Attendance in Croke Park

Samich

Bank Holiday Weekend double header

40k attendance

Why have a stadium that will be at capacity for a max of 4 times a year?

TouchingVirus

Yeah, knock down half of it...to....save money? It's built now.

gooch2k9

Is that the maximum attendance for the day or the attendance at half time of this match? I'd imagine some fans would have left after the Roscommon match due to the late starting time of the Donegal Kildare game.

TouchingVirus

The announcement of attendance is for the whole day and is based on numbers of tickets scanned/people passing through the turnstiles. They don't clear out the stadium between matches or have seat detectors or anything fancy. ~40k in total were at Croke Park today

Samich

gooch2k9 wrote: »

Is that the maximum attendance for the day or the attendance at half time of this match? I'd imagine some fans would have left after the Roscommon match due to the late starting time of the Donegal Kildare game.

I'm not sure, Michael Lyster just said the attendance.

They prices are a joke aswell, why not half the price and have double the attendance? GAA are a shambles.

Also I knew a minor for a county team who was getting 50 euro worth of protein a month to bulk up. the same for u-21s and seniors I assume.

That's about 40k for a 9 month period. Where does this money come from?

DB10

Considering Tyrone, Roscommon, Donegal and Kildare all have very large fanbases that says it all.

Probably wont be even half it tomorrow.

Oasis_Dublin

Samich wrote: »

They prices are a joke aswell, why not half the price and have double the attendance? GAA are a shambles.

Well that's simply not true. They want to maximise profit, not attendance. I'd far rather see a packed out stadium but the GAA is a business.

Fr Tod Umptious

The prices are not a joke.
30 euro for adults and 5 euro for kids into todays games.
That is pretty good value of 3 games and 7 odd hours of entertainment.
Maybe a bank holiday weekend is not a great time for games, lots of other things on all over the country, plus with the way the fixtures are planned you only on.e a few days notice of when the games are on.

Flukey

Samich wrote: »

Why have a stadium that will be at capacity for a max of 4 times a year?

Probably because if we didn't have it we'd be in big trouble on those 4 days. As it is, even on those 4 days people are left without tickets. It would be great to have it full every day there are matches there, but that is not realistic. Those that were not there today, missed a great day's entertainment. Even though it was only half full, there was a brilliant atmosphere. The crowd probably will be smaller tomorrow, but I am still looking forward to being there.

Gingy

39,000 and something today, decent atmosphere and good display of colours by all teams. I fear what the attendance will be like tomorrow, hopefully it's not an embarrassing below 20,000 figure.

Syferus

Gingy wrote: »

39,000 and something today, decent atmosphere and good display of colours by all teams. I fear what the attendance will be like tomorrow, hopefully it's not an embarrassing below 20,000 figure.

The organisers got it right closing Hill 16 and the upper tiers, the atmosphere was really flowing at points today by having everyone in the lower sections. Bravo to the GAA for something, at least.

Samich

To the person who said we'd be in trouble for those 4 days?

What about the aviva, it can only hold 55k or something, ireland would get more than 55k attendance at a big soccer game.

log22

With the hurling All Ireland final anyway its the only time of the year croke park is full apart from the football one everyone jumps on the bandwagon and when u2 play of course.

wow sierra

I was there today, I got there at around 1.45 and left at around 8.45. If there is anyone on here who thinks that is bad value for €30 then my God you need to get a life.

TV3 or RTE news limited broadcast can never report what we in Croke Park today had the privilege to witness.

I saw a brilliant Minor game between two great sides go to extra time and one just edge a win (thankfully Roscommon:D) then a great game between Ross and Tyrone. At half time in Kildare v Donegal I felt like leaving like a lot of us Rossies but what transpired in the second half and the extra time was the stuff of legend!!!!

For people who want to analyse prices and bollix like that - go ahead!!! Ask anyone who had the privelige of being in Croker today was it worth it

---

I know the answer you will get.


By the way - I am from Roscommon and our seniors were beaten by 11 points today - but it was still an amazing day out.

dartbhoy

wow sierra wrote: »

I was there today, I got there at around 1.45 and left at around 8.45. If there is anyone on here who thinks that is bad value for €30 then my God you need to get a life.

TV3 or RTE news limited broadcast can never report what we in Croke Park today had the privilege to witness.

I saw a brilliant Minor game between two great sides go to extra time and one just edge a win (thankfully Roscommon:D) then a great game between Ross and Tyrone. At half time in Kildare v Donegal I felt like leaving like a lot of us Rossies but what transpired in the second half and the extra time was the stuff of legend!!!!

For people who want to analyse prices and bollix like that - go ahead!!! Ask anyone who had the privelige of being in Croker today was it worth it

---

I know the answer you will get.


By the way - I am from Roscommon and our seniors were beaten by 11 points today - but it was still an amazing day out.

