The gaa announced some time ago that both football and hurling finals would be played as a double header under lights in croke park in the autumn. Can anyone confirm that the date set is October 20th? If this is right I think the choice of dates by the organsiers is terrible for a good competition that needs to be revived. The problem is it clashes directly with the rugby world cup final. Im no huge rugby fan but I cant see the logic in this clash. Any chance of getting a decent crowd back to this competition may be gone if that date is used.
Crazy if it's set for that date. The GAA should really make an effort with this and promote it the way they did with the Croke Park floodlit game, they should maybe even play it under lights, promote it to schools clubs etc to get groups in.
The games are usually entertaining high scoring affairs, for the dozen or so that show up. It's our best players free from a bit of the pressure and negativity of the inter-county game and they usually all go out just to express themselves. Interesting to see what the GAA do with it
With the competition just a month away Id soon be expecting a bit of promotion for the event. I thought with it being moved to Croke Park it was going to get the same marketing treatment as the international rules or the opening game of this years league. Although advertising for both these events started well over a month before hand. Will be very interested to see how the railway cup goes this year with no international rules on. Id imagine all the people who were on here moaning about the international rules and saying it should be replaced with the railway cup in croke park will be attending. Not convinved it will draw a big crowd but very much hope Im wrong. Should be some great players involved. In uslter for example Im looking forward to a full forward line of Freeman, Bradley and McDonnell.
Always thought that the AI winners should be the Provincial reps in Railway Cup. for example the Kerry team should represent Munster. Reckon it would spice up the competition.
Whats any ulster posters think of this team:
Reilly (Cavan)
McNulty (Armagh)
McCloy (Derry)
Owens (Fermanagh)
Freeman (Monaghan)
Gormley (Tyrone)
Cassidy (Donegal)
Doherty (Derry)
Lennon (Monaghan)
Cavanagh (Tyrone)
Coulter (Down)
Muldoon (Derry)
Bradley (Derry)
McDonnell (Armagh)
Freeman (Monaghan)
Quote from: From the Bunker on September 18, 2007, 09:36:19 PM
Always thought that the AI winners should be the Provincial reps in Railway Cup. for example the Kerry team should represent Munster. Reckon it would spice up the competition.
And after a few weeks on lash they'd be game for anyone. The representative nature of the provincial team was what made it special in the pre international rules days. Dust ups in the heat of a provincial final were often put to bed when appearing together on a provincial side and there was the opportunity for a star player from one of the weaker counties to play with the best in the province in a competitive atmosphere.
Would the competition get a boost if the internationals were scrapped??
Quote from: Frank Casey on September 18, 2007, 09:41:59 PM
Quote from: From the Bunker on September 18, 2007, 09:36:19 PM
Always thought that the AI winners should be the Provincial reps in Railway Cup. for example the Kerry team should represent Munster. Reckon it would spice up the competition.
And after a few weeks on lash they'd be game for anyone. The representative nature of the provincial team was what made it special in the pre international rules days. Dust ups in the heat of a provincial final were often put to bed when appearing together on a provincial side and there was the opportunity for a star player from one of the weaker counties to play with the best in the province in a competitive atmosphere.
Would the competition get a boost if the internationals were scrapped??
Yes, have no time for the gold player robbing hybrid game. But you have to make a RC medal one worth winning. Biggest problem is the amount of competitions there are for top players to compete in these days.
Tyrone Dreamer, thats a very impressive first 15. But as we both know it will probably transpire to be nothing like that.
Id have Aaron Kernan and Andy Mallon on in place of McNulty and Cassidy.
Derry's Michael McGoldrick may not be far off it either.
A lot depends on what clubs are still in their championships.
A few years ago the derry v Donegal game at Clones was brought forward to accomodate Republic playing Spain in soccer, consequently led to a very poor attendance. So, if it clashes with world cup in rugby i dare say the crowd would be VERY poor!
Will defo go to the final if Connacht are in it and may go anyway. Its up to us to support the competitions or they will die. This is the format a lot of people have suggested - lets get out and follow the games.
I'd say Dan Gordan might bring Down's representation to 2 . Ulster v Leinster final in Croke Park could bring in a few punters .
Glad to see the final is now down for the 27th of October. Im pretty sure the initial press release said the 20th but could be wrong. Hope it does well. Id imagine in football the best pairing from an attendance point of view would be Leinster and Ulster.
Quote from: ExiledGael on September 02, 2007, 07:21:40 PM
Crazy if it's set for that date. The GAA should really make an effort with this and promote it the way they did with the Croke Park floodlit game, they should maybe even play it under lights, promote it to schools clubs etc to get groups in.
The games are usually entertaining high scoring affairs, for the dozen or so that show up. It's our best players free from a bit of the pressure and negativity of the inter-county game and they usually all go out just to express themselves. Interesting to see what the GAA do with it
should try to organise this for kids , so they get in free and its a promotional tool for the GAA rather than a money making exercise.
Maybe try to bring some kind of carrot for winning this.
A semi final, third/fourth play off and final should be set up - with the teams final positions 1, 2, 3 and 4th to be the 'seedings' for their provincial champions & qualifiers for the next years AI Q finals or something along those lines.
Prob wouldnt work out that way, but those of you smark kids on here would no doubt think of something these seedings could be applied to.
(maybe the proportion of TVgame and TV money/grants etc?)
not differing too much, but enough to get it competitive.
Sad to say as a Down fan but no justification for selecting Benny Coulter on form in the season just passed. Dan Gordon maybe. Time to realise just how low our stock has sunk.
Quote from: Leo on September 19, 2007, 11:15:32 AM
Sad to say as a Down fan but no justification for selecting Benny Coulter on form in the season just passed. Dan Gordon maybe. Time to realise just how low our stock has sunk.
It has taken you quite some time Leo........
An Ulster team should include CJ McGourty.
Quote from: Kentucky Blue on September 19, 2007, 09:11:35 AM
A few years ago the derry v Donegal game at Clones was brought forward to accomodate Republic playing Spain in soccer, consequently led to a very poor attendance. So, if it clashes with world cup in rugby i dare say the crowd would be VERY poor!
Lads seriously, would a Rugby match between New Zealand v South Africa/France/Australia/Georgia really draw people away from Croke Park to see a Railway Cup Final? Surely if you really wanted to go to Croke Park that evening a Rugby match wouldn't stop you??
Quote from: Will Hunting on September 20, 2007, 10:40:51 AM
Quote from: Kentucky Blue on September 19, 2007, 09:11:35 AM
A few years ago the derry v Donegal game at Clones was brought forward to accomodate Republic playing Spain in soccer, consequently led to a very poor attendance. So, if it clashes with world cup in rugby i dare say the crowd would be VERY poor!
Lads seriously, would a Rugby match between New Zealand v South Africa/France/Australia/Georgia really draw people away from Croke Park to see a Railway Cup Final? Surely if you really wanted to go to Croke Park that evening a Rugby match wouldn't stop you??
Will these are the sort of people who paying an extra tenner stops them going to CP.
It wouldnt effect me going to the game but then again Im from the north were gaelic followers havent got just as excited about "the game with the ball with a funny bounce who's rules are extremely confusing and the main aim seems to be to put the ball out of play".
Quote from: Will Hunting on September 20, 2007, 10:40:51 AM
Quote from: Kentucky Blue on September 19, 2007, 09:11:35 AM
A few years ago the derry v Donegal game at Clones was brought forward to accomodate Republic playing Spain in soccer, consequently led to a very poor attendance. So, if it clashes with world cup in rugby i dare say the crowd would be VERY poor!
Lads seriously, would a Rugby match between New Zealand v South Africa/France/Australia/Georgia really draw people away from Croke Park to see a Railway Cup Final? Surely if you really wanted to go to Croke Park that evening a Rugby match wouldn't stop you??
It certainly wouldn't help matters
Quote from: thebandit on September 20, 2007, 01:22:52 PM
Quote from: Will Hunting on September 20, 2007, 10:40:51 AM
Quote from: Kentucky Blue on September 19, 2007, 09:11:35 AM
A few years ago the derry v Donegal game at Clones was brought forward to accomodate Republic playing Spain in soccer, consequently led to a very poor attendance. So, if it clashes with world cup in rugby i dare say the crowd would be VERY poor!
Lads seriously, would a Rugby match between New Zealand v South Africa/France/Australia/Georgia really draw people away from Croke Park to see a Railway Cup Final? Surely if you really wanted to go to Croke Park that evening a Rugby match wouldn't stop you??
It certainly wouldn't help matters
The 2002 World Cup was different as Ireland were actually playing. Let's face it, that won't be the case when this non-event of a rugby blitz reaches its conclusion. The attendance at Croke Park should not be affected by a game between the aforementioned nations.
Quote from: stiffler on September 19, 2007, 12:17:14 PM
An Ulster team should include CJ McGourty.
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
Ulster Team Should be;
Reilly
Ricey McCloy Owens
Freeman Gormley Kernan
Gordan McGrane
Cavanagh Coulter Freeman
Bradley Clarke McDonnell
Quote from: the milkman on September 20, 2007, 09:28:42 PM
Quote from: stiffler on September 19, 2007, 12:17:14 PM
An Ulster team should include CJ McGourty.
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
Ulster Team Should be;
Reilly
Ricey McCloy Owens
Freeman Gormley Kernan
Gordan McGrane
Cavanagh Coulter Freeman
Bradley Clarke McDonnell
Ricey no.
Gordan replaced with dick clerkin
Clarke hasnt set the place alight this year either. Maybe SON in there instead (admittedly he hasnt done alot, but has alot more potential).
Quote from: the milkman on September 20, 2007, 09:28:42 PM
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
On current form, I would have McGourty in there ahead of Marsden, O'Neill and Mulligan.
Quote from: Will Hunting on September 21, 2007, 10:05:37 AM
Quote from: the milkman on September 20, 2007, 09:28:42 PM
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
On current form, I would have McGourty in there ahead of Marsden, O'Neill and Mulligan.
Thank you Will. McGourty would skin 99% of cornerbacks in the country.
Quote from: the milkman on September 20, 2007, 09:28:42 PM
Quote from: stiffler on September 19, 2007, 12:17:14 PM
An Ulster team should include CJ McGourty.
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
Ulster Team Should be;
Reilly
Ricey McCloy Owens
Freeman Gormley Kernan
Gordan McGrane
Cavanagh Coulter Freeman
Bradley Clarke McDonnell
interesting team- i dont think ricey should be on thou as he has lost a lot of his pace which made him a good corner back. Andy Mallon wud be better in here. isnt clarke injured? i would nearly throw Vinny Corey in FF hes a big threat there!
Quote from: Bensars on September 21, 2007, 10:26:02 AM
Quote from: Will Hunting on September 21, 2007, 10:05:37 AM
Quote from: the milkman on September 20, 2007, 09:28:42 PM
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
On current form, I would have McGourty in there ahead of Marsden, O'Neill and Mulligan.
Will there be enough room in the changing rooms for the other players by the time he gets ego in ?
Is he not concentrating on playing soccer at the moment.
I seen an interview on UTV ( I think) with him, where he had just started playing for some side in belfast. He was asked a question about whether gaelic or soccer was his first love and his response was along the lines of , its hard to tell but if an english side come looking for him he would have to go with soccer.
As another poster said "if he was chocolate he would eat himself"
I know he reads the board and is prone to making the odd post that elevates his own status.
He does not get the ego from the grass, call Gavin Bell up just for the hell of it and they could room together..... ;)
Quote from: longball on September 21, 2007, 11:21:23 AM
Quote from: the milkman on September 20, 2007, 09:28:42 PM
Quote from: stiffler on September 19, 2007, 12:17:14 PM
An Ulster team should include CJ McGourty.
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
Ulster Team Should be;
Reilly
Ricey McCloy Owens
Freeman Gormley Kernan
Gordan McGrane
Cavanagh Coulter Freeman
Bradley Clarke McDonnell
interesting team- i dont think ricey should be on thou as he has lost a lot of his pace which made him a good corner back. Andy Mallon wud be better in here. isnt clarke injured? i would nearly throw Vinny Corey in FF hes a big threat there!
longball, clarke is in fact injured, and hasn't played any inter-county all season! it would be hard justifying him in ahead of Vinnie Corey or Paddy Bradley on their form this season , but a fully fit Clarke would be in there for me any other season!
A Leinster team of
Cluxton
Griffen
Fay
Higgins
Cullen
Kelly
Cahill
Whelan
Keenan
Brogan
Moyles
Doyle
Brogan
Lennon
Brady
Murphy
Henry
Ward
Ryan
Forde
Keaney
Tierney
I've a feeling we'll see Brian Kavanagh, Paul Barden and Declan Reilly from Longford on the Leinster Panel/Team again this year.
Clarke is playing for his club & will line out against Cross in the county final next week
There's no way Id have a midfield of Gordon and McGrane. Doherty and Lennon were excellent for Derry and Monaghan. Doherty cleaned out Amragh at midfield. A year or 2 ago McGrane would have been a cert but not convinced now. Also dont think Gordon is one of the top 2 midfielders in ulster. Wouldnt have McMenamin or Kernan either. Mallon or McNulty would be better options than Ricey on current form, McNulty would be my preferred option cause I feel he's a better man to man marker than Mallon. Cassidy would provide a lot more power in the half back line than Kernan who is suspect going back.
Bensars stiffler was talking about CJ and not Kevin McGourty
Quote from: full back on September 21, 2007, 11:51:04 AM
Clarke is playing for his club & will line out against Cross in the county final next week
will this game be on tv??
Just a wee stab at it, feel free to amend. Someone had to start the debate.
Connacht football team:
1. D. Clarke (Maigh Eo)
2. J. McKeon (Liatroim)
3. N. Maguire (Sligeach)
4. R. Donovan (Sligeach)
5. C. Harrison (Sligeach)
6. D. Blake (Gaillimh)
7. D. Heaney (Maigh Eo)
8. R. McGarrity (Maigh Eo)
9. P. Harte (Maigh Eo)
10. N. Joyce (Gaillimh)
11. E. O'Hara (Sligeach)
12. J. Bergin (Gaillimh)
13. M. Meehan (Gaillimh)
14. D. Brady (Maigh Eo)
15. G. Heneghan (Ros Comain)
Subs to include:
K. Higgins, F. Hanley, T. Mortimer, M. Finneran, M. Breheny, C. Mortimer, D. Maxwell.
Leinster XV:
1. Brendan Murphy
2. David Henry
3. Darren Fay
4. Joe Higgins
5. Karol Slattery
6. Anthony Moyles
7. Barry Cahill
8. Paddy Keenan
9. Ciaran Whelan
10. Alan Brogan
11. Johnny Doyle
12. Leighton Glynn
13. Stephen Bray
14. Conal Keaney
15. Brian Farrell
Would Dessie Dolan not be a better option than Farrell?
should the railway cup team not be the irish news all stars team? would be an additional boost, and that team is picked by the fans, with player of the year as captain.....sounds good to me...
