Money Well Spent ?

[Mhic Easmuint]

Found short clip here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mM7DfnMhwKs

Looks amazing.

[Double Cross]

http://ie.youtube.com/watch?v=2_dUDofNO2g

[armaghniac]

There weren't that many that left, say 10,000 left which would look like a large crowd leaving then 70,000 would remain. The ground remained essentially full.

[pintsofguinness]

didnt stay for any of the shenanigans afterwards as i went to dublin to watch a football game not a circus. there were four empty seats beside me until the second half when four dubs arrived wanting to see the fireworks. there were plenty of people who left after the final whistle but apparently it didnt look like it on tv.

Imo you dont sound much more of a gaa man than them.

[pintsofguinness]

I'm just surprised a GAA man would describe the spectactular show for the 125th Anniversery as "shenanigans" or a "circus".
The economy is on it's knees alright, but I dont understand what you want the GAA to do about that?  Most of the cost was covered last night by adding an extra fiver on to the tickets and it seems fair enough for me.  If there was no celebration or a poor one you'd be complaining too. 

Have you seen it?

[Baile an tuaigh]

A few years ago at the Euro vision song contest, river dance was introduced to Europeans during a break in the voting. What happened after was a phenomenon. A new dimension to Irish culture and became an instant success. Be it by accident.

The fire work, light and musical display last night should become a regular occurrence to introduce the start of the GAA season. If it was only a fiver more a ticket it was well worth the money. My sister was there last night with some friends and they said it was unbelievable. Well done to all involved wish I could have been there.

[Zulu]

What the hell does the recession have to do with the GAA? IMO it is all the more important that the GAA kicks on and gives people an escape from the bad times, a recession free zone if you will. There won't be one club in the whole country adversely affected by last nights extravaganza and from today's papers and posts you can see it has clearly lifted everyone, which is precisely what sport should do. I know I want the GAA to be a celebration of all that is good in life, not a reminder of all that is bad and I'm sick of people using the recession as a reason for not doing things, f**k the recession is what I say.

[bigpaul]

Was down last night with the familly. I was very sceptical about the money being spent in that way but I was totally won round and I have to admit I was wrong. A great advert for the Association and congratulations to all involved!

[Tyrone Dreamer]

Imo you dont sound much more of a gaa man than them.

i was there to enjoy the football and i certianly did as it was a cracking game. look there were people who were both for and against the money being being spent on the razzmatazz and i was against it - irrespective of how impressive it was. the economy is on its knees and also clubs throughout the country are struggling to keep their heads above water. how does my opposition to it make me any less of a GAA man?

Every sport/business etc has to spend money on advertising/promotion. Thats what the gaa did last night and it was a great success. I dont here to much talk about the economy in relation to the games in Croke Park next week which are costing €95 a person. A considerable portion of that money will go directly to a small group of players.

[armaghniac]

Someone mentioned the idea of a pageant with someone from each club. Perhaps St Patrick's day would be the day for this in conjunction with the club finals. There are a lot of tourists around then and a GAA bash could get a big crowd if promoted.

[David McKeown]

I was at the game and celebrations yesterday and I still dont understand how they celebrate the 125 anniversary of the association. Modern songs from Irish bands (who may or may not be members of the association) accompanied to quotes about Ireland generally are grand for a celebration of being Irish which I suppose is a small element of the association but there was little in terms of the history of the association particularly in relation to handball or rounders.  Therefore to me it was a waste of money.

Also as far the claim that the cost was covered by adding €5 to each ticket cant be right if the fireworks cost €500,000 as the most that would be raised by adding €5 was €400,000 meaning the association had to meet 20% of the cost from reserves, to me that money could have been better spent.  This added to the fact that the extra €5 doubled the price for kids, students and oap's for me made the spectacle too expensive.  Also having now seen the event on tv I think it looked better on tv than from the cusack

[Tyrone Dreamer]

But the fireworks didnt cost €500,000, that was the cost of the evening in total. Also I dont think some people will ever be happy. I'm not sure exactly what you were expecting but it would be hard to keep 70,000+ interested while going through a detailed history of each sport making up the gaa.

[orangeman]

I admit to having been at least sceptical about the whole thing but I too was won over and I thought it was a fantastic occasion. Well done to all concerned.

Great value.

[pintsofguinness]

This added to the fact that the extra €5 doubled the price for kids, students and oap's for me made the spectacle too expensive.

The kids you might have an argument with but 5 euro wouldnt take a student or oap in to a shop!
As for the students, how long would they spend in a pub for 5 euro for god sake?!

as TD says, no pleasing some people.

[bigpaul]

I don't know about an extra fiver being added to ticket prices, juvenile tickets were still e5, but I wonder what the attendance would have been without the 'shenanigans'? It was the interest shown by the kids that persuaded us to go. My guess is that you could have taken k30 off the attendance if it was just to be a 'league opener under lights'!!!!