Ulster Championship / Champions League final

Bunk Moreland

So obviously both of these clash and with Man Utd basically in the final is there a possibility the USC game Armagh vs Down could be switched to the Sunday? Is this normal behaviour from the Ulster Council or GAA? The biggest game in the soccer calender (involving Man Utd) will most definitely effect ticket sales for the Armagh vs Down game.

DessieMG

As far as I know a few members of the Ulster council are arrogant so and so's who can't tolerate soccer and everything that goes with it so the chances of them moving the match are slim i'd say but maybe not impossible considering county debts etc,

I remember being told about one member of the UC telling an 8 y/o boy that he shouldn't be wearing a Real Madrid top at a Gaelic match, actually being serious......so that's what you're up against!

Hulk Hands

This will be a good test to see if there's actually a bit of common sense at the high end.

Swallow your pide, and deo the logical thing in changing the game to Sunday. More supporters, more money, more people focused on the match rather than texting to find out the score of the CL final, no people leaving 10 mins before the end to get the full second half of the other game. It's a no-brainer

celt262

Hulk Hands wrote: »

This will be a good test to see if there's actually a bit of common sense at the high end.

Swallow your pide, and deo the logical thing in changing the game to Sunday. More supporters, more money, more people focused on the match rather than texting to find out the score of the CL final, no people leaving 10 mins before the end to get the full second half of the other game. It's a no-brainer

Maybe you could get onto Uefa and get the champions league final changed?

DB10

Wont happen, probably thrown in at the same time for good measure.

shiibata

In 2002, Donegal played Derry in Ulster semi at the same time Ireland were playing Spain in 2002 World Cup knockout stages. That game was never changed so cannot see them changing for 2 foreign teams playing soccer.

Hulk Hands

celt262 wrote: »

Maybe you could get onto Uefa and get the champions league final changed?

Nah, cos Uefa aren't going to lose money by having it on at the same time. Their TV ratings aren't going to be massively affected, and their crowd isn't going to be any less attentive. Smart comment fail if there ever was one...

The people saying this game shouldn't be changed because of a foreign sport are probably the same fools who said Croke Park shouldn't be open. The rest of us are quite happy with the millions the GAA has obtained because of the opening rather than keeping an overrated set of principles.

The_Kew_Tour

shiibata wrote: »

In 2002, Donegal played Derry in Ulster semi at the same time Ireland were playing Spain in 2002 World Cup knockout stages. That game was never changed so cannot see them changing for 2 foreign teams playing soccer.

And only something like 300 showed up for the game too.

Hulk Hands

Hulk Hands wrote: »

The people saying this game shouldn't be changed because of a foreign sport are probably the same fools who said Croke Park shouldn't be open. The rest of us are quite happy with the millions the GAA has obtained because of the opening rather than keeping an overrated set of principles.

Bit of a difference between Ireland playing in Croker and an English team playing in a European Cup final.

Here's hoping the United team are this cocky(talking about finals already) and Shalke pull of a miracle in the second leg.

DessieMG

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Nah, cos Uefa aren't going to lose money by having it on at the same time. Their TV ratings aren't going to be massively affected, and their crowd isn't going to be any less attentive. Smart comment fail if there ever was one...

understanding a joke fail if ever there was one

Fr Tod Umptious

Bunk Moreland wrote: »

So obviously both of these clash and with Man Utd basically in the final is there a possibility the USC game Armagh vs Down could be switched to the Sunday? Is this normal behaviour from the Ulster Council or GAA? The biggest game in the soccer calender (involving Man Utd) will most definitely effect ticket sales for the Armagh vs Down game.

You are joking aren't you ?

Why on earth would the GAA move a championship game just cos an English and Spanish team are playing a game on TV ?

It was a joke last year when the moved the the NHL final to 7pm on Sunday evening cos Muster were playing a rugby game in France at 3pm.

celt262

Hulk Hands wrote: »

Nah, cos Uefa aren't going to lose money by having it on at the same time. Their TV ratings aren't going to be massively affected, and their crowd isn't going to be any less attentive. Smart comment fail if there ever was one...

The people saying this game shouldn't be changed because of a foreign sport are probably the same fools who said Croke Park shouldn't be open. The rest of us are quite happy with the millions the GAA has obtained because of the opening rather than keeping an overrated set of principles.

Dont know what that rant has to do with anything.

I cant see that many GAA fans staying at home to watch soccer when the All-ireland finalists are playing their rivals.

Hulk Hands

celt262 wrote: »

Dont know what that rant has to do with anything.

