Irish Stadia in comparison to our European Counterparts

crushproof

While browsing aroundthe internet the other day I came across

There are 11 GAA stadiums in Ireland(pop. 4.2m) with a capacity of over 30,000
In Romania(pop. 21.6m), which has a well supported soccer league, there are just 7 stadiums with a capacity of over 25,000!
The Czech Republic(10m) has no soccer stadiums over 30,000.
A relative comparision would be Denmark(pop. 5.3m), it has just two stadia with a capacity of over 20,000. And chances are the smaller Danish stadiums have much more comfortable facilties in comparision to many GAA grounds.


It seems to me like each county is vieing to have the highest capacity stadium without looking to improve facilties, most GAA stadiums are terraced and do not offer protection from the elements and are poor in regard to toilet facilites, food etc.
I mean come on, Munster alone has Semple stadium (55,000), The Gaelic grounds (50,000) and Fitzgerald stadium (40,000) and Pairc Ui Chaoimh(43,000). Its crazy, the Gaelic Grounds was only recently developed and yet it pales in comparision to Croke Park in terms of modern facilities. As far as I know the Clare county board want to increase their capacity despite the close proximity of the Gaelic Grounds and Semple!
This stadiums are rarely full and it baffles me how county boards can afford to maintain such massive stadiums.

hawkwing

"ONE of the country's most famous stadia is set for a €10m facelift.

McHale Park in Castlebar will host the Connacht final on Sunday week before closing its doors for almost a year in order to carry out the redevelopment.

When the work is complete, McHale Park will be a state-of-the-art 41,000 all-seater venue, making it one of the top stadia in the country. The development will include a new 10,000-seater stand, modern dressing rooms, press and TV facilities to include a TV studio, offices and gymnasium. "

How many times will this be full every year?? Unless they are planning on music events.

UnitedIrishman

hawkwing wrote: »

"ONE of the country's most famous stadia is set for a €10m facelift.

McHale Park in Castlebar will host the Connacht final on Sunday week before closing its doors for almost a year in order to carry out the redevelopment.

When the work is complete, McHale Park will be a state-of-the-art 41,000 all-seater venue, making it one of the top stadia in the country. The development will include a new 10,000-seater stand, modern dressing rooms, press and TV facilities to include a TV studio, offices and gymnasium. "

How many times will this be full every year?? Unless they are planning on music events.

To be fair, McHale Park badly needs redevelopment. The press box is a death trap, the stand is in dire need of removing. So whilst you're doing that you might aswell upgrade the other facilities aswell.

patmac

It is funny alright when you look at it that way, there was only one stadium over 42000 for the recent Euro's held in both Austria an Switzerland with most stadia reaching the minimum 30,000 capacity maybe we should stage the next Euro championships after the Poland/Ukraine bid falls through. As for maintainance I would imagine most stadia bar Croker are maintained on a fairly voluntary basis so there would be little cost involved.

zuluboy

I suppose if you only use the stadium a few times a year can you really justify huge expenditure on providing state of the art restaurants/bars etc. I know the argument will be that if you had these facilities you would use them for conferences etc but there are so many other venues already well equipped to hold those.
I guess the stadiums used for soccer in those other countries are used every week and they can justify the expenditure to provide such facilities.
Most GAA fans are probably happy to get a seat rather than worry too much about the facilities.

deisedevil

zuluboy wrote: »

I suppose if you only use the stadium a few times a year can you really justify huge expenditure on providing state of the art restaurants/bars etc. I know the argument will be that if you had these facilities you would use them for conferences etc but there are so many other venues already well equipped to hold those.
I guess the stadiums used for soccer in those other countries are used every week and they can justify the expenditure to provide such facilities.
Most GAA fans are probably happy to get a seat rather than worry too much about the facilities.

As long as the seat isn't a plank of wood.

Limestone1

1) The way the money is taken in and distributed by the GAA encourages counties to develop their stadiums so that they are in a position to host games. e.g. Semple Stadium generates way more cash for Tipp than Walsh Park does for Waterford.
2) Unlike soccer, the GAA does not have to hand back a large proportion of it's revenue to the players so it can afford to indulge the county boards ambitious plans.
3) Unlike soccer there are no regulations imposed by the ruling body dictating an acceptable standard of facilities (and H&S) in the Stadia.

Agree that most people aren't that fussed about the facilities and are happy just to get a seat but you do also hear comment about how disgusting it is to see a line of 20 men pissing against the stadium wall at half time.

Bogger77

Limestone1 wrote: »

Agree that most people aren't that fussed about the facilities and are happy just to get a seat but you do also hear comment about how disgusting it is to see a line of 20 men pissing against the stadium wall at half time.

Even with Proper facilities available, there'll always be the guys using walls, etc in loos at stadiums.

Here's a clip, reportedly from Parkhead's away fan section,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zNjXSF6npZA

Pure Cork

We badly need better stadia in the GAA. Roofs over terraces. Terraces designed like those used in German soccer stadia. Better stewarding. More leg room (and if you've ever sat in the uncovered stand in the Páirc I'm sure you'll agree). Better design all round.

KrazeeEyezKilla

The problem is that every County Board wanted their own stadium as a source of pride which is what led to a huge number of large stadiums with poor facilities. There should have been a smaller version of Croke Park built in each provence but in Munster there would have had to be a choice between the largest city Cork or Thurles which has more history to it. While Limerick and Killarney would also want big grounds.

Most people aren't that fussed about facilities. The only problem I'd have is sitting on them wooden seats after it's been raining all week. But I still think there should have been smaller & better grounds. And have large stadiums that are used more often.

Imposter

I don't think the comparison with other countries is relevant as sport is a national obsession in Ireland.

The point about the stadiums not been used enough is the one that the GAA should be focusing on. Then again I would imagine that the stadiums are also used for club championship games which won't see them full but will get them used.

Bluetonic

patmac wrote: »

It is funny alright when you look at it that way, there was only one stadium over 42000 for the recent Euro's held in both Austria an Switzerland with most stadia reaching the minimum 30,000 capacity maybe we should stage the next Euro championships after the Poland/Ukraine bid falls through. As for maintainance I would imagine most stadia bar Croker are maintained on a fairly voluntary basis so there would be little cost involved.

Of course all those stadia were all seater and offered excellent facilities and a roof. Remove the seats and you'll find their capacities higher than the majority of ours.

Like with like isn't being compared.

Deedsie

Population of 6 million including that Northern crowd.

kaimera

Deedsie wrote: »

Population of 6 million including that Northern crowd.

I'm not sure if you are trying to be funny with the whole "that northern crowd" part..

bill_ashmount

There is too many in Munster. Pairc ui Caoimh is falling to pieces despite the fact it is relatively young, built in the 70's. Killlarney and Thurles are crap. The toilets and facilities are a complete joke. The only thing thurles has going for it is a magnificent pitch. Limerick is ok, but pretty basic and open. The covered stand is very bad and the view isn't great from certain parts. Ennis is in ruins. I haven't been in Walsh park in Waterford(or whatever it is called) but from tv it looks bad as well.


Outside of Munster, Croke Park is obviously extremely good.
Salthill isn't bad, Roscommon is a disgrace it should be knocked down. Castlebar is bad but getting a makeover so hopefully that will improve it.

thirdmantackle

Salthill isn't bad, Roscommon is a disgrace it should be knocked down. Castlebar is bad but getting a makeover so hopefully that will improve it.

Salthill's location is a disgrace. A fortune spent on it and it hosts feck all games
McHale Park is a joke of a FAS scheme. Remember the incident of the painted seats??? The place is a joke
Hyde Park in Roscommon is at least easy to get to from all directions and has room around it for expansion.

bill_ashmount

thirdmantackle wrote: »

McHale Park is a joke of a FAS scheme. Remember the incident of the painted seats??? The place is a joke

You should see Pairc Ui Caoimh, they cut the tops of all the seats using a grinder to make more room. Thousands upon thousands of seats all sawn off, joke. You have to be under 5' 10" as well to have any bit of comfort.

megadodge

Salthill isn't bad, Roscommon is a disgrace it should be knocked down

Salthill stadium is decent, but it's location is brutal and as for the gale force breeze there on any given day of the year....

What's wrong with Roscommon ?
When have you been there last ?