Ulster Team
Reilly (Cavan)
Mone (Monaghan)
McCloy (Derry)
Lacey (Donegal)
Gormley (Tyrone)
McQuaid (Monaghan)
Kernan (Armagh)
Doherty (Derry)
Cavanagh (Tyrone)
Finlay (Monaghan)
Coulter (Down)
Muldoon (Derry)
McDonnell (Armagh)
Bradley (Derry)
Freeman (Monaghan)
A few Subs - Corey (Monaghan), Kavanagh (Donegal), Jordan (Tyrone), Woods (Monaghan), Cassidy (Donegal), Dooher (Tyrone), McGrane (Armagh), McGoldrick (Derry), McGourty (Antrim),
ulster
hearty armagh
lacey donegal
mc cloy derry
mallon armagh
kernan armagh
gormley tyrone
freeman monaghan
doherty derry
cavanagh tyrone
dooher tyrone
finlay monaghan
coulter donegal
freeman monaghan
bradley derry
mc donnell armagh
subs
reilly cavan
mc goldrick derry
owens fermanagh
mcguckian derry
dunnion donegal
mcquaid monaghan
cassidy donegal
gordon down
gallagher donegal
kavanagh donegal
muldoon derry
woods monaghan
mc gourty antrim
corey monaghan
mc fadden donegal
Think the full forward line of bradley, mcdonell and freeman would be most peoples choice. If theyre all available theyd be hard of enough to handle.
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on September 21, 2007, 04:04:08 PM
Would Dessie Dolan not be a better option than Farrell?
Not based on this years performances. Farrell is an extremely reliable freetaker and always chips in from play as well. If he had started the Meath/Dublin replay we'd have won. Top scorer in the league too (all divisions).
you could pick two or three very good ff lines
if they were all fit and vailable
freeman bradley mcdonnell or..
o'neill coulter mc gourty or
mc fadden clarke mulligan
johnstone gordon devenney etc
mcdonnell bradley and freeman would have to be first choice at the minute though
It all depends on how the Ulster club is going or whether some players want a rest. If McEniif is manager u can bet a high donegal representation on the squad with Barry Monaghan a dead cert for CHB. If ulster get to the final id def be keen to head down to it.
Quote from: stiffler on September 21, 2007, 10:19:22 AM
Quote from: Will Hunting on September 21, 2007, 10:05:37 AM
Quote from: the milkman on September 20, 2007, 09:28:42 PM
You having a laugh? Ahead of whom Bradley, McDonnell, Freeman, Coulter, O'Neill, Mulligan, Clarke, Marsden, and theres more stiff!
On current form, I would have McGourty in there ahead of Marsden, O'Neill and Mulligan.
Thank you Will. McGourty would skin 99% of cornerbacks in the country.
Stiff your try to justify selecting someone from your own county to play! no way he is in the best 6 forwards in Ulster!
Think McGourty is on course to be one of the best forwards of the next ten years the way he's going, even if he's a Forde/browne type player on a dodgy team, Exceptional talent, and I've seen him on numerous occasions this past few years.
Experience would do him good but isn't he playing with Donegal Celtic at the minute and the Irish League starts shortly. Could be committed to that, and club committments will affect things hugely. You could certainly rule out Clarke, O'Neill and Dooher anyway, they need a lengthy recovery period.
We'll certainly see Lacey, Cassidy and Monaghan at least from Donegal.
Clerkin has always been fond of the competition, and the manager of him, so he'll be in as well as both Freemans as they're club are out of the Championship.
Reilly
Lacey
McCloy
Mallon(? if fit)/Owens
Kernan
Gormley/Monaghan
Freeman/Cassidy
Doherty
Gordon/Clerkin
Cavanagh
Muldoon/Woods
Coulter/Finlay
Freeman
Bradley
McDonnell
who is managing the Munster team ?. Agree with the poster who said it will have a big crowd if it is a Leinster or Ulster . I hope it is a success .
Kevin and CJ together will be some combination. Kierans not half bad either. A poor mans O'Se family?
Quote from: Puckoon on October 08, 2007, 10:14:43 PM
Kevin and CJ together will be some combination. Kierans not half bad either. A poor mans O'Se family?
A very poor mans........
Congrats. and well done to the Limerick footballers, who have withdrawn from the Munster panel. Hopefully, clare and Tipperary will follow suit. It is past time for the weaker counties in both hurling and football to stand up to the "big guns".
andrews is in charge of leinster, whom is in charge of the other provinces ?
I'd suggest Paul Barden will be playing in the Leinster half forward line line he has been for the last 4 or 5 years.
Longford have 4 on the panel...........Brian Kavanagh, Declan Reilly and Damien Sheridan along with Barden
Limerick footballers boycott Munster
From RTE SPORT
Thursday, 11 October 2007 08:26
The Irish Examiner has reported that five Limerick footballers have refused to play with Munster in Saturday's Martin Donnelly Inter-provincial semi-final against Leinster, in protest at the decision made by the Munster Council last week to revert to a seeded draw in the Munster Senior Football Championship.
Speaking in today's Examiner, Limerick manager Mickey Ned O'Sullivan confirmed: 'I was asked to contact five players in Limerick this week to play for Munster at the weekend. They all felt that they would not have the heart to play for a province that has treated them the way it has and that has no interest in the development of football in the weaker counties.
'So they decided against playing - which is a big decision. The players felt that they are being left out on a limb. I agree with them totally and to the best of my knowledge, there is a similar feeling in the other counties like Tipperary, Waterford and Clare.'
He added: 'The people in charge of football are completely out of touch.'
The Munster management are already without a host of Cork, Kerry and Clare players because of personal and club commitments.
Jesus talk about no coverage for this competition. Anyone know what the official squads are this year??
Those are serious shenanigans in Munster, with the 5 Limerick lads withdrawing. The most perplexing aspect (from this angle) is the fact that the Waterford representatives, at the Munster Council meeting, voted in favour of seeding (along with those from Cork & Kerry (naturally)), and much to the disgust of the general footballing fraternity of Waterford, and the 'weaker' Munster footballing counties. Mickey-Ned O'Sullivan, a Kerry Man is (justifiably) incandescent! The Railway Cup is only the first instalment of the fallout from that piece of square-wheel thinking I'd say; we ain't seen nothing yet!
I'm with the Luimneach lads on this one (that'll soothe all their problems doubtless ;)).
You will notice Fear that there are 3 Waterford players on the Munster team, along with 7 from Cork and 5 from Kerry. Another instalment in the pay back to Waterford.
To be sure Onlooker, that whole thing does not smell good!
I picked this team on Sept 21st:
Connacht football team:
1. D. Clarke (Maigh Eo)
2. J. McKeon (Liatroim)
3. N. Maguire (Sligeach)
4. R. Donovan (Sligeach)
5. C. Harrison (Sligeach)
6. D. Blake (Gaillimh)
7. D. Heaney (Maigh Eo)
8. R. McGarrity (Maigh Eo)
9. P. Harte (Maigh Eo)
10. N. Joyce (Gaillimh)
11. E. O'Hara (Sligeach)
12. J. Bergin (Gaillimh)
13. M. Meehan (Gaillimh)
14. D. Brady (Maigh Eo)
15. G. Heneghan (Ros Comain)
Subs to include:
K. Higgins, F. Hanley, T. Mortimer, M. Finneran, M. Breheny, C. Mortimer, D. Maxwell.
Surely some of the other Connacht posters has something to add to this or did I get the job?
COME ON LEINSTER!!! :D
Hey
does anyone know the final score in the football??
sorry just needed to know for work!!! :o
A cut- there is barely anything to cut from!!
The public have once again ignored this once prestigous competition.
It gives the answer to those who say scrap the Aussie link and stick to Railway Cup.
80,000 v 400 = no contest. :-[
Would love to know if the 1's on the board last year going mad about the int rules being played and that the railway cup should get that slot in croke park actually go the games. 600 is a terrible attendance for games involving the very best players in the country. Hope to see a big crowd at the final, but it doesnt look likely. Ive been a bit disappointed about the promotion so far, the gaa arent doing enough to sell it.
You have hit the nail on the head Tyrone Dreamer its all about promotion all that we have seen is a few pictures in the paper with Martin Donnelly ( fair play to the man for sponsoring the event) and a few players. with the international rules its in the Newspapers , Tv constant promotion i suppose when you have the likes of coca cola sponsoring an event you can do that.
Move the final away from Croke Park immediately! It would be a disaster. The GAA have spent absolutely nothing on promoting this. I'd bet that 90% of people on the street wouldn't even know the competition is taking place.
Also, it's hardly realistic to move from semi-finals in Fermoy and Ballybofey to Croke Park.
Add this to the fact that it's Leinster are now out of the football and you're looking at a very empty stadium!
Quote from: Maguire01 on October 13, 2007, 04:43:57 PM
Move the final away from Croke Park immediately! It would be a disaster. The GAA have spent absolutely nothing on promoting this. I'd bet that 90% of people on the street wouldn't even know the competition is taking place.
Also, it's hardly realistic to move from semi-finals in Fermoy and Ballybofey to Croke Park.
Add this to the fact that it's Leinster are now out of the football and you're looking at a very empty stadium!
maybe they want the series to fail after all a 3 week trip to oz every second year is a nice junket
QuoteThe public have once again ignored this once prestigous competition.
Does anyone really care about it anymore?
Can't say I have any interest in it whatsoever. Even some fanatical GAA fans I know have very little interest in it. I didn't even know it was on this weekend until yesterday.
The finals under floodlights should be interesting. The GAA are going to have to give away a load of free tickets to schools to get any sort of crowd.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on October 13, 2007, 05:25:54 PM
I didn't even know it was on this weekend until yesterday.
because it isn't marketed at all
Quote from: Aghdavoyle on October 13, 2007, 06:22:53 PM
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on October 13, 2007, 05:25:54 PM
I didn't even know it was on this weekend until yesterday.
because it isn't marketed at all
True although even if they spent €50 million marketing it still wouldn't interest me.
I had planned to go to the finals, even if Connacht weren't in it. Just to go for the sake of football and hurling in October really. Instead, though I have a 21st party on that night. Oh well...
that was a shocking attendance tonight from the real fans. were Celtic playing today or something???
I'd say people wanted to watch the Ireland match and/or the rugby on Sat. Was at the games in Parnell Park in the last few years and they were great entertainment. HQ have 2 weeks to market the game, I'd def be there if I was around that weekend, Leinster or no Leinster (how de fcuk did we lose the football anyway, anyone at it???).
Typical GAA bullshite if you ask me, they think because they put a game in Croker people will just turn up. also just noticed that the final is on the bank holiday weekend, that may also have an effect on attendances as Leinster wont be playing alot of dubs will not be interested now and the country lads will probably head home!
Walsh the wizard in Munster cruise
15 October 2007
Munster 2-11 Leinster 0-12
KERRY teenage sensation Tommy Walsh was the name on everyone's lips following Munster's victory Leinster in a low-intensity M Donnelly Interprovincial Football semi-final at Fermoy on Saturday.
Walsh gave more than a glimpse of his prodigious talents. Stationed at full forward, the tall and physically powerful 19-year-old was a huge presence in the heart of the Munster attack and, while unlucky not to get on the score-sheet, the son of Kerry legend, Sean, provided the final, subtle passes for both of Munster's game-turning, second half goals.
It was also a memorable day for Cork's contingent, who provided all bar one point of Munster's total with Fintan Gould and Conor McCarthy landing a litany of splendid points and Pierce O'Neill and John Miskella scoring the goals.
The second half recovery was initiated by Graham Canty (moved from full back at the start of the second half) and Seamus Scanlon who began to get the better of Shane Ryan and Ronan Sweeney.
Two splendidly taken goals from Pierce O'Neill and John Miskella – with Walsh the instigator — helped turn the tide in Munster's favour and the Leinster challenge faded.
Munster manager Seán Geaney, was naturally delighted with the result that sees Munster through to an October 27 meeting with either Connacht or Leinster under lights at Croke Park and a tilt at bringing a first title to the province in eight years.
"For a team that came together on the day, they really played as a team," said Geaney. "They threw the ball around and they fought hard for each other and got their just rewards.
"They didn't pull away from us so we were always in with a shout. At one stage there was four points between us, but we pegged it back point by point and all of a sudden we were only a point down and the lads saw they had a chance here and in fairness finished very strongly."
Leinster manager Val Andrews had no complaints afterwards: "The game was being played at half pace by everybody. Munster took the two goals, two good chances and we had no answer. We had a poor performance, Munster came back and they did well and they won.
"I thought Munster were more clinical in front of the goal. We kicked five balls into the goalkeeper's hand in the first 15 minutes. Our finishing was poor, we weren't cohesive. Munster were better on the day and fair play to them."
Geaney was forced to field a side without Limerick's best players, who boycotted the Munster team because of the provincial council's decision to scrap the Open Draw system.
Still, the Kerry man is looking forward to the final. "I'd like to prepare properly for the final and hopefully we can get one or two sessions together. It's 1999 since Munster won it last and it was 1982 before that. That's crazy when you think of the number of All-Irelands that have come to Munster between Cork and Kerry. Hopefully we can put that right later in the month."
Leinster began impressively with Shane Ryan leading the charge from midfield, and the visitors stormed into a 0-5 to 0-1 lead inside 20 minutes with Dessie Dolan, Mark Carpenter and Paul Barden finding the range.
Alan Quirke did well to deny Barden a goal in the 24th minute while at the other end Paul Casey did brilliantly in protecting Damien Sheridan's net, after Liam O Lionáin lofted the ball over the Leinster goalkeeper.
Fintan Gould led Munster's temporary fight-back with two well-taken points but Leinster finished the half strongly with Niall McNamee and Dolan landing good scores to leave it stand 0-7 to 0-4 at the break.
Graham Geraghty landed the first of two Leinster points just after the interval but then the Meath man got sent off with Aidan O'Mahony after the pair got entangled in a minor punch-up near the side line in front of referee Gearóid O Conámha.
Gradually Munster clawed their back with four successive Conor McCarthy points to reduce to margin to the minimum.
There was a brief respite from Leinster before Walsh took a grip of proceedings, aiding Cork men O'Neill and Miskella to two well-executed goals in the 58th and 60th minutes respectively.
Leinster's challenge faded then and Munster grew in confidence with Ger Spillane and David Moran adding late points.
Scorers for Munster: C McCarthy 0-5 (0-3 frees); J Miskella 1-1; P O'Neill 1-0; F Gould 0-3 (0-1 '45'); G Spillane, D Moran 0-1 each.