I cant see that many GAA fans staying at home to watch soccer when the All-ireland finalists are playing their rivals.

I was just making the point that tradition and having a set of principles are all good and well, but they went out the window when we opened Croker up. The GAA has benifited hugely from the decision, while losing very little. Basically what i'm saying is that the heart (principles, tradition) shouldn't rule the head (logic).

I think the logic here is to change the match because I feel that

1) The attendance will be greatly decreased.

2) The attendance will be less attentive (score updates from CL final, leaving the game early etc)

3) The TV audience will be basically zero. Actually i'll be surprised if the game makes our screens.

Anyway, if people can give valid reasons to keep it on the Saturday bar the usual "why would we change for foreign teams and a foreign game", the i'm all ears.

I would imagine conflicts with games the following day might be an issue, I haven't checked it out.

penexpers

Hulk Hands wrote: »

3) The TV audience will be basically zero. Actually i'll be surprised if the game makes our screens.

RTE are showing the match according to the list I found. They also have rights to the CL final.

I can see why they should and why they shouldn't move it.

penexpers

penexpers wrote: »

RTE are showing the match according to the list I found. They also have rights to the CL final.

I can see why they should and why they shouldn't move it.

Apparently BBC NI also have rights to the match

http://www.hoganstand.com/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=147189

ShamoBuc

I know which one I'll be watching.... C'mon Barca!!! Hangover is guaranteed.

J Cheever Loophole

I'm not sure what the rationale was for having this match (Armagh and Down) on a Saturday evening, although Ulster Championship games at this time are not unknown.

That said, once the match was fixed for this time, the GAA (Ulster Council) are automatically in a situation where changing the time of the Armagh v Down game would send out the wrong message, and this will likely prevent any change happening.

I'm led to believe actually that some time back there was official consideration given to moving the match to the Sunday, due to a major Orange Order parade in Markethill that's taking place on the Saturday night - this would impact on traffic going to the match from South Down and parts of South Armagh.

Like a lot of GAA fans, I would like to see the Champions League Final live (Come on Barca ), but if I'm spared, I will be in the Athletic Grounds that night.

Fr Tod Umptious

Just watching this on TV now.
Looks like a more than decent crowd, the stand opposite the main camera is full.

Do not know official figure but it looks like the CL had little effect.

penexpers

Official attendance was 13107.

K-9

penexpers wrote: »

Official attendance was 13107.

Down Armagh is a massive rivalry in Ulster, up there with Tyrone Derry.

Probably would have had nearer 20,000 without the distraction but an Ulster Championship derby is still a massive draw.

Not a bad game and a well earned victory.

ardmacha

Very good minor and senior games in Armagh, especially for those supporting the home team!

aidan24326

13,000 was actually a very decent crowd considering it was clashing with the United Barcelona game.

It'll be a long haul for Down to get back into an All-Ireland final from here. That said, they'll be the team to avoid in the early rounds of the qualifiers.

Kojak

aidan24326 wrote: »

It'll be a long haul for Down to get back into an All-Ireland final from here. That said, they'll be the team to avoid in the early rounds of the qualifiers.

As long as Marty Clarke is marked well, Down are in big trouble. Everything from an attacking point of view goes through him.

Good win for Armagh tonight. Could be contendors for the Ulster title this year

wow sierra

After watching the Champions league final and the amazing performance by Barcelona I then watched the deferred coverage of the Armagh/Down game. What a game - what a performance from Armagh. Looking at that you would be sorry for not backing them to go all the way. Or was it the poor opposition that made them look better than they are - a bit like Barca;);)

All in all a great nights entertainment.

Say Your Number

Didn't watch much of the game, my brain was fryed after the CL final, but the bits and pieces I saw Armagh were impressive. Clarke looks like a prospect. Hope Sligo can avoid Down in the qualifiers, they are the strongest team in the draw.

harpsman

shiibata wrote: »

In 2002, Donegal played Derry in Ulster semi at the same time Ireland were playing Spain in 2002 World Cup knockout stages. That game was never changed so cannot see them changing for 2 foreign teams playing soccer.

not true.game was two hours after ire spain game but because game went to extra time and penalties it was still on when don and derry threw in.
do remember donegal playin armagh in 88 at same time as a certain game in stuttgart.
think questions need to be asked of bbc sports dept as they re the ones who requested change to sat eve.
game got good crowd so suppose ulster council will say they were vindicated

rossie1977

looks like the status quo again in ulster, incredible that no team outside of armagh and tyrone have taken that province since 1998