Look back here at 1987, attendances were pretty poor aside from big provincial finals.
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Ulster Semi Finals brought in 13k and 14k. Down v Derry quarter final drew 6k, Donegal v Armagh 8k
Cork Galway All Ireland Semi finals, 20k, the replay 26k.
There are a few good ones too, Cavan Monaghan ulster quarter final - 17k, Offaly Kildare replay 15k but after only 7k went to the draw.
Maybe we look back with rose coloured glasses at times. We are seeing similar crowds now with 4 times as many games.
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Here some figures from this years group stages -
7,602 Galway Derry 5,989 Armagh Westmeath
9,197 Mayo Cavan 11,176 Dub Roscommon 8,597 Ros Mayo 9,028 Cavan Dublin
3,262 Clare Cork 16,607 Donegal Tyrone 7,251 Cork Donegal
8,092 Kerry Monaghan
A few more looked healthy too - Meath Kerry Louth Meath Westmeath Galway
Home games are key great, gives a chance to bring the kids to see their county team at a very reasonable price. The format for all it's faults has kept Gaelic football in the news. What is happening to Derry being the big story. Westmeath really putting it up to Galway makes that game really interesting now. The game badly needs these subplots and talking points. We only get them by allowing teams lose a few games without being eliminated.
I'd like to see 3 groups of 5 with 8 teams to come out for quarter finals. 2 home and away games each. Should have enough risk and few enough dead rubbers too. Similar to Munster hurling.
Hard to get people to travel to neutral venues if they don't feel their team has a realistic chance of winning the competition. Cork and Tyrone for example, would bring a very small crowd if not combined with the hurling. Can be a great atmosphere at home games. Some grounds absolutely hopping this year, Cork, Louth, Westmeath, Donegal home games.
dahayeser (Cork) - Posts: 353 - 12/06/2024 11:27:01
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Replying To dahayeser: "Look back here at 1987, attendances were pretty poor aside from big provincial finals. linkUlster Semi Finals brought in 13k and 14k. Down v Derry quarter final drew 6k, Donegal v Armagh 8k Cork Galway All Ireland Semi finals, 20k, the replay 26k. There are a few good ones too, Cavan Monaghan ulster quarter final - 17k, Offaly Kildare replay 15k but after only 7k went to the draw. Maybe we look back with rose coloured glasses at times. We are seeing similar crowds now with 4 times as many games. - Here some figures from this years group stages - 7,602 Galway Derry 5,989 Armagh Westmeath 9,197 Mayo Cavan 11,176 Dub Roscommon 8,597 Ros Mayo 9,028 Cavan Dublin 3,262 Clare Cork 16,607 Donegal Tyrone 7,251 Cork Donegal 8,092 Kerry Monaghan A few more looked healthy too - Meath Kerry Louth Meath Westmeath Galway Home games are key great, gives a chance to bring the kids to see their county team at a very reasonable price. The format for all it's faults has kept Gaelic football in the news. What is happening to Derry being the big story. Westmeath really putting it up to Galway makes that game really interesting now. The game badly needs these subplots and talking points. We only get them by allowing teams lose a few games without being eliminated. I'd like to see 3 groups of 5 with 8 teams to come out for quarter finals. 2 home and away games each. Should have enough risk and few enough dead rubbers too. Similar to Munster hurling. Hard to get people to travel to neutral venues if they don't feel their team has a realistic chance of winning the competition. Cork and Tyrone for example, would bring a very small crowd if not combined with the hurling. Can be a great atmosphere at home games. Some grounds absolutely hopping this year, Cork, Louth, Westmeath, Donegal home games." Stop! Positivity not allowed when discussing football!
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1960 - 12/06/2024 12:30:10
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"The game badly needs subplots and talking points"
Agreed and another thing any competition needs is underdog going on a run it captures the imagination and gives hope to others.
Drax_the_destroyer (UK) - Posts: 245 - 12/06/2024 13:39:11
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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: ""The game badly needs subplots and talking points"
Agreed and another thing any competition needs is underdog going on a run it captures the imagination and gives hope to others." Agree but you get that many chances the underdogs usually got caught out somewhere, mind you Monaghan last year was a underdog story to the semi final.
farneygael (Monaghan) - Posts: 296 - 13/06/2024 05:02:20
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Replying To farneygael: "Agree but you get that many chances the underdogs usually got caught out somewhere, mind you Monaghan last year was a underdog story to the semi final." Fermanagh got to the semi final through the old back door years ago too but like Monaghan last year what good was it…? They won nothing…I'd say Fermanagh would have gladly given up their great run to get their hands on even one Anglo Celt Cup…!!!
ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3029 - 13/06/2024 08:19:17
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Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: ""The game badly needs subplots and talking points"
Agreed and another thing any competition needs is underdog going on a run it captures the imagination and gives hope to others." Yes the current system really makes it next to impossible for an underdog to reach an All Ireland Semi Final, like Tipperary or Fermanagh previously, Monaghan did well and reached a semi final last year but they were well established Division 1 team so not exactly real under rader underdog story.
