It seems that a row off is brewing between Ulster champions Armagh and Connacht champs Galway over their qurter final venues.
It seems that the GAA want these 2 matches at venues other than Croke Park.
Both teams automatically thought that by virtue of winning their provincial championships that they would be playing the quater finals in Corke Park -
But it seems that there is no space in the calendar with a glut of fixtures in August.
Both team are up in arms and are prepaing for a showdown with headquarters.
Have Armagh and Galway earned the right to play in Croke Park ?
Where did you get this story from?
Yes they have! These games should without doubt be in Croke Park. This is the beginning of the All Ireland series of games for these teams, and to perhaps have Armagh playing in Clones, Breffni Park, parnell Park wherever they decide would be a kick in the teeth and devaluing the quarter finals! I'm hoping we can progress this weekend and draw Cork for the quarters...double header sunday week in croke park with the first hurling semifinal between cork and kilkenny! Would be a cracking day out!
Provincial champions should havethe automatic right to play in Croke park. Squeezing the fixtures in like they have in the last month has been chaos, they were very lucky that there weren't more replays needed.
http://www.setantasports.com/en/Sport/News/Other-sports/2008/07/31/GAA-Unrest-in-Galway-and-Armagh/?facets/sport-space/great-britain-locale/
Galway and Armagh are ready to go to war with The GAA should their All-Ireland SFC quarter-finals be moved away from Croke Park.......
.......with Leinster champions Dublin set for a stand-alone fixture at Croker on Saturday August 9 and The GAA under huge pressure to hold Munster kings Cork's quarter-final as part of a double-header with The Rebels' SHC semi-final with Kilkenny the following day, the Connacht and Ulster champs are tipped to miss out.
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http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaa-championships/gaelic-football/galway-and-armagh-demand-to-play-in-croke-park-1443787.html
They have more right to be there than any of the teams lining out this weekend (except Antrim & Wicklow - that's a cup final).
Just happened that croke park was free this weekend I guess, and with 4 fairly even contests 2double headers was a great idea in my opinion for this weekend. But Im with you on the quarter finals issue armagh and galway have definitely earned the right to play in croke park!
they have a right but they do not have more right than any other team
Armagh and Galway both deserve their quarter finals in Croker but it doesn't look like it so I hope both have a home quarter final at least.
It's not just unfair on Armagh and Galway (+ whoever they are playing), it's also unfair on Cork opponents in both Hurling and Football. Sea of Red in Croker that day!!! The hurling and Football games should be played on separate weekends if possible??
Leaving aside the question of the "right" to play in Croke Pk some combinations of games are very attractive and people will lose out ticketwise if they are played at smaller grounds. Armagh and Tyrone have had 60000+ at their Ulster final games and AI Semi-final games in Croke Pk, one imagines that almost all of this crowd would like to attend a QF, Armagh and Down would hardly be much less.
Quote from: Stevie Nicks on July 31, 2008, 11:47:35 AM
Armagh and Galway both deserve their quarter finals in Croker but it doesn't look like it so I hope both have a home quarter final at least.
No way is that Fair!!!! Neutral Venues like all the other quarters (Technically in Dublin's case)
QuoteThey have more right to be there than any of the teams lining out this weekend (except Antrim & Wicklow - that's a cup final).
Agree.
Quote from: armaghniac on July 31, 2008, 11:48:11 AM
Leaving aside the question of the "right" to play in Croke Pk some combinations of games are very attractive and people will lose out ticketwise if they are played at smaller grounds. Armagh and Tyrone have had 60000+ at their Ulster final games and AI Semi-final games in Croke Pk, one imagines that almost all of this crowd would like to attend a QF, Armagh and Down would hardly be much less.
If it happens to be say Armagh v Down or Armagh v Tyrone and has to be played in Clones that will be a nightmare, as there will be a hell of a lot more than 36000(clones) looking to go to either of these games!
Quote from: Lecale2 on July 31, 2008, 11:35:06 AM
Where did you get this story from?
Todays Irish Indendent ! Back page
could someone explain how they have more right than the teams this weekend
Quote from: Oriel Man on July 31, 2008, 11:49:29 AM
Quote from: Stevie Nicks on July 31, 2008, 11:47:35 AM
Armagh and Galway both deserve their quarter finals in Croker but it doesn't look like it so I hope both have a home quarter final at least.
No way is that Fair!!!! Neutral Venues like all the other quarters (Technically in Dublin's case)
Provincial titles are starting to lose meaning at the minute, can't see how any team who have been beaten can complain about playing a quarter final anywhere in the country.
But Armagh and Galway haven't been beaten???
???That's what I am saying they deserve home quarter finals matches against teams coming out of the back door as some sort of reward for being provincial winners. Teams coming out of this weekends game should be glad to be in a quarter final no matter where it is played
However most teams will want to play in Croke Park when given the oppurtunity irrespective of being provincal winners or not. Especially teams who may not have experienced it much in recent years.
Irrspective of the number empty buckfast bottles, Armagh like all others sould be allowed to play ! ;)
Where would Armagh play a home Q/F? Crossmaglen? Are the Pathetic Grounds open?
Maybe Davitt Park in Lurgan should get the honour.
Quote from: Lecale2 on July 31, 2008, 12:14:11 PM
Where would Armagh play a home Q/F? Crossmaglen? Are the Pathetic Grounds open?
Maybe Davitt Park in Lurgan should get the honour.
It could be against down so play it as a home fixture for Armagh in Pairc Esler, we'll give you a lend of it ;D It's on the Armagh side of the river anyway so it's as good as a home tie!
Statement from Croke Park:
http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=98977 (http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=98977)
Quote from: Stevie Nicks on July 31, 2008, 12:07:41 PM
???That's what I am saying they deserve home quarter finals matches against teams coming out of the back door as some sort of reward for being provincial winners. Teams coming out of this weekends game should be glad to be in a quarter final no matter where it is played
And where in the name of God would Armagh be able to play a home AI Q/f
Quote from: Lecale2 on July 31, 2008, 12:14:11 PM
Where would Armagh play a home Q/F? Crossmaglen? Are the Pathetic Grounds open?
Maybe Davitt Park in Lurgan should get the honour.
I really dont see what the big fuse is about here. i woul support the GAA on this one as in other years they would have forced Dublin to have a double header which made no sence as it was bad financially and not fair on the loyal Dublin supports who have filled the stadium since the start of the championship!
Quoteloyal Dublin supports who have filled the stadium since the start of the championship!
Where were these loyal fans during the league? Dublin league games didn't have much larger attendances than Armagh, Tyrone etc.
Quote from: armaghniac on July 31, 2008, 12:40:04 PM
Quoteloyal Dublin supports who have filled the stadium since the start of the championship!
Where were these loyal fans during the league? Dublin league games didn't have much larger attendances than Armagh, Tyrone etc.
you could ask the same about alot of counties fans during the championship, 8k at the tyrone game last week and now they expect to play in croker?
They dont expect tankie. They are !
You talk of Croke park as if Dublin own it.
Quote from: Bensars on July 31, 2008, 12:44:44 PM
They dont expect tankie. They are !
You talk of Croke park as if Dublin own it.
No i dont but its no fair on dublin fans to miss out when they have been going all championship when there are other stadia available for these other games to take place!
The title of the thread is about Armagh and Galway.
