load of pigeons flying around in the background. A shake-up badly needed in Croke Park. In the provinces as well.
Don't see what the problem is.Last year's double bill at the same stage (Meath V Armagh and Kildare V Monaghan) on an awful day weather wise attracted a big crowd at Croke Park.Loyal fans should welcome a trip to Croker
Quote from: spirit0f91and94 on July 21, 2015, 11:47:40 PM
Guarantee them a AI Final ticket if their county progress. Simple
And what do you do if 30,000 fans turn up for one team who make the AI? Agree it's a good incentive, but puts the AI ticket allocation way up the left (although clearly it needs an overhaul).
Quote from: T Fearon on July 22, 2015, 05:29:45 AM
Don't see what the problem is.Last year's double bill at the same stage (Meath V Armagh and Kildare V Monaghan) on an awful day weather wise attracted a big crowd at Croke Park.Loyal fans should welcome a trip to Croker
You do understand that some counties have larger populations than other and are located farther from Dublin than others? Have a wee think about it again, there's a good boy.
Quote from: T Fearon on July 22, 2015, 05:29:45 AM
Don't see what the problem is.Last year's double bill at the same stage (Meath V Armagh and Kildare V Monaghan) on an awful day weather wise attracted a big crowd at Croke Park.Loyal fans should welcome a trip to Croker
What part of the Western seaboard are those 4 Counties on?
Quote from: T Fearon on July 22, 2015, 05:29:45 AM
Don't see what the problem is.Last year's double bill at the same stage (Meath V Armagh and Kildare V Monaghan) on an awful day weather wise attracted a big crowd at Croke Park.Loyal fans should welcome a trip to Croker
Video from those games last year, note the huge crowd.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTg4db03uRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvdEoBT9eBg
Here, there will probably be a T-shirt cannon at half-time!
Quote from: Boycey on July 22, 2015, 11:23:27 AM
Quote from: T Fearon on July 22, 2015, 05:29:45 AM
Don't see what the problem is.Last year's double bill at the same stage (Meath V Armagh and Kildare V Monaghan) on an awful day weather wise attracted a big crowd at Croke Park.Loyal fans should welcome a trip to Croker
Video from those games last year, note the huge crowd.....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTg4db03uRY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvdEoBT9eBg
It's an optical illusion. If you look closely all the crowd are hiding from the rain under the stand. There has to be at least 20k there! Not bad considering the big Journey for all counties involved! ;D
Quote from: T Fearon on July 22, 2015, 05:29:45 AM
Don't see what the problem is.Last year's double bill at the same stage (Meath V Armagh and Kildare V Monaghan) on an awful day weather wise attracted a big crowd at Croke Park.Loyal fans should welcome a trip to Croker
I was at the games, there was f all there, Hill 16 closed, Davin Stand closed, the few thousand that were in the Cusack were in the shelter. BTW, as I mentioned earlier, the Monaghan V Kildare game was a cracking game that went to extra time.
In light of this, don't you think that somebody in Croke Park could have anticipated a repeat regarding crowd.
I am sure that Sky, may be doing a WTF on Saturday, I occasionally have watched their highlights from lower division games or FA early rounds, and the broadcast is clearly enhanced by the atmosphere generated by a decent crowd, granted a fair amount of them are well lubricated (with alcohol), but it sometimes makes the game more interesting.