The high volume of games in a condensed format only suits the stronger teams with bigger panels, even if the small fish gets a unlikely win in group still not guaranteed to progress.
Looking at club championships, Tyrone Club championships definitely one of the most exciting and hardest to win, the fact its a straight knockout is the factor in this, winning back to back in Tyrone isnt common as its ultra competitive.
macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1142 - 13/06/2024 10:34:36
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Here, the reality is you would have to go looking to know any GAA game is on this weekend. I was in Dublin last weekend at the Leinster Final and while it was not a good advertisement for the game, I could not believe that there was not even 1 sign/billboard/bus stop advert to say "Hurling in Croke Park, Saturday, buy tickets at....". I know its a different game but the premier league can hype up Brentford playing Bournemouth yet we have top teams playing each other and not a word about them? I can't understand it. But if people hardly know the games are on, where is the promotion for the casual supporter?
ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1259 - 13/06/2024 10:59:37
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "Here, the reality is you would have to go looking to know any GAA game is on this weekend. I was in Dublin last weekend at the Leinster Final and while it was not a good advertisement for the game, I could not believe that there was not even 1 sign/billboard/bus stop advert to say "Hurling in Croke Park, Saturday, buy tickets at....". I know its a different game but the premier league can hype up Brentford playing Bournemouth yet we have top teams playing each other and not a word about them? I can't understand it. But if people hardly know the games are on, where is the promotion for the casual supporter?" I've always felt more of an effort should be made to get tourists who are here to games. When you're in New York you are bombarded with adverts for the Yankess, Rangers, Giants etc…you know a game is on that day. It's easy get tickets. Fill those empty seats.
yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11409 - 13/06/2024 11:25:50
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Replying To ExiledInWex: "Here, the reality is you would have to go looking to know any GAA game is on this weekend. I was in Dublin last weekend at the Leinster Final and while it was not a good advertisement for the game, I could not believe that there was not even 1 sign/billboard/bus stop advert to say "Hurling in Croke Park, Saturday, buy tickets at....". I know its a different game but the premier league can hype up Brentford playing Bournemouth yet we have top teams playing each other and not a word about them? I can't understand it. But if people hardly know the games are on, where is the promotion for the casual supporter?" The GAA just doesn't do marketing or promotion of games. The token captains in Croke Park launch and that's it.
If as it seems they have no idea, can they not ask the sponsor companies to use their expertise to market and promote games?
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1960 - 13/06/2024 11:29:01
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Replying To dahayeser: "Look back here at 1987, attendances were pretty poor aside from big provincial finals. linkUlster Semi Finals brought in 13k and 14k. Down v Derry quarter final drew 6k, Donegal v Armagh 8k Cork Galway All Ireland Semi finals, 20k, the replay 26k. There are a few good ones too, Cavan Monaghan ulster quarter final - 17k, Offaly Kildare replay 15k but after only 7k went to the draw. Maybe we look back with rose coloured glasses at times. We are seeing similar crowds now with 4 times as many games. - Here some figures from this years group stages - 7,602 Galway Derry 5,989 Armagh Westmeath 9,197 Mayo Cavan 11,176 Dub Roscommon 8,597 Ros Mayo 9,028 Cavan Dublin 3,262 Clare Cork 16,607 Donegal Tyrone 7,251 Cork Donegal 8,092 Kerry Monaghan A few more looked healthy too - Meath Kerry Louth Meath Westmeath Galway Home games are key great, gives a chance to bring the kids to see their county team at a very reasonable price. The format for all it's faults has kept Gaelic football in the news. What is happening to Derry being the big story. Westmeath really putting it up to Galway makes that game really interesting now. The game badly needs these subplots and talking points. We only get them by allowing teams lose a few games without being eliminated. I'd like to see 3 groups of 5 with 8 teams to come out for quarter finals. 2 home and away games each. Should have enough risk and few enough dead rubbers too. Similar to Munster hurling. Hard to get people to travel to neutral venues if they don't feel their team has a realistic chance of winning the competition. Cork and Tyrone for example, would bring a very small crowd if not combined with the hurling. Can be a great atmosphere at home games. Some grounds absolutely hopping this year, Cork, Louth, Westmeath, Donegal home games." Monaghan/Louth 12,000.