Where do Dublin come into the equation ? Theres more to the GAA than Dublin, Tankie !
an absolute disgrace if any winning provincial team do not get to play their quarter-final game at croke park.
from the minute the very first ball is thrown in at the mckenna cup, right thru the league and c'ship....as a supporter and a player this is where you are dreaming of getting to.
if i was a young player, who'd dreamt, from the first time he held and kicked an o'neills football or sliothar, that one day he (or she!) would play in croke park and then was told that after winning the provincial title that i didn't get to croke park and would be playing an all-ireland q-final elsewhere i'd be totally gutted. anything can happen to a team or anyone from one year to the next and that opportunity is then GONE in the bat of an eyelid !
this cant really happen can it !? history and previous success and number of appearances in recent years doesn't come into it...please tell me I am dreaming !
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 12:57:31 PM
Quote from: Bensars on July 31, 2008, 12:44:44 PM
They dont expect tankie. They are !
You talk of Croke park as if Dublin own it.
No i dont but its no fair on dublin fans to miss out when they have been going all championship when there are other stadia available for these other games to take place!
Nobody mentioned Dublin Missing out. Nobody minds the Dublin QF being a stand-along game. Bue everybody want fairness, in having all QF's at Croker.
I think it's pretty bad form to be honest that provincial champions are not even going to get a day out in CP. That it is the Connacht and Ulster champions being shafted does not surprise me either.
Tankie - Armagh v Cavan - full house in Breffni
Armagh v Down - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh replay - 95% capacity, excellent for a replay.
Dublin have not filled Croke Park yet, it should be a double header.
Two IFs here! If Down win and if Down draw Armagh--Why not Casement?
Is it not possible to have Armagh and Galway on Sat 9th with Dublin on the following Sat. That means Galway have two weeks to their possible semi and so would Dublin. Everyone would then get to play in Croke Park. Is there anything else on in Croke Park on the 16th. A concert maybe or a soccer or rugby match which may be more important than letting gaa players play there.
Quote from: wobbller on July 31, 2008, 01:24:23 PM
Two IFs here! If Down win and if Down draw Armagh--Why not Casement?
Wobbler, it is the most depressing stadium in the world, what can it old 25k? Clon e would be more appropriate.
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 01:26:20 PM
Quote from: wobbller on July 31, 2008, 01:24:23 PM
Two IFs here! If Down win and if Down draw Armagh--Why not Casement?
Wobbler, it is the most depressing stadium in the world, what can it old 25k? Clon e would be more appropriate.
Holds 32k actually. But it is a dump.
Does it? Jesus.
I seem to remember somewhere in the small print of the qualifiers, that the quarter finals would always be played either in Croke Park or at a venue in the same province of the champions. e.g. if Armagh were to draw Kerry, it would have to be in Ulster if not Croke Park. I would have thought that Armagh would have a better chance against Kerry in Clones rather than in Dublin.
But they keep changing the rules of the qualifers each year that it is hard to keep up with the current one ???
Of course this thread is a bit premature since we will not know the full quarter final makeup until Sunday evening.
I'd rather another venue outside Croker than to be doubled-up with the Dubs and get a tiny allocation of tickets to be honest.
Monaghan v Armagh in Clones anyone? :P
In fairness it is an absolute disgrace if Armagh or Galway don't get to play in Croke park next weekend.
I always defend the GAA as much as I can as it has enough mockers to be honest, but it sometimes has the unique ability to p**s on the very people who make it what it is.
The GAA need to get its fixture set-up sorted once and for all, particularly for games in Croker, PARTICULARLY given that soccer, rugby, etc is now being played there.
PARTICULARLY as it is not fair and equitable that Dublin play all their games there (yes I respect the crowd and finance the Dubs bring, but the GAA need to be seen to be fair given that Croke park is a totally unique experience for GAA players and therefore HAS to be an advantage).
As a rule (given the current qualifier set-up), the following games should, without any question, be played in Croke Park, irrespective of anticipated attendances (the GAA has enough gravy days to make up a short-fall in a number of other games that don't make the '40k mark')
FOOTBALL
AI FINAL
AI SEMI FINALS
AI QUARTER FINALS
NATIONAL LEAGUE FINAL
CLUB FINAL
HURLING
AI FINAL
AI SEMI FINALS
NATIONAL LEAGUE FINAL
CLUB FINAL
the GAA should build its master fixtures list around these key fixtures and not have the ridiculous situation where there is a pile up at this time of year which is totally avoidable.
Finally, another thing that really gets my goat is the constant uncertainty of dates (never mind the venues) of fixtures. Like even though we know that the quarter finals are scheduled for the week after next, we still don't know what date your actual team will be playing on. Just filters through now that Dublin will deff play on Sat, Cork on Sunday. Just made up as they go along, CONSTANTLY DRIVEN TO MAX THEIR FINANCES OUT OF US, whilst showing a total lack of respect. How are you supposed to plan weekends, holidays, even work?
QuoteIs it not possible to have Armagh and Galway on Sat 9th with Dublin on the following Sat. That means Galway have two weeks to their possible semi and so would Dublin. Everyone would then get to play in Croke Park.
That's the solution.
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 01:15:28 PM
Tankie - Armagh v Cavan - full house in Breffni
Armagh v Down - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh replay - 95% capacity, excellent for a replay.
Dublin have not filled Croke Park yet, it should be a double header.
there was 81k at the last Dublin game and it is just stupid to say that it should be a double header.
What date is the AI football final fixed for?
Ask Tony Fearon. Whatever date he says - it's not that day.
(Somebody had to.)
will cork hurlers and footballers together fill croker next sunday?
Quote from: armaghniac on July 31, 2008, 01:53:53 PM
QuoteIs it not possible to have Armagh and Galway on Sat 9th with Dublin on the following Sat. That means Galway have two weeks to their possible semi and so would Dublin. Everyone would then get to play in Croke Park.
That's the solution.
Yep definitely the solution... see from master fixture list below...Dubs aren't due to play semi final until 31st august, would mean all counties get quarter finals in croke park...Winners of Armagh game would have 3 weeks break to semis and the dublin match winners would have 2weeks...don't think that really matters much! Winners of the Galway and Cork games would have the 2 week break as their semifinal is down for the 24th....FInal is Sunday 21st September
24th
All Ireland Minor and Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals (Connacht/QF V Munster/QF)
30th
All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
All Ireland Minor B Hurling Final
31st
All Ireland Minor and Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals (Leinster/QF V Ulster/QF)
The GAA are afraid of the Dubs drawing & not having enough of a break ::)
Quote from: D4S on July 31, 2008, 02:35:19 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on July 31, 2008, 01:53:53 PM
QuoteIs it not possible to have Armagh and Galway on Sat 9th with Dublin on the following Sat. That means Galway have two weeks to their possible semi and so would Dublin. Everyone would then get to play in Croke Park.
That's the solution.
Yep definitely the solution... see from master fixture list below...Dubs aren't due to play semi final until 31st august, would mean all counties get quarter finals in croke park...Winners of Armagh game would have 3 weeks break to semis and the dublin match winners would have 2weeks...don't think that really matters much! Winners of the Galway and Cork games would have the 2 week break as their semifinal is down for the 24th....
It's so bloody blindingly obvious that's the way to do it.
But sure it's more fun for the Leinster/Munster mafia that seem to run the GAA now to screw up the Connacht and Ulster lads.
Mind you the big glut of fixtures comes about as a result of decisions taken to make more time for club fixtures by not starting the Qualifiers till mid July and by having only 3 rounds of Qualifiers and dumping the Div 4 teams in the process.
Next year we'll have 4 rounds of Qualifiers and we'll have a bigger mess.
Meanwhile of course most Counties will hold their club championships off until they are out of the Championship resulting in all sorts of pile ups in late September and early October.
Why some of the brains in the GAA can't come up with a structure of fixtures that would give an even spread of County games over May/June/July/Aug ( there are about 60 Championship games in football)and also leave sufficient gaps for Club games is beyond me.