Scorers for Leinster: D Dolan 0-5 (0-4 frees); P Barden and G Geraghty 0-2 each; M Carpenter, N McNamee and B Brogan 0-1 each.
MUNSTER: A Quirke (Cork); T O'Gorman (Waterford), G Canty (Cork), T O'Sullivan (Kerry); K O'Connor (Cork), G Spillane (Cork), A O'Mahony (Kerry); S Scanlon (Kerry), M Aherne (Waterford); F Gould (Cork), P O'Neill (Cork), J Miskella (Cork); L O Lionáin (Waterford), T Walsh (Kerry), C McCarthy (Cork).
Subs: C O'Neill (Cork) for Ó Lionáin (ht); D Moran (Kerry) for Aherne (57); E Sexton (Cork) for O'Neill (59).
LEINSTER: D Sheridan (Longford), D Henry (Dublin), C Evans (Offaly), D Reilly (Longford); P Casey (Dublin), C Moran (Dublin), C King (Meath); S Ryan (Dublin), R Sweeney (Kildare); M Carpenter (Carlow), P Barden (Longford), G Geraghty (Meath); B Kavanagh (Longford), D Dolan (Westmeath), J Doyle (Kildare).
Subs: N McNamee (Offaly) for Evans (inj 12); B Brogan (Dublin) for C Moran (blood 12-18); Brogan for B Kavanagh (blood 29-35); B Brogan for Sweeney (62) and G Dolan (Westmeath) for Barden (62).
Referee: G Ó Conámha (Galway)
Kelly lets his hurling do the talking
15 October 2007
Munster 1-21 Leinster 1-13
THE enduring importance of the M Donnelly inter-provincial series, was in evidence at Fermoy on Saturday when, in a superbly prepared venue, in front of an appreciative crowd of several hundred, a much stronger Munster hurling outfit eventually subdued a Leinster side shorn of several club-tied stars.
"The (club) quarter-finals are on in Dublin, eight clubs involved," explained Leinster manager John Conran. "The semi-finals are on in Kilkenny while the championships also reaching a climax in Offaly and Wexford, which meant a lot of players were out of the equation."
Munster are likewise affected with championships still ongoing in all counties bar Kerry, but the greater strength in depth in the southern province was evident in the 15 who took the field with All-star nominees in practically every position.
Ironically, the most eye-catching display of all came from one of those overlooked — Waterford's Eoin Kelly giving a man-of-the-match performance with 1-10.
Credit to Leinster, for most of the first-half they really put it up to the home side and led by a goal after 27 minutes, 1-7 to 0-7.
Richie Power, operating at full-forward in the absence of the injured Eddie Brennan, opened the scoring with a Leinster point, Barry Lambert contributed a brace as did centre-forward James Young while the goal was claimed by Rory McCarthy after a bit of messing in the Munster defence.
For Munster it was the sharp-shooting Kelly doing most of the scoring during that opening period.
In the final minutes of that half, however, Munster finally got their act together.
With the two Tipp men taking control up the middle, Declan Fanning at full-back, Conor O'Mahony at centre, the defence finally got on top while up front, Michael Fitzgerald, John Mullane, Seán O'Connor and Lar Corbett all got their names on the scoresheet with Timmy McCarthy doing a lot of good work at centre-forward. It meant that Munster led by three points at the break, 0-13 to 1-7.
On the resumption, Munster continued exactly where they had left off. With their defence now completely on top, Eoin Murphy and Gerry Quinn both impressing alongside Fanning, club and county team-mates John Gardiner and Seán Óg Ó hAilpín commanding the wings, Brian Murray in superb form between the posts, Leinster could find no way through, managed just two points in the first 20 minutes of the second half.
At the other end came a succession of points from a variety of sources, Kelly was still prominent, and when the Waterford star got on the end of a laser-accurate Gardiner long delivery to shoot past Leinster captain James McGarry (who had saved a well-struck Gardiner penalty in the first-half) from close range, it was all over, 1-18 to 1-9. with nine points between the teams there was no coming back for Leinster, who nevertheless kept battling to the end, midfielders Michael Rice and Derek Lyng to the fore, along with the superb Tommy Walsh who shifted up front for the final quarter to good effect.
"Satisfying," pronounced Munster manager Michael Ryan; "We didn't set the world on fire or anything but it's the first time this group of players have played together. At half-time I asked them for a big effort. We weren't happy with the first-half performance and we said a few things. Thankfully they responded and we ended up winning. It's a historic occasion now heading to Croke Park under lights for the final and we're delighted to be part of that."
"Enjoyable," said Limerick's Donal O'Grady. "It wasn't exactly the most intense game I ever played in but it's great to get a chance to play with all these guys. It is great to get to continue this tradition and follow the outstanding names who played there before."
Satisfying as it was for all the Munster players, however, entertaining as it was for a young and enthusiastic attendance, this was Kelly's day, an emphatic message sent to the All-Star selectors who omitted him even from the list of nominees.
"They pick it on what they see, maybe on what they don't see, but they have it done now and I'm not going to cry over spilt milk,'' Kelly reflected. ''An All-Ireland medal is what I want, but a Railway Cup medal is a great medal to have as well. Individual awards are grand but it's probably only yourself and your family who get enjoyment out of that whereas if you win a medal with your county, or with Munster, thousands get enjoyment out of it. I love playing for Munster and beating Leinster is special. It's going to be a historic event in two weeks, and I hope the crowds come out in support of us. There's a lot of work going into the promotion of the series, trying to save a brilliant competition; hopefully they can."
Scorers for Munster: E. Kelly 1-10 (0-6 frees); L. Corbett 0-3; J. Gardiner 0-2 (0-1 free, 0-1 65); M. Fitzgerald, J. Mullane, S. O'Connor, S. McGrath, J. Clancy, M. Walsh (free), 0-1 each.
Scorers for Leinster: J. Young 0-4 (0-3 frees); R. McCarthy 1-0; M. Rice 0-2; D. Lyng 0-2; B. Lambert 0-2; A. Fogarty, R. Power, K. Brady, 0-1 each.
MUNSTER: B. Murray (Limerick); E. Murphy (Waterford), D. Fanning (Tipperary), G. Quinn (Clare); J. Gardiner (Cork), C. O'Mahony (Tipperary), S. Óg Ó hAilpín (Tipperary); M. Walsh (capt. Waterford), D. O'Grady (Limerick); M. Fitzgerald (Limerick), T. McCarthy (Cork), E. Kelly (Waterford); J. Mullane (Waterford), S. O'Connor (Limerick), L. Corbett (Tipperary).
Subs: M. O'Brien (Limerick, Fitzgerald 40); D. Shanahan (Waterford, O'Connor 45); S. McGrath (Tipperary, McCarthy 45); J. Clancy (Clare, Kelly 55); B. O'Connell (Clare, O'Grady 67).
LEINSTER: J. McGarry (capt. Kilkenny); B. O'Leary (Wexford), B. Hogan (Kilkenny); R. Mullally (Kilkenny); T. Walsh (Kilkenny), K. Brady (Offaly), J. Ryall (Kilkenny); D. Lyng (Kilkenny), M. Rice (Kilkenny); R. McCarthy (Wexford), J. Young (Laois), W. O'Dwyer (Kilkenny); B. Lambert (Wexford), R. Power (Kilkenny), A. Fogarty (Kilkenny).
Subs: R. Keogh (Wexford, Mullally inj. 23); J. Dalton (Kilkenny, O'Leary 42); B. Carroll (Offaly, Power 43); D. McCormack (Westmeath, O'Dwyer 45).
A very nice Double for 2 understrength Munster teams, there won't be many Jackeens going to the finals now I suppose, it will take some marketing now by the GAA gurus to fill Croker under lights on October 27.
Quote from: Kerry Mike on October 15, 2007, 10:47:46 PM
A very nice Double for 2 understrength Munster teams, there won't be many Jackeens going to the finals now I suppose, it will take some marketing now by the GAA gurus to fill Croker under lights on October 27.
Sure will you Munster boys not be up to cheer on your province? this will be the real test to see if the GAA needs Dublin fans to fill Croker. I do expect 20k kids at it tho as they appear to be giving them tickets for nothing!
Plenty of Ulster lads on here, just how many are planni8ng on going to Ballybofey?
I'm considering it but I'm disgusted at the GAA attitude to the compettion. There will probably not even be a programme.
Why is there no talk in the papers of the event, press days, photoshoots etc. Not even any mention of the squads which have caused some debate on here.
Is the Ulster V Connacht game on Setanta?
Apparently so - but sure u're beside Ballybofey - drive over.
Quote from: orangeman on October 16, 2007, 07:00:38 PM
Apparently so - but sure u're beside Ballybofey - drive over.
Live in Manchester these days orangeman but would there be any point going? Could be a brutal atmosphere and terrible crowd at it.
Total commitment lads ;D
May head if I get myself organised on Saturday. Has anyone any idea of the squads or is this to be part of the Interprovincial semi final charm?
I'm heading to Ballybofey on Saturday, I've always enjoyed this competition. Like everyone else though I'd be interested to see who is on the team/panel for Ulster & indeed Connacht!
From Derry id say you would of been looking at K Mc Cloy, F Doherty, P Bradley and E Muldoon with the possibility of K Mc Guckain and E Bradley.
Due to Glenullin and Bellaghy replay on Sunday Ulster will be without two definite starters in Doherty and Bradley.
I also see that B Coulter is ruled out with injury and would think that A Kernan wont be allowed to play due to his ongoing participation with Crossmaglen in the club Championship.
The GAA Allstar function is on Friday night in Dublin so all Ulster players nominated to this maybe a little under the weather Saturday evening - think this included the two Freemans, G Mc Quaid, Conor Gormley and S Cavanagh and K Mc Cloy.
So it possibly might turn out to be a shambles
Ulster v Leinster in Parnell Park a couple of years ago was held the Saturday night after the GPA Awards which had occurred on the Firday night. The previous night's "celebrations" were clearly visible amongst the Ulster team!
Quote from: ExiledGael on October 16, 2007, 06:36:57 PM
Plenty of Ulster lads on here, just how many are planni8ng on going to Ballybofey?
I'm considering it but I'm disgusted at the GAA attitude to the compettion. There will probably not even be a programme.
Why is there no talk in the papers of the event, press days, photoshoots etc. Not even any mention of the squads which have caused some debate on here.
Planning to head myself ExiledGael, t'is only down the road for me, at the weekend. Would hope that there will be a properly staged event, given the respect and dues it merits by the GAA.
its a disgrace the way the gaa have treated the inter pros. the only time they got it right was the year they played the final in parnell park (last year i think). the finals should be played there every year in november when people will have missed a bit of football/hurling and at least you'll get 4-6000 of a gate and a bit of atmosphere. they could tie it in with the all star w/e and do a right job of it. i wouldnt be surprised if the gaa ditch them after this years feck up, and the only munster/leinister/ulster/connacht teams will be rugby teams. a disgrace
Ulster football boss Brian McEniff has announced his team for Saturday night's Interprovincial semi-final against Connacht at Ballybofey.
The team is notable for the inclusion of four Monaghan men, including Dick Clerkin, Paul Finlay and Thomas Freeman in attack. By contrast, former provincial kingpins Armagh have only representative on the team - Crossmaglen's Aaron Kernan.
McEniff's attacking options have been weakened by the absence of Benny Coulter and Stephen O'Neill, who are both injured. Paddy Bradley is involved in the Derry county final replay, Steven McDonnell is attending a wedding, while both Owen Mulligan and Vincent Corey are ruled out through injury.
Ulster (SF v Connacht): J Reilly (Cavan); B Owens (Fermanagh), K McCloy (Derry), K Lacey (Donegal); A Kernan (Armagh), C Gormley (Tyrone), K Cassidy (Donegal); O Lennon (Monaghan), D Gordon (Down); D Clerkin (Monaghan), S Cavanagh (Tyrone), P Finlay (Monaghan); T Freeman (Monaghan), G Pierson (Cavan), E Muldoon (Derry).
Very strong defence. Lennon is probably first choice in midfield as well, with Gordon being ok. Up front its definately not the first choice 6 with no Bradley or McDonell. Still not a bad forward line and overall a pretty decent team. Would have to fancy them to get to the final.
Dick Clerkin must have incriminating photos of orla bannon...
That is some defense all right!
Not sure about Durkin as back-up keeper though. He didn't have the greatest of seasons, although I suppose he wouldn't have a huge amount to do if needed behind that back-six.
A formidable outfit is Uladh indeed, but the Connacht lads will be up for it big-time, should be a good contest.
Good to see the all out promotion of this . ::)
Parnell Park might be free that night you's want
How many turned up in Ballybofey?
My estimate about 1,500. Pity casue it was a good enough match. Ulster will have to improve big time for the final though.
I'd reckon a few more than that Doire abú, closer to 5,000 in all. Much improved 2nd half performance, but will need to much improve again for the final.
Cant find a decent match report anywhere on Saturdays game , anyone got one ? Any word on the final re times / tickets ?
Quote from: downredblack on October 22, 2007, 03:38:23 PM
Cant find a decent match report anywhere on Saturdays game , anyone got one ? Any word on the final re times / tickets ?
I doubt you'll be fretting over that one. If they have it in Croke Park now, then it's pretty obvious they want to kill it off. No marketing whatsoever.
The football starts at 5.15 followed by the hurling at 7 on Saturday. Tickets are currently on sale from ticketmaster. 10 euro for a stand or 5 euro for the hill. Great value to see the best players in Ireland in both codes playing in the best stadium in Ireland. The journey to Dublin would put me off though for a railway cup game. Anyone know if its going to be on Setanta or Tg4?
RTE have the rights from what i heard.
Was anyone at the game? There had been alot of talk about the Ulster defence (on paper it looked superb) 2-5 at half time tells a different story?
Was at the game Puckoon, Ulster leaked two goals in the first six minutes (keeper at some fault for both), and it took some time for the defence as a unit to gel properly. Connacht were fairly obviously more geared up for it, with the Ulster lads somewhat lacklustre and lethargic, but managed to keep Connacht in sight in the first half, aided and abetted by some poor Connacht finishing. Ulster went in 3 points down at the break.
Connacht's finishing didn't improve on the restart, and Ulster gradually asserted themselves, with improved performances all around.
I heard these games are on RTE2 .
That plus no Leinster participation together with lack of marketing may sadly bring the lowest ever crowd to the new Croke Park.
I can only hope that HQ have been waiting for the final pairings to become known before they go marketing the finals. If d'telly isn't saturated with ads over the week it could be seriously embarrasing come Sun...
do have of you ever see the Railway Cup becoming a major competition again? it's frustrating as I think it has great potential, or is doomed?
Maybe if the interprovincials became a small league with the top two playing off for the championship, it might get more fans coming to watch the games. If I was at home, Id be going to the games in a heart beat.
