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I personally think that Wexford Park shouldn't host any group stage games in either the hurling or the football championship (Insofar as that's possible). Wexford Park can feel cavernous at times for these sort of games, it would be better IMO if they played these matches at smaller grounds, would get the same crowd but would get a much better atmosphere.
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 215 - 05/09/2022 21:34:18
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I personally think that Wexford Park shouldn't host any group stage games in either the hurling or the football championship (Insofar as that's possible). Wexford Park can feel cavernous at times for these sort of games, it would be better IMO if they played these matches at smaller grounds, would get the same crowd but would get a much better atmosphere." what about making all the group games home and away? imagine the crowd in rathangan if the annes were playing glynn, or in fethard if they were playing gusserane or if clongeen were at home to taghmon, imagine the crowd in castletown for a game v kilanerin as oppossed to 150 who would go to belfield or wexford pk for the same game, bring the games back to the clubs and the people
Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2840 - 06/09/2022 09:37:23
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I personally think that Wexford Park shouldn't host any group stage games in either the hurling or the football championship (Insofar as that's possible). Wexford Park can feel cavernous at times for these sort of games, it would be better IMO if they played these matches at smaller grounds, would get the same crowd but would get a much better atmosphere." I've often thought something similar about club matches in other counties that have larger grounds. For example, 1500 people would probably be a good crowd at a club match in the early stages of a championship, but if you put them into somewhere like Semple Stadium or the Gaelic Grounds in Limerick (which both hold around 45,000), then they'd be absolutely lost in it.
Even a massive crowd of 15,000 people for a county final would leave wide open spaces in one of those grounds, whereas it'd make Wexford Park look just about full.
Then again, let's face it - if you're not going to put club matches in Wexford Park because there's unlikely to be any more than a couple of hundred people there, then by the same logic, you wouldn't put our National Football League matches there either. Realistically, I know football will never have the same levels of popular support as hurling, but it's still a real pity that its following is so small in comparison, all the same.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2229 - 06/09/2022 10:57:12
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "I personally think that Wexford Park shouldn't host any group stage games in either the hurling or the football championship (Insofar as that's possible). Wexford Park can feel cavernous at times for these sort of games, it would be better IMO if they played these matches at smaller grounds, would get the same crowd but would get a much better atmosphere." Well the double headers help and I would say that a lot of teams would prefer to play there as its where they will play when they get into the knockout stages. At this time of the year the weather also comes a lot into it.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1800 - 06/09/2022 14:36:12
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Replying To Stmunnsriver: "what about making all the group games home and away? imagine the crowd in rathangan if the annes were playing glynn, or in fethard if they were playing gusserane or if clongeen were at home to taghmon, imagine the crowd in castletown for a game v kilanerin as oppossed to 150 who would go to belfield or wexford pk for the same game, bring the games back to the clubs and the people" Good idea. And have a home and away arrangement as used between some counties.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 06/09/2022 18:04:47
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Replying To zinny: "Well the double headers help and I would say that a lot of teams would prefer to play there as its where they will play when they get into the knockout stages. At this time of the year the weather also comes a lot into it." I get this up to a point but if no-one plays any group stage matches in Wexford Park, then no-one will be at a disadvantage playing there in the QFs. Plus most players have played in Wexford Park before, it won't be a case of them not being familiar with the pitch generally speaking.
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 215 - 06/09/2022 18:14:24
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Replying To Stmunnsriver: "what about making all the group games home and away? imagine the crowd in rathangan if the annes were playing glynn, or in fethard if they were playing gusserane or if clongeen were at home to taghmon, imagine the crowd in castletown for a game v kilanerin as oppossed to 150 who would go to belfield or wexford pk for the same game, bring the games back to the clubs and the people" Would this be feasible though? I think that if you're looking for a venue to host a Senior Championship game, you're generally looking for a venue with some sort of stand. By that metric, I can only think of the following venues (Not counting Ballyroebuck and Craanford as they are too far out of the way):
Gorey (Too far north really)
Bellefield
St Patrick's Park
Farmleigh (Lovely venue, think it should get a lot more games than it does)
Oylegate
Wexford Park
New Ross
Taghmon
30 games in the Senior Football group stages and 30 games in the Senior hurling as well. Add in Monamolin, Hollymount, Grantstown, and maybe Cushinstown at a push and you probably have enough venues outside of Wexford Park to host all Senior group stage games.
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 215 - 06/09/2022 18:22:31
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Bellefield shouldn't be used as a venue right now with the works being done in the grounds. The county board say there is plenty of parking in the town, but not in the vicinity of the pitch itself, and that's easier said than done at the weekend anyway. Pat's Park should suffice for most football games up to the knockouts.
