croker's gone quiet

terrier98045

was anyone at the scottish match last week? couldn't get over the lack of atmosphere, best thing I saw was the scottish supporters dressed as superheroes!

stepbar

They must have increased the Leinster ticket allocation......

terrier98045

yeah, i was at the munster match in cardiff and i know its a different thing but what a differebce!

You should have been at the Italian match,it was like a funeral there.The atmosphere was actually fairly good last week in comparison.Can someone please tell me what was with that horrible music every time a try was scored,it was an embarassment.

Junior

The Pogues - Fiesta I think...

wixfjord

Yea the italy game was awful. Was on the hill and you could hear a pin drop. Mite be something to do with the fact that the day was freezin. My own opinion is the fact that the pitch is so far away from the stands. Its way smaller than a gaa pitch.

Imhof Tank

Well, apart from the England game last year, there probably hasnt been much of an atmosphere at Croker ......ever.

Certainly at the France game last year, the mood seemed very low key for what was such a big occassion.

I was at the Stade de France this year and the contrast was stark - pretty much non stop noise for the whole game

stepbar

stepbar wrote: »

They must have increased the Leinster ticket allocation......

Hahaha Chip in shoulder much? Couldn't wait to get that in there could ya.....:rolleyes::rolleyes:

So ur saying if Ireland had a bandwagon factor like we did last year before Francegate then the atmosphere would be better?!! More and more people are jumping off the Ireland bandwagon lately, maybe theyre just not bothered leavin Cork and Limerick for an average team.

wixfjord wrote: »

Yea the italy game was awful. Was on the hill and you could hear a pin drop. Mite be something to do with the fact that the day was freezin. My own opinion is the fact that the pitch is so far away from the stands. Its way smaller than a gaa pitch.

Didnt stop there being an atmosphere at the French/English games last year.




I was at the Scots match and the atmosphere was rubbish. Give me a Dublin GAA match any day of the week please. Dunno what it was but people just didnt seem to care about the result or the game in general.

wixfjord

Didnt stop there being an atmosphere at the French/English games last year

Well there was always going to be a big athmosphere for the english game but i was at the french match also and it wasnt fantastic, ive seen and heard better at leinster games. The fact that the Hill is now seated or was for the last two games would probably make a difference too.

davyjose

stepbar wrote: »

They must have increased the Leinster ticket allocation......

I got banned before for slagging off Munster - it's nice to know it's a one-way thing :mad:

chris85

It does seem awful dull there, usually im always trying to get tickets for the matches but the atmosphere is rubbish and im thinking is it worth paying €80 miniimum for ticket. I can support the team from the pub anyways

RuggieBear

stepbar wrote: »

They must have increased the Leinster ticket allocation......

Banned for a week. It does nothing but provoke others. REF: see below.

Deleted User wrote: »

Hahaha Chip in shoulder much? Couldn't wait to get that in there could ya.....:rolleyes::rolleyes:

So ur saying if Ireland had a bandwagon factor like we did last year before Francegate then the atmosphere would be better?!! More and more people are jumping off the Ireland bandwagon lately, maybe theyre just not bothered leavin Cork and Limerick for an average team.


Didnt stop there being an atmosphere at the French/English games last year.




I was at the Scots match and the atmosphere was rubbish. Give me a Dublin GAA match any day of the week please. Dunno what it was but people just didnt seem to care about the result or the game in general.

davyjose wrote: »

I got banned before for slagging off Munster - it's nice to know it's a one-way thing :mad:

Why not report the post and not moan about it on thread.

MikeHoncho

I dont know what the problem is. I think it might just be a question of size. The pockets of real fans are more dispersed. Jesus at the Scotland match you couldnt have got a reaction out of about 70% of the people around me. Being further from the pitch doesnt help either. I have to say though if you dont like the atmosphere why dont you do something about it yourself. Dress up, try get songs started at the next match. If your not willing to do that then stop moaning.

toomevara

It's an old story...lots going on here. Re: the Italian game not bleedin' surprised..probably the worst game of the 6N thus far and thats saying something!!

