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GAA Discussion => GAA Discussion => Topic started by: del_carroll on August 03, 2014, 11:25:39 AM

Title: Croker in the rain
Post by: del_carroll on August 03, 2014, 11:25:39 AM
Had tickets for the lower Cusack yest - 25 rows back but directly in the deluge anyway.... Actually snaffled some sheltered seating for the second game, so didn't get completely soaked.

Anyway, it does strike me as somewhat cruel to leave paying punters sitting in the passing rain, when there were 20,000 perfectly covered seats in the upper tier that could have been opened at only the cost of a couple of extra stewards..

I think this is particularly relevant for double headers.. Nobody sitting further forward stayed for both games, as they were sodden after 15 mins.

... Appreciate it might look poor on the telly if the pitch side seats are empty, but they were for the most part anyway, and whatabout looking after your customers first....
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: T Fearon on August 03, 2014, 08:11:57 PM
Agree entirely.Was soaked yesterday and remember a deluge in 2002  at Compromise Rules game.Roof in Cusack is bafky planned as it leaves the vast majority of punters in the lower tier exposed
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: babarino on August 03, 2014, 08:16:34 PM
The stewards in our section (331) told supporters in the rain to move seats. That was the 2nd game.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: T Fearon on August 03, 2014, 10:28:39 PM
Actually stood (with many others) at the back of the Cusack (behind the disabled seats) to watch second half of Armagh V Meath.Was taking up the same position at start of Monaghan V Kildare game,when a female stewardess informed us that there were plenty of "dry" seats in the Davin,in a tone suspiciously like a priest telling latecomers standing at the back at the beginning of mass that there is plenty of seats at the front!
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Jinxy on August 03, 2014, 11:18:02 PM
Quote from: T Fearon on August 03, 2014, 10:28:39 PM
Actually stood (with many others) at the back of the Cusack (behind the disabled seats) to watch second half of Armagh V Meath.Was taking up the same position at start of Monaghan V Kildare game,when a female stewardess informed us that there were plenty of "dry" seats in the Davin,in a tone suspiciously like a priest telling latecomers standing at the back at the beginning of mass that there is plenty of seats at the front!

Did she offer you a bag of peanuts as well?
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Jell 0 Biafra on August 04, 2014, 01:26:18 AM
Yes, it is outrageous that paying customers at an outdoor sport should run the risk of getting wet in the rain.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: armaghniac on August 04, 2014, 05:10:38 AM
The question is not whether customers should have a risk of getting wet in general, but of whether it is necessary for them to do so when the attendance is less than the covered capacity of the ground.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: T Fearon on August 04, 2014, 05:30:46 AM
Also raises questions about roof design as well.Far too much of the lower tiers of both the Cusack and Davin are exposed to the elements.This shouldn't be the case
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: prewtna on August 04, 2014, 06:43:31 AM
Ah in fairness there's a couple of things at play there. First there is the distance the cantilever has to span from back to front, and then the bigger issue there is the height the roof is from the ground. Given our climate and the tendency for wind to accompany rain, I'd say even if the roof did extend all the way out to the sideline for all 3 stands, what with the upper decks being there, pushing the roof way up, thousands would still get wet,and we would still be moaning. So probably (and I'm only guessing here) a decision was made to limit the length of the cantilever (and therefore bring the cost of the roof way down) and make it a tad more affordable. That's my guess anyway. Wouldn't be a problem with a smaller capacity stadium with no upper deck or if we lived somewhere where the rain falls straight instead of sideways!
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 02:16:33 PM
Quote from: T Fearon on August 04, 2014, 05:30:46 AM
Also raises questions about roof design as well.Far too much of the lower tiers of both the Cusack and Davin are exposed to the elements.This shouldn't be the case

Stop complaining ffs.
You should be happy you get to go there at all!
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: balladmaker on August 04, 2014, 03:12:59 PM
The Welsh could manage a roof on the Millennium Stadium, could Croke Park not do some sort of redesign to do the same.  Imagine the roar under a closed roof in a packed Croke Park!  Of course, it would have to remain open at one end  :-\
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: armaghniac on August 04, 2014, 04:00:58 PM
Imagine the positive public relations if the GAA had sent an email  "owing to the unusual weather conditions and as the stadium is only one third full, you can (if you wish) swap your seat in Cusack Row M for Davin Row BT. Please enjoy the game".
It seems that neither public relations nor GAA fans are given much importance, after all the people that matter are under a roof. 