This weekend, I see both Grantstown and Rathangan hosting senior games which would be novel enough but completely the right thing to do. The Castletown/Glynn and Starlights/St.Anne's double-header is on in Monamolin too- good to see them moving away from the bigger venues, which as someone said earlier dampens the atmosphere.
The reality is, the bulk of our senior clubs are south of Oylegate. There are enough good sized venues in the hinterland around Wexford/Ross to host games without resorting to Wexford Park, Bellefield or O'Kennedy Park (Taghmon/Killurin/Cushinstown/Tagoat). Likes of Gorey and Monamolin well able to accommodate the teams further north.
beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1409 - 06/09/2022 18:34:58
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Replying To beano: "Bellefield shouldn't be used as a venue right now with the works being done in the grounds. The county board say there is plenty of parking in the town, but not in the vicinity of the pitch itself, and that's easier said than done at the weekend anyway. Pat's Park should suffice for most football games up to the knockouts.
This weekend, I see both Grantstown and Rathangan hosting senior games which would be novel enough but completely the right thing to do. The Castletown/Glynn and Starlights/St.Anne's double-header is on in Monamolin too- good to see them moving away from the bigger venues, which as someone said earlier dampens the atmosphere.
The reality is, the bulk of our senior clubs are south of Oylegate. There are enough good sized venues in the hinterland around Wexford/Ross to host games without resorting to Wexford Park, Bellefield or O'Kennedy Park (Taghmon/Killurin/Cushinstown/Tagoat). Likes of Gorey and Monamolin well able to accommodate the teams further north." Edit: Rathangan is hosting an intermediate A game, but a derby so should attract a decent crowd.
And someone above ruled out Gorey as being too far north, yet included Grantstown as a venue. At least Gorey is directly off a motorway, and is 22 minutes from the entry-point at Oylegate. Far from the backwater the Ross district lads like to paint it as!
beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1409 - 07/09/2022 13:08:20
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Am guessing there would be logistical reasons to work against the idea of playing on a home and away basis. For instance, you'd be doing away with double-headers if every match is played separately on a club ground, so straight away, you've an issue with needing more match officials.
In an "ordinary" double header like Bellefield or Monamolin this weekend, you'd get away with just having three - one referees the first game while the other two are linesmen, and then for the second match, one of the linesmen for the first match swaps roles with the referee for that one.
But if the matches are being played at different venues, you'd need six officials to look after them, rather than just three - and we all know there's a shortage of match officials at the moment.
Similar situation would apply to needing more gatemen if there are more venues in use.
Another point is that a few years down the road, depending on who's drawn into which group and the status of the home/away agreement between them, one club might end up with four or even five home matches in the group, while another might have only one or even none at all.
So, might seem like a good idea in theory, but am not sure it's workable in practice.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2229 - 07/09/2022 13:16:33
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Am guessing there would be logistical reasons to work against the idea of playing on a home and away basis. For instance, you'd be doing away with double-headers if every match is played separately on a club ground, so straight away, you've an issue with needing more match officials.
In an "ordinary" double header like Bellefield or Monamolin this weekend, you'd get away with just having three - one referees the first game while the other two are linesmen, and then for the second match, one of the linesmen for the first match swaps roles with the referee for that one.
But if the matches are being played at different venues, you'd need six officials to look after them, rather than just three - and we all know there's a shortage of match officials at the moment.
Similar situation would apply to needing more gatemen if there are more venues in use.
Another point is that a few years down the road, depending on who's drawn into which group and the status of the home/away agreement between them, one club might end up with four or even five home matches in the group, while another might have only one or even none at all.
So, might seem like a good idea in theory, but am not sure it's workable in practice." it must be some pain to be so logical, good points
Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2840 - 07/09/2022 15:40:03
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Am guessing there would be logistical reasons to work against the idea of playing on a home and away basis. For instance, you'd be doing away with double-headers if every match is played separately on a club ground, so straight away, you've an issue with needing more match officials.
In an "ordinary" double header like Bellefield or Monamolin this weekend, you'd get away with just having three - one referees the first game while the other two are linesmen, and then for the second match, one of the linesmen for the first match swaps roles with the referee for that one.
But if the matches are being played at different venues, you'd need six officials to look after them, rather than just three - and we all know there's a shortage of match officials at the moment.
Similar situation would apply to needing more gatemen if there are more venues in use.
Another point is that a few years down the road, depending on who's drawn into which group and the status of the home/away agreement between them, one club might end up with four or even five home matches in the group, while another might have only one or even none at all.
