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Replying To GaryMc82: "It was an All Ireland Football Semi Final......If the GAA can't keep Croke Park available for that, then it says a lot about GAA Admins priorities and perhaps a closer look needs to be take at those unelected admin positions. If a Stadium is a GAA Stadium, it should be available for the key events on the GAA Calendar no matter what weekend they fall on, and key dates are All Ireland finals and semi finals, League finals and Club All Ireland finals and semi finals. Its only a few weekends per year really, and thus should always take priority over any side revenue events. Making the tax man happy or making, Dublin or Limerick businesses or American Football fans happy is irrelevant to the main point being made, only the GAA would spend a fortune on Stadiums which primarily serve the needs to everybody but the GAA first." But didn't the gaelic grounds serve the needs of the gaa that day? It served them very well actually, easier journey for the fans and a way better atmosphere than what would have been a half empty Croke park. There's no rule saying a semi has to be played in Croker, as far as I know anyway, and if a game is only going to attract 40-50 000 move it to a venue that won't end uo half empty, or even two thirds empty come throw in time Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1699 - 07/02/2022 12:15:19 2398869 Link
Replying To Galway9801: "There's nothing more aesthetically displeasing than watching a game being played out in front of thousands and thousands of empty seats, tens of thousands of empty seats sometimes, tbh as a gaa man I think it's quite embarrassing and you rarely see it in others sports. If a match is only going to attract 10 000 spectators and a concert is going to attract 8 times that much, put the concert in the big stadium and find a more reasonable venue for the game. I'd rather watch a club game in a packed kenny Park any day than watch the same game in Pearse stadium and the place looking and feeling like a ghost town with no atmosphere." There's no Munster championship hurling game with less than 20,000 in the round Robin. If Cork and Limerick are involved it ll be high 30 thousands. bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 07/02/2022 12:24:52 2398874 Link
Replying To Galway9801: "But didn't the gaelic grounds serve the needs of the gaa that day? It served them very well actually, easier journey for the fans and a way better atmosphere than what would have been a half empty Croke park. There's no rule saying a semi has to be played in Croker, as far as I know anyway, and if a game is only going to attract 40-50 000 move it to a venue that won't end uo half empty, or even two thirds empty come throw in time" Yes, that may well be the case that day, as the example used featured Mayo and Kerry, both who regularly play in Croke Park and Kerry usually have a poor following prior to All Ireland Finals, so for that pairing it was probably a good idea and I would prefer this approach for Provincial games. However for the majority around the Country, reaching an All Ireland Club or Inter-county Semi final or Final means getting a run out in Croke Park, and that should be considered a given. GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 07/02/2022 13:29:12 2398903 Link
Replying To GaryMc82: "It was an All Ireland Football Semi Final......If the GAA can't keep Croke Park available for that, then it says a lot about GAA Admins priorities and perhaps a closer look needs to be take at those unelected admin positions. If a Stadium is a GAA Stadium, it should be available for the key events on the GAA Calendar no matter what weekend they fall on, and key dates are All Ireland finals and semi finals, League finals and Club All Ireland finals and semi finals. Its only a few weekends per year really, and thus should always take priority over any side revenue events. Making the tax man happy or making, Dublin or Limerick businesses or American Football fans happy is irrelevant to the main point being made, only the GAA would spend a fortune on Stadiums which primarily serve the needs to everybody but the GAA first." I agree with a lot of that Gary, once the game venues are pencilled into the calendar they shouldn't be moved. But the Penn State game was fixed there long before a replay was called and Sheerin gigs in Cork were announced before 2022 calendar was announced. The GAA aren't primarily serving the needs of everybody but the GAA first. They've plenty of stadia which are rarely full, most of them with crowds maybe 10 games a year but need to be maintained all year round so money from other events is welcome. Not sure what format the league and championship will be next year, hopefully they can come with an ealy calendar for league and first round of championship and no concerts can be scheduled after that. But I don't see how they can turn down millions for use of some facilities if they don't have games scheduled for dares because they haven't scheduoed games and venues yet. GAA activities keeping the taxman happy is very important because the GAA get plenty of government grants. From a full house in Croke Park to the local pub sonsoring the U14s there's VAT being paid. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7337 - 07/02/2022 13:40:03 2398910 Link
Replying To Galway9801: "But didn't the gaelic grounds serve the needs of the gaa that day? It served them very well actually, easier journey for the fans and a way better atmosphere than what would have been a half empty Croke park. There's no rule saying a semi has to be played in Croker, as far as I know anyway, and if a game is only going to attract 40-50 000 move it to a venue that won't end uo half empty, or even two thirds empty come throw in time" There was 54,000 at the first game in Croke Park….the vast majority Mayo fans. I think Limerick levelled up that advantage and actually suited Kerry better. Mayo at that time we're much less familiar with Limerick. There was also no Motorway open from Tuam so it was a fair trek for the north half of the county. That said Mayo were 5 points up the first day and should have seen out the result but typically didn't. I'd have no problem with Limerick for a game now as we've been back a few times since and it only takes me an hour and 20 mins to get to Limerick from south Mayo ;) yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 07/02/2022 14:20:16 2398940 Link
