cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5018 - 07/11/2016 15:41:00    1932408

Think we need to calm down a bit. Irish rugby deserves all the credit it is getting for a great win in an important match against the sports world champions. Rugby has its house in order in terms of the professional game (I go to Ravenhill a bit myself, fantastic venue and setup there) and at underage they are really growing their presence.

but on the downside... 1. still only 200 odd clubs, How many of these kids will still be playing as adults... 2. concussion, the elephant in the room.... 3. competition from big professional leagues, how long will the provinces remain competitive....4. the quality of some of the games at provincial and international games is absolute dross, I was in Paris for Ireland v France this year.. an atrocious game, and that's a top level international

himachechy (Donegal) - Posts: 293 - 07/11/2016 16:24:34    1932434

We need to look at it at various levels

At Local level, The GAA has unrivalled facilities in Ireland in terms of club facilities in every single County of Ireland, which are at levels the IRFU could only dream of. The GAA also runs more widespread summer camps which get the kids involved in Gaelic Games over the summer. So from interaction at a local level, I think the GAA is probably miles ahead of the Rugby.

At International level, Rugby like soccer is ahead of the GAA in that it's athletes can compete in large competitions like a Rugby World Cup or Heineken Cup type competitions. I know we have the International rules series, but it's quite the same as playing for Ireland in a World Cup against so many different nations from both hemispheres. I can't see that changing in the next 40 years, so this is an area where the GAA is and will continue to be behind Soccer and Rugby.

At National Level, there are a couple of area's to consider here.

1 - PUBLIC PARTICIPATION: GAA is miles ahead of Rugby in terms of participation across the Island, although Its hard to gauge whether GAA is ahead of soccer in terms of participation. But huge amounts of people play soccer at various levels, if you include "5 a side" football, there are huge levels of participation.
2 - ORGANISATION STRUCTURE: As an organisation, the GAA is miles ahead of the FAI in terms of structures across the Island, and is substantially bigger than the IRFU in terms of presence and community structure. However in terms of which of the 3 Organisations has the best organisational structure, It is unclear whether the GAA or IRFU have the most effective organisational structure in place.
The IRFU may be a lot smaller, but could actually be found to be proportionally better organised in terms of long-term planning and game development. The GAA can sometimes be a little bit bloated in this regard.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 07/11/2016 16:59:36    1932448

Rugby is on the up no doubt however yesterdays result was totally blown out of proportion by the media. Look it, when we needed to perform in the world cup last year our so called superstars were found out. We got to the quarters so essentially we are in the worlds top 8 and there are about 12 teams in the world whho take rugby seriously.
Rugby is definetly growing outside dublin, yesterday you had lads from wexfrod louth westmeath carlow and kildare playin
11jm11 (Kildare) - Posts:162 - 06/11/2016 22:55:21 Rugby has always been strong in many areas of those counties. Co Carlow are one of the oldest rugby clubs in the country. Founded before even the IRFU. Kildare has some very very strong rugby clubs like Naas, Barnhall.
The result on Saturday is not being blown out of proportion when you look at the history of Ireland against New Zealand. If you look at New Zealand
they've won like 90% of all games they've played since the 1900s. They've only been beaten by 6 International teams. They've won over 75% of their international tests and they've played 550 or so tests. And there is a lot more than 12 teams in world who take rugby seriously.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 07/11/2016 17:02:45    1932450

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 07/11/2016 17:11:04    1932458

the independent had 7-8 people covering the rugby alone...im well aware a test in rugby is a bit different to a normal friendly but a world cup it aint

alano12 (Dublin) - Posts: 2208 - 07/11/2016 17:47:47    1932471

That win on Saturday night is getting a lot of coverage which is understandable and fairly justified but for people to think that rugby is bigger than gaa or football then your deluded. There are more gaa clubs in cork than rugby clubs in all of Ireland. Rugby is in a good place at the moment but 2 heavy defeats to New Zealand and Australia could swing the mood. There are only 10 serious countries when it comes to rugby.