So, might seem like a good idea in theory, but am not sure it's workable in practice." Would also be interested to see how much money the GAA gets for the online streaming - certainly having the double headers helps in the logistics there as well. I still think that if the weather forecast is bad for the day everyone will want the game in the Park and given the time of the year we are heading into that is going to be more likely than not. There are some great grounds around the county but most lack covered stands. Completely railed in pitches is the minimum requirement and I would say as some clubs adds covered stand space they will start getting the games.
zinny (Wexford) - Posts: 1800 - 07/09/2022 15:59:05
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Replying To beano: "Bellefield shouldn't be used as a venue right now with the works being done in the grounds. The county board say there is plenty of parking in the town, but not in the vicinity of the pitch itself, and that's easier said than done at the weekend anyway. Pat's Park should suffice for most football games up to the knockouts.
This weekend, I see both Grantstown and Rathangan hosting senior games which would be novel enough but completely the right thing to do. The Castletown/Glynn and Starlights/St.Anne's double-header is on in Monamolin too- good to see them moving away from the bigger venues, which as someone said earlier dampens the atmosphere.
The reality is, the bulk of our senior clubs are south of Oylegate. There are enough good sized venues in the hinterland around Wexford/Ross to host games without resorting to Wexford Park, Bellefield or O'Kennedy Park (Taghmon/Killurin/Cushinstown/Tagoat). Likes of Gorey and Monamolin well able to accommodate the teams further north." Look, the best matches should be played as double headers in the best venues for a large number of reasons.
Stewards, gate people, referees, toilet facilities, disability access, streaming coverage, scoreboards, the list goes on. Any business should be looking at it from a customer service point of view.
There hasn't been any problem using Bellefield the last two weekends despite the works. I've been at all the football games in Bellefield so far, no issues finding parking quite close by.
The best venues are:
Wexford Park
Bellefield
Patrick's Park
New Ross
Monamolin
Gorey
That is where the senior and intermediate games should be.
Intermediate A and the odd intermediate game in other places with stands/shelter such as Oylegate & Farmleigh (Taghmon too but it needs a scoreboard)
It is not completely the right thing to have Grantstown hosting a senior match. That match should either be in New Ross or Wexford Park as part of a double header with another senior match or at least an appealing intermediate game.
You mention Taghmon, Cushinstown and Tagoat. None of them to be best of my knowledge has a functioning scoreboard (I'm not sure Grantstown has either).
I think your ideas, well meaning as they might be, would create even less interest in football than there already is.
Onfor15 (Wexford) - Posts: 524 - 07/09/2022 16:32:05
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Replying To Stmunnsriver: "it must be some pain to be so logical, good points" It's both a blessing and curse :)
Thanks for saying they're good points anyway.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2229 - 07/09/2022 17:01:15
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Replying To zinny: "Would also be interested to see how much money the GAA gets for the online streaming - certainly having the double headers helps in the logistics there as well. I still think that if the weather forecast is bad for the day everyone will want the game in the Park and given the time of the year we are heading into that is going to be more likely than not. There are some great grounds around the county but most lack covered stands. Completely railed in pitches is the minimum requirement and I would say as some clubs adds covered stand space they will start getting the games." Yup, streaming is something else that a home/away arrangement would work against.
I don't know many how many cameras or crews are available to Wexford GAA TV, but am guessing they'd be under pressure if even three of the six senior matches in any round were being played in different venues at roughly the same times.
Even if throw-in times were staggered, they could be under pressure to get one from venue to the next, by the time they do post-match interviews, put away all the gear, drive to the next venue, and get set up to do it all again.
And that's all without even considering the likely problems with patchy internet upload for the stream if they'd be relying on wireless systems in rural venues, where many of the matches would be played.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2229 - 07/09/2022 17:07:58
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Replying To Onfor15: "Look, the best matches should be played as double headers in the best venues for a large number of reasons.
Stewards, gate people, referees, toilet facilities, disability access, streaming coverage, scoreboards, the list goes on. Any business should be looking at it from a customer service point of view.
There hasn't been any problem using Bellefield the last two weekends despite the works. I've been at all the football games in Bellefield so far, no issues finding parking quite close by.
The best venues are:
Wexford Park
Bellefield
Patrick's Park
New Ross
Monamolin
Gorey
That is where the senior and intermediate games should be.
Intermediate A and the odd intermediate game in other places with stands/shelter such as Oylegate & Farmleigh (Taghmon too but it needs a scoreboard)
It is not completely the right thing to have Grantstown hosting a senior match. That match should either be in New Ross or Wexford Park as part of a double header with another senior match or at least an appealing intermediate game.
You mention Taghmon, Cushinstown and Tagoat. None of them to be best of my knowledge has a functioning scoreboard (I'm not sure Grantstown has either).
I think your ideas, well meaning as they might be, would create even less interest in football than there already is." Agree Taghmon needs a scoreboard. But apart from that the facilities are at least as good as Patrick's Park where I was last Friday. I'd say the stand is bigger in Taghmon tbh.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 07/09/2022 17:55:50
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Replying To beano: "Edit: Rathangan is hosting an intermediate A game, but a derby so should attract a decent crowd.