Replying To GreenandRed: "I agree with a lot of that Gary, once the game venues are pencilled into the calendar they shouldn't be moved. But the Penn State game was fixed there long before a replay was called and Sheerin gigs in Cork were announced before 2022 calendar was announced. The GAA aren't primarily serving the needs of everybody but the GAA first. They've plenty of stadia which are rarely full, most of them with crowds maybe 10 games a year but need to be maintained all year round so money from other events is welcome. Not sure what format the league and championship will be next year, hopefully they can come with an ealy calendar for league and first round of championship and no concerts can be scheduled after that. But I don't see how they can turn down millions for use of some facilities if they don't have games scheduled for dares because they haven't scheduoed games and venues yet. GAA activities keeping the taxman happy is very important because the GAA get plenty of government grants. From a full house in Croke Park to the local pub sonsoring the U14s there's VAT being paid." The Government is elected by the taxpayers, and I would bet that the GAA has more tax paying members than any other organization in the Country, a powerful lobby group if united. I agree with making GAA facilities available for non-GAA events when idle, maybe the problem is that with regular changes to Championship structures in recent years (Qualifiers, Super 8's etc), its made it impossible to create a 5 year rolling schedule. If they can settle on a long-term format now, a more long-term schedule would be possible and prevent future clashes. GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 08/02/2022 14:38:05 2399329 Link
Replying To GaryMc82: "The Government is elected by the taxpayers, and I would bet that the GAA has more tax paying members than any other organization in the Country, a powerful lobby group if united. I agree with making GAA facilities available for non-GAA events when idle, maybe the problem is that with regular changes to Championship structures in recent years (Qualifiers, Super 8's etc), its made it impossible to create a 5 year rolling schedule. If they can settle on a long-term format now, a more long-term schedule would be possible and prevent future clashes." Surely someone has done a study on how much tax revenue is generated by GAA activities. If not I think it must be a huge annual sum. Definitely a powerful lobby and many's the man and woman werd elected to the Oireachtas and County and City councils because of popularity from GAA connections. GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7337 - 08/02/2022 15:04:40 2399343 Link
Replying To GaryMc82: "No its not a bit much, people preaching this nonsense are a disgrace to the GAA. The GAA spend >€100 million on a GAA Stadium, purportedly for the good of the GAA, an amazing facility to showcase the biggest GAA matches each year and entice youngster to get involved. Afterwards the poor aul genuine GAA fan takes a back seat to Concert promoters or other international sports, and it emerges that this GAA facility is no longer prioritized for GAA purposes. The GAA fans are instead diverted to Limerick or somewhere for All Ireland Semi finals, while American Football is promoted at Croke Park. What a joke. GAA Facilities should prioritize GAA needs first, and take bookings for other things when not needed." It seems quite understandable that a game of American football would be given priority over a game of Gaelic football. It is after all, a superior sport. In fact, after baseball, football is probably the team sport game in the world. We've got the best of everything over here! foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1903 - 08/02/2022 15:20:55 2399346 Link
Replying To foreveryoung: "It seems quite understandable that a game of American football would be given priority over a game of Gaelic football. It is after all, a superior sport. In fact, after baseball, football is probably the team sport game in the world. We've got the best of everything over here!" Your having fun. I always say about baseball I can go out and cut the grass after awhile and nothing has changed when I come back and my lawn is no postage stamp. When Cecil played I could never understand why they did not use a wheel chair to get him to first base and he always had a cigar after he drove a home run with the oxygen mask at home plate when he came around. Never understood why the couldn't let the ball boy do the bases for him in those instances. Love it though. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 08/02/2022 19:08:52 2399405 Link
Replying To foreveryoung: "It seems quite understandable that a game of American football would be given priority over a game of Gaelic football. It is after all, a superior sport. In fact, after baseball, football is probably the team sport game in the world. We've got the best of everything over here!" Don't really have a strong opinion on gridiron, what few games I watched never grabbed me, too much razzmatazz, more showbiz than sport, nothing too inspiring about it, as for baseball, even baseball fans admit that a 12 pack of beer is an essential component to getting through a game, boring repetitive stuff. Moot point anyways, way things are going 50 years from now American kids will all be playing soccer. Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1699 - 08/02/2022 19:34:25 2399417 Link
Replying To Galway9801: "Don't really have a strong opinion on gridiron, what few games I watched never grabbed me, too much razzmatazz, more showbiz than sport, nothing too inspiring about it, as for baseball, even baseball fans admit that a 12 pack of beer is an essential component to getting through a game, boring repetitive stuff. Moot point anyways, way things are going 50 years from now American kids will all be playing soccer." See that's the thing, we've the best of showbiz and sport; great to be able to down beers, hotdogs, or ice-cream while watching the action on the pitch. Imagine, supporting your team, 5 minutes or so left and it's nip and tuck, a point down or level-pegging; nail-biting stuff and you're biting yours and your nerves are at a tether and your blood-pressure is going through the roof! Well, what better way to cool down and take that pressure off, than with a nice cold ice-cream cone, or an ice-chilled can of beer??? We've got it sorted over here! foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1903 - 10/02/2022 15:41:29 2399680 Link