By the way why couldnt the Cork double header go to Thurles or Dublin's stand alone game? ;)
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 02:10:43 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 01:15:28 PM
Tankie - Armagh v Cavan - full house in Breffni
Armagh v Down - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh replay - 95% capacity, excellent for a replay.
Dublin have not filled Croke Park yet, it should be a double header.
there was 81k at the last Dublin game and it is just stupid to say that it should be a double header.
Where were the 81k for the other matches, just ruins your argument that the fans who have been going all along should be rewarded.
Quote from: D4S on July 31, 2008, 02:35:19 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on July 31, 2008, 01:53:53 PM
QuoteIs it not possible to have Armagh and Galway on Sat 9th with Dublin on the following Sat. That means Galway have two weeks to their possible semi and so would Dublin. Everyone would then get to play in Croke Park.
That's the solution.
Yep definitely the solution... see from master fixture list below...Dubs aren't due to play semi final until 31st august, would mean all counties get quarter finals in croke park...Winners of Armagh game would have 3 weeks break to semis and the dublin match winners would have 2weeks...don't think that really matters much! Winners of the Galway and Cork games would have the 2 week break as their semifinal is down for the 24th....FInal is Sunday 21st September
24th
All Ireland Minor and Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals (Connacht/QF V Munster/QF)
30th
All Ireland Intermediate Hurling Championship Final
All Ireland Minor B Hurling Final
31st
All Ireland Minor and Senior Football Championship Semi-Finals (Leinster/QF V Ulster/QF)
so when did ye win your quarter final? ;D
It's called being hypothetical...I'm from Down I couldnt care less how dublin do!
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 02:59:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 02:10:43 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 01:15:28 PM
Tankie - Armagh v Cavan - full house in Breffni
Armagh v Down - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh replay - 95% capacity, excellent for a replay.
Dublin have not filled Croke Park yet, it should be a double header.
there was 81k at the last Dublin game and it is just stupid to say that it should be a double header.
Where were the 81k for the other matches, just ruins your argument that the fans who have been going all along should be rewarded.
How? there was 70k plus at every dublin game. if its a double head Dublin would only get 30k which would leave alot of people disappointed!
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 03:29:25 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 02:59:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 02:10:43 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 01:15:28 PM
Tankie - Armagh v Cavan - full house in Breffni
Armagh v Down - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh replay - 95% capacity, excellent for a replay.
Dublin have not filled Croke Park yet, it should be a double header.
there was 81k at the last Dublin game and it is just stupid to say that it should be a double header.
Where were the 81k for the other matches, just ruins your argument that the fans who have been going all along should be rewarded.
How? there was 70k plus at every dublin game. if its a double head Dublin would only get 30k which would leave alot of people disappointed!
i would say there would be lot more Armagh and Galway fans disappointed they couldn't get a ticket for their counties QF match cause they were moved to a smaller stadium, than there would be disappointed Dublin fans!!
no problem with the Dubs as such for lots of reasonslike they will fill the stadium and all kind of financial and health and safety and all that - we might not all agrre in principle but there's a bit of logic to it.
But Cork getting centre stage and special treatment is more than a bit annoying as just a few months ago they would't travel anywhere to play their open league matches - remember ! Looks like teams who tow the line and have always shown a good attitude (Galway and Armagh and I'm not from either) get the short shift
Quote from: furboot on July 31, 2008, 03:43:44 PM
no problem with the Dubs as such for lots of reasonslike they will fill the stadium and all kind of financial and health and safety and all that - we might not all agrre in principle but there's a bit of logic to it.
But Cork getting centre stage and special treatment is more than a bit annoying as just a few months ago they would't travel anywhere to play their open league matches - remember ! Looks like teams who tow the line and have always shown a good attitude (Galway and Armagh and I'm not from either) get the short shift
[/b]
was that not always the way ?
The biggest joke, as others have said, is asking teams to play games on 4 consecutive weeks. We've been playing championship football since May, and now they are jamming the biggest games of the year into one single month! Senseless.
Quote from: Will Hunting on July 31, 2008, 04:00:35 PM
The biggest joke, as others have said, is asking teams to play games on 4 consecutive weeks. We've been playing championship football since May, and now they are jamming the biggest games of the year into one single month! Senseless.
The lesson to be learned from that is not to loose your early games, if any. There has to be some motivation and advantage for winning the provincial championships...
Quote from: Croí na hÉireann on July 31, 2008, 04:03:40 PM
Quote from: Will Hunting on July 31, 2008, 04:00:35 PM
The biggest joke, as others have said, is asking teams to play games on 4 consecutive weeks. We've been playing championship football since May, and now they are jamming the biggest games of the year into one single month! Senseless.
The lesson to be learned from that is not to loose your early games, if any. There has to be some motivation and advantage for winning the provincial championships...
I agree that there should be a motivation for winning the prov c'ship, but I certainly don't think the GAA meant this fixture congestion as some sort of punishment to all 32 teams in the country bar the 8 who didn't make the prov finals. This has arisen as a result of some chronic short-sightedness in Croke Park. We've had plenty of time this summer to play these games (and still do, if they have the gumption to use the weekend of Aug 16 for q-final games).
I don't see why Armagh would need to press for their quarter final to be in croke park.
A possible quarter final against mayo, tyrone, kildare, kerry, etc would all be preferable in clones surely?
What I dont understand is why the GAA was so keen to put out a press statement saying all final round qualifiers would be in Croke Park in case the qualifers didnt get to play there in the quarter finals. Did nobody stop and think that if that happened then provincial champions may not get to play there this year. The GAA should have put at the bottom oh btw we think winning in the final round of qualifiers is more important than winning your province.
QuoteA possible quarter final against mayo, tyrone, kildare, kerry, etc would all be preferable in clones surely?
There is no guarantee that a game against Kerry, Mayo, Wexford or Kildare would be in Clones. It didn't work for the Sligo game. Unless someone can point to where something has changed in the how game locations are decided.
Against Tyrone, Down or Monaghan the location is OK, but tickets would be very hard to get hold of. Will they give more tickets to Armagh on the basis that few enough Tyrone people have been at earlier games?
Quote from: stpauls on July 31, 2008, 03:33:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 03:29:25 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 02:59:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 02:10:43 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 01:15:28 PM
Tankie - Armagh v Cavan - full house in Breffni
Armagh v Down - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh replay - 95% capacity, excellent for a replay.
Dublin have not filled Croke Park yet, it should be a double header.
there was 81k at the last Dublin game and it is just stupid to say that it should be a double header.
Where were the 81k for the other matches, just ruins your argument that the fans who have been going all along should be rewarded.
How? there was 70k plus at every dublin game. if its a double head Dublin would only get 30k which would leave alot of people disappointed!
i would say there would be lot more Armagh and Galway fans disappointed they couldn't get a ticket for their counties QF match cause they were moved to a smaller stadium, than there would be disappointed Dublin fans!!
that would not be correct as it the games were played as a double header the countie would probably get a smaller amount of tickets. Also if the games are played outside Croker are you really expecting 40k+? that would be some bandwagon is you are thinking that!
First of all, I would detach the decision to have the qualifiers in Croke Park this week from the decision on the quarter finals. With no hurling on Sunday, Croke Park was free for the entire weekend so why not make use of it, regardless of what stage of the AI series we are at.
There is no perfect solution but to me, the "least bad" option is to have an Armagh / Galway double header on the 9th and Dublin on their own on the 16th. I realise this only gives Dublin 2 weeks before their (potential) semi final but that's the same as the winners of Galway and Cork's quarter finals.
Dublin should either have a game as part of a double header on the 9th or a stand alone fixture on the 16th. They can't have it every way.