Bain (Donegal) - Posts: 470 - 07/11/2016 18:44:34    1932483

Does anyone like any sports other than gaelic football and hurling and what are they?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7370 - 07/11/2016 19:36:14    1932499

At the end of the day the Irish team is fairly successful as well as 2 of our provinces are extremely strong in Europe so you are trying to compare a county team (GAA) against a country (rugby), also they run at opposite times of the year, rugby in winter and spring while GAA is mostly end of spring and summer, still a fair number of GAA supporters attend rugby matches, I remember a rugby game in Galway Connacht v Gloucester in Heineken Cup, the place was quiet and 1 home supporter decided since Gloucester wore red and white that he would roar 'come on Connacht pretend that they're Cork' the place erupted laughing, only in Ireland would you have GAA people at a rugby match quoting GAA banter

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 07/11/2016 19:41:13    1932501

Bain for people to think that rugby is bigger than gaa or football then your deluded. in ireland is isnt and never will be - even in limerick hurling is more popular -but most of the hurling lads wil follow rugby -in the city rugby is strong
There are only 10 serious countries when it comes to rugby.
tis more than that -the 6 nations plus the southern hemisphere teams , add in japan, tonga,fiji, samoa, georgia (who get 50k plus any time they play russia) ,

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 20:14:54    1932511

I was in Paris for Ireland v France this year.. an atrocious game, and that's a top level international
himachechy (Donegal) - Posts:41 - 07/11/2016 16:24:34 1932434

that same day i was at young munster v galwegians - went home and watched the ireland game and thought i got the better bang for my buck - i find at times some of the ulster bank league games to be better than the pro games , albeit im biased coz i support munsters

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 20:18:59    1932513

Good post there garymc82
At Local level, The GAA has unrivalled facilities in Ireland in terms of club facilities in every single County of Ireland,
yeah id go along with that in limerick the main clubs ground all got good covered terracing whereas the rugby clubs dont- nothing fancy but stops you gettin wet e.g. caherconlish,bruff kilmallock, rathkeale newcastlewest, cappamore
mind you was in st marys pitch in templeogue the weekend very impressive facility

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 20:22:09    1932515

It's main struggle seems to be ridding itself of its elitist tag, particularly in Dublin. Until it can do that it will struggle to grow anymore I think.
MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts:10185 - 07/11/2016 10:43:15 1

yeah it has that perception but to be honest ive been at games either watchin or playin in nearly every dublin ground and have never had a problem with anything remotely related to elitism, (in either rugby or gaa) and thats me with me common auld limerick accent (sham!!!!), have been to away games in con trinity and st marys this season with no issue - in fact in marys they couldnt have been more welcoming...its just a perception go a club game and see for yourself

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 20:27:38    1932519

s. However, you'd have to be a total cynic not to be able to savour vanquishing the all-conquering AllBlacks.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts:3118 - 07/11/2016 15:22:33 1932399

good point well made

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 20:28:54    1932520

Replying To uibhfhaili1986: "
yeah concussion is an issue but to be fair they are working on it - i coach kids and we are constantly getting training re concussion awareness, the HIA is now there , players/medics/coaches are more conscious of it , theres return to play protocols, theres been studies on it, theres guys even now doing work on a scrum cap that can help sport concussion and theres more to do and its a constant work in progress Other sports are dangerous too ,driving a car can be dangerous,

theres also a huge emphasis on tackle technique at mini level in order to reduce chances of concussion

the game is probably getting safer compared to 15 years ago - the amount of brawls and punches compared is gone way down and rightly so, neck rolls, tip tackles/spear tackles, stamping, high tackles, fella chargin illegally into rucks are now all outlawed and are being eradicated from the game (mind you still have bit the go to completely rid the game of tip tackle and high tackle) ,there probably other areas where safety could be looked at e.g. choke/ two man tackle and collapsing lineout , and in time the whole tackle may be looked at

bear in mind for those or us who play and coach it -the physicality is a big attraction its why we play it

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 20:39:19    1932523

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 07/11/2016 20:48:01    1932528

uibhfhaili - also from talking to scrum coaches (all of whom are exprerienced knarly props) the scrum is far safer now

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 20:49:25    1932529

Some people think Damo and Ivor isn't reality tv.Believe me Damo loves LFC and the Dubs and Ivor loikes a spot of cricket and Leinster Rogby.Jost saying loike.
cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts:4774 - 07/11/2016 20:48:01

yeah and everyone in limerick wears plastic bags over their heads like the rubberbandits!!!