Replying To foreveryoung: "See that's the thing, we've the best of showbiz and sport; great to be able to down beers, hotdogs, or ice-cream while watching the action on the pitch. Imagine, supporting your team, 5 minutes or so left and it's nip and tuck, a point down or level-pegging; nail-biting stuff and you're biting yours and your nerves are at a tether and your blood-pressure is going through the roof! Well, what better way to cool down and take that pressure off, than with a nice cold ice-cream cone, or an ice-chilled can of beer??? We've got it sorted over here!" In fairness if an ordinary person stood in front of one of those pitchers you would be dead before you knew you had been hit. Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 10/02/2022 18:46:44 2399724 Link
Croke Park will probably make the top 8-9 GAA stadiums around the country available to Ireland's bid to host the 2028 Euro soccer tourney. That could turn out to be a very lucrative opportunity. foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 1903 - 11/02/2022 13:15:12 2399793 Link
Replying To foreveryoung: "Croke Park will probably make the top 8-9 GAA stadiums around the country available to Ireland's bid to host the 2028 Euro soccer tourney. That could turn out to be a very lucrative opportunity." Croke Park likely only stadium being used maybe Casement Park Why are you talking about top 8/9 GAA stadiums No other stadiums would qualify as all seaters, suitable corporate facilities etc KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 11/02/2022 14:11:05 2399813 Link
Replying To foreveryoung: "Croke Park will probably make the top 8-9 GAA stadiums around the country available to Ireland's bid to host the 2028 Euro soccer tourney. That could turn out to be a very lucrative opportunity." It is not "Ireland's bid" it is another chance your arm on the part of a ramshackle outfit to use "the gah" to boost it's pathetic status in the world. No, dammit :-) BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2525 - 11/02/2022 15:20:05 2399835 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "It is not "Ireland's bid" it is another chance your arm on the part of a ramshackle outfit to use "the gah" to boost it's pathetic status in the world. No, dammit :-)" That outfit still being financed by the Taxpayers? Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1404 - 11/02/2022 15:37:30 2399840 Link
Replying To KillingFields: "Croke Park likely only stadium being used maybe Casement Park Why are you talking about top 8/9 GAA stadiums No other stadiums would qualify as all seaters, suitable corporate facilities etc" I doubt even Croke Park will be used. There will likely be two stadiums used in Ireland, one in Dublin and one in Belfast, with one in Scotland and one in Wales,with the rest being stadiums in England. Casement would be the only option to have games in the north, and when it comes down to a choice the FAI will select the Aviva stadium to save rental costs. The other problem is these tournaments require the host stadium to be handed over to UEFA's organising committee a month in advance, so the GAA wouldn't be able to use it from May to late June or early July in 2028; if Croke Park got a semi final almost the second week of July. You can't play a soccer game midweek and then a GAA match before a soccer game again, the whole stadium would be in UEFA's hands as long as it's required. That would present problems to the GAA championships as it effectively takes it out as a venue for most of our championship games that summer. sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 11/02/2022 17:11:03 2399856 Link
Replying To KillingFields: "Croke Park likely only stadium being used maybe Casement Park Why are you talking about top 8/9 GAA stadiums No other stadiums would qualify as all seaters, suitable corporate facilities etc" That's true. Some GAA stadiums looks like soviet era Olympic stadiums. Even the new PUC would not qualify unless they were to put seats and the end of goal. yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11227 - 11/02/2022 18:37:52 2399869 Link
Replying To sam1884: "I doubt even Croke Park will be used. There will likely be two stadiums used in Ireland, one in Dublin and one in Belfast, with one in Scotland and one in Wales,with the rest being stadiums in England. Casement would be the only option to have games in the north, and when it comes down to a choice the FAI will select the Aviva stadium to save rental costs. The other problem is these tournaments require the host stadium to be handed over to UEFA's organising committee a month in advance, so the GAA wouldn't be able to use it from May to late June or early July in 2028; if Croke Park got a semi final almost the second week of July. You can't play a soccer game midweek and then a GAA match before a soccer game again, the whole stadium would be in UEFA's hands as long as it's required. That would present problems to the GAA championships as it effectively takes it out as a venue for most of our championship games that summer." Surely the GAA could put on the Green Jersey and cancel everything for that year so that it doesn't interfere with the FAI's plans? Or indeed if one of the pitches needs to be used for a rap concert or a fashion photo shoot? We are way too backward. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2525 - 12/02/2022 10:06:52 2399891 Link
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Surely the GAA could put on the Green Jersey and cancel everything for that year so that it doesn't interfere with the FAI's plans? Or indeed if one of the pitches needs to be used for a rap concert or a fashion photo shoot? We are way too backward." Exactly, too backward ;) Casement would have obvious requirements but apart from that potential stadium, the GAA should have little involvement in the bid. They certainly shouldn't be giving up Croke Park at a time most of our championships will be played. I don't think the FAI will ask for Croke Park anyway as the rent would likely reduce the benefit of the capacity increase, and Dublin won't get to use two stadiums so they'll go with the Aviva. sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 12/02/2022 11:54:08 2399900 Link