I don't think there's anything that states that provincial champions should have a "home" advnatge (or in Armagh's case Clones) and since Sligo were fit to successful overturn a Clones fixture, I'd say any non-Ulster side would be fit to do the same.
Quote
I agree that there should be a motivation for winning the prov c'ship, but I certainly don't think the GAA meant this fixture congestion as some sort of punishment to all 32 teams in the country bar the 8 who didn't make the prov finals. This has arisen as a result of some chronic short-sightedness in Croke Park. We've had plenty of time this summer to play these games (and still do, if they have the gumption to use the weekend of Aug 16 for q-final games).
The qualifiers were scheduled the way they were to allow counties who were out of the provincial championships early an opportunity to play club championship in June. A laudable enough concept. I'm not sure how many counties took up this opportunity however.
I heard on the radio last week after Corks great win against Clare that their semi final aginst the cats was fixed for sun 17th, why is this changed?
Quote from: Onion Bag on July 31, 2008, 07:02:51 PM
I heard on the radio last week after Corks great win against Clare that their semi final aginst the cats was fixed for sun 17th, why is this changed?
Cork requested that the hurling and football be played on the samer day in Croker in the interest of the travelling supporters.
Quote from: GaillimhIarthair on July 31, 2008, 08:07:57 PM
Quote from: Onion Bag on July 31, 2008, 07:02:51 PM
I heard on the radio last week after Corks great win against Clare that their semi final aginst the cats was fixed for sun 17th, why is this changed?
Cork requested that the hurling and football be played on the samer day in Croker in the interest of the travelling supporters.
That is sweet from a county who refused to play any games at the start of the league, now there are dictating fixtures!! ???
What a shower.
Either all QF's at Croker or none - it should be the same for all counties
Presumably this 'decision' is made by the same fools as downgrade3d their own 'second most important' hurling competition to having its final in Croke Park on a Friday evening??
Surely logic dictates that one each of the Ring and Rackard finals shpould take place as curtain raisers top the two AI hurling semis - allowing the hurling folk in thoise counties to share their occasion with their counterparts in the stronger counties... they would likley get more attending from other hurling counties that will attend either game this weekend.
Agree completely also with the comment earlier about teams playing three / four games on the trot having been idle for six - eight weeks.
Fear not though... all of this madness is justified in the name of tradition!!
just to put the issue to bed, the dublin county board has told clubs they are 95% certain they are playing a double header on the 9th with another quarter final. only getting 15k tickets.
dont really care where the quarter is as long as the result is right, yes it would have been nice to get down to croker, but at the end of the day its not the end of the world. I think that Cork are just right to request playing both together, its a good move, more support for both the footballers and hurlers.
Ard Mhaca abu ;)
Quote from: INDIANA on July 31, 2008, 09:52:32 PM
just to put the issue to bed, the dublin county board has told clubs they are 95% certain they are playing a double header on the 9th with another quarter final. only getting 15k tickets.
I don't think Costello has heard that officially - I don't know if he's just playing games...it'd be unlike him but I wouldn't be surprised..
memo from Parnell pk today . "The Central Competitions Control Committee have indicated to us this afternoon that two Football Quarter-Finals will be held in Croke Park on Saturday 9th August. Dublin will receive a maximum of 15,000 tickets to be divided between Players, Sponsors, Parnell Park Ticket Scheme Members and Clubs.
Accordingly allocations to clubs will be significantly less than received for previous games. Family Tickets will be limited."
hard to see him flying a kite on the strength of that. well hopefully he is!
Quote from: INDIANA on July 31, 2008, 10:25:34 PM
memo from Parnell pk today . "The Central Competitions Control Committee have indicated to us this afternoon that two Football Quarter-Finals will be held in Croke Park on Saturday 9th August. Dublin will receive a maximum of 15,000 tickets to be divided between Players, Sponsors, Parnell Park Ticket Scheme Members and Clubs.
Accordingly allocations to clubs will be significantly less than received for previous games. Family Tickets will be limited."
hard to see him flying a kite on the strength of that. well hopefully he is!
I seen the same myself - I'll just hold off until I see it officially!
QuoteQuote from: INDIANA on Today at 10:25:34 PM
memo from Parnell pk today . "The Central Competitions Control Committee have indicated to us this afternoon that two Football Quarter-Finals will be held in Croke Park on Saturday 9th August. Dublin will receive a maximum of 15,000 tickets to be divided between Players, Sponsors, Parnell Park Ticket Scheme Members and Clubs.
Accordingly allocations to clubs will be significantly less than received for previous games. Family Tickets will be limited."
hard to see him flying a kite on the strength of that. well hopefully he is!
I seen the same myself - I'll just hold off until I see it officially!
Imagine a double header with Dubs v Kerry and Armagh v Tyrone!
QuoteImagine a double header with Dubs v Kerry and Armagh v Tyrone!
Well you'd be reasonably certain of seeing the champions play, if you could get a ticket!!
I think this is the likely outcome
Saturday August 9th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Dublin Quarter-Final
Sat August 9th or Sun August 10th at Semple Stadium or Gaelic Grounds - Double Header involving both the Cork Football & Hurling Teams
Sunday August 10th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Armagh and Galway Quarter-Finals
This should make everyone happy with the possible exception of Kilkenny
There is no chance of the hurling being moved from Croke Pk, however much sense this may make. Boxes premium seats and the like are sold on the basis the semi finals and finals will be in Croke Pk.
likely to be 9th dublin v whoever
galway v whoever
sunday cork double header in croker
and armagh in clones. just have a feeling armagh may get the short straw.
I think if there is a double header with the Dublin match on the 9th it will be a disgrace as its basically saying hey bring 60-80k to the early matches and we will screw you over when it gets serious....
If it is a double header say - Dublin Kerry, Armagh Tyrone I can't wait to see how many Armagh fans will be complaining about lack of tickets and cost etc in getting to Croke Park.....we always hear about its so expensive to get here etc
Quote from: DUBSFORSAM1 on August 01, 2008, 01:41:40 AM
I think if there is a double header with the Dublin match on the 9th it will be a disgrace as its basically saying hey bring 60-80k to the early matches and we will screw you over when it gets serious....
If it is a double header say - Dublin Kerry, Armagh Tyrone I can't wait to see how many Armagh fans will be complaining about lack of tickets and cost etc in getting to Croke Park.....we always hear about its so expensive to get here etc
Thats my point too, its a total shame if they put this on as a double header. it will be interesting to see how many fans make the journey up this weekend!
The fairest solution to all involved would seem to be
Saturday August 9th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Armagh and Galway Quarter-Finals
Sunday August 10th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Cork Football Quarter-Final & Cork Hurling Semi-Final
Saturday August 16th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Dublin Quarter-Final
but this would give one of the back door teams an extra week to recover before they play their quarter-final match against the Dubs
Quote from: PatDaly on August 01, 2008, 03:22:36 AM
The fairest solution to all involved would seem to be
Saturday August 9th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Armagh and Galway Quarter-Finals
Sunday August 10th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Cork Football Quarter-Final & Cork Hurling Semi-Final
Saturday August 16th at Páirc an Chrócaigh - Dublin Quarter-Final
but this would give one of the back door teams an extra week to recover before they play their quarter-final match against the Dubs
Looks like you are right! 8)
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 03:29:25 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 02:59:34 PM
Quote from: Tankie on July 31, 2008, 02:10:43 PM
Quote from: corn02 on July 31, 2008, 01:15:28 PM
Tankie - Armagh v Cavan - full house in Breffni
Armagh v Down - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh - full house in Clones
Armagh v Fermanagh replay - 95% capacity, excellent for a replay.
Dublin have not filled Croke Park yet, it should be a double header.
there was 81k at the last Dublin game and it is just stupid to say that it should be a double header.
