National Forum

Attendances 2025

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Replying To Cabbagepatch1667:  "Pairc Tailteann was fairly full, seemed more than 6k to me, atmosphere was good too. You definitely would have gotten another few thousand in mainly behind the goals and packing more into the terrace. But there was a good crowd there. Offaly travelled well too."
Yeah 100 percent definitely seemed to more than 6 thousand at it.Stand was fairly full and fair good crowd on the terrace.

Proudroyal (Meath) - Posts: 332 - 16/04/2025 13:50:52    2602229

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Replying To DundalkGael:  "The price is a factor. €55 for 2 adults and 1 kid into stand in Newbridge Sunday. Added in fuel, food for the day it's an expensive day out

Same again in Tullamore Sunday week, and hopefully same again in Croke Park 2 weeks later

That's no change out of €300 in the space of a few weeks, and still with 3 games to play (at least)"
Yes cost definitely a factor and there are a few others,all which have been self inflicted by GAA themselves.

- Condensed nature straight from league into championship, no break for people that go to 7 league games, cost!
- The championship is squashed, ie in some provinces teams out consecutive weeks add to fact know 3 further games in TC or Sam groups. Then as gets later into championship again the condensed nature impacts for counties going from quarters into semis, short turnaround with cost and notice especially if need hotel Cost (know this huge issue for county teams themselves in trying to find hotels in Dublin at short notice plus huge cost in peak summer, surely Croke Park Hotel should be block booked those wkds for teams participating)
- Too many matches, people are picking and choosing fixtures some games have no consequence and most arent knockout
- Earlier time of year, weather less appealing to engage the sunshine fans
- Promotion/Timing, GAA have done little to promote the championship, condensed calendar gives less time to expose and build up games. Then have championship matches including semis being played at 2pm etc on Saturdays, people work etc.

All of above can be avoided and hope/believe that once the rule enhancements are finalised that will free up Burns and Cos time to focus on schedule. Already next year group format gone which will help straight away, less games and avoids potential for team losing 3 games and still being in race for same(Derry last year)

I have no doubt be a greater break between league and championship, either start it week earlier(plus already 2 one week breaks in league,reduce to 1) then think the next thing is to push all ireland to august and allow bit more time for championship to breathe and for people to spread cost and make organise trips

macca999 (Fermanagh) - Posts: 1162 - 16/04/2025 21:41:36    2602327

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Replying To macca999:  "Yes cost definitely a factor and there are a few others,all which have been self inflicted by GAA themselves.

- Condensed nature straight from league into championship, no break for people that go to 7 league games, cost!
- The championship is squashed, ie in some provinces teams out consecutive weeks add to fact know 3 further games in TC or Sam groups. Then as gets later into championship again the condensed nature impacts for counties going from quarters into semis, short turnaround with cost and notice especially if need hotel Cost (know this huge issue for county teams themselves in trying to find hotels in Dublin at short notice plus huge cost in peak summer, surely Croke Park Hotel should be block booked those wkds for teams participating)
- Too many matches, people are picking and choosing fixtures some games have no consequence and most arent knockout
- Earlier time of year, weather less appealing to engage the sunshine fans
- Promotion/Timing, GAA have done little to promote the championship, condensed calendar gives less time to expose and build up games. Then have championship matches including semis being played at 2pm etc on Saturdays, people work etc.

All of above can be avoided and hope/believe that once the rule enhancements are finalised that will free up Burns and Cos time to focus on schedule. Already next year group format gone which will help straight away, less games and avoids potential for team losing 3 games and still being in race for same(Derry last year)

I have no doubt be a greater break between league and championship, either start it week earlier(plus already 2 one week breaks in league,reduce to 1) then think the next thing is to push all ireland to august and allow bit more time for championship to breathe and for people to spread cost and make organise trips"
Munster hurling teams play 4 games in 6 weeks and all are almost sold out.
They also had a League which had huge crowds.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2234 - 17/04/2025 00:05:44    2602351