At an international in Croker there's just too many people who are rugby tourists..corporates..people who want to say they've seen rugby played at Croker...people going for the 'day out' or the 'occasion' etc...The rugby is often incidental and frankly they just don't understand the game enough to get excited by the things that drive someone who knows the game bananas...i.e. a well executed tackle, a well orchestrated rolling maul etc....It just doesn't mean enough to them.

TBH this has been a problem at Lansdowne but I think the 'Croke Factor' has magnified it.

mikedragon32

There are moments when it's electrifying to hear the crowd at one end/side start to roar because something big is happening at that end/side and the roar spreads around the stadium.

Personally I think the atmosphere in Lansdowne was better because you were right on top of the pitch.

East terrace ftw.

RuggieBear

i see it more off a post RWC malaise.....too many people are waiting with baited breath to see what Ireland team will turn up

Punchbowl

Well, isn't there 30,000 GAA allocated tickets for each game? This would result in quite a few non-rugby fans attending... The area doesn't help either. In Landsdowne there is a vertitable buzz in the locality, and the pubs all spill out onto the streets. For Croker, the Rugby fans just get the hell outta there after the game

Ulstermell0

scotland are the worst team in the tournament, the game wasn't close. i was at the milliennium stad last sat and it was the same thing. i think next weekend will be a different matter all together.

toomevara

RuggieBear wrote: »

i see it more off a post RWC malaise.....too many people are waiting with baited breath to see what Ireland team will turn up

So true, instead of expectation/excitement it's all anxiety and constricted sphincters....

dc69

alot of its due to the fact that gaa fans are going who dont have a clue or no intrest in rugby,another reason is that the way the stadium is designed is not for rugby or football and the spectators are too far away.people will say that there is a good atmospere at the gaa matches,which is true but i reckon when landsdown is opened we will see good atmosperes at the rugger matches again

uRbaN

Its nothing got to do with who is in the stands...its all about performance. Five mins into the Scotland game and we had already lost our own lineout...unfortunately, many people still have to be convniced that Ireland are tough enough mentally to produce consistant results by playing good rugby...

Peter B

uRbaN wrote: »

Its nothing got to do with who is in the stands...its all about performance.

You can't say it is nothing to do with who is in the stands. The last few Internationals I've been to I've seen more people who want to be seen at matches instead of actually supporting the teams. They text and ring people all match. They don't know the name of any player except O'Driscoll because he's on the O2 ad.

While the performance and other factors also makes a difference, it is no coincidence the atmosphere at Ireland matches has been diminishing since rugby has become a "cool", "trendy" sport where many people just go because it is fashionable to do so and they can easily get their hands on tickets.

Crash

Heh, actually have been up in the Premium area for the last two matches thanks to my uncle having a couple of spares from his five year tickets.

my brother and myself were amazed at seeing people so well dressed for a rugby match - even a few girls in heels. Spend all that time getting dressed up, and they're afraid to yell then after. useless.

toomevara

uRbaN wrote: »

Its nothing got to do with who is in the stands...

Totally disagree, it has everything to do with who is in the stands...diehard fans versus daytripping rugby tourists...please!... The difference is enormous and palpable...

The munster/leinster thing is a minefield and I'm not being tribal here...I know fanatical Leinster fans whose commitment to, and passion for, their province would put any Munster fan to shame, but you cannot deny there is ,in the main, a palpable difference between the atmosphere at munster/Leinster games and it has absolutely everything to do with the people in the stands...

dc69

toomevara wrote: »

Totally disagree, it has everything to do with who is in the stands...diehard fans versus daytripping rugby tourists...please!... The difference is enormous and palpable...