Where were the 81k for the other matches, just ruins your argument that the fans who have been going all along should be rewarded.
How? there was 70k plus at every dublin game. if its a double head Dublin would only get 30k which would leave alot of people disappointed!
Dublin v Louth - 56,496
Dublin v Westmeath - 67,005.
So the Dubs have been given the option of playing on the 16th as a stand alone fixture.Will be very interesting to see what they do.
Do they want to win Sam more & take no chances with replays etc or do they want to appease the masses?
QuoteDo they want to win Sam more & take no chances with replayes
Galway and Cork have only two weeks to their semi final. If you are expecting to draw, then you are not exactly optimistic about your own prospects.
Quote from: armaghniac on August 01, 2008, 10:39:50 AM
QuoteDo they want to win Sam more & take no chances with replayes
Galway and Cork have only two weeks to their semi final. If you are expecting to draw, then you are not exactly optimistic about your own prospects.
FFS, you have to factor everything in
No team can go out & expect to win every game & lift Sam without any hitches....
And I didnt say they expect to draw......I was saying if they did draw ::)
Quote from: full back on August 01, 2008, 10:23:57 AM
So the Dubs have been given the option of playing on the 16th as a stand alone fixture.Will be very interesting to see what they do.
Do they want to win Sam more & take no chances with replays etc or do they want to appease the masses?
Where is this information coming from? Do you think the powers that be have been checking in on our conversations and discovered the brains of the gaa are on here and not the one running it ;D
any word whether this is definitely happening?
Dublin have apparently refused the option of playing on the 16th because their training is geared towards an August 9th game. How the GAA have f**ked this up is byond me, is there no forward planning at the highest level, why wasn't a Saturday set aside for a potential Dublin QF and all counties notified of this. So for example at the start of the year all county secretaries would be notified that in the event of Dublin making the QF and your county playing them, the game will go ahead as a stand alone fixture on August 16th 2008.
Where are people getting this info? So much of what is said here could just be speculation unless you say where this came from?
Quote from: Zulu on August 01, 2008, 04:07:51 PM
Dublin have apparently refused the option of playing on the 16th
If this is the case that means there will be a double header with the Dubs one of the teams playing then.
Im no fan of the Dubs, but how in the honour of fcuk do the GAA expect to allocate tickets for this day? Dublin can at least 3/4 fill the stadium every time they play in the c'ship
It will be a complete nightmare for all counties involved.
Quote from: DUBSFORSAM1 on August 01, 2008, 01:41:40 AM
I think if there is a double header with the Dublin match on the 9th it will be a disgrace as its basically saying hey bring 60-80k to the early matches and we will screw you over when it gets serious....
Why do you think you are gonna get 60-80,000 tickets for an all ireland semi or final (if you are lucky enough to get there), get real saan. If dublin get to an all ireland final they would be lucky to get 30,000 tickets so some of you're supporters are gonna get screwed anyway
Ticket woe looms for Dubs fans
Later date not a runner so it's a double-header
Bleak outlook: Dublin fans could be facing a severe shortage of tickets for the All-Ireland quarter-final
By Frank Roche
Friday August 01 2008
DUBLIN footballers don't want their All-Ireland SFC quarter-final moved back a week to August 16 - but it means that countless thousands of Sky Blue fans will be left ticketless when the Leinster champions return to Croke Park tomorrow week.
Contrary to strong official vibes earlier this week, Dublin's next game on August 9 will not be a stand-alone fixture. Instead, another football quarter- final will be added to the bill.
Croke Park fixture-makers were forced into a U-turn following strong protests from Galway and Armagh after it emerged that the Connacht and Ulster champions could be forced to play their quarter-final ties at provincial venues because of a congested Croke Park programme.
It's understood that the CCCC offered an alternative stand-alone date on Saturday, August 16. But this left Dublin in a classic Catch-22 bind: the team's entire training programme in recent weeks had been calibrated towards peaking on August 9, so to play a week later could have affected Dublin's performance while benefitting their vast army of fans.
Dublin chairman Gerry Harrington confirmed that he discussed the issue with manager Paul Caffrey at training last night, but August 16 was a non-runner.
Harrington is still holding out hope that the CCCC will relent and make August 9 a stand-alone date - but there isn't a chance of this happening.
"We don't want to play it the following weekend - we want to play it on the ninth," he told the Evening Herald.
"If it means we have to play it as a double-header, so be it, but at the moment we are still fighting for a stand-alone fixture."
The Dublin chief explained that training drilles are geared for tomorrow week, adding: "To change that now would not be feasible."
However, while August 9 is best for the team, it spells a very bleak scenario for Dublin fans. County board chief executive John Costello has already written to clubs yesterday, indicating that Dublin will receive a "maximum of 15,000 tickets to be divided between players, sponsors, Parnell Park ticket scheme members and clubs."
Harrington admitted: "It's going to be very difficult with the ticket situation.
Even when we were a standalone fixture, the ticket situation is very difficult.
"There will be an awful lot of supporters disappointed, but we can do nothing about that."
- Frank Roche
Still going to leave either Galway or Armagh playing at a provincial venue. They've changed dates for q/finals before but it seems Dublin now have a veto. If it ends up Dublin v Kerry the ticket situation might actually be aided by moving the match to Thurles.
Looking a little better for the armagh and galway fans now...hope all quarter finals get to be played in croke park even if we don't make it to the quarters.
Well if is Armagh v an Ulster team then Clones seems very likely, and there is likely to be a couple of Ulster teams in the pot. Armagh v Kerry, Kildare or Wexford could be in Croke Pk. But the likes of an Armagh v Kerry and Dublin v Tyrone double header would be an absolute nightmare for tickets. Galway v Kerry could be shunted off to Limerick and something like Armagh v Wexford and Dublin v Fermanagh would be more manageable for tickets.
The Dubs can't have it both ways, either a stand alone on Sat 16th or if standing firm for Sat the 9th going to have to accept a double header. As a previous poster has said that stills leaves 1 match being possibly played outside croker if the 'rebels' have asked for a double header unless that is moved to Semple
Quote from: AFS on August 01, 2008, 05:20:09 PM
The whole thing is a f**king joke!
Why are Dublin and Cork being allowed to dictate where and when they play, while Armagh and Galway are pretty much been told to f**k off?
Its as if Ulster and Connaught are just an inconvenience.
Dublin have been told that if they want a stand alone fixture they have to move dates - they arent exactly dictating............
listen carefully AFS , dublin are playing a double header on the 9th. thats a fact.
As to why we are dictating things? the only county dictating things is Cork, who demanded a double header. All 4 provincial winners including dublin are enitled to play in croke park as provincial winners in my view.. If Cork want a double header then they should be playing on the 16th. that way everyone would be happy. they can't shift cork to thurles because premium tickets in croker are sold on the basis that all-ireland semis are played in croke park.
Quotelisten carefully AFS , dublin are playing a double header on the 9th. thats a fact.
Nothing's certain until Monday.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 01, 2008, 06:57:54 PM
listen carefully , dublin are playing a double header on the 9th. thats a fact.
Hopefully the thousands from Dublin who wont get tickets will know who to blame then - their own Co Board who wouldnt agree to a stand alone on 16th.
As for Cork - who could blame them for wanting their football and hurling games on the same day?
They seem to be taking account of their supporters wishes which appears to be an alien concept among their Dublin counterparts.
Looking at the bigger picture -can the GAA not set up a Committee to look at a way of avoiding the fixtures mess and griping that goes on every August.
What g oes on now is knee jerk ad hoc solutions here and there to this problem and that anomoly without any thinking the whole issue through.
What would have happened if ther had been a draw in Round one and/or round 2 of the Qualifiers?