I agree Puckoon, i'd feel great pride in playing for my province and aparts from the international rules rubbish, how often do great players from the same province get to play together? I really think that with good marketing and the GAA giving the games the status they deserve with the dates for fixtures it could be a great success.
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on October 22, 2007, 09:06:45 PM
I can only hope that HQ have been waiting for the final pairings to become known before they go marketing the finals. If d'telly isn't saturated with ads over the week it could be seriously embarrasing come Sun...
It's Saturday - wouldn't want you arriving a day late!
Does anyone who lives in Dublin plan on going to these games this weekend? Since Leinster aint there I aint gonna bother.
Nice to see you supporting the competition Tankie? :D
Dubs will always go to the national finals whether they're taking part or not ;)
Uladh abu!
Quote from: inisceithleann on October 22, 2007, 11:05:21 PM
Nice to see you supporting the competition Tankie? :D
I really don't care about the competition, i think its a waste of time. But its great to see the provinces that are in the competition supporting it. i think it was Tyrone Dreamer who said he would like to go but doesnt fancy a trip to Dublin.
So if the supporters of the provinces that are in it aint bothered why should i bother heading across?
well it was said earlier on during the summer that the GAA could survive without Dublin attendances. sure lets see how we go this saturday :D
Quote from: Tankie on October 22, 2007, 11:13:33 PM
well it was said earlier on during the summer that the GAA could survive without Dublin attendances. sure lets see how we go this saturday :D
What did the GAA do all those those years Dublin werent winning Leinster finals ?
Thanks for the tip, i wasnt aware that the Dublin attendences kept the GAA alive.
May i extend a great debt of graditiude on behalf of myself and no doubt all the other countless gaels scattered throughout the land, for your selfless act of kindness. ::)
here here !
So I take it you two boys will be in Croker anyway. (also i was responding to posts saying that i should be going)
Would like to go but wont be in Dublin this weekend though I am there most weekends, heading for the Kingdom for da long weekend. Anyway its almost November and anyone knows Kerrymen only go to Croker in September, when the only Jackeens you will see are those flogging tickets and mars bars.
It will be a good run out in Croker for some of the Kerry fringe players like Tommy Walsh and maybe a chance for the Cork lads to finally win a trophy in Croker :P
Ulster looked strong last weekend, and will be hard bet, lots of the Kerry lads are still club tied so wont be available, but Munster manager Sean Geaney might spring a few surprises in his team, though I hope he sticks with the team who made the effort and turned out against Leinster.
Quote from: Tankie on October 22, 2007, 11:02:36 PM
Does anyone who lives in Dublin plan on going to these games this weekend? Since Leinster aint there I aint gonna bother.
I'm going to go along ,
Yep, heading to Dublin for the Final.
Quote from: Maguire01 on October 22, 2007, 10:40:05 PM
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on October 22, 2007, 09:06:45 PM
I can only hope that HQ have been waiting for the final pairings to become known before they go marketing the finals. If d'telly isn't saturated with ads over the week it could be seriously embarrasing come Sun...
It's Saturday - wouldn't want you arriving a day late!
:-[ Unfortunately out of the country for the weekend but thanks anyway ;)
Ulster regroup for second half
Interprovincial Football Semi-final/ Ulster 1-15 Connacht 2-9 : Thanks to a very good second-half display Ulster advanced to the final in Croke Park next weekend when they defeated Connacht in Ballybofey on Saturday night.
Brian McEniff kept his side in the dressingroom for some time at the break and his talk had the desired effect.
A two-goal blitz by Connacht five minutes into the game put Connacht on the front foot for the first half. The goals came in the first six minutes with Andy Moran and Declan Maxwell finishing well. Connacht led by 2-5 to 0-8 at the break but within minutes of the restart a point and goal from Paul Finlay put Ulster on their way.
Ger Heneghan did level for Connacht but points from Dan Gordon, a great fisted effort by Kevin Cassidy and Aaron Kernan left Ulster three up. Seán Armstrong and Thomas Freeman exchanged points on two occasions before Freeman put four points between the sides with five minutes left. Connacht had a goal chance in the final minutes when substitute Frankie Dolan broke through but a great last-gasp block by Kevin McCloy denied him, while Andy Moran had the final point of the game minutes from the end.
ULSTER : J Reilly; B Owens, K McCloy, K Lacey; A Kernan (0-1) , C Gormley, K Cassidy (0-1) ; E Lennon, D Gordon (0-3) ; D Clerkin, S Kavanagh, P Finlay (1-4, three frees); T Freeman (0-4, one free), G Pierson (0-1), E Muldoon (0-1). Subs : C McFadden for Pierson; C Toye for Clerkin
CONNACHT : P Greene; C Harrison, F Hanley, J McKeon; D Meehan, D Blake, K Higgins (0-1) ; R McGarrity, B Cullinane; M Brehony (0-1, free), S Armstrong (0-3, one free), A Moran (1-2) ; C Cregg, D Maxwell (1-0), K Mannion (0-1). Subs: Ger Heneghan (0-1) for Cregg; F Dolan for Maxwell; M Finneran for Cullinane
Referee: P Fox (Westmeath).
Are the finals defientely in Croke Park? If so a crowd of 20,000 would be wishful thinking. A strange decision.
Would have gone if Connacht had got through. Don't think I will now.
Am very disappointed with a few things about the Connacht line up. It seems JOM treated one or two of our players a bit shabbily. I'm aware that some players would not be available for a variety of reasons but Galkway had 5 players on the team (2 of whom didn't make the Galway team for the Connacht final!) and we had only 3 and we beat them. Anyway - we're used to this treatment from our "betters" and hopefully the lads will store it away as extra motivation for next summer. Finally - Connacht need to win this thnig soon. 38 years is a disgrace.
impossible to pick proper provincial sides with so many county finals taking place.
It's a total disaster. Should be held in November when county finals are over and the provincial club championships are underway - by that stage, you'd have the vast majority of players available.
Then promote it the was International rules and the Dublin v Tyrone leage game were promoted (In my opinion, it's now far too late). Cap tickets at €5 and let all children in for free. It shouldn't be a money making exercise.
And if you want people at a game like this, don't put it on the TV!
I also think it is a bad weekend to have it. Bank Holiday weekends always affect attendances.
Did anyone else think the Monaghan lads were only interested in passing to one another than playing for the team?
Just an opinion.
Itll be disappointing if there is a poor crowd. Ten euro's in for 2 games involving some of the best players in the country. Its basically free. If I lived in Dublin Id be there no doubt tankie. However not sure if its worth the 4 hour round journey and not being home til after 11 on a Saturday. Its suprising and sad that over 50000 would turn up to see Ireland play Cyprus in a meaningless match which cost up to 70 euro in but wouldnt go to see the best gaelic players in both codes playing when its basically free in. Id guarentee there'd be better entertainment from the 2 matches this Saturday than there was from that excuse for a sporting contest between Ireland and Cyprus.
Quote from: Doire abú on October 23, 2007, 02:43:36 PM
Did anyone else think the Monaghan lads were only interested in passing to one another than playing for the team?
Just an opinion.
I suppose it's inevitable to a degree - they've trained together and played together all year so they're used to passing to each other. the railway cup play 2 games per year at most and maybe have one or two training sessions - it stands to reason.
Anyway, Finlay and Freeman scored 1-08 between them, so it's hard to complain.
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 23, 2007, 06:49:38 PM
Itll be disappointing if there is a poor crowd. Ten euro's in for 2 games involving some of the best players in the country. Its basically free. If I lived in Dublin Id be there no doubt tankie. However not sure if its worth the 4 hour round journey and not being home til after 11 on a Saturday. Its suprising and sad that over 50000 would turn up to see Ireland play Cyprus in a meaningless match which cost up to 70 euro in but wouldnt go to see the best gaelic players in both codes playing when its basically free in. Id guarentee there'd be better entertainment from the 2 matches this Saturday than there was from that excuse for a sporting contest between Ireland and Cyprus.
I can see what your saying TD, on the point of people paying €70 for a ticket to a soccer game and people not willing to pay €10 for Saturday, i don't believe the majority of people decide to go to some based on the price, it comes down to peoples interest and there are alot of people out there that just don't have the interest. €10 is nothing but i have no interest (mostly due to no Leinster) so will not bother going across and will just do something else as i don't fancy wasting 5 hours of my saturday night in something i have no interest in.
I find it hard to understand how a gaa fan could have no interest whatsoever in watching the a lot of the best players in the country playing in both codes against each pther. I may not make the journey due to the hassle involved but will be very keen to see it on tv.
I'll be in Meath and Kildare areas Friday. I might just stay over but then again....no Connacht football interest . Still as I haven't been in the City Centre (only in Croker/Drumcondra) in 2 or 3 years I might spend a while there Saturday afternoon and then wander up to the Holy Ground.
Just a thought.........
Should the Railway Cup semi-finals have been seeded?
Probably more applicable for the hurling - surely Munster and Leinster should have been kept apart in the semi finals in order to make the final a contest? If Ulster or Connacht had beaten either in the semi-final, then fair enough, but surely the hurling is now a formality for Munster?
Probably not as big an issue in the football as the gap in standard isn't as wide.
And another brainwave.....(or maybe not!)
What about having all 4 provinces involved on the same day and having much shorter matches - i.e. semi finals in Hurling, then semi-finals in football followed by finals in each...........
Maybe i've lost the plot and it would be a logistical nightmare........ but all provinces and both codes would be involved and therefore the crowds would potentially be bigger. It would also do away with semi-finals in places shuch as Fermoy and Ballybofey where only a handful of people turn up.
If it was marketed as an 'exhibition' of our national games (i.e. as i read somewhere, a chance to show our games to foreign nationals living here - also great potential for schools) and our best players, then there might be something in it.
Okay, so it's not perfect, but does anyone see anything in such an idea?
Answers on a postcard...
Of the six defenders, why is Ciaran McKeever the odd man out?
Quote from: ONeill on October 25, 2007, 09:53:27 AM
Of the six defenders, why is Ciaran McKeever the odd man out?
Only one not to have an all-star?
Only one to captain an all-ireland u21 team?
On RTE's Sports news pages, it states that Derry's Kieran McKeever will be coming in at wing half back in place of Aaron Kernan!
Are these games being televised? I can't see any scheduling anyway so I presume not?
Hes the only Armagh man who has touched greatness....
Any word on why Fergal Doherty not in the panel?
Heard he was sick on Sunday morning, but he went to play brilliant in the Derry SFC final that day. Still sick?
Many going to this match ? Radio are pushing the adverts all week.
I'll be there, just like I was there last week.
Any news on the Munster team for the football yet?
Word on the street is Cooper and Donaghy have been drafted in. What was their line-up like vs Leinster?
Starting to think about heading down to this, many on here going??
Very strong looking Ulster team and they are always great open games. Only six players on the team without All-Stars, presume that's the answer to O'Neill's question
He may be an honest trier, but if anyone rates Dick Clerkin among the 100 best players in Ulster, let alone deserving of the actual Railway Cup team, it just shows how far being born with the right surname can get you in our sport.
Very little interest in Dublin about the games. Reports in the media during the week say the GAA are targetting the non national community.
Would have gone if Leinster footballers had got to final.
2 Dublin County Finals under lights during the weekend may be the better attractions .
Suprising that theyve kept faith in Clerkin ahead of McDonnell. Some people say theyve no interest but Im looking forward to seeing Freeman and Bradley link up, with McDonnell possibly joining them. Dont know the Munster team but there could be some great battles if them forwards come up against the likes of Canty or Marc O'Se. At the other end seeing Donaghy and Cooper come up against the likes of McCloy and Owens would be worth 10 euros alone. Then you've got Cavanagh, Muldoon, Gormley and Finlay running about for ulster - some wonderful footballers on view.
Munster SF (vs. Ulster):
Alan Quirke (Valley Rovers, Cork);
Thomas O'Gorman (The Nire, Waterford), Tom O'Sullivan (Rathmore, Kerry), Kieran O'Connor (Aghada, Cork),
Tomás Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht, Kerry), Graham Canty (Bantry Blues, Cork), Ger Spillane (Ballygarvan, Cork);
Darragh Ó Sé (An Ghaeltacht, Kerry), Seamus Scanlan (Currow, Kerry);
Eoin Brosnan (Dr. Croke's, Kerry), Pierce O'Neill (Aghada, Cork), John Miskella (Ballincollig, Cork);
Mike Frank Russell (Laune Rangers, Kerry), Kieran Donaghy (Austin Stacks, Kerry), Donncha O'Connor (Ballydesmond, Cork)
Subs: Paul Fitzgerald (Fethard, Tipperary), Conor McCarthy (O'Donovan Rossa, Cork), Mick Aherne (Kill, Waterford), Fintan Gould (Macroom, Cork), Paul Galvin (Finuge, Kerry), Gary Hurney (Ballinacourty, Waterford), Darren O'Sullivan (Glenbeigh/Glencar, Kerry), Michael Shields (St. Finbarr's, Cork), Liam Ó'Lionain (An Rinn, Waterford), David Moran (Kerins O'Rahilly's, Kerry), Colm O'Neill (Ballyclough, Cork), Daniel Goulding (Éire Óg, Cork)
Munster (SH vs. Connacht)
Brian Murray (Patrickswell, Limerick);
Eoin Murphy (Shamrocks, Waterford), Declan Fanning (Killenaule, Tipperary), Gerry Quinn (Corofin, Clare);
John Gardiner (Na Piarsaigh, Cork), Tony Browne (Mount Sion, Waterford), Seán Óg Ó hAilpín (Na Piarsaigh, Cork);
Donal O'Grady (Granagh/Ballingarry, Limerick), Brian O'Connell (Wolfe Tones Na Sionna, Clare);
Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch, Tipperary), Ollie Moran (Ahane, Limerick), Eoin Kelly (Passage, Waterford);
John Mullane (De La Salle, Waterford), Dan Shanahan (Lismore, Waterford), Lar Corbett (Thurles Sarsfields, Tipperary)
Subs: Gerry Kennedy (Killenaule, Tipperary), Mike O'Brien (Glenroe, Limerick), Sean O'Connor (Ahane, Limerick), Niall Moran (Ahane, Limerick), Conor O'Mahony (Newport, Tipperary), Michael Fitzgerald (Doon, Limerick), Niall Gilligan (Sixmilebridge, Clare), Jonothan Clancy (Clarecastle, Clare), Seamus Hickey (Murroe/Boher, Limerick), Gerry O'Grady (Crusheen, Clare)
Some great battles in the line ups, am sorry now not to be in Dublin this weekend should be a cracking game, No Gooch, and Aidan O'Mahony is suspended after getting sent off in the semi with Graeme Geraghty. Many more Kerry and cork players are club tied, young Tommy Walsh of Kerry who was excellent against Leinster is unfortunate to lose out at full forward to a lanky young basketball player from Tralee, but I reckon he will never make a full forward ;) Will be interesting to see what he makes of McCloy.