The munster/leinster thing is a minefield and I'm not being tribal here...I know fanatical Leinster fans whose commitment to, and passion for, their province would put any Munster fan to shame, but you cannot deny there is ,in the main, a palpable difference between the atmosphere at munster/Leinster games and it has absolutely everything to do with the people in the stands...

i was at the last leinster match and the atmosphere was just as good as thomond tbh.leinsters fans have improved this year and i believe are doing a very good job with the atmospere

even at the least football international,the atmospere was ****,itds defo the gaa crowd getting tickets and the way the stadium is designed.its not just the rugby that getting bad atmosperes

db99

Anybody who has been to croker will know that probably 50% of people there haven't a breeze. You get a dodgy decision or a good turnover or something and straight away you're on your feet shouting either abuse or support but when you look around theres about 20 people between you and the next guy who's showing a bit of emotion for the game. pretty poor show all said.

Amz

So, if I'm sitting down and expressing the same discontent or joy at a decision etc. I'm not showing enough emotion for you?

You don't have to jump to your feet in order to express emotion during a rugby game.

I'm quite vocal at game, as are all the girls I go with (We play rugby together and have done for years so we do know what's going on, unlike a lot of the gombeen men and women at the games). Some of whom aren't there because of a GAA connection, but because they want to be able to say they were there.

I didn't appreciate having to skull my pint before going into my seat though.

JWAD

stepbar wrote: »

They must have increased the Leinster ticket allocation......

Nope. The level of fairweather fans there would have been smaller. Following an almost tragic RWC, the expectancy was low and the loyalty was ambiguous at best (some saying Ireland not winning the 6N championshipwould be the best thing for the team, and sh*te like that).

Now, Wales are in town next saturday. They are unbeaten and the Ireland team has improved => Expectancy will be there and the fairweather-only-there-for-the-good-times will rear their ugly heads and take up seats at Croke Park. They'll have a few drinks on them, arrive late (leaving early if game not going to their satisfaction) and talk about work/the night before all through the game.
The thing is that these c0cknockers are not exclusively from Leinster. They're from each of the four provinces. Thats modern Ireland for you. Its due to the same reasoning that affects the Munster fans who all want to be a Millenium Stadium but can't be arsed going to a Magners League game. They'll also provide some idiots who will wear a red Munster shirt next saturday to Croke Park in a match against WALES :rolleyes:

buck65

Guys I come from a GAA backround and would like to make a few points.

I would never get near an Irish international game only for Croke park with it's larger capacity. I got a ticket for the Scotland game and thought the atmosphere was quite good. (It was a present from a supplier so technically corporate)

Of course with a larger crowd you are going to get more people who are there for the day out. I have seen this on All Ireland final days too (a woman knitted behind me during Clare v Tipp in 97!)

I think blaming Croke park going quiet on GAA supporters and corporate tickets is a bit rich. Even though alot of tickets are going to people like myself who are not from the grassroots I absolutely love the game and am quite vocal and have followed Munster (when I was lucky to scrounge a ticket from the local club) for years. Surely 75% of tickets given out are through the clubs and supporters clubs?

I feel it is the Irish rugby supporter who has gone quiet because we expect a win from our team, when things don't come easy we start to feel a little anxious and are literally quietened by the opposition. This can happen in Thomond also.

There is a bit of exclusive elitism and snobbery coming through in this thread from some rugby fans , I think you should look at yourselves before blaming others for ruining the atmosphere in Croke Park.

jdivision

RuggieBear wrote: »

i see it more off a post RWC malaise.....too many people are waiting with baited breath to see what Ireland team will turn up

+1, people are waiting to be wowed. There's still a lot of love gone for this team. Having a decent half against France B and beating a dreadful Scottish team isn't going to engender a natural mood of expectation. I don't think it's the stadium or GAA supporters allegedly getting tickets. Shouting "Ireland, Ireland, Ireland" isn't going to get people going when the play on the pitch is rubbish. I think Ireland will probably win this weekend but don't view it as anything significant, Wales might have won their games but I don't think they've been very impressive.

Santa Claus

Personally I think that having temporary seating in the hill has played a part in ruining the atmosphere. I saw this in Lansdowne too when they'd have temporary seating on the north and south terrace during autumn internationals if it clashed with a soccer game.