(http://i59.tinypic.com/mj96ol.jpg)
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: David McKeown on August 04, 2014, 04:11:25 PM
I thought the roof could only extend as far as it did for the same reason the Hill can't be covered. That is the effect of light on nearby properties?
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 06:07:38 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?
Yes at least we were able to walk up unimpeded and it wasnt until we were sat down on a dry seat that the jobsworth decided to throw us out.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Main Street on August 04, 2014, 06:27:54 PM
Quote from: David McKeown on August 04, 2014, 04:11:25 PM
I thought the roof could only extend as far as it did for the same reason the Hill can't be covered. That is the effect of light on nearby properties?
That would be a fairy tale.
The roof on the Hogan stand was extended out 14m  from the original plan, that drained the coffers and there wasn't enough cash available to extend  the Cusack stand roof. Croke Park should have asked the Dublin County board for a few sacks of cash.
According to this article, it cost Eur2m per extra metre of roof.
http://archiseek.com/2002/gilroy-mcmahon-architects-croke-park-stadium-dublin/#.U9_BbEKkJf8 (http://archiseek.com/2002/gilroy-mcmahon-architects-croke-park-stadium-dublin/#.U9_BbEKkJf8)
"In retrospect, we wouldn't make that decision again," McMahon admits. Back in 1992, the GAA believed they couldn't afford the extra £2m which would have been added to the construction cost for every extra metre of cantilever over and above the initial 34m. Now they make that much whenever there's a major championship match.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 06:30:29 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 06:07:38 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?
Yes at least we were able to walk up unimpeded and it wasnt until we were sat down on a dry seat that the jobsworth decided to throw us out.

Were any other fans up there?
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: armaghniac on August 04, 2014, 06:32:22 PM
It also seems possible that 10000 people might decide not to attend a game such Saturday because of weather, that is revenue lost, some of which wcould be won back.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 11:02:27 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 06:30:29 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 06:07:38 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?
Yes at least we were able to walk up unimpeded and it wasnt until we were sat down on a dry seat that the jobsworth decided to throw us out.

Were any other fans up there?
Yes there were a few [about thirty] most of them left when first approached by the stewart but the three of us plus a father and son from armagh were eventually thrown out by the gaurds.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Maguire01 on August 04, 2014, 11:12:14 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 11:02:27 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 06:30:29 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 06:07:38 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?
Yes at least we were able to walk up unimpeded and it wasnt until we were sat down on a dry seat that the jobsworth decided to throw us out.