Lets hope the Cork goalkeeper has done enough sightseeing of Croke Park and sticks to his main job this time and also his rebel defenders are not as generous as their last trip to Croker. A chance for Mike Frank Russell to put his dropping for the AI final behind him and to add to his considerable All Ireland medal collection of (5 All-Ireland Senior,2 All-Ireland U-21; 1 All-Ireland Minor;1 All-Ireland Club;1 All-Ireland Colleges; 3 National League, 1 Sigerson Cup)
Cavanagh v Canty should be a good battle while I hope O'Se and Scanlon continue their AI final domination at midfield, also looking forward to seeing how Tom O'Sullivan copes with All Star Paddy Bradley. A tough Croke Park debut for Thomas O'Gorman of Waterford against Muldoon but I remember he played well against Donaghy in this years Munster championship so who knows.
James Reilly (Cavan) v Alan Quirke (Cork)
Barry Owens (Fermanagh) v Donncha O'Connor (Cork)
Kevin McCloy (Derry) v Kieran Donaghy (Kerry)
Karl Lacey (Donegal) v Mike Frank Russell (Kerry)
Ciaran McKeever (Armagh) v John Miskella (Cork)
Conor Gormley (Tyrone) (C) v Pierce O'Neill (Cork)
Kevin Cassidy (Donegal) v Eoin Brosnan (Kerry)
Eoin Lennon (Monaghan) v Seamus Scanlan (Kerry)
Dan Gordon (Down) v Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry)
Dick Clerkin (Monaghan) v Ger Spillane (Cork)
Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone) v Graham Canty (Cork)
Paul Finlay v (Monaghan) v Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)
Tomas Freeman (Monaghan) v Kieran O'Connor (Cork)
Paddy Bradley (Derry) v Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry)
Enda Muldoon (Derry) v Thomas O'Gorman (Waterford)
After Alan Quirke's performance in the All Ireland Final, I am surprised to see him chosen in goal. Paul Fitzgerald (Tipperary) played in goal for Munster in 2005 and 2006 and IMO would be a better choice for this game, but I suppose Cork and Kerry like to keep things between themselves where Munster football is concerned.
Quotebut I suppose Cork and Kerry like to keep things between themselves where Munster football is concerned.
Yerra we do but not as bad as Connacht/Galway in the Hurling, t'would be even better if there was no langer involvement at all :P
Delighted to see Thomas O'Gorman get a run. Looked a very handy player in the club championship.
Quote from: Kerry Mike on October 25, 2007, 09:07:22 PM
Lets hope the Cork goalkeeper has done enough sightseeing of Croke Park and sticks to his main job this time and also his rebel defenders are not as generous as their last trip to Croker. A chance for Mike Frank Russell to put his dropping for the AI final behind him and to add to his considerable All Ireland medal collection of (5 All-Ireland Senior,2 All-Ireland U-21; 1 All-Ireland Minor;1 All-Ireland Club;1 All-Ireland Colleges; 3 National League, 1 Sigerson Cup)
Thats an unbelievable haul of All-Ireland medals. If Munster win (hopefully not), will this be his first Railway Cup medal?
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 25, 2007, 08:22:47 PM
Im looking forward to seeing Freeman and Bradley link up,
Last railway cup game i was at, Freeman eventually became so frustrated with Bradley not givin the ball, when he was clearly in better positions, he just stopped making the runs.
If Paddy has satisfied his angst with the last week or so and maybe matured a wee bit since the last time they played together, that double act can show the munster boys a thing or two.
Lookin forward to it, but I hope the rain stays off.
I hear there's been 600 tickets sold so far.
Anyone willing to get a wee sweepstake going on the attendance at tomorrow's match? :)
Probably never know anyway, because I'd be surprised if the GAA actually made public the attendance, could be a bit embarrassing.
600 tickets ? You have to be taking the piss ! Is it on TV as well ?
Quote from: orangeman on October 26, 2007, 10:20:52 PM
600 tickets ? You have to be taking the piss ! Is it on TV as well ?
So we were told on the RTE 6.00pm show - why did they change the venue from Parnell 2 years ago, apparently it was a great nights craic with a great atmosphere that night. It is live on RTE 2 I've been told.
It's really time to do away with this, it's just not parochial enough, the gaa's strength is parochialism, we don't give a fcuk how bad or good the football is most of the time (as the GPA will find out when they strike).
It won't exactly give Brennan much bargaining power with the Aussies - yeah, we don't need you, we'll fill that gap (not that one exists) with our inter-pro's, they'll get at least a 1000 to Croker!!
If there's only a 1000 turn up in Croke Park to see two games, it will be a shambles and a huge embrassment. End of the line for the competition after this ??
Its a shocking turnout by the fans from these provinces, fair weather fans at home watching Match of the Day i'd say. ;D
Quote from: Bogball XV on October 26, 2007, 10:30:08 PM
Quote from: orangeman on October 26, 2007, 10:20:52 PM
600 tickets ? You have to be taking the piss ! Is it on TV as well ?
So we were told on the RTE 6.00pm show - why did they change the venue from Parnell 2 years ago, apparently it was a great nights craic with a great atmosphere that night. It is live on RTE 2 I've been told.
It's really time to do away with this, it's just not parochial enough, the gaa's strength is parochialism, we don't give a fcuk how bad or good the football is most of the time (as the GPA will find out when they strike).
It won't exactly give Brennan much bargaining power with the Aussies - yeah, we don't need you, we'll fill that gap (not that one exists) with our inter-pro's, they'll get at least a 1000 to Croker!!
the inter-pros are more about the chance for players from smaller counties to wina (sort of) AI medal - it shouldnt be at croker but i still think that as long as the players are interested it should continue
its beyond reckless what the gaa (ie nicky brennan) has done with the railway cup this weekend. take a competition that has struggled to get 2-3k at the finals these past 10 years and put in into an 82k cap stadium and show it live on telly. what are they thinking. theres 100 better ways to do this, like rotate it in small stadia with each of the provinces getting it every 4 years or leave it permanently in parnell park and build the all-star weekend around it. the gaa might even step out of the box and try playing it under international rules if that gets going again. as for tonight munster for the football in a ghost town...
Tankie your some boy to be taking digs at other provinces fans. You said you'd no interest in the games at all. I mightnt make the effort to go the match but would still be interested in the best players in Ireland competing against one another no matter what teams theyre representing.
Quote from: magickingdom on October 27, 2007, 12:49:43 PM
its beyond reckless what the gaa (ie nicky brennan) has done with the railway cup this weekend. take a competition that has struggled to get 2-3k at the finals these past 10 years and put in into an 82k cap stadium and show it live on telly. what are they thinking. theres 100 better ways to do this, like rotate it in small stadia with each of the provinces getting it every 4 years or leave it permanently in parnell park and build the all-star weekend around it. the gaa might even step out of the box and try playing it under international rules if that gets going again. as for tonight munster for the football in a ghost town...
totally agree about rotation policy - best way forward and could still show it live on tv
The only hope for this competition is to have it all at one location over a weekend and maybe have the All Stars and the Provincial draws on there as well.
A kind of end of season GAA Festival or event ?
However you can't blame Nicky for trying but the organisation as a whole didnt seem to put much effort into it.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 27, 2007, 01:02:51 PM
The only hope for this competition is to have it all at one location over a weekend and maybe have the All Stars and the Provincial draws on there as well.
A kind of end of season GAA Festival or event ?
However you can't blame Nicky for trying but the organisation as a whole didnt seem to put much effort into it.
Maybe, the problem is where to fit it in? We're deep into club territory at this stage of the season, by definition, many of the clubs still involved at this stage will undoubtedly contain players who would be first choice for their province.
I dunno what should be done but playing it in an empty croker is not the answer, I have to say I'm looking forward to tonight's football final, it really could be a cracker, but I've no intention of going to see it.
All in all I'm no fan of Brennan's, give me Kelly anyday.
This is from www.hoganstand.com. Rossfan has a similar idea to package the inter pro with another event to make it more of a draw.
McEniff wants St. Patrick's Day slot
Brian McEniff
26 October 2007
Ulster's long-serving manager Brian McEniff has called on the GAA fixture-makers to return the Inter-provincial finals to St. Patrick's weekend, linking them up with the All-Ireland club finals.
Speaking ahead of Saturday's football decider between Ulster and Munster at Croke Park, McEniff believes that the Inter-pros should be moved to March, and aggressively marketed as part of a dual package with the All-Ireland club finals.
"Why not play one club final and one Inter-provincial final on St. Patrick's Day, followed by the other two on either the previous or following Sundays? There are several years, as indeed is the case in 2008, when St. Patrick's Day falls over the weekend, so the games could be played on successive days," he said.
McEniff reiterated his view that this weekend's football and hurling finals should have been held back until November when the county championships are completed.
But he added: "The decision was taken to play the finals this Saturday, so let's go with it and see how it goes. Leinster might not be involved, but there are a huge number of people from Ulster, Connacht and Munster living in Dublin, so this is a chance for them to enjoy the occasion."
Yeah, that's a good idea alright.
Quote from: drici on October 27, 2007, 05:15:12 PM
Floodlights are on.
...But there's not too many at home.
If proof was ever needed to do away with the Railway Cup, this must be it. Saw more passion in an U8 game
Its a bit of Kerry v Monaghan, given that they are definitely the leading counties for each side.
The star gave the AI fullback a good going over alright, Gormley certainly doing better. I see the man who stole Gormley's Allstar is now on the pitch, pity to see it as it must have been great for the Waterford player to experience a match in Croker with the big names of the game and I thought in terms of the percentage game he was doing very well and shouldn't have come off!
Freeman, Lennon & Clerkin all playing well and great to see the Jap Finlay playing very well also.
I think the second quarter was quite enjoyable to watch, start was poor alright
Quote from: seamusthebard on October 27, 2007, 05:58:34 PM
If proof was ever needed to do away with the Railway Cup, this must be it. Saw more passion in an U8 game
didnt look that way to me
mcdonnell making a big impression - bradley still looks hungover ;D
All scores from play by Ulster. Gormley changed the game.
Final score lads??
Its a pity Spillane wasn't involved in the coverage, with all 1-12 of Ulsters total coming from play and some good direct football!!
Far from a classic, but enjoyable fayre all the same, personally I thought between Clerkin & Finlay for MOM.. Anyone any thoughts??
Right.
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 27, 2007, 12:52:36 PM
Tankie your some boy to be taking digs at other provinces fans. You said you'd no interest in the games at all. I mightnt make the effort to go the match but would still be interested in the best players in Ireland competing against one another no matter what teams theyre representing.
Thats great that you and 3 other provinces fan didnt go but are interested in the game. Do you think the GAA can pay the bills with people having an "interest"! last time a football match was played under light 82k turned out to see it. well i guess you boys can never slag the Dubs again.
The only good your "interest" has done is put and end to this competition. there was more at the final of the O'Byrne cup in tullamore than there is there tonite.
Quote from: Louth Exile on October 27, 2007, 06:56:07 PM
Its a pity Spillane wasn't involved in the coverage, with all 1-12 of Ulsters total coming from play and some good direct football!!
Far from a classic, but enjoyable fayre all the same, personally I thought between Clerkin & Finlay for MOM.. Anyone any thoughts??
finlay was pure class - does he fancy moving up to derry for a while? ;D ;D ;D
attendance 10,127.
is that Pat Shortt?
I couldn't believe Ger Loughnane coming out with that statement about people in the north not understanding hurling the way they do in the south.....I wonder does he deliberately try to be controversial when coming out with statements like that or does it just come naturally to him? The referee was poor alright and the goal should have stood....but that was no excuse to come out and say what he did. I suspect hurling guys like Sambo, who has already been angered by some of Loughnane's utterings in the past, will be up in arms about this.
As for the footie, I thought it made for decent enough viewing. The switches made by McEniff and McRory duing the course of the game are what won it for Ulster. Conor Gormley's move to full back in the first half and Sean Cavanagh's switch to centrefield for the start of the second had a huge bearing on the game, as did the introduction of McDonnell and Coulter to the attack during that second period. All four were outstanding. The Monaghan contingent also showed up very well, although the same cannot be said for the the Derry trio of McCloy, Muldoon and Bradley who struggled to make an impact.
The 10,000 plus attendance at the games was respectable enough and there could still be a future for the series if the GAA was to find a more suitable date and market it even better next year. Bigger crowds would certainly generate a much greater atmosphere and ensure even more competitive tussles than what we seen tonight. I would like to see them persevere with this.
Quote from: Redhandfan on October 27, 2007, 09:37:33 PM
As for the footie, I thought it made for decent enough viewing. The switches made by McEniff and McRory duing the course of the game are what won it for Ulster. Conor Gormley's move to full back in the first half and Sean Cavanagh's switch to centrefield for the start of the second had a huge bearing on the game, as did the introduction of McDonnell and Coulter to the attack during that second period. All four were outstanding. The Monaghan contingent also showed up very well, although the same cannot be said for the the Derry trio of McCloy, Muldoon and Bradley who struggled to make an impact.
The 10,000 plus attendance at the games was respectable enough and there could still be a future for the series if the GAA was to find a more suitable date and market it even better next year. Bigger crowds would certainly generate a much greater atmosphere and ensure even more competitive tussles than what we seen tonight. I would like to see them persevere with this.
Gotta disagree with you there redhandfan. I'm just back from it and while PB and Mc Cloy certainly didn't cover themselves in glory, Muldoon did a mountain of work!! Patrolling from one end of the pitch to the other for the full 70 plus minutes, showed good vision in his distribution, turned over the munster men a couple of times and helped set up a couple of the scores even though he didn't score himself.
Very impressed with the Monaghan contingent and i thought that Gormley did a solid job on Donaghy after Mc cloy had been caught out repeatedly. Big Sean really came into it in the second half as well and scored a hell of a point to make it secure.
Dull enough first half, but I thought the second was very entertaining.
I was very surprised to see Benny Coulter make an appearance in today's game given that the Mayobridge manager said just last week that he had aggravated his injury in the Down County Final replay and would probably play no part in the Ulster club match against Dromore next weekend!!! And, on a similar theme, is it possible that Paddy Bradley may have been saving himself a bit for Glenullin's opening game in the Ulster Club Championship? Might that explain his out-of-sorts performance today?
As for captain Conor Gormley, I took a bit of stick on this Board just a couple of years ago for describing him as one of the "truly great centre half backs". There were some back then who thought I was showing my usual Tyrone bias and said I was getting a bit carried away by Gormley's so-called greatness. Well, I refused to go back on my word back then and make no apologies now for declaring that he is the top defender in the country at this time. Today's Inter-Pro Final only served to reaffirm how wrong the All-Star selectors were in omitting him from this year's selection.