I've always gone for terrace tickets whenever available as opposed to stands as I find a much better atmosphere on the terraces. I think people make more noise when you're standing on a terrace (if only to keep warm).

It's like the difference between being in standing or seated area at a concert, the people in the standing area are usually dancing around while the people in the seated are will be tapping their toes and if they're feeling really mad they might even clap their hands !

I'm gonna miss the east terrace in the new lansdowne

jdivision wrote: »

I think Ireland will probably win this weekend but don't view it as anything significant, Wales might have won their games but I don't think they've been very impressive.

Eh, you did see the England Wales game where they came back with some brilliant play to snatch a win ??

dc69

buck65 wrote: »

There is a bit of exclusive elitism and snobbery coming through in this thread from some rugby fans , I think you should look at yourselves before blaming others for ruining the atmosphere in Croke Park.

I think you are right in a way,the fans that are in the premium seats seem to think shouting means you are of a lower class or something.I was in the premium seats and I started shouting and i swear everyone within a 40 seat radius turned around and looked at me with shocked expresions,how many of those premium seats are in croke park?cause i can gaurantee you theres no noise coming from there.

Crash

I'd agree with you on this - premium level is very quiet. I got an upgrade for the last two matches and appreciated it because it meant i was up there with friends and family, and had the bar inside, but the atmosphere is awful. A lot of overly dressed very quiet people for a rugby match.

Gimme the hill on Saturday and i'll be perfectly happy.

dc69

çrash_000 wrote: »

I'd agree with you on this - premium level is very quiet. I got an upgrade for the last two matches and appreciated it because it meant i was up there with friends and family, and had the bar inside, but the atmosphere is awful. A lot of overly dressed very quiet people for a rugby match.

Gimme the hill on Saturday and i'll be perfectly happy.

the person i got the tickets from,his dad is a gaa man and he has a season ticket and bascally buys every event available at the start of the year.for the last few matches he has rung me with about 2 hours to go to the match,saying they werent gona go and did i want them.

they have gone to a few last year and they dont have a clue about rugby,so I am sure there is a lot of people in the premium seats like that

Mr Lahey

Santa Claus wrote: »

Personally I think that having temporary seating in the hill has played a part in ruining the atmosphere. I saw this in Lansdowne too when they'd have temporary seating on the north and south terrace during autumn internationals if it clashed with a soccer game.

I've always gone for terrace tickets whenever available as opposed to stands as I find a much better atmosphere on the terraces. I think people make more noise when you're standing on a terrace (if only to keep warm).

It's like the difference between being in standing or seated area at a concert, the people in the standing area are usually dancing around while the people in the seated are will be tapping their toes and if they're feeling really mad they might even clap their hands !

I'm gonna miss the east terrace in the new lansdowne





Eh, you did see the England Wales game where they came back with some brilliant play to snatch a win ??

Completely agree, was going to make this point myself.
At lansdowne over the years the atmosphere came from the north, east and most of all south terrace.
People tend to be much more vocal when standing. I get fairly animated during a game but when you're in the cusack or the hogan
and you jump up screaming at a decision you get people looking at you like you've ten heads. I was at the Italy match and the lack
of atmosphere was embarassing. Soccer matches at lansdowne became a much quieter affair after the temporary seating had
been installed.

RuggieBear

unfortunately terraces were always a disaster waiting to happen.

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

buck65

wow jeez!

future_plans

I think it's the lack of Terraces too. But I don't get it. I've been in electric atmospheres in Cardiff and Paris - all seated. Lansdowne was special though, especially on the south terrace. The cold had nothing to do with it. In fact the colder the weather, the warmer the atmosphere.

I also think alot of people are just going to Croke park for the novelty factor and these people are not real rugby fans. I think the Wales match may be a little different because the demand for tickets will be that little bit higher. So one can only hope that the fans attending will be genuine ones.

There is also a huge Welsh crowd coming. That will also add spice to the occasion.....can't wait!

MikeHoncho

daveirl wrote: »

This post has been deleted.

Your mod status should be revoked so. You sound like the biggest fairweather fan going. Im sure you will have some come back about grass roots blah blah blah and ive been following this team for years and they let me down. If you expect the team to do a job on the pitch then you should do your job as a supporter and get behind them. You can still give out about them after a bad performance or criticise the manager but once that whistle blows you should be there cheering them all the way.

buck65

Seconded.

tHE vAGGABOND

You can still give out about them after a bad performance or criticise the manager but once that whistle blows you should be there cheering them all the way.

Agreed 100%

Johnnio13

Since the move to Croker I have found it more difficult to get to matches. Against Italy I was seated mid-Cusack, great seats, some old-school rugby ex rugby players in their 40's,50's and 60's, great banter, lots of cheering

The issue was brought up about the fans and their 2 cents worth was that the lack of terraces and the non-rugby crowd are sucking the life out of the game in Ireland.

We all watched as 3 girls attempted to navigate the steep stairs to the seats iin front of us in high-heels and fur coats about 25 mins into the game and the same girls were on their phones for the duration of the game, with about 15 mins to go, they got up and walked out having, I am sure not seen any of the match.

Saw it again at the Scottish game....hoards of fans walking out with 10 mins to go....that is a soccer trait and should remain so!!

Booo to the non-rugby seat takers!!!

dub_skav

To be fair anybody who buys a ticket is entitled to use it however they see fit - even if that's chatting on their mobile. It is all money going into rugby in the end.
With the move to Croke Park there are a lot more people able to get tickets which means more money for the game itself. Also, they may become avid rugby supporters as a result, who are we to judge.

I think the mealy-mouted "real" fans complaining about not being able to get tickets because of big bad corporates are becoming less and less too. So with less people complaining about lack of tickets and more people at the games it is up to all of us who call ourselves rugby fans to do our best to promote the atmosphere

Crash

dub_skav wrote: »

To be fair anybody who buys a ticket is entitled to use it however they see fit - even if that's chatting on their mobile. It is all money going into rugby in the end.

and equally, if they are sitting in front, behind or beside me, i am allowed to use mine as I see fit. Which will include disrupting their phone call experience as much as they are disrupting my rugby experience.

Santa Claus

MikeHoncho wrote: »

Your mod status should be revoked so. You sound like the biggest fairweather fan going. Im sure you will have some come back about grass roots blah blah blah and ive been following this team for years and they let me down. If you expect the team to do a job on the pitch then you should do your job as a supporter and get behind them. You can still give out about them after a bad performance or criticise the manager but once that whistle blows you should be there cheering them all the way.

In fairness to Dave, while I don't agree with his support (or lack of) of the national team, he is a big Munster supporter.
However it does send out the wrong message when a Mod is saying that he won't support a losing team, but I think that's more out of frustration than him being a fair weather fan !

Us Leinster fans are used to disappointment and underperformance (at least european wise) so better able to handle the Irish teams current woes
(this is a slag on myself not a go at another team so hopefully wont get me banned)

Snickers Man

Peter B wrote: »

I've seen more people who want to be seen at matches instead of actually supporting the teams. They text and ring people all match.

That really gets my goat. During half time or just before or after the game maybe. But during the match!!!!:mad:

What should the code of practice be? A gentle kick in the arse? A firm punch to the nose? Or just wrestle the diamond plated i-Phone from the fecker's hand and grind it into the ground?

Or should I just chill?:D

Otacon

Snickers Man wrote: »

That really gets my goat. During half time or just before or after the game maybe. But during the match!!!!:mad:

What should the code of practice be? A gentle kick in the arse? A firm punch to the nose? Or just wrestle the diamond plated i-Phone from the fecker's hand and grind it into the ground?

Or should I just chill?:D

Normally, I would tell them to 'shut it as I am trying to enjoy the game!' with the firm belief I would be backed up by the supporters around me...

...course now, it would be more likely that they would be backed up!?