Sunshine supporters and the GAA

billyhead

Have to get this off my chest but it annoys me to see counties going from having 5000-6000 supporters in the NHL/NFL then the first championship game a few supporters extra out for the sunshine and the beer, then whats this were playing again! in the semis? All of a sudden the fella sitting frozen watching the mckenna/o byrne cup games in January is stuck struggling to get tickets to the big games in August or the provincial final. Just wondering because it really annoys me personally. It seems that when the Premier League soccer has ended in advance of the next season, suppoting their county in the Championship is used during the Summer as an excuse for a day out on the lash and a game to follow where a lot of these fans cannot tell the difference between who the likes of Bernard Brogan or Jimmy Keaaney is and are quick to get on the players backs when things are not going well on the field.
What does everyone else think of this?

alchemist33

In all sports, more people turn out for the bigger games - the ones where there's more at stake. I can't blame people for being more likely to show up for the championship.

But you're right about how the regular fans should have first dibs on tickets. If county boards gave out vouchers during the league (to claim championship tickets with) it might approve attendances.

Trampas

Same argument comes up every year.

every county has them and they will always be around.

Clareman

I think it's not just a problem with the GAA and their supporters, but every team has the problem. Munster rugby had 6000 people watch them play a game against Newport in March, their next home game they didn't sell out either and that was against Leinster, for the Final it was very difficult to get tickets for it, 2 years ago they sold out Croke Park.

I think the GAA have to start to understand that they are in the entertainment business and they will need to do something to make their product more attractive to the masses.

DamnTasty

Or you can avail of a season ticket for better value and always have dibs on tickets...

Fair weather fans is not an issue with me. I try get everyone I know out when my county is going well. Better craic at big games even I do slag them for not knowing half of the players!

Maybe it's the promotion of the games is the issue here. I always feel rewarding league winners with some reward such as home tie in opening champ would enhance the league as there is greater incentive to win it.

Also using neutral grounds are affecting attendances without doubt so the reward of offering home games in champ openers based on league performance would generate income as these 'fair-weather' fans may be more likely to attend earlier champ games.

eigrod

billyhead wrote: »

All of a sudden the fella sitting frozen watching the mckenna/o byrne cup games in January is stuck struggling to get tickets to the big games in August or the provincial final.

It's been a number of years since any game, other than the AI finals, have been sell outs. Nobody has struggled to get tickets for any game in August since the recession set in in 2008.

Everybody struggles to get tickets for the AI finals, simply because they don't come into general circulation until the week beforehand yet everybody is on the lookout for 3-4 weeks beforehand. It's rare that someone who really deserves a ticket doesn't get one.

byhookorbycrook

The season ticket is designed to support the diehard fans, so those who go to the league games get offers of tickets as long as their co. is involved.

Clareman

There can be a lot of pride in going to see your team at the ealy stages of the season as well, I remember 1 year going by land, sea and air to support Clare during the league.

KevIRL

Season ticket sorts out the regular match going supporter. Although the treatment of us season ticket holders has regretably gotten worse each year.

Unfortunately also there's never a problem getting tickets for any game these days apart from the AI final and maybe QF onwards for Dublin football games.

Even the earlier round Dubs games dont sell out these days (far from it in fact) and the likes of the Munster hurling final has seen attendances far shy of the mid 2000's peaks of 55K+.

UpTheSlashers

byhookorbycrook wrote: »

The season ticket is designed to support the diehard fans, so those who go to the league games get offers of tickets as long as their co. is involved.

Season ticket system is a disaster and of no benefit to "diehard" fans. It doesnt take into account games in other codes, club games or "pre-season" games. The customer service is pathetic.

Indie.

UpTheSlashers wrote: »

Season ticket system is a disaster and of no benefit to "diehard" fans..