What happens if there's a draw this weekend and Dublin draw the winners of that pairing.? ::)
why don't you educate yourselves on the facts of the situation before you come on here as a fountain of knowledge. The dublin managment have kiboshed the 16th because it leaves them 4 weeks wiithout a game and gives their likely opponents a 2 week gap. Thats a perfectly reasonable assumption from a preparation pt of view and one that Dublin fans are happy with. Dublin aren't dictating anything and have known since tuesday it would be likely to be a stand alone game
Cork have been allowed dictate matters. Offaly fans were asked to be in semple stadium against waterford to watch their hurlers and 90 mins later to be in tullamore to watch their footballers on the same day. No-one gave a shite about them, because they are a small county So this argument that Cork should be allowed dictate fixtures because of distance is bullshit. Cork are the worst travelling Gaa fans in the country in my view. If you put both games on Washington Street half of them still wouldn't turn up. It happens to other counties all the time and they don't whinge about it. This is Frank Murphy's agenda and another indciation that if you've got the right friends in the Gaa you can get anything changed. Its a farce that all 4 provincial winners won't get to play in Croke park to suit one county.
99% of Cork hurling fans don't go to watch their footballers, that is a statistical fact and one that won;t change by having both games in croke park. just wait till throw in time sunday week in the football match and see how many cork fans are their. F*** all would be my guess.
QuoteCork are the worst travelling Gaa fans in the country in my view
How often have you had to travel to Killarney or Cork to watch Dublin play in a Championship game ? How often have you had to pay the 60 Euros for the train ?...and, unless you want to spend 6hours in a train up and down on the same day, a hotel room ?
This is not a whinge, I know how lucky I am coming from Kerry and having the opportunity to see them play in croker as often as I have but, at the same time, you have to factor in the practical realities of the situation.
If any team is to give up their quarter final in Croker, surely it should be Dublin i.e. the quarters should be at 'neutral' venues and the Dubs already have had enough experience of the big day in Croker this year already.
And don't be telling me Croke Park is neutral for Dublin.....send them packing for the day.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 01, 2008, 06:57:54 PM
dublin are playing a double header on the 9th. thats a fact.
It's Dublin we're talking about. Something will be done so they get Croke park to themselves but if not the ticket allocation mentioned for a double header should be more than enough to accommodate the real Dub supporters. 15,000 was it? Just get rid of the scum on the hill and that will be plenty.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 01, 2008, 07:26:22 PM
why don't you educate yourselves on the facts of the situation before you come on here as a fountain of knowledge. The dublin managment have kiboshed the 16th because it leaves them 4 weeks wiithout a game and gives their likely opponents a 2 week gap. Thats a perfectly reasonable assumption from a preparation pt of view and one that Dublin fans are happy with. Dublin aren't dictating anything and have known since tuesday it would be likely to be a stand alone game
Cork have been allowed dictate matters. Offaly fans were asked to be in semple stadium against waterford to watch their hurlers and 90 mins later to be in tullamore to watch their footballers on the same day. No-one gave a shite about them, because they are a small county So this argument that Cork should be allowed dictate fixtures because of distance is bullshit. Cork are the worst travelling Gaa fans in the country in my view. If you put both games on Washington Street half of them still wouldn't turn up. It happens to other counties all the time and they don't whinge about it. This is Frank Murphy's agenda and another indciation that if you've got the right friends in the Gaa you can get anything changed. Its a farce that all 4 provincial winners won't get to play in Croke park to suit one county.
99% of Cork hurling fans don't go to watch their footballers, that is a statistical fact and one that won;t change by having both games in croke park. just wait till throw in time sunday week in the football match and see how many cork fans are their. F*** all would be my guess.
You are well off the mark with that post Indiana, Cork have a great travelling support for their hurlers and the bulk of their football support have a serious distance to travel to Dublin so it isn't a great surprise that they aren't flocking to support an underachieving team. And it isn't a statistical fact that 99% of the Cork hurling support don't support the footballers it isn't any kind of a fact, what it is is a gross exaggeration and is actually wrong. And two years ago Cork footballers had to play Saturday in CP and the hurlers on Sunday which was extremely tough and expensive on their supporters so the GAA don't pander to the bigger counties. Cork are only trying to accomodate their supporters and IMO both Cork and Dublin should be accomodated. If Cork footballers double up with their hurlers on Sunday you could have one stand alone QF (for the Dubs) and one double header on Aud 9th and 16th and everyone is happy. This shouldn't be a drama if the GAA orgainised these games well in advance but that is asking too much apparently.
So its becoming very clear that Dublin will have to play their quarter-final in Croke Park on Saturday August 9th along with one other quarter-final. Cork footballers (and the Cork hurlers) will then play their quarter-final in Croke Park on Sunday August 10th. This leaves one quarter-final not accounted for. One of either Galway or Armagh won't as things currently stand be playing in Croke Park. Anyone know the story here?
QuoteCork footballers (and the Cork hurlers) will then play their quarter-final in Croke Park on Sunday August 10th.
This is the only certain thing.
The possibilities for the other games partly depend on whether Kerry win and who they play. Kerry v Galway could be set for Limerick as a large convenient venue. Kerry v Dublin could be in Thurles, this solves the ticket problem. Kerry v Armagh would probably be in Croke Pk. Kerry can't play Cork.
If Kerry don't win, it increases the likelihood of Armagh drawing Ulster opposition and ending up in Clones, allowing Galway play against Leinster or Ulster opposition in Croke Pk.
But if you end up with Armagh v Mayo and Galway v Monaghan or Down then where would you play? The GAA have made a stick for themselves.
Lets get a couple of misconceptions out of the way first....
1 - It has been known since last year when the championship draw came out that the 4 provincial winners wouldn't be playing in Croke Park so why weren't the complaints made then?
2 - There is no rule anywhere that the qtr-finals have to be in Croke Park at all.
3 - There is no reason the qtr-finals should be at neutral venues either (give the provincial winners an advantage as they deserve it)...
4 - By playing the double header for Cork they are getting an extra football qtr-final in Croke Park so why the complaining about it?
Why do people think that transferring a Dublin v's Kerry match to Thurles is fair to Dublin - moving a qualifier for the provincial champion down to the province of the qualifying team? Thats like saying play a Galway Tyrone match in Clones or an Armagh Mayo match in Tuam - it just doesn't work that way...
where are people getting the notions Cork are dictating things.Kilkenny versus qualifier(Cork) was always fixed for the 10th and the footballers the 9th.Common sense would see the Cork football game moved to the Sunday as part of a double header,jesus its a no-brainer really. The joys of being a dual, lucky for some eh?
QuoteThats like saying play a Galway Tyrone match in Clones or an Armagh Mayo match in Tuam - it just doesn't work that way...
Neither of those venues you named would be even close to halfway between the relevant counties. But then you weren't looking for a reasonable solution, you were just desperately searching for something to back up your feeble argument.
As it happens Thurles is much closer to Dublin than it is to Killarney.
QuoteCommon sense would see the Cork football game moved to the Sunday as part of a double header,jesus its a no-brainer really. The joys of being a dual, lucky for some eh?
Agreed - first decent decision Corkmen have made all year!
Quote from: TacadoirArdMhacha on August 02, 2008, 03:15:16 AM
QuoteThats like saying play a Galway Tyrone match in Clones or an Armagh Mayo match in Tuam - it just doesn't work that way...
Neither of those venues you named would be even close to halfway between the relevant counties. But then you weren't looking for a reasonable solution, you were just desperately searching for something to back up your feeble argument.
As it happens Thurles is much closer to Dublin than it is to Killarney.
So you think it is right to move the Provincial champions out of their own province to play a qualifier team in their own province???