Couldn't agree with you more Redhandfan - Gormley was never bettered all year - he did a fantastic job on Donaghy after all star Mc Cloy got cleaned out ( and I rate Mc Cloy highly by the way ) - If the All star team were picked a week later, Gormley would be a shoo in - but there you go that shows how contreversial and meaningless they are !
Quote from: Redhandfan on October 27, 2007, 10:27:45 PM
I was very surprised to see Benny Coulter make an appearance in today's game given that the Mayobridge manager said just last week that he had aggravated his injury in the Down County Final replay and would probably play no part in the Ulster club match against Dromore next weekend!!! And, on a similar theme, is it possible that Paddy Bradley may have been saving himself a bit for Glenullin's opening game in the Ulster Club Championship? Might that explain his out-of-sorts performance today?
Or maybe it's that poor Paddy has been doing a wee bit of celebrating after Glenullin's first win in 22 years, I hear it was very late in the week before they stopped, and that's not to say they didn't start again yesterday!!
The tactical switches by Mc Eniff were brilliant.
Good match, Some good performances , Gormley showed himself to be a top defender and unlucky to miss out on the all star probalby lost out due to the fact that Tyrone performed below their usual high standards this year .Monaghan contingent played well but for me the real difference was Mcdonnell who kicked some great scores . Good to see Quirke and Spillane back at it . Star had a good outing .
As Brian McEniff said it is a competition for the players . Best crowd in 30 years
Biggest crowd in a lot of years but it could have been promoted better - Croke Park is a great venue and should be used again next year.
Got news of the match here in England from RTE who reported 'scarcely 1000 present at the start of the match', now that's a big void in Croker
Ulster joined Leinster at the top of the roll of honour with a committed display of football seeing them to a 1-12 to 1-08 win over Munster in tonight's M Donnelly Interprovincial football decider.
Although Munster hit their opponents for 1-03 during a three-minute spell in the second quarter, and also held the interval lead, a brilliant second half performance ensured that Ulster, jointly managed by Brian McEniff and Art McRory emerged as winners under the Croke Park floodlights.
There was scarcely 1,000 people present for the start of the final but this did not stop Ulster from making a positive start - they held a 0-03 to 0-01 at the end of the opening quarter, thanks to good scores from Monaghan trio Thomas Freeman, Paul Finlay and Eoin Lennon, with Kerry's Mike Frank Russell chipping in for the lone score for Munster at that stage.
Munster were unlucky not to be level with their northerners as they created the first goal chance of the contest in the 11th-minute. A long ball in to full-forward Kieran Donaghy saw the Kerryman despatch an excellent fisted pass to John Miskella but the efforts of Derry defender Ciaran McKeever ensured that Miskella was kept at bay.
The Sean Geaney-managed Munster team came back strongly and scored 1-03 in a three-minute spell as they burst into a 1-04 to 0-03 lead, 23 minutes into the tie.
Points from Russell and Tomas O'Se kickstarted the Munster comeback, which really got going with an impressive 22nd-minute goal from Donaghy.
Like Munster's earlier goal miss, their major came from a well-worked movement which began with a long ball in from Seamus Scanlon. The delivery was cleanly caught by Donaghy who sent a blistering shot to the back of the net.
Munster had a chance for a second goal from the resulting kick-out with Donaghy making another clean catch before dispatching the ball to the onrushing Russell, however the Kerry star's kick was well saved by Ulster goalkeeper James Reilly. The ball went out for a '45' which Cork's Donnacha O'Connor subsequently converted.
This ended the Munster onslaught as Ulster responded well and cut the gap to a point at the interval thanks to some industrious play. A fisted pass from Paul Finlay to fellow Monaghan man Thomas Freeman, who gathered pace as he headed towards the goals, resulted in an Ulster goal as Freeman rocketed his shot to the roof of the net, leaving just a point between the sides.
Munster's 1-05 to 1-04 interval advantage was a far from secure one and Ulster quickly regained the lead on the resumption.
Armagh's Steven McDonnell was one of Ulster's heroes during the second half as the 39th-minute substitute scored two points with his first two touches to hand Ulster held a two-point lead nine minutes after the restart, with Monaghan's Dick Clerkin also adding a point to the Ulster tally.
While Ulster remained a composed outfit throughout the second half, Munster were in panic mode and although half-time substitute Fintan Goold cut the gap to a point, the inaccuracy of his fellow forwards, who chalked up five wides during the second half, left Munster trailing.
Not even Donaghy could find a much-needed goal for the eventual losers, as his 57th-minute effort crept wide of the target.
Ulster were more clinical in their use of possession and it was this, along with some excellent displays in both defence and attack, which ensured they pulled away and captured a 28th Interprovincial title.
Scorers -
Ulster: T Freeman 1-01, P Finlay, S McDonnell 0-03 each, S Cavanagh 0-02, D Clerkin, E Lennon, B Coulter 0-01 each
Munster: D O'Connor 0-03 (0-02f, 1 '45'), K Donaghy 1-00, MF Russell 0-02 (0-01f), P O'Neill, T O'Se, F Goold 0-01 each
ULSTER: J Reilly; B Owens, K McCloy, K Lacey; C McKeever, C Gormley, K Cassidy; E Lennon, D Gordon; D Clerkin, S Cavanagh, P Finlay; T Freeman, Paddy Bradley, E Muldoon.
Subs used: B Monaghan for McCloy (half-time), S McDonnell for Bradley (39 mins), D Mone for Lacey (48), B Coulter for Gordon (51), S Goan for McKeever (64).
MUNSTER: A Quirke; T O'Gorman, T O'Sullivan, K O'Connor; T O'Se, M Shields, G Spillane; D O'Se, S Scanlon; E Brosnan, P O'Neill, J Miskella; MF Russell, K Donaghy, D O'Connor.
Subs used: G Canty for O'Gorman (31 mins), F Goold for D O'Se (half-time), D O'Sullivan for Miskella (53).
Referee: Maurice Deegan (Laois)
Any word of what happened Dara O'Se ? He was taken off at half time ? Why was Marc not playing ?
If they did as McEniff said and put it on in in Croker on Paddys day it would draw a serious crowd. It would effectively be a one day festival of gaelic games on the biggest day for tourism in Dublin. Get Bord Failte to help with promotion and actively market it to tourists as a uniquely Irish occasion. I would have the railway cup finals in football and hurling on first then the club finals. Have Irish music, dancing whatever during the intervals (get Brush Sheils to MC it! ;D). You would get upwards of 60,000 at least I reckon. Let kids in for nothing and you could fill the place. It would be a savage occasion. Something has to be done because it is not fair on the players but equally importantly Martin Donnelly, to have these games in GAA HQ with less than 10,000 in attendance.
Quote from: Redhandfan on October 27, 2007, 10:27:45 PM
is it possible that Paddy Bradley may have been saving himself a bit for Glenullin's opening game in the Ulster Club Championship? Might that explain his out-of-sorts performance today?
As for captain Conor Gormley ... he is the top defender in the country at this time. Today's Inter-Pro Final only served to reaffirm how wrong the All-Star selectors were in omitting him from this year's selection.
PB was shite in both county final appearances and yes, conor gormley is twict the player of all star full back / left half back - but sure we know that last week too
What are you saying gaa gaa? Do you mean that Mc Cloy wasn't deserving of his allstar? That's rubbish! he had a fantastic season with Derry, rock solid (possible exception against monaghan). Just because he had a bad game last night means nothing. He performed when it mattered. He didn't get MOM against the dubs for nothing!
Not saying Gormley didn't deserve an allstar, but not Mc Cloys!!
Mc Cloy deserved his all star - Gormley was even more worthy of one but didn't get one - but Canty didn't deserve one - you can argue about full back or corner back but it would be irrelevant.
Good man Tankie - Dublin have the best supporters who keep the gaa alive. Your complaints about the attendance and how poor the other provinces fans are, are actually quite funny when you consider there was 10 times as many people at the ulster semi final than there was at the leinster munster game. When you also consider that Tyrone with less than 10% of Dublins population had a higher average home attendance (leaving out the turning on of the lights game) for league games than Dublin it makes you wonder. There was 14000 at the Tyrone Fermanagh league game for example - I dont even think Parnell Park holds that. I remember a couple of years ago in 2004 Tyrone playing an all ticket game in parnell park after winning sam the previous year and there was hundreds of tickets for sale outside the ground. Best fans my arse.
No argument there Dreamer - case proven !
Quote from: Redhandfan on October 27, 2007, 09:37:33 PM
As for the footie, I thought it made for decent enough viewing. The switches made by McEniff and McRory duing the course of the game are what won it for Ulster. Conor Gormley's move to full back in the first half and Sean Cavanagh's switch to centrefield for the start of the second had a huge bearing on the game, as did the introduction of McDonnell and Coulter to the attack during that second period. All four were outstanding. The Monaghan contingent also showed up very well, although the same cannot be said for the the Derry trio of McCloy, Muldoon and Bradley who struggled to make an impact.
I agree with ye that Bradley and McCloy had poor games, but what game were you watching with regards Muldoon? Maybe it wasn't as noticeable on TV, but if you were in Croker you'd have noticed Enda was everywhere. The last ten minutes he spent as much time in the left corner back position as he did in left half forward. He was everywhere and I hate to repeat myself, but same as last week if the Monaghan players hadn't of been playing their own wee game amongst one another Muldoon would have had a right few scores. He also made a great run for a goal but McDonnell shot instead of giving it to him.
Before I get ate here, I'll admit most of the Monaghan players played well and some of them are class acts, but their games could've been much better had they not been looking for one another every time they got the ball. Also how Dick Clerkin lasted on the field for over two hours of football in the last two weeks is beyond me.
Quote from: gaagaa on October 28, 2007, 12:30:28 AM
Quote from: Redhandfan on October 27, 2007, 10:27:45 PM
is it possible that Paddy Bradley may have been saving himself a bit for Glenullin's opening game in the Ulster Club Championship? Might that explain his out-of-sorts performance today?
As for captain Conor Gormley ... he is the top defender in the country at this time. Today's Inter-Pro Final only served to reaffirm how wrong the All-Star selectors were in omitting him from this year's selection.
PB was shite in both county final appearances and yes, conor gormley is twict the player of all star full back / left half back - but sure we know that last week too
I agree Gormley should've definetly got an All Star, but not at the expense of Kevin McCloy who was brilliant all year and could easily have gotten two MOM awards in the two games Derry were beaten!!
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 28, 2007, 11:17:39 AM
Good man Tankie - Dublin have the best supporters who keep the gaa alive. Your complaints about the attendance and how poor the other provinces fans are, are actually quite funny when you consider there was 10 times as many people at the ulster semi final than there was at the leinster munster game. When you also consider that Tyrone with less than 10% of Dublins population had a higher average home attendance (leaving out the turning on of the lights game) for league games than Dublin it makes you wonder. There was 14000 at the Tyrone Fermanagh league game for example - I dont even think Parnell Park holds that. I remember a couple of years ago in 2004 Tyrone playing an all ticket game in parnell park after winning sam the previous year and there was hundreds of tickets for sale outside the ground. Best fans my arse.
I never said that Dublin had the best fans, but on a yearly average they are the best supported - so would that make them the best fans?
But cheers for your "Interest" in the Inter Pro's!
Have the club football and hurling finals on seperate days with the Railway Cup finals played as the curtain raiser on each day.
I think it's simply time to get rid of it. Poor crowds, less than 100% strength teams and nothing really at stake. In the modern game with so many extra games something has to give and this is surely the one to go.
Quote from: Doire abú on October 28, 2007, 12:21:05 PM
Before I get ate here, I'll admit most of the Monaghan players played well and some of them are class acts, but their games could've been much better had they not been looking for one another every time they got the ball. Also how Dick Clerkin lasted on the field for over two hours of football in the last two weeks is beyond me.
Think your bein hard on Clerkin DA, in the second half he had a very solid performance, capped by a wonder score from way out on the cusack sideline
I'm not saying McCloy wasnt good this year but Gormley was easily the best defender in ulster all year - head & shoulders above all the rest
Less than 10,000 .Shocking attendance . The GAA made f**k all effort to promote this. 10 K is a league attendance for a lot of counties .
Quote from: Gnevin on October 28, 2007, 05:09:17 PM
Less than 10,000 .Shocking attendance . The GAA made f**k all effort to promote this.
Best in thirty years tis said so a small crowd at the railway Finals is hardly a new phenomenon.
However you're dead right about the lack of promotion. Could they not have given the Schools all over the Country 10 or 15,000 free tickets or 2 for the price of 1 tickets and similar to clubs etc.
Why not a load of imaginative ads on TV as well?
You dont have to kill off the Railway Cup - it died a long tiome ago so just give it a decent burial. Basically no-one is interested except some neanderthal provincial officials and those (elite!) players who are mysteriously affected by burn out earlier in the year but want more meaningless games now.
And any crowd in Croke Park less than 40,000 creates an adverse image of GAA - strange but true.No amount of martketing in the world,, free tickets, etc will get anywhere near that attendance and the fact that we need to contemplate such gimmicks tells us all we need to know about the value of this competition.
Players who missed out on Sam or Liam might want consoaltion baubles of some sort - not a good enough reason for prolonging this agony.
Leo I think most GAA fans would disagree with you there. With the right direction and marketing the Inter Provincial series could be a remarkable success. Players from smaller counties have the oppurtunity to play with the best players in Ireland and winning a Railway Cup medal is probably a major honour as a provincial title or winning the All Ireland is merely a dream. I don't often agree with Pat Spillane but in todays Sunday World he said the series could become like rugby league's state of origin, and I totally agree with him. If everyone maintained such a negative attitude as yours then of course the Railway Cup would be doomed.
Sadly sometimes the facts can lead to only a negative conclusion. These facts have been staring us all in the face for years but our blinkered vision of a sunny-day-soon perprtuates this farce of a competition. In addition the vastly altered dempgraphs of the country will make this even more irrelavant as years go by.
We die-hard supporters will clutch at straws for our GAA fix at this time of the year as will some players. That doenst make it good - or even for the greater good. IT IS PURE BOLLIX.
QuoteLeo I think most GAA fans would disagree with you there.
I disagree with that.
QuotePlayers from smaller counties have the oppurtunity to play with the best players in Ireland and winning a Railway Cup medal is probably a major honour as a provincial title or winning the All Ireland is merely a dream.
Again I disagree with this and I also think you're being quite condescending to players from the weaker counties. I'd wager quite a bit that none of the loosing players were as despondent as they'd be if they had lost a county/provincial/AI final or indeed a knockout championship game. Nor were there wild celebrations across Munster and Ulster last night as the conquering hero's returned. In a packed calendar it's surely time to face the facts and let the thing die.