I've posted my unhappiness on this forum before about ticket prices for certain games but I'll give the GAA credit this time,30 euros for a stand ticket is a fair price for a senior All Ireland quarter final,a senior All Ireland qualifier and a minor All Ireland quarter final,very good value in fairness.

Padkir

Gingy wrote: »

39,000 and something today, decent atmosphere and good display of colours by all teams. I fear what the attendance will be like tomorrow, hopefully it's not an embarrassing below 20,000 figure.

I think people are underestimating the crowd that Mayo in particular will bring to the game! We have always been well supported and despite the fact that most will go with no real expectation of an upset, the majority will want to be there just in case it happens!

We were just as much of underdogs in '04 against Tyrone, but there was a big turnout from the county, I suppose we are just glutton for punishment! But the fact remains, regardless of what people say, Mayo is one of the best supported counties in Ireland and it will probably stay that way!

Also, Limerick in their first quarter final in ages (or ever? I don't know the history), they're going to bring a crowd!!

dartbhoy

Padkir wrote: »

I think people are underestimating the crowd that Mayo in particular will bring to the game! We have always been well supported and despite the fact that most will go with no real expectation of an upset, the majority will want to be there just in case it happens!

We were just as much of underdogs in '04 against Tyrone, but there was a big turnout from the county, I suppose we are just glutton for punishment! But the fact remains, regardless of what people say, Mayo is one of the best supported counties in Ireland and it will probably stay that way!

Also, Limerick in their first quarter final in ages (or ever? I don't know the history), they're going to bring a crowd!!

Mayo in fairness always bring a big support to Croker and I'm sure Limerick will have a big following today considering it's their first All Ireland quarter final. Kerry and Cork will have very small support at the games.

Padkir

dartbhoy wrote: »

Mayo in fairness always bring a big support to Croker and I'm sure Limerick will have a big following today considering it's their first All Ireland quarter final. Kerry and Cork will have very small support at the games.

Of course they will, sure they need to save their money for the semi and the final...:rolleyes:

Even allowing for this, I can't see less than 30 or 35 thousand showing up, on the Sunday of a fine August bank holiday!!

maestroamado

I raised this topic a few days ago on a different thread as i believe the gaa are losing the plot and believe they are losing ground rapidly because of the fixture and pricing strategy.
They tell us it is an amatuer game but do everything to maximize attendence and pricing which is fair enough but not at the expencse of patrons, anyone from Donegal who could not afford an overnight was excluded fro attending last nigts match. In my opinion if these matches were played at nuetral provincial grounds each individual game would attract say minimum 15k and a big one 20k+, i do not understand why the gaa has the confidence in allowing their games to stand alone, i do agree with minor matches ahead of big games.
The €30 price for a tocket is good value for anyone living within 100km of Croker but not for some one who may have to 600km round trip.
I think whoever said they can sit in Croke park from 1pm to 9pm with his tea and sandwiches should have a chat with someone,
I am triying to figure out the 4 full houses refered to earlier and think of 3 which are in this order for demand Bono and the football and hurling, if anyone knows the other please advise.

Thanks

CiaranMT

Another ridiculous thread. The Galway Races are on this weekend, the Irish Open is on, and people expect a full house? Keep dreaming. 40k at any other stadium would be lauded.

DH2K9

CiaranMT wrote: »

Another ridiculous thread. The Galway Races are on this weekend, the Irish Open is on, and people expect a full house? Keep dreaming. 40k at any other stadium would be lauded.

Not forgetting the Dublin Super cup down the road at the Aviva.

ConTheCat

Only 12,000 tickets sold for today I heard :O

Professey Chin

Samich wrote: »

To the person who said we'd be in trouble for those 4 days?

What about the aviva, it can only hold 55k or something, ireland would get more than 55k attendance at a big soccer game.

Lolz

Flukey

Samich wrote: »

To the person who said we'd be in trouble for those 4 days?

What about the aviva, it can only hold 55k or something, ireland would get more than 55k attendance at a big soccer game.

That is down to the stupidity of the FAI in building a stadium that any idiot could have told them is way to small. They built a brand new stadium and hardly increased the capacity. Croke Park added about 20,000 when they built their new stadium.

As to today, there are a lot of factors affecting the attendance, not just the apathy of Kerry and Cork fans. There are the other sports events that were listed, the fact that it is a bank holiday weekend and on top of that a period when a lot of people are on holidays. It won't be as good today, unless Limerick pull off a shock, but yesterday's matches showed what the crowds missed. Quarter-final days have served up some great days since they were brought in, no matter how many were watching. Those of us that were there yesterday really enjoyed what we saw and those of us going today also look forward to it, and then there is another quarter final to look forward too, and lots more great days in the coming months. It is a pity that some of them won't get the attendance they deserve, but there you go.

maestroamado

As a person who is interested in gaelic games i believe the gaa made a serious error in over selling Croke park for the quarter finals/qualifiers etc.
Some supporters want to play in Croke park and they expect this so if you move away from it they wont attend.