And someone above ruled out Gorey as being too far north, yet included Grantstown as a venue. At least Gorey is directly off a motorway, and is 22 minutes from the entry-point at Oylegate. Far from the backwater the Ross district lads like to paint it as!" Realistically though, what Senior football games would you host in Gorey? Castletown-Kilanerin is the only one I can think of and assuming that there is a Senior-Senior double-header rather than a Senior-Intermediate, Senior-Intermediate A, or Senior-Junior one, what other Senior game would you pair with it? Gorey mightn't be too far away as you say with the new roads but given how most of the Senior football clubs tend to be from the south of the county, there will always likely be a more southern venue than Gorey more suitable to hosting a Senior football double-header (Which is a pity because I actually like the venue).
My main rationale for using Grantstown was that I'm fairly sure it has hosted Senior Championship games before and being in the south of the county, it's not that far away from a lot of the Senior clubs.
ElGranSenor (Wexford) - Posts: 215 - 07/09/2022 18:38:13
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Replying To Viking66: "Agree Taghmon needs a scoreboard. But apart from that the facilities are at least as good as Patrick's Park where I was last Friday. I'd say the stand is bigger in Taghmon tbh." Need a new scoreboard that should read!
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 08/09/2022 08:56:41
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Replying To ElGranSenor: "Realistically though, what Senior football games would you host in Gorey? Castletown-Kilanerin is the only one I can think of and assuming that there is a Senior-Senior double-header rather than a Senior-Intermediate, Senior-Intermediate A, or Senior-Junior one, what other Senior game would you pair with it? Gorey mightn't be too far away as you say with the new roads but given how most of the Senior football clubs tend to be from the south of the county, there will always likely be a more southern venue than Gorey more suitable to hosting a Senior football double-header (Which is a pity because I actually like the venue).
My main rationale for using Grantstown was that I'm fairly sure it has hosted Senior Championship games before and being in the south of the county, it's not that far away from a lot of the Senior clubs." Straight away, I'd say that of the senior football clubs, it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask either Starlights or HWH-Bunclody to travel to Gorey either.
Then I started looking at it a bit more, and it got interesting....
Consider that no senior club ever has an issue with being fixed to play in Wexford Park. According to Google Maps, that's a drive of 40 minutes or more for HWH-Bunclody, Castletown, and Kilanerin, and it's only a shade under 40 minutes for St. James'. So, a 40-minute drive must be acceptable.
Also according to Google Maps, the following clubs are within a 40-minute drive of the GAA grounds in Gorey:
The obvious ones of Castletown and Kilanerin.
The other two I've already mentioned, HWH-Bunclody and Starlights.
And some not-so-obvious ones: Sarsfields, Crossabeg/Ballymurn, Shelmaliers, Glynn-Barntown.
In addition, St. Martin's is just 41 minutes.
So, if it's reasonable to fix Bunclody, Castletown, or Kilanerin to play in Wexford Park, then it should also be reasonable to fix any of those other clubs to play in Gorey, at least the odd time.
From a purely geographical point of view, something like Shels v Castletown in Gorey is not hugely different from something like Kilanerin v Glynn-Barntown in Wexford Park.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2229 - 08/09/2022 13:11:14
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Replying To Pikeman96: "Straight away, I'd say that of the senior football clubs, it wouldn't be unreasonable to ask either Starlights or HWH-Bunclody to travel to Gorey either.
Then I started looking at it a bit more, and it got interesting....
Consider that no senior club ever has an issue with being fixed to play in Wexford Park. According to Google Maps, that's a drive of 40 minutes or more for HWH-Bunclody, Castletown, and Kilanerin, and it's only a shade under 40 minutes for St. James'. So, a 40-minute drive must be acceptable.
Also according to Google Maps, the following clubs are within a 40-minute drive of the GAA grounds in Gorey:
The obvious ones of Castletown and Kilanerin.
The other two I've already mentioned, HWH-Bunclody and Starlights.
And some not-so-obvious ones: Sarsfields, Crossabeg/Ballymurn, Shelmaliers, Glynn-Barntown.
In addition, St. Martin's is just 41 minutes.
So, if it's reasonable to fix Bunclody, Castletown, or Kilanerin to play in Wexford Park, then it should also be reasonable to fix any of those other clubs to play in Gorey, at least the odd time.
From a purely geographical point of view, something like Shels v Castletown in Gorey is not hugely different from something like Kilanerin v Glynn-Barntown in Wexford Park." Exactly. There'd surely be complaints from the power-brokers south of Enniscorthy though that it's ridiculous to even consider.
beano (Wexford) - Posts: 1409 - 08/09/2022 14:15:53
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