I heard the GAA left tickets in Bus depots around Dublin for free just to try to get some sort of a crowd
I remember the Hey-Days of this competition when it meant something, sad to see it die, but best give it a decent burial and move on, its finished
If they put it on before the club finals on 17th March- they'd get a big gate - try it next year and see before a decent burial is given to the competition.
Quote from: Gnevin on October 28, 2007, 08:31:53 PM
I heard the GAA left tickets in Bus depots around Dublin for free just to try to get some sort of a crowd
If they did Gnevin, I wish i'd known about it. My kids and i were directed to 4 different 'Outlets' before we actually found one in operation. We were walking for 40 minutes round in circles and 5 different stewarts sent us to non existant sales points.
They've got a pretty good office at the cusack side of the park. Why didnt they just sell the tickets from there and another one one at Jones road. If anything, yuda thought they were trying to discourage attendance. F#ckin Joke!!!
Quote from: Leo on October 28, 2007, 07:52:50 PM
You dont have to kill off the Railway Cup - it died a long tiome ago so just give it a decent burial. Basically no-one is interested except some neanderthal provincial officials and those (elite!) players who are mysteriously affected by burn out earlier in the year but want more meaningless games now.
And any crowd in Croke Park less than 40,000 creates an adverse image of GAA - strange but true.No amount of martketing in the world,, free tickets, etc will get anywhere near that attendance and the fact that we need to contemplate such gimmicks tells us all we need to know about the value of this competition.
Players who missed out on Sam or Liam might want consoaltion baubles of some sort - not a good enough reason for prolonging this agony.
imaginative ads on TV as well?
[/quote]
Did you see Tómas O' Se last night? Did you see Kieran Donaghy? They knocked their bollox in. the players regard the competition very highly.
I was among 70,000 in the p'ssin rain at a comp rules game 4 years ago. If the railway cup had a fraction of the publicity and promotion that that game had, it would definitely get a crowd. Anyone who regularly attends knows that they are generally great games to watch (though last nights didn't rank among the best of them). Instead of taking the games to Paris and the like, just promote them a bit. it's not that complicated
Would it be really ? This year there were plenty of days where there were 3 games in Croker ........ ??????
Well if the players were special and there was a good club final double, it would be well worth going to, would it not ? I think it should be tried.
Quote from: Leo on October 28, 2007, 07:52:50 PM
You dont have to kill off the Railway Cup - it died a long tiome ago so just give it a decent burial. Basically no-one is interested except some neanderthal provincial officials and those (elite!) players who are mysteriously affected by burn out earlier in the year but want more meaningless games now.
And any crowd in Croke Park less than 40,000 creates an adverse image of GAA - strange but true.No amount of martketing in the world,, free tickets, etc will get anywhere near that attendance and the fact that we need to contemplate such gimmicks tells us all we need to know about the value of this competition.
Players who missed out on Sam or Liam might want consoaltion baubles of some sort - not a good enough reason for prolonging this agony.
I agree with every sentiment you expressed Leo. I am sick with those elite players who are still "proud to represent their province"- total ballocks- some want to improve their waning egos. Finish this nonsense. Did some ulster player not play in the semi-final last week as his club had a relegation game on Sunday- enough said- last night was embarrassing- bury it immediately.
How was it embarassing ? I didn't think it was embarassing at all - do you mean the small crowd ?
Does anyone know what the attendance was on Saturday? I haven't actually seen it anywhere.
Did they give free tickets out seriously ? If so , why didn't they give them out to the schools ?
Quote from: hardstation on October 28, 2007, 09:21:26 PM
Four games in one day would be a bit much, Orangeman.
I honestly don't think that's the issue though. Some people would come for 2 games, some would come for 3 and some would come for all 4. It's not about getting everyone in there for the full day. The idea should be to promote it as a festival of gaelic games and get tourists strolling down Jones's Road. You would get a very good walk-up crowd and expose the games to overseas visitors. Seriously, with a bit of promotion it could become a fantastic annual event where you could see the local heroes and the countymen all strutting their stuff on the same field. Like I said already, throw in a bit of music and entertainment and you're on to a winner. What would the problem be with this?
Here here Jinxy !
Quote from: hardstation on October 28, 2007, 08:36:31 PM
Quote from: Gnevin on October 28, 2007, 08:31:53 PM
I heard the GAA left tickets in Bus depots around Dublin for free just to try to get some sort of a crowd
It's a pity Leinster are shite and can't make it to the final in either sport.
Or maybe if you fair weather boys had of got off ur asses and turned up there would have been a bigger crowd. Cheers for your "interest" tho. the whole thing is a joke and should be scrapped because it is very clear that there is no interest in the competition from the fans side.
Quote from: hardstation on October 28, 2007, 11:59:09 PM
Hold on, if you have 4 games, that means sitting there for 5/6 hours. Add in this "entertainment", how long do you want this show to go on?
You don't have to sit there for the whole thing. It's a personal choice. The main event for most people would still be the club finals but a lot of those people would get there early to watch the railway cup finals. Get the tourists in early and plenty of them will hang around. Sure you can get locked in Croker just as quickly as you will anywhere else.
Not sure about the whole tourist aspect of day. Croke Park can be a cold, wet miserable experience in March, I'd doubt that many tourists would stay too long for what the interpro's often serve up and the club finals for people who don't know the rules can be hit and miss also.
On top of that I'm sure there's many a club manger who'd be less than pleased to have bands and inter-county players floating around on the biggest day in the clubs history, while his trying to focus club players.
Sometimes things just pas their sell by date and the Railway cup/interprovincals is one of them.
Having it on TV certainly didn't help the crowd in CP, have the TV figures been released? Surely this would show a more realistic level of the public's interest. I'm a big fan of the Railway cup, Micky Harte et all are right in that we should be scrapping the International Rules and pushing this bigtime.
Maybe the GAA want it scrapped - is that why it's not being marketed properly ?
QuoteAnd any crowd in Croke Park less than 40,000 creates an adverse image of GAA - strange but true
I wouldn't be so insecure about the GAA image.
I just watched the games on TV.
It gave me a chance to see Benny Coulter and I'd almost forgotten about Stephen O'Donnell :)
I wanted my county players to do well and wanted to see the best of the other counties.
The game was good and competitive enough.
Haven't a clue if it will gather more interest, it doesn't look dead to me just yet.
I'm a bit lost in today's age of hype and marketing.
I always love good flowing football, possibly more subs on the fly and a less pedantic ref might help.
Good 2nd half from the Ulster lads, and well worth their victory. Sure aren't the Kerry contingent on the Munster team well used to being beaten by a team captained by a Tyrone lad in Croke at this stage ;D
Quote from: Jinxy on October 29, 2007, 12:34:59 PM
Quote from: hardstation on October 28, 2007, 11:59:09 PM
Hold on, if you have 4 games, that means sitting there for 5/6 hours. Add in this "entertainment", how long do you want this show to go on?
not gone on the idea of moving the inter pros to St Patricks day, there more an end of season reward. the gaa could set them up as all star games with each provincial player getting an all star selection on to that team ie pick a team of all stars from each province and then let the four provinces play off and pick the overall all stars, this obiviously would have to be at the end of the season. thus you'd have the club finals on st patricks w/e marking the end of the club season and kinda starting of the intercounty season and the inter pros on the october w/e marking the end of it...
Quote from: hardstation on October 28, 2007, 09:55:14 PM
It was 10,127.
Isnt it amazing all the same -10,000 at a not too serious final at the back end of the year and we're all embarrassed.
The FAI Cup Semi Final yeasterday UCD v Longford looked to have about 1,500 at it and no mention anywhere about the size of the crowd - only mention of the fans was Longford Manager Matthews talking about the great supporters hos club has. ::)
Quote from: Rossfan on October 29, 2007, 04:01:02 PM
Quote from: hardstation on October 28, 2007, 09:55:14 PM
It was 10,127.
Isnt it amazing all the same -10,000 at a not too serious final at the back end of the year and we're all embarrassed.
The FAI Cup SemiFinal yeasterday UCD v Longford looked to have abot 1,500 at it and no mention anywhere about the size of the crowd - only mention of the fans was Longford Manager Matthews talking about the great supporters hos club has. ::)
Well their is a section of people on here and around Ireland who love shouting about how the their was only 2 dubs at a league game back in 1967 and hence the Dub's are all bandwagon fans
could they not play all 3 club finals (junior, intermediate & senior) on the one day with the intermediate & senior finals under lights. this would free up st. patricks day for the railway cup and a crowd of 40,000 would be guaranteed.
Quote from: clarshack on October 29, 2007, 04:16:19 PM
could they not play all 3 club finals (junior, intermediate & senior) on the one day with the intermediate & senior finals under lights. this would free up st. patricks day for the railway cup and a crowd of 40,000 would be guaranteed.
No it wouldn't , why would changing the date make any difference. This is a GAA board and i reckon about 3 lads from this board went to the match . Total lack of interest
Quote from: clarshack on October 29, 2007, 04:16:19 PM
would free up st. patricks day for the railway cup and a crowd of 40,000 would be guaranteed.
Guaranteed :o no less ::). I have my doubts me good man.
Quote from: Rossfan on October 29, 2007, 04:01:02 PM
Quote from: hardstation on October 28, 2007, 09:55:14 PM
It was 10,127.
Isnt it amazing all the same -10,000 at a not too serious final at the back end of the year and we're all embarrassed.
The FAI Cup Semi Final yeasterday UCD v Longford looked to have about 1,500 at it and no mention anywhere about the size of the crowd - only mention of the fans was Longford Manager Matthews talking about the great supporters hos club has. ::)
In fairness those two clubs are the least supported in the Eircom league. UCD having practically no fan base at all as effectively they are a college team.
There seemed to be plenty of empty seats at the Bohemians/Cork City game too.
Would it be correct to assume that the Railway Finals drew the largest crowd to any sporting event in Ireland this weekend?
Quote from: Rossfan on October 29, 2007, 05:18:46 PM
There seemed to be plenty of empty seats at the Bohemians/Cork City game too.
Would it be correct to assume that the Railway Finals drew the largest crowd to any sporting event in Ireland this weekend?
I'd say Leinster v Ulster drew a bigger crowd
Quote from: Gnevin on October 29, 2007, 06:15:04 PM
Quote from: Rossfan on October 29, 2007, 05:18:46 PM
There seemed to be plenty of empty seats at the Bohemians/Cork City game too.
Would it be correct to assume that the Railway Finals drew the largest crowd to any sporting event in Ireland this weekend?
I'd say Leinster v Ulster drew a bigger crowd
Yep and this week Leinster are playing connacht with 15k sold already.
Was at the match and thought it was pretty good value at the price. Saw some of the best players in the country playing in one of the best arenas in Europe if not the world. Stayed for the hurling and apart from the ref, it was a game where some excellent passages of play took place. They could maybe use it to introduce some experimental rules eg sin bins, and let it replace the bloody international rules shite.
The GAA should stick to this date for a few years, give it a chance to bed in and spend some money selling the idea. A perfect opportunity for clubs to take their juveniles as well - it can be very difficult organising tickets etc for high profile championship matches.
Quote from: darbyo on October 29, 2007, 12:42:43 PM
Not sure about the whole tourist aspect of day. Croke Park can be a cold, wet miserable experience in March, I'd doubt that many tourists would stay too long for what the interpro's often serve up and the club finals for people who don't know the rules can be hit and miss also.
On top of that I'm sure there's many a club manger who'd be less than pleased to have bands and inter-county players floating around on the biggest day in the clubs history, while his trying to focus club players.
Sometimes things just pas their sell by date and the Railway cup/interprovincals is one of them.
Cant buy it darbyo, its a perfect arena for what should be some of the most amazing players to grace the pitch together side by side. It needs a little tweaking here and there to perfect it, but It shouldnt be done away with.
In 2008, St Patricks Day falls on a Monday. Here is my idea of how the Interprovincials could be worked into the club finals over that weekend.
Saturday 15th March
Junior Club Hurling Final @4.30
Intermediate Club Hurling Final @6.00
Interprovincial Hurling Final @7.30
Sunday 16th March
Junior Club Football Final @4.30
Intermediate Club Football Final @6.00
Interprovincial Football Final @7.30
Monday 17th March
Senior Club Hurling Final @1.30
Senior Club Football Final @3.30
The only thinking behind putting the Railway cup final along with the All-Ireland club finals is to improve the attenda nce and an admission that the inter-provincials on their own wont generate sufficient interest. How much more tinkering needs to be done with this "failed entity"? It's with O'Leary in the grave. End of story.
Quote from: hardstation on October 29, 2007, 10:46:36 PM
Aye, we'll play the Railway Cup again in 5 1/2 months.
Why not?
What's the point in leaving it for a year and a half? If it's going to be saved/done properly, then the sooner the better.
Quote from: hardstation on October 29, 2007, 10:46:36 PM
Aye, we'll play the Railway Cup again in 5 1/2 months.
Why not... If Martin Donnelly is putting E100k a year into it, surely it should be getting a better slot.. I also feel that the time has come for the club championship to be played before Christmas. It seems mad to keep players training and hanging on all over Christmas for what is effectively two more games, which could be played in seven days. With the better standard of pitches and the lights now in Croke Park, surely all club action should be finished up in the one calendar year. Last week Nicky Brennan discussed the exploration of a roofed 20k stadium in Abbottstown, which could be used to get a lot of competitions played over the winter. These would be the Interprovincials, the club Championships, the Sigerson, Fitzgibbon, Ryan and Trench Cups, the colleges and the vocational schools in hurling and football (and ladies as well). In this day and age anything is possible so should be looked at.. Any thoughts...
That's a fair point regarding the Club Championships finishing earlier - I suppose HQ feels the need for a viable event to be held in Croker on Paddys day as one of the main reasons ?? Maybe not
Quote from: hardstation on October 29, 2007, 10:46:36 PM
Aye, we'll play the Railway Cup again in 5 1/2 months.
When competitions have been changed around it can happen. Last year Sligo had two U21 championships - for the latter it was renamed as U20 and brought forward by a year, with the result that Ballymote won the U21 final, and then had to hand the cup back three weeks later when Tourlestrane won the U20!
Changing the day will make f all difference , the interest is not their . I just came back from Parnell Park where there was a good 7K and hte Dublin Club final . I know other counties get even higher figures .
Promotion is about the only thing that can help this . I know many people with a good interest in the GAA who didnt know this was happening .
This could be marketed as the Close of the season celebration of Gaelic Games . Throw together a montage of the finals in 2007. and finish with railway cup and want to see how the story ends ? Any things would be better than the radio ad which was basicly a owe yeah i forgot to tell you their a match on this weekend if you haven't made any plans sure come along for the laugh.