Anyone who thinks the Leinster football champions would play their quarter final outside Croker is just an eejit on the wind up- don't be taken in.
I'm a bit surprised that Galway and Armagh strongly prefer Croker to their own province - its not like they need the Croker experience, but if they do the GAA should try and accomodate them if possible. It is ridiculous that its only come up as an issue now given the fixtrs were set months ago.
"As it happens Thurles is much closer to Dublin than it is to Killarney."
There is only about 20 miles difference in fairness
QuoteAnyone who thinks the Leinster football champions would play their quarter final outside Croker is just an eejit on the wind up- don't be taken in.
Dublin played Kerry in Thurles in 2001 Hound. And there's absolutely nothing to say that provincial champions should have any advantage when it comes to scheduling.
zulu i lived in cork for a while through work, and the hurling fans didn't watch the footballers. there attitude to football was that it was agame that only bad hurlers played. That is what they said to me directly. Cork have a minimal travelling support for their football team and there isn't a lot of crossover. I don;t see ay necessity to accomodate cork on this matter. Offaly have far more crossover in their support and no effort was made to accomodate them. I spent long enough down there to know that hurling is king in cork. and bar west cork they don't have any real support down there. and holding them on the same day won't make a blind bit of difference on sunday week.
If Cork want a double-header, should they not be forced to also share it with a third game? There are 3 games on today and tomorrow in Croker - surely there'd be room for a third game on the day or Cork's games. One game at 1 o'clock, another at 3 and another at 5.
AFS - Croke Park was free at most for 2 football games on the 9th and that has been known since before the championship even started without any complaints about it. Are you advocating that matches should be moved to limit to amount of people who attend the games? Why should Dublin who are the Leinster champions be moved out of the province to play their qtr-final? Why can't Armagh/Galway play their qtr-finals in their own provinces ie Tuam/Clones and there will be still more tickets for them than playing a Double header with Dublin.
Dublin are just insisting on playing on the dates that are in the fixture listing as to when they are playing - what is wrong with that?
Quote from: DUBSFORSAM1 on August 02, 2008, 02:46:28 PM
AFS - Croke Park was free at most for 2 football games on the 9th and that has been known since before the championship even started without any complaints about it. Are you advocating that matches should be moved to limit to amount of people who attend the games? Why should Dublin who are the Leinster champions be moved out of the province to play their qtr-final? Why can't Armagh/Galway play their qtr-finals in their own provinces ie Tuam/Clones and there will be still more tickets for them than playing a Double header with Dublin.
Dublin are just insisting on playing on the dates that are in the fixture listing as to when they are playing - what is wrong with that?
Fair enough point. Expth the provincial thing of course but your argument for Dublin is correct.
Quote from: corn02 on August 02, 2008, 02:53:59 PM
Quote from: DUBSFORSAM1 on August 02, 2008, 02:46:28 PM
AFS - Croke Park was free at most for 2 football games on the 9th and that has been known since before the championship even started without any complaints about it. Are you advocating that matches should be moved to limit to amount of people who attend the games? Why should Dublin who are the Leinster champions be moved out of the province to play their qtr-final? Why can't Armagh/Galway play their qtr-finals in their own provinces ie Tuam/Clones and there will be still more tickets for them than playing a Double header with Dublin.
Dublin are just insisting on playing on the dates that are in the fixture listing as to when they are playing - what is wrong with that?
Fair enough point. Expth the provincial thing of course but your argument for Dublin is correct.
Corn - Why is the provincial thing wrong?
Croke Park as such isn't viewed as Leinster venue, it is viewed at HQ, the big stage, the place teams want to play in.
Provincial winner should play there, as has been the norm. I understand what you mean about playing in their own province but you have to accept that Croke Park is above that?
Croke Park though is the Leinster provincial ground and if viewed as not then a new 80k stadium needs to be built which is ridiculous...
Quote from: AFS on August 02, 2008, 03:08:32 PM
Quote from: DUBSFORSAM1 on August 02, 2008, 02:46:28 PM
AFS - Croke Park was free at most for 2 football games on the 9th and that has been known since before the championship even started without any complaints about it. Are you advocating that matches should be moved to limit to amount of people who attend the games? Why should Dublin who are the Leinster champions be moved out of the province to play their qtr-final? Why can't Armagh/Galway play their qtr-finals in their own provinces ie Tuam/Clones and there will be still more tickets for them than playing a Double header with Dublin.
Dublin are just insisting on playing on the dates that are in the fixture listing as to when they are playing - what is wrong with that?
Your point that I've highlighted is quite ironic, since if Armagh are forced to play at Clones (which is the best case scenario, and by no means guaranteed) its very likely that there'll be a good few Armagh supporters that will miss the game due to a lack of tickets. Are these Armagh supporters less important than Dublin ones? Also, what are the chances of Kerry, Mayo or Wexford agreeing to come to Clones? Its far more likely that Armagh will be dragged to an even smaller provincial ground somewhere in the midlands to face any of these teams. All I'm asking for it that every member county of the association be given equal use of the associations main stadium, which at the minute they're not.
Clones holds practically 35k which will be at least half of the available number of tickets available in Croke Park for a double header once the Premium and the Box seats are taken out so there is no way they would get less tickets. So that arguement doesn't hold water. You then have the reduced costs for fans which we keep hearing are very costly for families so thats another bonus. How many Armagh fans have been going to the championship games this year? 15-20K maybe and nearly all them will get tickets to Clones - what about the 30k Dublin fans who have been at all games who wouldn't get a ticket, are they not important at all???
With regards to the qualifier teams my point has always been that the provincial winners should get the benefits of being champions and going through the front door by getting effectively a home game and extra tickets.
So no doubt you demand that the Armagh hurlers get the exact same treatment as the Armagh footballers if you want everyone to be treated the same??
Quote from: DUBSFORSAM1 on August 02, 2008, 03:03:22 PM
Croke Park though is the Leinster provincial ground and if viewed as not then a new 80k stadium needs to be built which is ridiculous...
Just don't think your getting me here.
its simple econmoics AFS , Dubli fill croke park, armagh don't Dublin are a cash cow, armagh aren't. The basis of your argument is technically correct in that Croke park is a national stadium not a dublin one. But i know dublin get croke park because they fill it. 82,500= 4-5m gate receipts, 5 times average a year, thats a lot of money. ot sayig its right, but thats the reason.
Agrred Indiana, just we have point out stuipid mistakes when Tankie says there has been over 70k at Dublin games this year.
What about opening up Parnell park and whacking in a massive TV screen for a double header involving the dubs? Understand it's not the same as being in CP, but beggars can't be choosers
Approximately how many fans will show up on Sunday August 10th for the Cork 1/4 final and the Cork hurling semi-final? I think a triple header on Sunday August 10th with the Armagh 1/4 final being the third match is the solution.
Dublin could play next Saturday August 9th along with the Galway 1/4 final which would likely attract the lowest number of fans of all 4 quarter-finals. The Dubs could therefore have about 60% to 65% of the tickets available for their 1/4 final game.
A triple bill is not a runner at all, Kilkenny v Cork is sure to attract a large crowd and throw in another 10,000 for the opposition for the Cork footballers. If Armagh etc were playing we'd only get handful of tickets.
Pat - What would you do with the minors then??
Armaghmaniac - You have no problem in an awful lot of Dublin fans missing out on tickets so why is this not acceptable to Armagh fans?
put the minors somewhere befitting the status of u18 players. ie a provincial ground. i've said it time and again there is no necessity for minors bar the finals to be playing in croke park .dsfm.
Indiana - the minors semi-finals have and should be played ahead of the senior games.....a lot of times counties are playing in both matches so it is only fair that they get the chance. We want to give people the chance to play at Croke Park so don't take it away from the minors.
