Replying To dahayeser:  "Rugby seem really good at filling GAA stadia, the do great events, 2 games in Pairc Ui Caoimh sold out too. South Africa's 3rd team and Crusaders form NZ. Bigged up to the last, they sold the games brilliantly, both were super events, the park was rocking in a way rarely seen for GAA games, bring the wife have a few beers, a great night. Castlebar looked class yesterday to be fair too, great colour and flags for all kids. The GAA have so much to learn from them in terms of promotion.

You would wonder what the benefit for Mayo GAA was in bringing that game to Castlebar was. I know there is money (200k for Pairc Ui Caoimh) Would Mayo have got 80-100k? Is that worth it for bringing the cuckoo in to the nest? There is no point in pretending we are not competing for the hearts and minds of the youth. Connaught Rugby just created an atmosphere every kid will remember for years. Hard to put a price on that.

For context, regular club rugby attendances aren't great. Munster won the URC in 2023, first trophy in years. the following year 2024 they get lucky with home quarter and semi finals to defend their title. The Quarter final vs Ospreys drew 14,072 and subsequent semi vs Glasgow just 20,052. In the meantime hurling matches between just 2 of the 6 munster counties in the 2024 munster hurling round robin.

Munster rugby announce vastly inflated figures for games in Thomond, counting all season ticket holders (they sell over 10k per year - impressive again) whether they show up or not. They rarely do for run of the mill URC games."

Replying To LongfordgaaAbú:  "Totally worth it for Mayo GAA to do it and gain the revenue to put to good use and enhance the facilities. To your point, if the GAA can't similarly put on an atmosphere that kids in the area will remember for a long time to come, then why would the GAA deserve the hearts and minds of those kids, or mine, or yours? Those kids who want to stick with GAA will, those who don't won't - you can't subvert that process. GAA has lots to offer that rugby doesn't, so it is up to the GAA to win over hearts and minds. We've been one of the top rugby sides on the planet in recent years, and it hasn't resulted in the GAA being drained of talent. More sport and more varied sport is good for a community, good for youngsters and good for the overall health of the nation. More days like this will be a win for everyone."

Replying To dahayeser:  " "Why would the GAA deserve the hearts and minds of those kids, or mine, or yours?"

Not saying they do but if I am a GAA county board I am fighting my corner not thinking whether I deserve it or not.

GAA has lots to offer that rugby doesn't, so it is up to the GAA to win over hearts and minds.

Agree on both counts, but on the second one the GAA are being left for dead.

We've been one of the top rugby sides on the planet in recent years, and it hasn't resulted in the GAA being drained of talent

True and maybe you come from a more rural area but in Cork City, top talent are constantly being head hunted by Munster and Cork City FC as young as age 13. In most cases (always with CCFC) kids are told drop the GAA. There is zero sentiment there I can assure you.

Soccer and rugby are professional sports, that their strategic advantage, they offer a potential career. One of our big advantages as GAA people is infrastructure and facilities. I am not sure it makes great sense to give competing a huge shot in the arm by platforming them in a way we can't do for our own games.

You can be sure more in roads in the GAA heartlands and expanding their footprint is part of the IRFU strategy. Unless the on offer money is huge there is probably smarter ways of earning a few bob for GAA county boards"