Quote from: highking on October 29, 2007, 10:43:37 PM
In 2008, St Patricks Day falls on a Monday. Here is my idea of how the Interprovincials could be worked into the club finals over that weekend.
Saturday 15th March
Junior Club Hurling Final @4.30
Intermediate Club Hurling Final @6.00
Interprovincial Hurling Final @7.30
Sunday 16th March
Junior Club Football Final @4.30
Intermediate Club Football Final @6.00
Interprovincial Football Final @7.30
Monday 17th March
Senior Club Hurling Final @1.30
Senior Club Football Final @3.30
There are NFL and possibly NHL fixtures down for that weekend, so I'm not sure that could happen, but it wouldn't be a bad idea.
BTW on that whole St. Patrick's weekend thing, seeing as Patrick's Day doesn't actually fall on the 17th this year, do we still get the Bank Holiday on the 17th?
Theres alot can be done to ressurect/save the interprovincials, it will take some effort, but surely to god its effort worth making.
1. Could it be a curtain raiser to the championship proper? Think charity shield
2. Could it be played over one weekend like the sigerson cup?
3. Could it (it should) replace the international rules series and be played right after the All Ireland.
4. The club championships could be moved forward and it could take over St Patricks, maybe combined with point 2 above. Huge tourism in dublin that weekend. The interprovincials may attract more neutrals to headquarters over a busy St patricks period?
Just a few ideas, its definitely something that can be saved.
Quote from: Puckoon on October 30, 2007, 03:57:15 AM
Theres alot can be done to ressurect/save the interprovincials, it will take some effort, but surely to god its effort worth making.
1. Could it be a curtain raiser to the championship proper? Think charity shield
2. Could it be played over one weekend like the sigerson cup?
3. Could it (it should) replace the international rules series and be played right after the All Ireland.
4. The club championships could be moved forward and it could take over St Patricks, maybe combined with point 2 above. Huge tourism in dublin that weekend. The interprovincials may attract more neutrals to headquarters over a busy St patricks period?
Just a few ideas, its definitely something that can be saved.
How many counties will want to risk their players just before the championship kicks off?
Just getting back to an earlier point from Tankie about the other provinces having a terrible support compared to Dublin/Leinster. I see there was 7000 at the Dublin County final. I cant speak for other counties but there was over 11000 at the Tyrone County final, as well as 6000 and 8000 at the semi finals. When you consider the attendances the Dubs get for big games and the population its quite easy to see who has the more genuine fans. As I pointed out above Tyrone actually had a higher average at county home league games (leaving out the croke lights game) than Dublin. Im sure this is repeated in some other counties to. Makes you wonder about the great Dublin supporters that boys like Tankie keep going on about.
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 30, 2007, 06:49:27 PM
Just getting back to an earlier point from Tankie about the other provinces having a terrible support compared to Dublin/Leinster. I see there was 7000 at the Dublin County final. I cant speak for other counties but there was over 11000 at the Tyrone County final, as well as 6000 and 8000 at the semi finals. When you consider the attendances the Dubs get for big games and the population its quite easy to see who has the more genuine fans. As I pointed out above Tyrone actually had a higher average at county home league games (leaving out the croke lights game) than Dublin. Im sure this is repeated in some other counties to. Makes you wonder about the great Dublin supporters that boys like Tankie keep going on about.
what are you talking about. I made the point that the railway cup is dead as people couldnt be bothered going to it.
you mentioned league attendances and you conveniently leave out the game under lights, two leagues have been advertised properly in Dublin since 2002, Dublin v Armagh (55k turned up), Dublin v Tyrone (82k turned up). at the league games in general between 8k - 10k is the normal for a home game but i have agued the point that the GAA needs to promote Dublin league games as and we have already seem what can turn out. In yearly average Dublin have the biggest attendance, i really don't buy into the real supporter idea, Yes i go to all dublin games, but the notion that everyone will do that is crazy. I said it before and got shot down for it, when i said the Dulin market is competitive for peoples money and the GAA should play their cards right.
This Friday the will be 15k - 20k at the Leinster v Connacht interpro, its widely known that the GAA have the summer market sown up in Dublin for peoples sporting attention but for the winter game rugby is making huge in roads but its still up for grabs!
Quote from: Tankie on October 30, 2007, 09:09:18 PM
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 30, 2007, 06:49:27 PM
Just getting back to an earlier point from Tankie about the other provinces having a terrible support compared to Dublin/Leinster. I see there was 7000 at the Dublin County final. I cant speak for other counties but there was over 11000 at the Tyrone County final, as well as 6000 and 8000 at the semi finals. When you consider the attendances the Dubs get for big games and the population its quite easy to see who has the more genuine fans. As I pointed out above Tyrone actually had a higher average at county home league games (leaving out the croke lights game) than Dublin. Im sure this is repeated in some other counties to. Makes you wonder about the great Dublin supporters that boys like Tankie keep going on about.
what are you talking about. I made the point that the railway cup is dead as people couldnt be bothered going to it.
you mentioned league attendances and you conveniently leave out the game under lights, two leagues have been advertised properly in Dublin since 2002, Dublin v Armagh (55k turned up), Dublin v Tyrone (82k turned up). at the league games in general between 8k - 10k is the normal for a home game but i have agued the point that the GAA needs to promote Dublin league games as and we have already seem what can turn out. In yearly average Dublin have the biggest attendance, i really don't buy into the real supporter idea, Yes i go to all dublin games, but the notion that everyone will do that is crazy. I said it before and got shot down for it, when i said the Dulin market is competitive for peoples money and the GAA should play their cards right.
This Friday the will be 15k - 20k at the Leinster v Connacht interpro, its widely known that the GAA have the summer market sown up in Dublin for peoples sporting attention but for the winter game rugby is making huge in roads but its still up for grabs!
Y'see, real fans don't need to see an advertisement on the TV or hear it on the radio to know that their team are playing!
:P
Quote from: Maguire01 on October 30, 2007, 11:16:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on October 30, 2007, 09:09:18 PM
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 30, 2007, 06:49:27 PM
Just getting back to an earlier point from Tankie about the other provinces having a terrible support compared to Dublin/Leinster. I see there was 7000 at the Dublin County final. I cant speak for other counties but there was over 11000 at the Tyrone County final, as well as 6000 and 8000 at the semi finals. When you consider the attendances the Dubs get for big games and the population its quite easy to see who has the more genuine fans. As I pointed out above Tyrone actually had a higher average at county home league games (leaving out the croke lights game) than Dublin. Im sure this is repeated in some other counties to. Makes you wonder about the great Dublin supporters that boys like Tankie keep going on about.
what are you talking about. I made the point that the railway cup is dead as people couldnt be bothered going to it.
you mentioned league attendances and you conveniently leave out the game under lights, two leagues have been advertised properly in Dublin since 2002, Dublin v Armagh (55k turned up), Dublin v Tyrone (82k turned up). at the league games in general between 8k - 10k is the normal for a home game but i have agued the point that the GAA needs to promote Dublin league games as and we have already seem what can turn out. In yearly average Dublin have the biggest attendance, i really don't buy into the real supporter idea, Yes i go to all dublin games, but the notion that everyone will do that is crazy. I said it before and got shot down for it, when i said the Dulin market is competitive for peoples money and the GAA should play their cards right.
This Friday the will be 15k - 20k at the Leinster v Connacht interpro, its widely known that the GAA have the summer market sown up in Dublin for peoples sporting attention but for the winter game rugby is making huge in roads but its still up for grabs!
Y'see, real fans don't need to see an advertisement on the TV or hear it on the radio to know that their team are playing!
:P
well on that logic GAA aint as big as we like to claim, since the attendances in the league are probably at an average of 7k across the boards for Football, maybe lower for hurling. I guess Rugby has more real fans than GAA!
Quote from: Maguire01 on October 30, 2007, 11:16:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on October 30, 2007, 09:09:18 PM
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 30, 2007, 06:49:27 PM
Just getting back to an earlier point from Tankie about the other provinces having a terrible support compared to Dublin/Leinster. I see there was 7000 at the Dublin County final. I cant speak for other counties but there was over 11000 at the Tyrone County final, as well as 6000 and 8000 at the semi finals. When you consider the attendances the Dubs get for big games and the population its quite easy to see who has the more genuine fans. As I pointed out above Tyrone actually had a higher average at county home league games (leaving out the croke lights game) than Dublin. Im sure this is repeated in some other counties to. Makes you wonder about the great Dublin supporters that boys like Tankie keep going on about.
what are you talking about. I made the point that the railway cup is dead as people couldnt be bothered going to it.
you mentioned league attendances and you conveniently leave out the game under lights, two leagues have been advertised properly in Dublin since 2002, Dublin v Armagh (55k turned up), Dublin v Tyrone (82k turned up). at the league games in general between 8k - 10k is the normal for a home game but i have agued the point that the GAA needs to promote Dublin league games as and we have already seem what can turn out. In yearly average Dublin have the biggest attendance, i really don't buy into the real supporter idea, Yes i go to all dublin games, but the notion that everyone will do that is crazy. I said it before and got shot down for it, when i said the Dulin market is competitive for peoples money and the GAA should play their cards right.
This Friday the will be 15k - 20k at the Leinster v Connacht interpro, its widely known that the GAA have the summer market sown up in Dublin for peoples sporting attention but for the winter game rugby is making huge in roads but its still up for grabs!
Y'see, real fans don't need to see an advertisement on the TV or hear it on the radio to know that their team are playing!
:P
And real fans apparently don't need to turn up to league games either. Can you tell me you got this figure for average attendance at league games? And by the way your the one who keeps talking about the great Dublin supporters , i believe tankie made the fair point that 10,000 out of 3 province is a poor attendance and someone done the typical whataboutye defence.
Quote from: Tankie on October 31, 2007, 07:51:16 AM
Quote from: Maguire01 on October 30, 2007, 11:16:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on October 30, 2007, 09:09:18 PM
Quote from: Tyrone Dreamer on October 30, 2007, 06:49:27 PM
Just getting back to an earlier point from Tankie about the other provinces having a terrible support compared to Dublin/Leinster. I see there was 7000 at the Dublin County final. I cant speak for other counties but there was over 11000 at the Tyrone County final, as well as 6000 and 8000 at the semi finals. When you consider the attendances the Dubs get for big games and the population its quite easy to see who has the more genuine fans. As I pointed out above Tyrone actually had a higher average at county home league games (leaving out the croke lights game) than Dublin. Im sure this is repeated in some other counties to. Makes you wonder about the great Dublin supporters that boys like Tankie keep going on about.
what are you talking about. I made the point that the railway cup is dead as people couldnt be bothered going to it.
you mentioned league attendances and you conveniently leave out the game under lights, two leagues have been advertised properly in Dublin since 2002, Dublin v Armagh (55k turned up), Dublin v Tyrone (82k turned up). at the league games in general between 8k - 10k is the normal for a home game but i have agued the point that the GAA needs to promote Dublin league games as and we have already seem what can turn out. In yearly average Dublin have the biggest attendance, i really don't buy into the real supporter idea, Yes i go to all dublin games, but the notion that everyone will do that is crazy. I said it before and got shot down for it, when i said the Dulin market is competitive for peoples money and the GAA should play their cards right.
This Friday the will be 15k - 20k at the Leinster v Connacht interpro, its widely known that the GAA have the summer market sown up in Dublin for peoples sporting attention but for the winter game rugby is making huge in roads but its still up for grabs!
Y'see, real fans don't need to see an advertisement on the TV or hear it on the radio to know that their team are playing!
:P
well on that logic GAA aint as big as we like to claim, since the attendances in the league are probably at an average of 7k across the boards for Football, maybe lower for hurling. I guess Rugby has more real fans than GAA!
Not really compaing like with like though - there's only 4 teams in irish rugby pulling those crowds - the provinces. Rugby doesn't have 32 counties to share the crowd between. GAA still miles ahead, even in the winter.
If Ulster played Leinster in Rugby, there's be a maximum 12,000 at Ravenhill or whatever capacity is for Leinster. Wouldn't compare to the cumulative total of GAA supporters from counties in those provinces at league games.
My own view on the interprovincials? Get rid of them. Personally I have zero interest in the concept and seemingly neither do most people. Even GAA fans.
For competitions like these to succeed people have to care about and feel ownership of the teams involved and they just don't. You can't make people care about their province. They'll care about their club and their county alright but as far as province goes while people might like to see their own province win but they won't be too bothered if they don't. Hence nobody can be arsed going to the games.
Tankie did say about 10,000 being a terrrible attendancce and how bad the other provinces supporters were gnevin. He neglected however to point out that 10 times as many attrended the semi final that leinster werent in compared to the one that they were in.
Quote from: GalwayBayBoy on October 31, 2007, 08:04:53 PM
My own view on the interprovincials? Get rid of them. Personally I have zero interest in the concept and seemingly neither do most people. Even GAA fans.
its about the players ::)
QuoteInter-pros get TV boost
31 October 2007
The Inter-provincial championships have received a much-needed boost with confirmation that last Saturday's finals at Croke Park were watched by over 200,000 people on RTE Two.
The future of the once great competition was once again called into question after just 10,127 paid through the turnstiles to watch the cream of football and hurling battle it out for Inter-provincial honours on Saturday evening. But GAA chiefs are certain to be thrilled with the television viewership figures which peaked at 245,000.
RTE Head of Sport Glen Killane said: "We are really, really delighted with the figures. It just goes to show how we can contribute to the growth of the less high-profile GAA events."
And following the success of last Saturday's screening, Killane admitted that RTE would be very interested in covering the Inter-pros again next year.
"We would be supportive of any new initiatives the GAA would have regarding the Inter-provincial series."
So it looks like some
do care.
Quote from: Maguire01 on October 31, 2007, 11:01:56 PM
QuoteInter-pros get TV boost
31 October 2007
The Inter-provincial championships have received a much-needed boost with confirmation that last Saturday's finals at Croke Park were watched by over 200,000 people on RTE Two.
The future of the once great competition was once again called into question after just 10,127 paid through the turnstiles to watch the cream of football and hurling battle it out for Inter-provincial honours on Saturday evening. But GAA chiefs are certain to be thrilled with the television viewership figures which peaked at 245,000.
RTE Head of Sport Glen Killane said: "We are really, really delighted with the figures. It just goes to show how we can contribute to the growth of the less high-profile GAA events."
And following the success of last Saturday's screening, Killane admitted that RTE would be very interested in covering the Inter-pros again next year.
"We would be supportive of any new initiatives the GAA would have regarding the Inter-provincial series."
So it looks like some do care.
but not enough to go to the game!
Market it properly for God's sake !
The important thing out of this competition is the fact that ulster won, we're superior to the rest of ye.
Quote from: marty88 on November 01, 2007, 08:43:06 AM
The important thing out of this competition is the fact that ulster won, we're superior to the rest of ye.......
in a competition no one cares about