"Scoring Goals in Croke Park"?

zmccomish

In the "old" Croke Park the goals at one end were described as the "scoring goals" where goals and points were more frequently scored than the other end.Now I cannot remember whether it was the canal end or railway end that was so described, or indeed whether there was any truth in the assertion.Nowadays with almost wraparound stands the weather if it was a factor plays little part.
Can anybody say which was the scoring goals end or indeed if there was any truth in the assertion?

Clareman

I remember being on a school tour there years ago and I couldn't believe how bumpy the pitch was up by the Canal End, the guide said that that's why there were more goals there. take that for what it's worth

buckwheat

I remember reading a piece by a photographer in this book

http://www.play.com/Books/Books/4-/3394440/Croke-Park/Product.html

As far as I remember he reckoned he always parked himself at the railway end because there were more goals scored that end due to the sun shining into goalies and defenders eyes

dring

The railway end (Hill 16) was the scoring goal due to the wind tunnel effect of the two old stands. In fact teams playing into the hill in the second half of All Ireland finals had a very high win percentage, especially in football. Now with the new stadium it seems to have turned around. Freetakers seem to prefer the dark backdrop of the canal end.

zmccomish

Thanks for the helpful replies. On reflection I think the reply that it was the Railway End that were the scoring goals does ring a bell from the past BUT
I knew an All Ireland SF winning keeper who maintained that it was the Canal End that were the scoring goals in the "old" Croke Park as the prevailing wind pushed a high ball back and away from the goalie into the path of in rushing forwards.And that the ball hung in the air just that little longer giving the forwards an advantage