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Replying To Seanfanbocht:  "Munster hurling teams play 4 games in 6 weeks and all are almost sold out.
They also had a League which had huge crowds."
Football just can't compete entertainment wise and these raft of new rule changes are just turning people off…. Half the changes would have been sufficient

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3715 - 17/04/2025 13:28:22    2602418

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Kilkenny v Galway had the lowest crowd ever( by a long way ) at a senior hurling championship match between them today 8,243 .
Fermanagh v Down had a dismal attendance as well . Does anybody in GAA head office care ??
Cork v Kerry also looks like a historical low attendance . Be able to play championship matchs in club grounds soon the way it's going

OpenStand (Limerick) - Posts: 732 - 19/04/2025 18:37:51    2602847

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Over 22,000 tickets sold next week for Armagh v Tyrone - with most tickets at £30
Fermanagh v Down was a cracker - but weather was awful

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1687 - 19/04/2025 21:37:58    2602906

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14,358 at Cork v Kerry.

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 2234 - 19/04/2025 23:15:35    2602931

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Football just can't compete entertainment wise and these raft of new rule changes are just turning people off…. Half the changes would have been sufficient"
New rules are making the game a lot more entertaining. Most of them are clear improvements. As time goes on with them attendances will start to rise again

Lúla571210 (Louth) - Posts: 102 - 20/04/2025 01:40:50    2602946

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Replying To OpenStand:  "Kilkenny v Galway had the lowest crowd ever( by a long way ) at a senior hurling championship match between them today 8,243 .
Fermanagh v Down had a dismal attendance as well . Does anybody in GAA head office care ??
Cork v Kerry also looks like a historical low attendance . Be able to play championship matchs in club grounds soon the way it's going"
Championship in April. Rushing through a championship just to get it out of the way as quickly as possible.

I won't lie, I hate it,

And I think the general public is beginning to feel the same.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1474 - 20/04/2025 08:20:03    2602958

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Replying To OpenStand:  "Kilkenny v Galway had the lowest crowd ever( by a long way ) at a senior hurling championship match between them today 8,243 .
Fermanagh v Down had a dismal attendance as well . Does anybody in GAA head office care ??
Cork v Kerry also looks like a historical low attendance . Be able to play championship matchs in club grounds soon the way it's going"
14,358 at Cork v Kerry the previous championship game between the two was 14,081. Why is Leinster hurling so poorly attended while Munster the opposite?

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3585 - 20/04/2025 09:25:44    2602966

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Replying To OpenStand:  "Kilkenny v Galway had the lowest crowd ever( by a long way ) at a senior hurling championship match between them today 8,243 .
Fermanagh v Down had a dismal attendance as well . Does anybody in GAA head office care ??
Cork v Kerry also looks like a historical low attendance . Be able to play championship matchs in club grounds soon the way it's going"
Because Galway are average, simple as that, look at Munster

Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 2126 - 20/04/2025 09:45:11    2602974

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Replying To tearintom:  "Championship in April. Rushing through a championship just to get it out of the way as quickly as possible.

I won't lie, I hate it,

And I think the general public is beginning to feel the same."
Kilkenny and Galway match felt like a league game

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2248 - 20/04/2025 10:10:22    2602977

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Replying To Gaa_lover:  "14,358 at Cork v Kerry the previous championship game between the two was 14,081. Why is Leinster hurling so poorly attended while Munster the opposite?"
Because there's 3 good teams in Munster, and only 1 in Leinster. Tipp and Waterford might even be borderline competitive against 'the big 3' also, which would set up a great munster championship, 'on paper' at least. Galway boosted the Leinster championship since 2009 with some good teams, and one very good team, but they're in a hurling recession in 2025, due to the lack of quality in the current squad.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 4066 - 20/04/2025 10:32:22    2602983

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Replying To Claretandblue:  "Because Galway are average, simple as that, look at Munster"
Hurling Feile was on yesterday, that took away a lot of support, we also had Galway United on Friday night and Galway v Roscommon today in Salthill. People are picking and choosing what events they can attend. I think there is value on match tickets but fuel and eating out can make it expensive.