Were any other fans up there?
Yes there were a few [about thirty] most of them left when first approached by the stewart but the three of us plus a father and son from armagh were eventually thrown out by the gaurds.
Well I imagine there'd be a requirement to have a steward/stewards for each open section, so given that there were plenty of covered seats on the lower deck, I don't think you can complain.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Maguire01 on August 04, 2014, 11:13:23 PM
Quote from: Main Street on August 04, 2014, 06:27:54 PM
Quote from: David McKeown on August 04, 2014, 04:11:25 PM
I thought the roof could only extend as far as it did for the same reason the Hill can't be covered. That is the effect of light on nearby properties?
That would be a fairy tale.
The roof on the Hogan stand was extended out 14m  from the original plan, that drained the coffers and there wasn't enough cash available to extend  the Cusack stand roof. Croke Park should have asked the Dublin County board for a few sacks of cash.
According to this article, it cost Eur2m per extra metre of roof.
http://archiseek.com/2002/gilroy-mcmahon-architects-croke-park-stadium-dublin/#.U9_BbEKkJf8 (http://archiseek.com/2002/gilroy-mcmahon-architects-croke-park-stadium-dublin/#.U9_BbEKkJf8)
"In retrospect, we wouldn't make that decision again," McMahon admits. Back in 1992, the GAA believed they couldn't afford the extra £2m which would have been added to the construction cost for every extra metre of cantilever over and above the initial 34m. Now they make that much whenever there's a major championship match.
Yeah, but now it would probably cost £20m!
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Maguire01 on August 04, 2014, 11:17:00 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on August 04, 2014, 04:00:58 PM
Imagine the positive public relations if the GAA had sent an email  "owing to the unusual weather conditions and as the stadium is only one third full, you can (if you wish) swap your seat in Cusack Row M for Davin Row BT. Please enjoy the game".
It seems that neither public relations nor GAA fans are given much importance, after all the people that matter are under a roof. 
Do GAA fans not have the common sense to move to an empty covered seat if they so wish? Do the need a formal invitation?
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 11:28:52 PM
Quote from: Maguire01 on August 04, 2014, 11:12:14 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 11:02:27 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 06:30:29 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 06:07:38 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?
Yes at least we were able to walk up unimpeded and it wasnt until we were sat down on a dry seat that the jobsworth decided to throw us out.

Were any other fans up there?
Yes there were a few [about thirty] most of them left when first approached by the stewart but the three of us plus a father and son from armagh were eventually thrown out by the gaurds.
Well I imagine there'd be a requirement to have a steward/stewards for each open section, so given that there were plenty of covered seats on the lower deck, I don't think you can complain.
When we went up to the upper deck it was during the first game and there were not any covered seats available. I had my young son with me and our seats were uncovered. There were stewards in the upper deck at the time and i also noticed that a group of people managed to stay in the upper deck of the hogan throughout the second game.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: ardal on August 05, 2014, 03:44:39 PM
Extend the roof?

I bought a rain coat and waterproof trousers for €15.

Fit nicely in my backpack too.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: armaghniac on August 05, 2014, 04:42:08 PM
One issue is that people might be accommodated last Saturday by moving upstairs etc, but some of the those people will then  show up next Saturday with no coat when the place is full also expecting to move.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: T Fearon on August 06, 2014, 04:03:06 PM
Same section on Saturday but seated substantially further back than last week.Hoping for better weather
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: armaghniac on August 06, 2014, 07:55:31 PM
The new section should be reasonable, unless there is a wind. I sat around there, rather than my appointed seat, last week and was OK for the Armagh game, but had to evacuate to the Davin in in the Monaghan game. Showers predicted for Saturday.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Maguire01 on August 06, 2014, 09:39:06 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 11:28:52 PM
Quote from: Maguire01 on August 04, 2014, 11:12:14 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 11:02:27 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 06:30:29 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 06:07:38 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?
Yes at least we were able to walk up unimpeded and it wasnt until we were sat down on a dry seat that the jobsworth decided to throw us out.

