Saturday Night/Sunday Afternoon

Denn Forever · February 08, 2010, 12:20:45 PM

I see a lot of games are on on Saturday night next weekend (well in Div. 3). Colm O'Rourke in his column was saying that playing league game on evenings rather than the traditional Sunday afternoon could boost attendanc figures. What the boards feelings on this?

longrunsthefox · February 08, 2010, 12:26:02 PM

As I have young children under 10, I would be more for afternoons. Is freezing at night and quite late home if there is a journey involved. Even for Tyrone supporters at home, Ardboe to Omagh is a bit of a trek. Took my cubs to Omagh last year and the critters were freezing.

ziggysego · February 08, 2010, 12:32:37 PM

I'm surprised you remember fox, you were rightly on with the hot whiskey when I saw your lads wheeling you in. Screaming at everyone it was for medinical purposes!

longrunsthefox · February 08, 2010, 12:41:25 PM

Ziggy-you really frightened those children and they now think you are only allowed out at night. They were very traumatised and held on to the door handles and screamed when I tried to take them to the game on Saturday night $:-\$

Tyrone Dreamer · February 08, 2010, 07:15:17 PM

Think he's talking rubbish. I'd say if you looked at Tyrone's home league attendances Saturday night attendances are about 40% lower - not sure if that's the same with all counties. On Saturday night there was 6k at Tyrone Derry game, I'd imagine you'd have got close to 10k on a Sunday. The McKenna Cup final only got a few thousand this year, a few years ago on a Sunday same fixture got 15k. People with families aren't keen to go out on dark winter nights and unless your willing to stay over most away games would be ruled out for people.

Lar Naparka · February 08, 2010, 08:28:24 PM

I really can't see much merit in what O'Rourke has said. I wonder what reasons he gave for feeling it would be a good move.
The erudite (like that one, foxy?) Mr Fox gave three compelling reasons for knocking O'Rourke's idea on the head- and possibly Rourkey himself into the bargain.
Kids, bad weather and long journeys late at night are good enough reasons to stay away from evening starts.
You would also need to consider the type of game itself that would be played. The league doesn't rate with the championships as far as the public is concerned. If fans won't turn up for league games on Sunday afternoons, why would anyone expect them to show for the same games on a cold wet night? At this time of year, an afternoon start means a night finish-especially for those with any distance to travel.

Celt_Man · February 08, 2010, 08:38:26 PM

There is a lot to be said for nipping over to Breffni for a half 7 start on a Saturday night and then just as quickly nipping into the pub afterwards. On the other hand, travelling over and back to Sligo for the Saturday evening game is gonna be a royal pain in the stones!

Serious bit of time management needed this Saturday - Ireland France at 5.30 and Cavan Antrim at 7.30 and the fact that I hate watching rugby games in the pub complicates things big time!!

Dougal · February 08, 2010, 08:46:56 PM

Quote from: Celt_Man on February 08, 2010, 08:38:26 PM
There is a lot to be said for nipping over to Breffni for a half 7 start on a Saturday night and then just as quickly nipping into the pub afterwards. On the other hand, travelling over and back to Sligo for the Saturday evening game is gonna be a royal pain in the stones!

Serious bit of time management needed this Saturday - Ireland France at 5.30 and Cavan Antrim at 7.30 and the fact that I hate watching rugby games in the pub complicates things big time!!

you think you have problems.i have go carting at 1 then beer for the rest of the day,then try find some both sober and wanting to go to the game.

Celt_Man · February 08, 2010, 09:10:37 PM

Quote from: Dougal on February 08, 2010, 08:46:56 PM
Quote from: Celt_Man on February 08, 2010, 08:38:26 PM
There is a lot to be said for nipping over to Breffni for a half 7 start on a Saturday night and then just as quickly nipping into the pub afterwards. On the other hand, travelling over and back to Sligo for the Saturday evening game is gonna be a royal pain in the stones!

Serious bit of time management needed this Saturday - Ireland France at 5.30 and Cavan Antrim at 7.30 and the fact that I hate watching rugby games in the pub complicates things big time!!

you think you have problems.i have go carting at 1 then beer for the rest of the day,then try find some both sober and wanting to go to the game.

Simple - Keep the go-cart and park it at the back of the pub!!