GDL (Galway) - Posts: 789 - 20/04/2025 11:22:31    2602999

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Replying To tearintom:  "Championship in April. Rushing through a championship just to get it out of the way as quickly as possible.

I won't lie, I hate it,

And I think the general public is beginning to feel the same."
Agree, if the only change to current format was 2 weeks before each round Robin game I think the championship would be multiple times more exciting and intense.

4,700 at Wexford v Antrim yesterday

WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 337 - 20/04/2025 12:02:38    2603014

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Trying to create interest in major GAA games in April is difficult when we've had over a 100 years of big matchs in June July august September. Playing games on a Saturday is also a new enough development plus it was Easter this weekend still a big thing with many family's etc . There's also a lot more competition with the finish of rugby & soccer calendars which isn't the case June to august.
Talking to die hard Gaels this morning they didn't even know Mayo played yesterday, as one of them said their bambuzzrled from all the matchs on these weekends

OpenStand (Limerick) - Posts: 732 - 20/04/2025 12:29:13    2603017

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Replying To WEXILE:  "Agree, if the only change to current format was 2 weeks before each round Robin game I think the championship would be multiple times more exciting and intense.

4,700 at Wexford v Antrim yesterday"
Also forget to say that 10 games in Leinster hurling championship are scheduled for early throw ins on a Saturday as opposed to peak times on Sunday for most.of the Munster championship.

That's not going to help attendances in Leinster either

WEXILE (Wexford) - Posts: 337 - 20/04/2025 13:25:40    2603035

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Because in Munster most matches are a short road trip away and you know as a supporter you have a good chance of a victory or at worst a competitive game for the most part. Like, Clare to Cork is the furthest trip and its probably closer than Galway or Antrim are to any away game. Would many in Cork volunteer to drive to Newry on a Saturday afternoon say?
Antrim and Galway supporters knew a road trip yesterday was to see a defeat and lets be real, who in Antrim or Galway wants a 2-3-4-5 hour drive on Easter Saturday in the afternoon, and that is before the cost.
But, familiarity is breeding contempt. Same old teams, year in year out, having played them in the league also. Ponying up 20-30 quid each time.
The GAA gave up their whole Summer window when they had it all to themselves to rush through a championship which quite frankly is competing with the Premier League, Rugby, etc both for eyeballs and people's cash.
I was going to go to The Nell yesterday but its 2+ hours from here allowing for traffic and so on. I can afford it but my down time is valuable.
The only game in Leinster which will draw a big crowd is Wexford v Kilkenny IF there is something at stake.
I know it would be heresy to say it but Waterford in Leinster and Galway in Munster makes more sense geographically.

ExiledInWex (Dublin) - Posts: 1305 - 20/04/2025 13:36:54    2603041

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Replying To ExiledInWex:  "Because in Munster most matches are a short road trip away and you know as a supporter you have a good chance of a victory or at worst a competitive game for the most part. Like, Clare to Cork is the furthest trip and its probably closer than Galway or Antrim are to any away game. Would many in Cork volunteer to drive to Newry on a Saturday afternoon say?
Antrim and Galway supporters knew a road trip yesterday was to see a defeat and lets be real, who in Antrim or Galway wants a 2-3-4-5 hour drive on Easter Saturday in the afternoon, and that is before the cost.
But, familiarity is breeding contempt. Same old teams, year in year out, having played them in the league also. Ponying up 20-30 quid each time.
The GAA gave up their whole Summer window when they had it all to themselves to rush through a championship which quite frankly is competing with the Premier League, Rugby, etc both for eyeballs and people's cash.
I was going to go to The Nell yesterday but its 2+ hours from here allowing for traffic and so on. I can afford it but my down time is valuable.
The only game in Leinster which will draw a big crowd is Wexford v Kilkenny IF there is something at stake.
I know it would be heresy to say it but Waterford in Leinster and Galway in Munster makes more sense geographically."
Competitive match? Are you watching Cork v Clare?

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1809 - 20/04/2025 14:42:02    2603056

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