What ever happened to dual meets?

ecoli

Seeing the annual Finland v Sweden dual meet pulling a crowd of over 50,000 over the weekend got me thinking.These seem to be a dying form of the sport and I for one miss them. For anyone who doesnt know the system here is basically 1 on 1 (clubs/ colleges/ countries). Top 3 scorers for each side get points depending on their placing and its a head to head against clubs. I think the revival of these could be a good idea if you get the right matchups. So if you could have your way which match ups do you think would be mouth watering and could attract a good crowd?

Some off the top of my head would be

Clubs: Clonliffe v DSD
Colleges: DCU v Rest if Ireland
International: Ireland v Poland

Perhaps even a knock out head to head all Ireland tournament having provincials and all (maybe this is a bit too ambitious?) but i think the idea behind them is a good idea to try and create a bit more buzz about the sport again as these seem to still be alive and kicking in the US collegiate system.

Bit of food for thought on a monday morning;)

shels4ever

maybe a couple of boards head to heads too

Rineanna

Yeah, they absolutely love these type of meets in the U.S.

I think depth might be an issue. In the case of colleges, they might have two or three short sprinters, but no Hammer Throwers or Triple Jumpers, which means you'd either just leave out those events altogether or get somebody to give the events a lash to make up the numbers. Both scenarios would diminish a duel.

Ireland v Poland: Well, we'd be demolished apart from the couple events in which we have world class athletes (100mh, 400m, 200m). Poland not only have strength but depth. I know Poland was just an example, but imagine pitting three of our male Pole Vaulters (5m at best) against three of theirs (5.60m+).

While it's not a duel meet, Ireland takes on Scotland and Wales in outdoor and indoor tri-nation competitions both indoors and out. Not sure how successful these have been for igniting public interest. In fact, I believe the outdoor one hasn't been held this year which can't be a great indicator. A couple of years ago when it was launched, it was live on Sky and had guest athletes such as Tyree Washington and Carolina Kluft, so they did make a good effort of making a go of it.

token56

Great Idea, but definitely not enough strength in depth unfortunately, at club or college level. Even if for example field events were left out, it would still be a struggle I feel. I really do like the idea but I just dont think the depth is there unfortunately.

Even for example, an All Ireland head to head (team of 4 to score?) 5K road championships (I think 5K would be one of the most popular distances so I'll use this as an example). I first of all dont know if a 1v1 club scenario would work, or maybe a 1v1 county scenario? I dont even think such a race would be that popular anyway.

Maybe a 1v1 county track or road meet with a few of the more popular races to begin with. I'm just not sure about the strength in debt on a county level at the sprints events.

It's an interesting idea though

ecoli

token56 wrote: »

Great Idea, but definitely not enough strength in depth unfortunately, at club or college level. Even if for example field events were left out, it would still be a struggle I feel. I really do like the idea but I just dont think the depth is there unfortunately.

Even for example, an All Ireland head to head (team of 4 to score?) 5K road championships (I think 5K would be one of the most popular distances so I'll use this as an example). I first of all dont know if a 1v1 club scenario would work, or maybe a 1v1 county scenario? I dont even think such a race would be that popular anyway.

Maybe a 1v1 county track or road meet with a few of the more popular races to begin with. I'm just not sure about the strength in debt on a county level at the sprints events.

It's an interesting idea though

I get peoples point perhaps a Inter Provincial one would be better suited and have a league format that way not a huge amount of meets and should be enough depth. Again not plannong just idea s floating in my head

The Poland one was a bit of an off hand one but i dont think we would fair too badly over all think we would make a bit back on the sprint and distance events, also given the population of residence in this country coupled with seeing some of the best throwers in the world on our shores encouraging more people. They were some of the reasons for mentioning them as a possible rival as i think there is not enough big names or in fact high quality athletes to entice in the tri nations

Pisco Sour

Ireland V Bahamas! They'd win the sprints but we'd kill them in most other events!

It is a good idea. Part of the popularity of the Sweden V Finland though is the intense rivalry between the 2 countries, and with both nations being of equal size and T&F being very popular in both nations it makes for a successful event.

Sadly I couldnt see the same success in Ireland unfortunately. Sure it would probably clash with Man Utd V Besiktas or something :rolleyes: