Is Hill 16 any use?

putock

Basically i've been offered tickets to the 6 nations matches in croke park, but they're on hill 16. I've never been to an international and want to enjoy it, is the view from the hill any good? Does it depend on where you stand (if so where gets the best view of it all)?
Don't want to be turned off going to more internationals just because of a bad view ya know, when ya can just watch it at home on tv or down the pub.

Thanks!!

EI111

Better than the pub anyway. Are you not a fan? Would you not love to be at the game no matter where you were?
You will be able to see the game perfectly

finlma

An Irishman who's never been on the Hill. I ask you??

The views are great from the Hill. 10 times better than the view you would have got from the North or South Terrace of Lansdowne.

It might be the standard of Italy's play that will turn you off going to internationals, not the view.

Kenteach

The Hill is as good a place as any to watch a game, and noticeably cheaper too. If you don't want the tickets, I'll take 'em!!

wixfjord

I was only on the hill once for a rugby game, Italy two years ago. Athmosphere was very poor, but so was the game. Its very far away from the action with the way the rugby pitch is, completely different to a GAA game.

myflipflops

finlma wrote: »

An Irishman who's never been on the Hill. I ask you??
.

Probably not that unusual in fairness. Twice my county has been to Croke Park in my lifetime and neither time were my tickets on the Hill. Only couple time i was on it was watching the Dubs with friends.

It's a great place to watch a GAA match but not sure about rugby. I prefer a side on view with live rugby. As said earlier though, if these are the only tickets available to you then jump on them!!

Jay P

If it's any use, I was in the terrace a good few times in Lansdowne for rugby matches, as well as in the stands, and I still really enjoyed the games. At times it was hard to see what was happening, but it still beat the hell out of watching the match at home!

phog

I was there when we met England for the 1st time in Croke Park obviously it was one of the best rugby days in Croke Park.

View wise, you're a long way from the try line but then again that can be said for both ends and the touch line is tad too far from the main stands but that's what goes with fitting a rugby pitch into a GAA field.

blueberry1978

What about Nally terrace ..i have some for there

boredatwork82

In my opinion, I think Croke Park is terrible for rugby matchs. Don't get me wrong it is a fabulous stadium. And its a credit to the GAA.
Also we must be grateful for the GAA lettingus play there, and preventing us having to play our home games abroad.

The pitch is too big for the rugby pitch. If you are in hill 16 you will spend the whole game looking up at the big screen. The atmosphere for the italy game will be poor.
Unless you get a ticket in the premiun or lower between the 22's i wouldn't waste my money.
Saying all that, some of the guys stopped going to croker, but alot of the lads still go up get twisted make a day out of it and have good fun. But if you want to watch the game, best off watching on TV.

I have stopped going to matchs in croke park. it just doesn't do anything for me.

Can't wait for the Aviva, although it'll be fairly hard to get tickets but it'll worth it.

mikedragon32

And there's the problem... Lads not bothered about going to games in Croker, but will be first to moan when they can't get tickets for Lansdowne road.

I'm not saying you personally, but there's folks who only ever want tickets for the big games and kick up a fuss when they don't get them but don't want to know about the Italy game or the weakest autumn test.

Hopefully clubs will remember this when allocations are slashed next year.

omb0wyn5ehpij9

I've gone to every Irish match in Croke Park and have always been on the Hill.....and i've no complaints about it all. It's no Lansdowne Road, but it is the next best thing

boredatwork82

I agree there is too many fair weather supporters. They only want big games and then give out about having to buy tickets for smaller games. Rugby in all its forms,. champagne, 10 man rugby, they are all lovely to watch, except aerial ping pong (except for kearney and murphys takes!)!

Thanks for not jumping and accusing me of one of those. I go to connacht games ( so i am defo not a band wagon, or fair weather supporter, haha), and spend my weekends watching junior, underage, and ail matchs. In Lansdowne I went to every game i could, romania, canada, as well as the big games. I go to irish under 21's, A games, any rugby i can get to i go to. But personally, Croke park just doesn't do it for me for rugby matchs. Maybe i am living in the past and love the old lansdowne road! and the tight clausterphobic feeling, and been so near the pitch and the players and the action

aamurray

Go to the match and enjoy the day and the athmosphere. Dont be too concerned about distance from the field of play - you are there to support the team and be the "16th man". I have stood on the hill for a couple of the matches and it is no better or worse than standing at the back of the steps in Lansdowne Road.

I like to go to the away games and I'll will be in Paris this year and to tell you the truth the teams look like ants on the pitch from the seats I can afford (Rome was exactly the same last year, I can send you the pics if you want)... for it is an honour to support the team where they play - shouting and cheering at the TV is no substitute. For many years I went to Edinburough and Twickenham when we were fighting not to get the wooden spoon and even then it was a privilage to support the guys.

Take pride in your team and your country and support the players wherever they play and take every opportunity to watch them play for you never know what magic may turn up on the day and in years to come you can tell your grandkids "I was there!"

EI111

EI111 wrote: »

Better than the pub anyway. Are you not a fan? Would you not love to be at the game no matter where you were?
You will be able to see the game perfectly

In fairness,I try to go to as many games as I can but I prefer watching them on tv.
Im sure there are other who feel the same,you can see everything,which doesnt happen if you are there.

murphym7

wixfjord wrote: »

I was only on the hill once for a rugby game, Italy two years ago. Athmosphere was very poor, but so was the game. Its very far away from the action with the way the rugby pitch is, completely different to a GAA game.

I was there too, bloody freezing up there too that day!, I think it was more about the match than the view that day. Brutal atmostpehre, I agree with Goose though, the TV at my favourite rugby pub in town does it for me.

chupacabra

In the 6 or so games ive been to in croker the atmosphere is always poor for rugby, alot of it comes down to the kick off times, if we had more evening kick offs then it would give people time to have a few drinks and unwind a little. Lunch time kick offs are bullshít. Having said that ill be there next week for the italy game so i cant really complain

putock

So the main theme seems to be, depends on who Ireland is playin but generally the atmosphere for rugby in croker aint the best. No bother, still looking forward to going, it'll pick up for the Wales & Scotland games.
And to those saying it, i'm not a fair weather fan or whatever else, was just looking for a general opinion, i've gotten mixed reviews from people i've talked to so, THANKS all the same!!

Where would be the place to be on the hill tho?
I'm thinking as your looking at the hill from the pitch, top right would be good, then ya can kinda see across the pitch a little bit instead of just straight down!

Riskymove

at the last croker game against italy I was in the cusack stand at the hill end.

the hill seemed full of schoolkids and i think thats what affected the atmosphere. there were even some kicked out as they seemed to spend time just slagging eachother and throwing things at eachother and not much interested in the game (although it was a poor game tbf)

What about Nally terrace ..i have some for there

is that what they officialy call "Dineen Hill 16"

I'd wrap up...I was frozen the day i was there.

iiiiTz Meeee

I've probably been to 6 or 7 matches in Croker. Sun, Rain, Wind, -1 degrees but I'll admit, they were all fantastic.

What's the best is when you first walk up them steps and you get the view of the pitch, it looks huge but it's amazing.

I was there for Leinster v Munster, Heineken Cup Semi last year, best atmosphere ever. When BOD went over with the interception try and ROG couldn't catch him, the place went electric.

No matter what competition what teams you are watching, Hill 16 is immense and for €10 - €15 it's immenseness at a cheap price. Oh and yes, I did make that word up.

_blank_

boredatwork82 wrote: »

Also we must be grateful for the GAA lettingus play there, and preventing us having to play our home games abroad.

:eek:

Nobody owes anything to the GAA.

I'm sure the IRFU are paying handsomely for the privilege of playing there.