QuoteArmaghmaniac - You have no problem in an awful lot of Dublin fans missing out on tickets so why is this not acceptable to Armagh fans?
Where did I say that I had no problem with Dublin fans missing out?
don;t agree Dsfm, the minor games cause half the problems in relation to scheduling. Minor games have no business being on ahead of rackard,christy ring competitions in croke park. the finals are enough. we've had the farcical arrnagement of the minor semi of cork/kilkenny being given preference to the christy ring final.
A double header next Saturday involving the Dublin and Galway 1/4 finals and a triple header next Sunday involving the Cork footballers, the Cork hurlers and the Armagh footballers is clearly the best solution to this problem. No-one has yet come up with a better suggestion.
Yes the minor hurling game fixed for next Sunday August 10th will have to be rearranged and not all Dublin fans will get tickets but this is the price the GAA must pay for very poorly organising this years football championship fixtures.
The England rugby team can play in Croke park yet the Ulster and Connacht GAA champions cannot.
QuoteNo-one has yet come up with a better suggestion.
We don't know the pairings yet so you cannot say what is best. But if it arises I'd much rather play Tyrone in Clones and get a ticket than not get a ticket for a triple header cludge in Croke Pk. If Galway are playing Kerry then Limerick has to be an option.
Quote from: armaghniac on August 02, 2008, 07:26:52 PM
QuoteNo-one has yet come up with a better suggestion.
We don't know the pairings yet so you cannot say what is best. But if it arises I'd much rather play Tyrone in Clones and get a ticket than not get a ticket for a triple header cludge in Croke Pk. If Galway are playing Kerry then Limerick has to be an option.
but all 4 provincial champions want to play in
Croke Park next weekend so yes this is the best solution and this can be said even now before the quarter final pairings are known.
All provincial finals cannot reasonably play in Croke Pk next weekend, there is a hurling match, that is why we are having this thread. Galway and Armagh objected to being given a lower preference for the stadium than other teams, it should be decided by the nature of the draw. Kerry and Dublin should be in Thurles, for example, allowing Armagh and Galway use Croke Pk.
Quote from: armaghniac on August 02, 2008, 07:34:55 PM
All provincial finals cannot reasonably play in Croke Pk next weekend, there is a hurling match, that is why we are having this thread. Galway and Armagh objected to being given a lower preference for the stadium than other teams, it should be decided by the nature of the draw. Kerry and Dublin should be in Thurles, for example, allowing Armagh and Galway use Croke Pk.
What kind of message are the GAA sending to counties who win their provincial title if they can't play their 1/4 final game at Croke Park yet the likes of the England rugby team can play there?
Teams who win their provincial championship have a right to play their next game at Croke Park - end of story. This venue issue was created by the GAA who attempted in their infinite wisdom to fix all 4 quarter-final matches for the weekend of August 9th and 10th.
http://www.gaa.ie/page/fixtures_august_2008.html
thats exactly the point pat, you're spot on. and there is no way cork should have been allowed to dictate matters in this respect.
Quote from: INDIANA on August 02, 2008, 07:46:10 PM
thats exactly the point pat, you're spot on. and there is no way cork should have been allowed to dictate matters in this respect.
It what way are Cork dictating matter.For the last two years we requested our footballers and hurlers who were playing the same weekend for the fixtures to be played on the same day but this was refused.
We made the same request this year and it was granted.The hurlers were always playing the 10th as we're playing the leinster champions and this fixture from the beginning of the year was pencilled in for the 10th.The footballers as provincial champions were always playing the weekend 9/10th.So where are Cork dictating matters baseing everything on the fact that a request to play the footballers and hurlers on the same day for the last 2 years was refused and that our hurlers and footballers were to play this weekend anyway????
Seems like a fair request from Cork to me. I presume Galway or any of the other one or two counties who might find themselves in a similar situation would have made a similar request.
As far as I can remember Croke Park was allocated to Westlife and Celine sufferinlambofjaysis Dion for the June Bank holiday weekend. This has contibuted significantly to the current fixture pile up. The GAA need a kick up the hole for their greed lack of foresight on this.
The Dublin match should be a stand-alone on the 9th August. Dublin regularly have filled up Croke Park, and going by the last 3/4 years they have always sold it out from the provincial final onwards. To have Dublin as part of a double-header is unfair, and just plain stupid.
The hurling semi-final is for the 10th August, and the only other match along with that should be the Cork footballers quarter-final (at a push). Cork v Kilkenny is a massive hurling game and will probably attract 60k+, at least.
The Armagh and Galway quarter-finalists should then be given the option of 1) a double header in Croke Park on the 16th, or 2) a "home" quarter final on the 9th (probably the GAA's preferred option, should Dublin draw).
It was stated long ago that the quarter-finals would not be guaranteed to be in Croke Park. So I don't see it as a sin that Galway and Armagh don't have their games there. Sure if there was room in the schedule, they should have their games in Croke Park. However the Dubs, whether people like it or not, take priority ... and probably rightly so in my opinion.
Quote from: The Voice Of Reason on August 03, 2008, 12:02:07 AM
The Dublin match should be a stand-alone on the 9th August. Dublin regularly have filled up Croke Park, and going by the last 3/4 years they have always sold it out from the provincial final onwards. To have Dublin as part of a double-header is unfair, and just plain stupid.
The hurling semi-final is for the 10th August, and the only other match along with that should be the Cork footballers quarter-final (at a push). Cork v Kilkenny is a massive hurling game and will probably attract 60k+, at least.
The Armagh and Galway quarter-finalists should then be given the option of 1) a double header in Croke Park on the 16th, or 2) a "home" quarter final on the 9th (probably the GAA's preferred option, should Dublin draw).
It was stated long ago that the quarter-finals would not be guaranteed to be in Croke Park. So I don't see it as a sin that Galway and Armagh don't have their games there. Sure if there was room in the schedule, they should have their games in Croke Park. However the Dubs, whether people like it or not, take priority ... and probably rightly so in my opinion.
Can't see it honestly - it would get it tight to fill Thurles - Cork won't travel in numbers to Croker for this - but they'd go to Thurles no bother.
Now I'm taking these figures from memory, but the Cork v Waterford quarter-final last year had 74k spectators, and the replay had around 59k spectators ... the '06 semi-final v Waterford was 70k+ ... the '05 semi v Clare was 65k+ ... and I can't remember further back
The Cork hurling supporters do come out in big stages at this time of the championship. Plus given the nature of their last 2 wins, I think they'll take a massive support to Croke Park next Sunday. The Kilkenny fans will also be really up for this one, as I think it's the first time ever that Kilkenny and Cork have actually played each other in championship outside an All-Ireland final.
I wonder will views change when the draw is made?
If Galway draw Tyrone, will they really still prefer to play in Croke Park rather than say Sligo or Roscommon?
armagh v tyrone
dublin v kildare/fermanagh
cork v wexford
galway v kerry/monaghan
Quotecork v wexford
It would be very odd for Wexford people to be involved in a football game before the hurling semi-final. One wonders who there would cheer for in Cork v Kilkenny!!
Source = RTÉ
Quote
All-Ireland SFC quarter-final draw:
Saturday, 9 August
Armagh -v- Wexford, 2.00pm
Galway -v- Kerry, 4.00pm
Sunday, 10 August
Cork -v- Kildare, 2.00pm
Saturday, 16 August
Dublin -v- Tyrone, 4.00pm
Everyone except the Dublin trainers will be happy with this I guess ... as a neutral I'd imagine it should be handy to get tickets for Saturday 9th, and reasonably
ok for Sunday 10th and Saturday 16th ... I hope!