National Forum

Railway Cup

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http://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/278383

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 22/11/2017 13:09:22    2063263

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Replying To Gleebo:  "The finals have been played in a variety of venues abroad, including in Paris, Boston, Rome and Abu Dhabi, which presumably incurred travel and pitch rental costs for the GAA. Martin Donnelly also sponsored the competition for several years, to no avail seemingly.

For those of you suggesting that the format be retained, what measures would you recommend to boost the profile of the Interpros?"
I would be confident enough that it could be got back on track if serious and meaningful consideration was given to getting players from weaker counties on board for selection, use the quota system if necessary.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 22/11/2017 14:55:46    2063279

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Replying To supersub15:  "I would be confident enough that it could be got back on track if serious and meaningful consideration was given to getting players from weaker counties on board for selection, use the quota system if necessary."
Regarding players from weaker counties, it really is a shame for the GAA that there is now no avenue available for the player from a weaker county to play at the top level, especially in hurling.

liam500 (Wicklow) - Posts: 175 - 22/11/2017 15:46:17    2063284

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One of the problems is is that there never was any marketing for it. Anyone ever remember seeing it advertised anywhere? Fair enough if the genuine interest isn't there, but one thing the GAA didn't lose money on was advertising and promoting it.
Superglue (Kerry) - 22/11/2017 10:13:27

That's not true. For a while there was a big push on it but there was no interest in it. Donnelly put a lot of money into it too, they brought it to smaller venues too in an effort to create an atmosphere. There was plenty of press coverage dedicated to the games with numerous articles from 'staff journalists' talking about the great games it produced. It received endorsements from high profile players such as Michael Murphy. Bar running a TV campaign for it most avenues were utilized in an effort to promote the competition. I was at the final last year in Carrick and if there was 400 there it would be a miracle. There is zero interest in the competition unfortunately.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 22/11/2017 16:53:21    2063291

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My suggestion again is a one day event consisting of a Shield final and a Cup final. Both winners should contest the Cup final in the following year. As the Shield winner will be the challenger to the defending Cup winner, the Shield winner should be the host province, ensuring a different venue every year. The stadium selected by the host should be as accessible as possible for their Cup final opponent to help crowds as best as possible. I think the GAA should support it by giving it a fixed place in the calendar. I would suggest the third Saturday of October for hurling and the fourth Saturday of October for football. There will be players free from club commitments at that time. Some argue the early finish to the inter-county scene will give rival sports a leg up. Organising inter-provincial one day events in October followed by the International Rules in October will help keep Gaelic Games in the media coverage while the clubs championships are also drawing to a conclusion.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7808 - 22/11/2017 17:10:48    2063295

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Put it to bed along with the bastardised sport, put all revenue used for these into the weaker counties, like Leitrim, Meath etc.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8584 - 22/11/2017 18:03:48    2063300

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Replying To realdub:  "Put it to bed along with the bastardised sport, put all revenue used for these into the weaker counties, like Leitrim, Meath etc."
hahahaha :)

lilypad (Kildare) - Posts: 1363 - 22/11/2017 21:13:37    2063316

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Replying To realdub:  "Put it to bed along with the bastardised sport, put all revenue used for these into the weaker counties, like Leitrim, Meath etc."
Now now. Behave. :)

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 23/11/2017 08:34:49    2063331

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Replying To realdub:  "Put it to bed along with the bastardised sport, put all revenue used for these into the weaker counties, like Leitrim, Meath etc."
while all the rest of the GAA's revenue can continue to be used to meet Dublin's demands.
Sounds good.

Greenfield (Meath) - Posts: 522 - 23/11/2017 10:38:15    2063343

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We always blame the 'GAA' as it is an easy throw away line, like Croke park. Used to imply faceless people who have no interest in the GAA, yet no one can ever name one when asked.

The 'GAA' is been charged with overloading players so what are the proposals to keep it alive? Seen very few. Remember if you want ti high profile you need high profile players, so limiting it to the weaker counties is an non-starter.

Also remember the Railway Cup demise coincides with the rise of the Club championship, so it is a choice of which one you want.

For me its the Club Championship.

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 23/11/2017 10:49:12    2063345

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This message has been incorporated here as it is the same subject matter.

User: novalis

I would agree with him 100%. Interpros should be kept and marketed in a different way.....with proceeds going to charity:

Derry star Chrissy McKaigue feels more could have been done to keep the inter-provincial series alive.

Connacht's recent withdrawal from the age-old competition means it's unlikely to go ahead next month and McKaigue, who will look to guide his native Slaughtneil to a second consecutive Ulster club SFC title on Sunday, says that the competition could be used for "a greater purpose".