ORIELMAN85 (Monaghan) - Posts: 387 - 13/06/2024 12:07:36
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Replying To yew_tree: "I've always felt more of an effort should be made to get tourists who are here to games. When you're in New York you are bombarded with adverts for the Yankess, Rangers, Giants etc…you know a game is on that day. It's easy get tickets. Fill those empty seats." Tourists wouldn't probably put up with the facilities that are on offer in many gaa grounds around the country. Standing out in the rain on open concrete terracing or on a wooden bench from the 1970s where you might be getting soaked also even though it is a 'covered' stand and paying 40 or 50 quid each for the pleasure of it wouldn't entice many.
eslinchickenmaryland (Leitrim) - Posts: 274 - 13/06/2024 13:20:04
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Replying To eslinchickenmaryland: "Tourists wouldn't probably put up with the facilities that are on offer in many gaa grounds around the country. Standing out in the rain on open concrete terracing or on a wooden bench from the 1970s where you might be getting soaked also even though it is a 'covered' stand and paying 40 or 50 quid each for the pleasure of it wouldn't entice many." Maybe not in some places but surely Dublin and Cork could be pushed, besides I've been to the new Yankee stadium and if people are happy to pay money to watch that rubbish then they will pay to watch a game of hurling.
dolfos (Longford) - Posts: 124 - 13/06/2024 15:28:26
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Replying To eslinchickenmaryland: "Tourists wouldn't probably put up with the facilities that are on offer in many gaa grounds around the country. Standing out in the rain on open concrete terracing or on a wooden bench from the 1970s where you might be getting soaked also even though it is a 'covered' stand and paying 40 or 50 quid each for the pleasure of it wouldn't entice many." Surely to God that should be part of the appeal. Croker looks like any other big stadium in the world with all the blandness that goes with it. The real selling point is the character of the small grounds and towns, the family with the flask and sandwiches at the boot of the car before the match with the father telling the children to hurry up, the effin Eddie types going mad in the terraces with passion and rage, the poor quality sound announcments over the speakers asking for the parents of young Seanie to collect their child at the main stand and it having to be announced a second time because they are too engrossed in the game, the mad rush for Tayto and drinks at half time and the jammed pubs in the town afterwards where there's slagging and craic from both sets of supporters.
MachaireConnacht (Roscommon) - Posts: 999 - 13/06/2024 16:00:35
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Replying To Seanfanbocht: "The GAA just doesn't do marketing or promotion of games. The token captains in Croke Park launch and that's it.
If as it seems they have no idea, can they not ask the sponsor companies to use their expertise to market and promote games?" Most people working in GAA headquarters in Croke park have no passion for GAA and consider themselves some type of public servant in a cushy number with a decent pension and couldn't care less if there is no one at matchs .
OpenStand (Limerick) - Posts: 718 - 13/06/2024 16:15:02
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Replying To dolfos: "Maybe not in some places but surely Dublin and Cork could be pushed, besides I've been to the new Yankee stadium and if people are happy to pay money to watch that rubbish then they will pay to watch a game of hurling." Nothing wrong with a game of baseball on a warm summer evening with a beer in one hand and a hot dog in t'other to be fair.
eslinchickenmaryland (Leitrim) - Posts: 274 - 13/06/2024 16:22:44
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Replying To MachaireConnacht: "Surely to God that should be part of the appeal. Croker looks like any other big stadium in the world with all the blandness that goes with it. The real selling point is the character of the small grounds and towns, the family with the flask and sandwiches at the boot of the car before the match with the father telling the children to hurry up, the effin Eddie types going mad in the terraces with passion and rage, the poor quality sound announcments over the speakers asking for the parents of young Seanie to collect their child at the main stand and it having to be announced a second time because they are too engrossed in the game, the mad rush for Tayto and drinks at half time and the jammed pubs in the town afterwards where there's slagging and craic from both sets of supporters." Seeing weeds and moss growing on boundary walls of decrepit gaa grounds isn't very exciting. People from the USA, Germany etc are used to fancy stadia with every comfort available. The sport is draw of course but there'd be very few tourists willing to endure a game of gaelic football, whatever about the hurling.
eslinchickenmaryland (Leitrim) - Posts: 274 - 13/06/2024 16:24:49
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Replying To dolfos: "Maybe not in some places but surely Dublin and Cork could be pushed, besides I've been to the new Yankee stadium and if people are happy to pay money to watch that rubbish then they will pay to watch a game of hurling." Some of the big college ball stadiums in the USA aren't anything special despite having huge capacity's. Even in the NFL sitting out in the cold in Green Bay or Foxborough ain't much fun either but it's worth going for the experience once anyway.
yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11409 - 13/06/2024 17:09:41
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Replying To OpenStand: "Most people working in GAA headquarters in Croke park have no passion for GAA and consider themselves some type of public servant in a cushy number with a decent pension and couldn't care less if there is no one at matchs ." Do you know them all or just throwing out prejudices about "them crowd above in Croke Park"?
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1960 - 13/06/2024 18:29:22
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I wonder what the attendance at Croke Park will be on Sunday. Unlikely to meet any kind of break even. Probably not charging anyway.
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3131 - 13/06/2024 18:44:10
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Replying To eslinchickenmaryland: "Seeing weeds and moss growing on boundary walls of decrepit gaa grounds isn't very exciting. People from the USA, Germany etc are used to fancy stadia with every comfort available. The sport is draw of course but there'd be very few tourists willing to endure a game of gaelic football, whatever about the hurling." I don't know about the tourists but it's hard enough for the Irish to endure a game of Gaelic football at the moment….!
ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3029 - 13/06/2024 20:25:35
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