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 07/11/2016 21:19:24    1932538

the independent had 7-8 people covering the rugby alone...im well aware a test in rugby is a bit different to a normal friendly but a world cup it aint
alano12 (Dublin) - Posts:861 - 07/11/2016 17:47:47 7/8 people writing on a game/event doesn't mean that the event is over hyped or anything. And where are you getting 7/8 people from? They will have had a journo who will have his match report. That journo will also have some sort of article. They'll have 2/3 columnists. And maybe another article.

That win on Saturday night is getting a lot of coverage which is understandable and fairly justified but for people to think that rugby is bigger than gaa or football then your deluded. There are more gaa clubs in cork than rugby clubs in all of Ireland. Rugby is in a good place at the moment but 2 heavy defeats to New Zealand and Australia could swing the mood. There are only 10 serious countries when it comes to rugby.
Bain (Donegal) - Posts:403 - 07/11/2016 18:44:34Who are the 10 serious countries when it comes to rugby then? Name them?
Who has said rugby is better than GAA or soccer? The GAA is multiple sports and there is multiple clubs within the one area that are essentially one club so stating more gaa clubs in cork than rugby clubs in Ireland is not fair.

yeah id go along with that in limerick the main clubs ground all got good covered terracing whereas the rugby clubs dont- nothing fancy but stops you gettin wet e.g. caherconlish,bruff kilmallock, rathkeale newcastlewest, cappamore
mind you was in st marys pitch in templeogue the weekend very impressive facility
janesboro (Limerick) - Posts:778 - 07/11/2016 20:22:09Rugby clubs in Limerick facilities are fine though. You can watch from your car in many of them. In plenty you can also watch games from club houses like Bohs, Bruff, Thomond. Garryowen. Id rather money go on underage development in these clubs considering the issues they face dealing with schools than investing in facilities.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 07/11/2016 21:54:16    1932552

the independent had 7-8 people covering the rugby alone...im well aware a test in rugby is a bit different to a normal friendly but a world cup it aint
alano12 (Dublin) - Posts:861 - 07/11/2016 17:47:47 7/8 people writing on a game/event doesn't mean that the event is over hyped or anything. And where are you getting 7/8 people from? They will have had a journo who will have his match report. That journo will also have some sort of article. They'll have 2/3 columnists. And maybe another article.

That win on Saturday night is getting a lot of coverage which is understandable and fairly justified but for people to think that rugby is bigger than gaa or football then your deluded. There are more gaa clubs in cork than rugby clubs in all of Ireland. Rugby is in a good place at the moment but 2 heavy defeats to New Zealand and Australia could swing the mood. There are only 10 serious countries when it comes to rugby.
Bain (Donegal) - Posts:403 - 07/11/2016 18:44:34Who are the 10 serious countries when it comes to rugby then? Name them?
Who has said rugby is better than GAA or soccer? The GAA is multiple sports and there is multiple clubs within the one area that are essentially one club so stating more gaa clubs in cork than rugby clubs in Ireland is not fair.

yeah id go along with that in limerick the main clubs ground all got good covered terracing whereas the rugby clubs dont- nothing fancy but stops you gettin wet e.g. caherconlish,bruff kilmallock, rathkeale newcastlewest, cappamore
mind you was in st marys pitch in templeogue the weekend very impressive facility
janesboro (Limerick) - Posts:778 - 07/11/2016 20:22:09Rugby clubs in Limerick facilities are fine though. You can watch from your car in many of them. In plenty you can also watch games from club houses like Bohs, Bruff, Thomond. Garryowen. Id rather money go on underage development in these clubs considering the issues they face dealing with schools than investing in facilities.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 07/11/2016 21:54:35    1932553