"It's almost like the GAA want it to fail," McKaigue is quoted saying by the Irish Examiner.

"I remember playing for Ulster against Donegal, in the winter of 2012, for the Michaela Harte foundation and there was something like 20,000 people at it.

"I thought, what a model it could be for inter-provincials; PR it properly and use it as a charity event to actually make an impact on society, but it never happened.

"Some might say I'm mad saying that, but if it was done for a greater purpose, you would see big crowds and you would also showcase the games and the players' abilities and that inspires the youth, but again, there's the whole GAA logic of if it is too good to be true and makes common sense, then don't do it."Interesting view by Chrissie McKaigue Derry on The Interpros.

Administrator (None) - Posts: 2274 - 23/11/2017 11:19:32    2063353

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Just for balance and no more than that, if you all scrutinise it's history, you will find it was put in place to give players from the weaker counties (in particular) a meaningful chance to play in a meaningful competition in Croke Park with a chance of winning a meaningful medal, that's my read on it. It doesn't have to be high profile to be a success, how high is high, so high profile players may help but are not the complete answer far from it.
A shining example of what weaker counties can contribute to the game is, Rathnew of Wicklow, in my view there are 3/4 players from that team that would walk on to that Leinster football team, along with that there are 3/4 players in the Carlow squad who qualify as well.
Separately, just wondering, did Connaught give much notice to the powers that be of their intention to withdraw from the competition, did the powers that be try to convince Connaught to put it off for a year to give them a chance to put something else in place.
On the other hand is it not true to say that when Connaught was under pressure to field a hurling team down through the years, did Galway hurlers not step in and represented Connaught for a number of years.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 2907 - 23/11/2017 15:06:59    2063381

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Replying To juicy:  "Heard an interesting suggestion regarding this earlier on Off the Ball AM. They were suggesting playing it the week before the All Ireland. I know this may impact some clubs but additionally would give teams whose counties have been knocked out a 2 week break from championship. The suggestion was to play it over the weekend all in Croke Park, perhaps even on one day and charge 5 euro in. Would give the better players from each county the opportunity to play in the stadium and young fans the opportunity to see competitive matches. You could even try out different application of rules to make it more interesting i.e in hurling could be 2/3 points for sideline, or use some of the rules from the Fenway, sideline from hand likewise in football 6 points for a goal etc. the list of opportunities would be endless.

It is disappointing to see this competition being lost. Especially for the older generation who hold this competition in so much regard."
Straight away it is watered down because the best players in a provence involved in the All-Ireland will not play. However it does make sense to have the Fenway games intro-provincial. Football could be Aussie rules to help prepare for that series. The chance of a trip for players might be an incentive.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2653 - 23/11/2017 15:46:05    2063383

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The Railway Cup series is over, Connaught's withdrawal reflects that reality. I would also consider getting rid of O'Byrne Cup, Walsh Cup, McKenna Cup and other subsidiary competitions.

For 2018 the leagues start in January, continuing through February and March. The Third level competitions are played off in February. The under 21football championships start in February, concluding in April.
That is a lot of games in a short period, if aplayer is involved in league, u21, and third level competitions in those months.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1731 - 23/11/2017 15:46:59    2063384

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Replying To Gleebo:  "The finals have been played in a variety of venues abroad, including in Paris, Boston, Rome and Abu Dhabi, which presumably incurred travel and pitch rental costs for the GAA. Martin Donnelly also sponsored the competition for several years, to no avail seemingly.

For those of you suggesting that the format be retained, what measures would you recommend to boost the profile of the Interpros?"
There was 30,000 in Fenway. Two games in a day not a stretch as a baseball game can exceed 3 hours.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2653 - 23/11/2017 15:50:31    2063386

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Now now. Behave. :)"
Ah good man RD, at least you know I'm taking the p*ss

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8584 - 23/11/2017 20:57:08    2063411

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Replying To realdub:  "I attended some in the 70s and there was 50/60,000 in attendance. Played in a couple during the 80s and the crowd was down to a few thousand. The GAA can do NOTHING to make this attractive, or to make people 'provincially' proud at this stage."
Doubtful if any of the 1970's Railway Cups made 50-60,000 attendance. I was at 1973 final an I'd say attendance was in the region of 15,000 at max. Having the games televised actually did in their attendance figures,

dingle2 (Kerry) - Posts: 278 - 24/11/2017 18:27:11    2063473

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Replying To dingle2:  "Doubtful if any of the 1970's Railway Cups made 50-60,000 attendance. I was at 1973 final an I'd say attendance was in the region of 15,000 at max. Having the games televised actually did in their attendance figures,"
In fairness you're probably right, I was very young and maybe the crowds looked bigger to me.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8584 - 24/11/2017 22:58:01    2063502

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