Were any other fans up there?
Yes there were a few [about thirty] most of them left when first approached by the stewart but the three of us plus a father and son from armagh were eventually thrown out by the gaurds.
Well I imagine there'd be a requirement to have a steward/stewards for each open section, so given that there were plenty of covered seats on the lower deck, I don't think you can complain.
When we went up to the upper deck it was during the first game and there were not any covered seats available. I had my young son with me and our seats were uncovered. There were stewards in the upper deck at the time and i also noticed that a group of people managed to stay in the upper deck of the hogan throughout the second game.
There were plenty of covered seats free in the lower Hogan during both games.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: Maguire01 on August 06, 2014, 09:40:26 PM
Quote from: armaghniac on August 05, 2014, 04:42:08 PM
One issue is that people might be accommodated last Saturday by moving upstairs etc, but some of the those people will then  show up next Saturday with no coat when the place is full also expecting to move.
Well if they show up with no coat on a rainy day they deserve to be soaked.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: T Fearon on August 06, 2014, 10:48:18 PM
FFs oilskins even are not much good against heavy pelting rain incessant for hours on end.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: armaghniac on August 06, 2014, 11:55:32 PM
There is effective raingear nowadays, but some people are too vain to wear it.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: ardal on August 07, 2014, 05:21:09 PM
Quote from: T Fearon on August 06, 2014, 10:48:18 PM
FFs oilskins even are not much good against heavy pelting rain incessant for hours on end.

"Incessant" I'll accept but only if you use the adverb

"hours on end", hmmmmmmmmmm, how many hours is this.

Buy a fecking coat.

This morning my shower was pelting wáter at me incessantly for hours. Afterwards I took a dry towel and dried myself.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: muppet on August 07, 2014, 10:09:24 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?

Don't be asking silly questions like that, and while you are at it, don't ask about supervising emergencies or insurance issues either with people wandering into closed section of a stadium.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: laoislad on August 07, 2014, 10:39:34 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 07, 2014, 10:09:24 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?

Don't be asking silly questions like that, and while you are at it, don't ask about supervising emergencies or insurance issues either with people wandering into closed section of a stadium.

I did this once at a game a few years ago and I also refused to move. It was also lashing rain,but the section I moved to was open but not very full.A steward saw me changing seats and came down to tell me to move on,when I refused he went and got a Guard to move me on...
Turned out the Guard he got was my brother,who just laughed at me and walked off...Steward went off in a huff and I stayed where I was.
Laoislad 1 Steward 0...
Laois were hammered out the gate that day though...
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: muppet on August 07, 2014, 10:45:56 PM
Quote from: laoislad on August 07, 2014, 10:39:34 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 07, 2014, 10:09:24 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?

Don't be asking silly questions like that, and while you are at it, don't ask about supervising emergencies or insurance issues either with people wandering into closed section of a stadium.

I did this once at a game a few years ago and I also refused to move. It was also lashing rain,but the section I moved to was open but not very full.A steward saw me changing seats and came down to tell me to move on,when I refused he went and got a Guard to move me on...
Turned out the Guard he got was my brother,who just laughed at me and walked off...Steward went off in a huff and I stayed where I was.
Laoislad 1 Steward 0...
Laois were hammered out the gate that day though...

That is a real 'only in Ireland' story.
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: macdanger2 on August 08, 2014, 03:47:33 PM
Quote from: laoislad on August 07, 2014, 10:39:34 PM
Quote from: muppet on August 07, 2014, 10:09:24 PM
Quote from: Jinxy on August 04, 2014, 04:45:05 PM
Quote from: cluaineois on August 04, 2014, 03:01:07 PM
Managed to walk up to the upper cusack during the first game on Saturday. A steward told us quiet aggressively to move. We declined his offer and decided to sit it out. Eventually two gardai were called and escorted us back to our original seats despite the fact that we had young children with us.

Hang on, was the upper cusack open?

Don't be asking silly questions like that, and while you are at it, don't ask about supervising emergencies or insurance issues either with people wandering into closed section of a stadium.

I did this once at a game a few years ago and I also refused to move. It was also lashing rain,but the section I moved to was open but not very full.A steward saw me changing seats and came down to tell me to move on,when I refused he went and got a Guard to move me on...
Turned out the Guard he got was my brother,who just laughed at me and walked off...Steward went off in a huff and I stayed where I was.
Laoislad 1 Steward 0...
Laois were hammered out the gate that day though...

Brilliant
Title: Re: Croker in the rain
Post by: T Fearon on August 08, 2014, 03:57:03 PM
Is that an example of Garda collusion?