From a few accounts that I've heard the seats allocated to season ticket holders are often located in undesirable locations within stadiums. Seems to have been a lot of problems with the season ticket this year

Hammer Archer

Personally I've no problem with the seats I've been given with the season ticket. However, the way its been run in the three years has been abysmal. They got it close to perfect in the first year when you were able to bring a guest with you. Since then they've removed this and its just gotten worse.

legendary.xix

billyhead wrote: »

Have to get this off my chest but it annoys me to see counties going from having 5000-6000 supporters in the NHL/NFL then the first championship game a few supporters extra out for the sunshine and the beer, then whats this were playing again! in the semis? All of a sudden the fella sitting frozen watching the mckenna/o byrne cup games in January is stuck struggling to get tickets to the big games in August or the provincial final. Just wondering because it really annoys me personally. It seems that when the Premier League soccer has ended in advance of the next season, suppoting their county in the Championship is used during the Summer as an excuse for a day out on the lash and a game to follow where a lot of these fans cannot tell the difference between who the likes of Bernard Brogan or Jimmy Keaaney is and are quick to get on the players backs when things are not going well on the field.
What does everyone else think of this?

It's annoyed me as well and I've been there. Having gone to most of the games all year, been left struggling at times to get a ticket for the big game. In fairness the GAA have introduced a season ticket system. For anyone going to all the games, it's the best thing to go for to be guaranteed tickets. Otherwise it's best to be involved in a GAA club.

paulocon

Clareman wrote: »

There can be a lot of pride in going to see your team at the ealy stages of the season as well, I remember 1 year going by land, sea and air to support Clare during the league.

Very true.

As far as I'm concerned, they are missing out. My lad is old enough now to take to league games wherever they are and I've got far more enjoyment out of following a league campaign then I have from the championship. Great thing about the league is you see familiar faces at all the games, you don't have problems parking, you can sit/stand wherever the hell you want and even if you are beaten, you still have a game the following week.

Mind you, I also like the Smiths!

deisemum

There's always been fair weather supporters. My husband and sons have been going to most of the league and championship matches for years but this year they haven't been able to afford to go to all of them. At least this year we're guaranteed free tickets to the All Ireland quarter, semi and final matches otherwise it would be the tv option for us. Just need our counties to get through now.

ontheditch2

As said already, Buy the season ticket, if you are going to be at the cup games in January, then you are probably going to go to most of the league matches and championship matches, so save yourself some money and buy it.

Every sport is the same, not just GAA.
Look at Wimbledon yesterday, a few hundred people supporting Conor Niland, he would usually be playing in front of a man and his dog.

Every sport is the same, its just part of life. The greater the importance of the event, the more people will want to be apart of it.

bruschi

people saying about those who go to every game of the year, and cant get tickets for the final, is nonsense in my opinion. I have yet to hear of genuine supporters who go to every game, who can not source a ticket for an AI final. The people going to these games are usually those with a huge interest in the games, and would know lots of people and know where to get the tickets. They know co board members, former players, or they would know who to ask for tickets. and if they were genuine, most people who have spare tickets would prefer them going to these sorts.

StephenHendry

You will get tickets for the AI final, for the last 2 years i've got mine on the day at cost price , there normally is plenty floating around. the best option seems to be season ticket to get the value from going to a lot of league and championship games

calvin_zola

what games sell out nowadays other than Dublin football matches and All Ireland finals to suggest there is a major ticketing problem in the gaa and that supporters are being shafted eh? None....

DamnTasty

DamnTasty wrote: »

Or you can avail of a season ticket for better value and always have dibs on tickets...

True. The season ticket is a great scheme, however myself and my friend despite attending games all year, were sent to the lower corner of the stand in Limerick the other day while some of the fair weather brigade who came down on the day and bought tickets (and believe me i know lots of them in our county), had nice seats in the dead centre.

calvin_zola

calvin_zola wrote: »

what games sell out nowadays other than Dublin football matches and All Ireland finals to suggest there is a major ticketing problem in the gaa and that supporters are being shafted eh? None....

True, Even the Dublin games are not selling like they were. Cant remember the last time Dublin footballers were part of a double header with 3 other counties

rpurfield

Deleted User wrote: »

True, Even the Dublin games are not selling like they were. Cant remember the last time Dublin footballers were part of a double header with 3 other counties

twice last year anyway after meath v laois and before louth v westmeath!!i think a lot of it is down to money and time spare too.i never missed a match for years till i started the job im currently in.thats shift work so i generally leave the league unless im off but go all out to be off for championship games.