Boston College v Georgia Tech @ Aviva Stadium 2016

If the game goes ahead are there any future NFL players playing do you think? I did a bit of research on both rosters and both appear very average if not poor. The only guy that might have a serious shot at the Pros is Burden the GT center or maybe Milano the BC LB.

okidoki987 wrote: »

Long time fans, bought 6 tickets many months ago but 2 of the lads have
to pull out now so have 2 spares.
They are in Row A of the South Upper directly behind the goal so every time there's a field goal etc you should get on TV and nobody will be sitting in front of you!
Won't even charge for sitting beside us!
Tickets were €50 each but will sell them below face as there are some tickets still available.
PM.

PM sent, Sir!

Does anyone know if the game will definitely commence at 12.30? I know it specifies that on the ticket but I'm just wondering/hoping that there might be some sort of shennanigans on beforehand. I've something I need to go to on Saturday morning so I'm just concerned about missing the start.

Chartsengrafs wrote: »

Does anyone know if the game will definitely commence at 12.30? I know it specifies that on the ticket but I'm just wondering/hoping that there might be some sort of shennanigans on beforehand. I've something I need to go to on Saturday morning so I'm just concerned about missing the start.

Kick off will be 12.30. It's the only game on at that time and is being carried by ESPN2

Wouldn't worry too much though. I missed the start of the last one and still enjoyed it

Leslie91 wrote: »

What is on nearby/in town beforehand? such an early kick off is ridiculous. Temple Bar with Penn State marching band etc was great last year (or was that 2 yrs ago jaysus?).

Ye that was two years ago, we plan on just heading into slatterys for a bit of atmosphere before kickoff, pity it's such an early kickoff but also understandable.

There’s always more than meets the eye about these things.

IAFA did not ask for anything from the game. It did not request money, boxes or any else. It only asked the organisers to comply with the basic standards for running a game in Ireland. Read the original documents at on the IAFA website posts.

The organisers – Irish American Events Limited (IAEL) have engaged in a dirty tricks media campaign aimed at putting pressure on IAFA or on the Government to put pressure on IAFA. They need this game sanctioned.

The organisers are not a ‘big business’ multi million euro organisation. IAEL is a new Irish company set up by two aspiring part time promoters – a chef called Padraic O’Kane (Fire Restaurant on Dawson St) and a travel agent called John Anthony. This is their first ever major event. You could write what the pair know about American football on a postage stamp. IAEL is also 50% owned by a Northern Ireland company called Ballywillin which has a turnover in the low 10,000s in recent years. This company was so cash strapped it even asked IAFA for a €1,500 donation to its costs several months ago – which IAFA paid to help them.

The big problem is insurance. Their cover isn’t good enough. So they cant give the IAFA an indemnity against the on field action. Why does IAFA need an indemnity? If there is a serious incident, it may get sued as it is the overseeing National Governing Body. The tragic case of Michael Watson v British Boxing Board of Control is a good example (google it). Something like this would kill the sport in Ireland.

There were also other issues with their sanction application – quality of paperwork submitted was terrible – very amateur.

Why is IAEL so vexed about not getting sanction? Why does it care? Yes, NCAA may not care. Yes, the Government may not want to stop them because it doesn’t want another Garth Brooks scenario. Answer – these events usually get government support. This game is getting 100,000s in grant aid. Grants are normally only given to National Governing Body approved events.

One of the big questions about this game is how this company got substantial grant aid when other more experienced bidders for the event e.g. Croke Park, didn’t. The story about them rescuing the event is a PR myth. They bid for the event in parallel with Croke Park (and possibly others). And John Anthony even had a face to face meeting with Minister Paschal Donohue in August 2014 concerning grant aid to their bid.

Also, IAFA informed the Department of Transport, Tourism & Sport about the insurance issues 9 months ago and gave it more or less monthly updates since then. This problem probably could have been solved by the Department a few months ago, but they ignored the warnings.

My sense is that the Department just wants this event over and done with and is hoping the teams get back home safely - thats why it said the game could go ahead, but the IAFA wouldn't be forced into sanctioning it. They know IAEL have effectively knocked themselves out of this industry.

jack presley wrote: »

Of course there's always more than meets the eye. Like what name you post the rest of your comments with. Or did someone form the IAFA register specifically to make that post?

I presume you're some way associated with the IAFA so can you categorically deny that you/they looked for 20% off 1,000 tickets and the corporate box?

Im not speaking for IAFA, but I am a member of IAFA and know what happened.

IAFA did not ask for these things. Look at the 3 letters that can be downloaded on the IAFA website. You can see exactly what IAFA asked for.

Blut2 wrote: »

The problem here is when you have verifiably untrue statements such as "They need this game sanctioned" in your post it throws the whole rest of it into question. There is absolutely no requirement to have the game sanctioned.

I would be very surprised if Irish American Events Limited (IAEL) had published completely fabricated claims, as you state, as there would be a legal case there waiting to happen.

What do you think will happen when IAEL, or people involved, goes in looking for money to bid for the next game?. And their competitors have an impeccable record?

Will IAEL even exist after the game. Temporary limited company?

Maybe IAFA will sue?

TOss Sweep wrote: »

Reading through all the documents both sides are to blame the IAFA more so that the IAEL but to some extent but the IAEL really don't have to do jack sh1t for the sport locally if they don't want to. Not that I agree with that to be honest as it is bad form but its the truth.

As for the documents the IAFA posted up do you honestly believe they would post up documents that would incriminate themselves? Both the IAFA and IAEL acted like children in this and the IAFA don't exactly have a stellar record with 3rd party event organisers.

The IAFA have done more damage to their own reputation with everyone but some of those involved in the association and it doesn't matter if they throw up paperwork and "proof" as lets face it all the general public will ever believe is that the IAFA are money grabbing *****. Like shouting murderer or rapist at someone people don't care the truth or allowing the accused party try clear their name. They should have just their blessing to the game and moved the fook on.

What do you expect IAFA to do? IAFA didn't ask to be involved. IAEL approached IAFA and asked to apply for sanction. As the NGB IAFA must facilitate.

There are several games a year that go through the sanction process. Its easy. NYPD football team are playing Trinity College tomorrow - no problems. Sewanee Univ played in Ireland in May, no problems.

2014 Croke Park game - took less than 1hr to agree the terms. Everyone happy.

Question? Why are there always problems with Aviva Stadium games and/or those associated. Even though the applicants are different. Something in the water there?

Around 20 events involving visiting teams sanctioned in past few years with no problems.

Just watched the Penn State/UCF game again... Man that was a frigging thriller. Last second win.

I notice that the Independent has had to remove the allegedly libelous part of the story about IAFA making demands for obvious reasons.

Maybe posters here might consider revising their comments.

^ kick off at noon. Activities -bands, cheerleaders etc will be before this. Allow up to 3 hours for the game (timeouts & stopages).

Killergreene wrote: »

Yeah essentially ncaa bc or gt could care less about iafa who are essentially just trying to squeeze money out of iael. Laughable when u think the threats they were making about this game being cancelled. I'm pretty sure ncaa or espn could care less about some mickey mouse nickel and dime organisation here in Ireland.

Yeah but it is fcuk all to do with ncaa or espn. IAFA are the recognised NGB for American Football in Ireland much the same as the FAI, IRFU, the GAA the LGFA or Hockey Ireland. The authority to sanction games rest solely with the NGB. If this IAEL crowd weren't playing by the rules then IAFA were well within their rights to refuse them permission to go ahead. Much the same as the FAI have done in the past, and again

The NCAA, or the ACC or the Big 10 or the Mountain West or PAC-12 are the National Governing Body of fcuk all in Ireland. The International Federation of American Football, (the AF equivalent of FIFA, IRB etc.) have stated that responsibility rests with IAFA.

Have a look at the leagues by-laws. Pages 28-30 refer to International Matters and Sanctioning.
In particular

2.3. All American football games played in Ireland which do not involve a team affiliated to or fielded by a member organisation require sanction from the IAFA.