On the other hand if they move to provincial location i think there will be more grassroots nuetral support but the people who want the big event wont go.
It seems to me that there is a devided view and long term that is not good for the organization. It's all about getting the right balance and making the call but as a gaa supporter i would be concerned where the trend is leading.

Traonach

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

The prices are not a joke.
30 euro for adults and 5 euro for kids into todays games.
That is pretty good value of 3 games and 7 odd hours of entertainment.
Maybe a bank holiday weekend is not a great time for games, lots of other things on all over the country, plus with the way the fixtures are planned you only on.e a few days notice of when the games are on.

+1
I got myself a Hill 16 ticket for next Weeks Match Dublin/Tyrone for 20 Euro. That's good value.

DamnTasty

Traonach wrote: »

+1
I got myself a Hill 16 ticket for next Weeks Match Dublin/Tyrone for 20 Euro. That's good value.

Luckily you got an option to buy a cheaper terrace tickets. A disgrace that when they knew there would be a smaller crowds for this weeks games, the option to buy a cheaper ticker disappears.

That said I think there was value for money this weekend! Roscommon minor game was excellent yesterday as well.

I think there's a lot to be said for giving option to buy cheap tickets for quarter final when you attend more than one.. as some sort of package. increase crowds and dont price fans who would be willing to go to a few of the quarters out of it. There was too many empty seats. I would have gone in today but 60 over two days is too steep

Syferus

DamnTasty wrote: »

Luckily you got an option to buy a cheaper terrace tickets. A disgrace that when they knew there would be a smaller crowds for this weeks games, the option to buy a cheaper ticker disappears.

That said I think there was value for money this weekend! Roscommon minor game was excellent yesterday as well.

I think there's a lot to be said for giving option to buy cheap tickets for quarter final when you attend more than one.. as some sort of package. increase crowds and dont price fans who would be willing to go to a few of the quarters out of it. There was too many empty seats. I would have gone in today but 60 over two days is too steep

Honestly, I don't travel to Croke Park to stand on a terrace or sit on a stone step, I get enough of that at county grounds! The prices this weekend were 100% correct and sure they could have opened the hill yesterday but I doubt it'd have made much difference at all to attendances when the marque price is so fair to begin with.

buckwheat

DamnTasty wrote: »

Traonach wrote: »

+1
I got myself a Hill 16 ticket for next Weeks Match Dublin/Tyrone for 20 Euro. That's good value.

Luckily you got an option to buy a cheaper terrace tickets. A disgrace that when they knew there would be a smaller crowds for this weeks games, the option to buy a cheaper ticker disappears.

That said I think there was value for money this weekend! Roscommon minor game was excellent yesterday as well.

I think there's a lot to be said for giving option to buy cheap tickets for quarter final when you attend more than one.. as some sort of package. increase crowds and dont price fans who would be willing to go to a few of the quarters out of it. There was too many empty seats. I would have gone in today but 60 over two days is too steep

There is a "football feast" package which covers two quarter final days (usually two double headers) and both semi finals. €90 gets you a good seat in section 308. Saving of €50. Very badly publicised though IMO. I've gone for it this year and last and I've met lots of people who say they would have gone for it if they were aware of it.

http://www.gaa.ie/tickets-and-merchandise/tickets/gaa-ticket-packages/

theoneeyedman

Was in croke park from 1 to almost 9pm yesterday with my son agree it was excellent value. One annoyance tho was the constant bombardment from the tannoy.


Non stop ads blaring was really intrusive IMO

Syferus

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Was in croke park from 1 to almost 9pm yesterday with my son agree it was excellent value. One annoyance tho was the constant bombardment from the tannoy.


Non stop ads blaring was really intrusive IMO

The advert sound seemed to get louder as the day went on. The big screens are great for replays and time-keeping but they need to so flashing adverts in the middle of games, it's distracting and just pollutes the game.

IngazZagni

Flukey wrote: »

That is down to the stupidity of the FAI in building a stadium that any idiot could have told them is way to small. They built a brand new stadium and hardly increased the capacity. Croke Park added about 20,000 when they built their new stadium.

They knew from day one that the capacity of a new stadium at Lansdowne Road would be too small due to constraints imposed by local residents mainly to the south of the stadium, hence the really small end. However people voted with their feet and rejected the idea of the then called "Bertie Bowl" project as Lansdowne Road had too much history to move both games out of. Sorry to be off topic, I just wanted to reply to that.

Het-Field

Flukey wrote: »

That is down to the stupidity of the FAI in building a stadium that any idiot could have told them is way to small. They built a brand new stadium and hardly increased the capacity. Croke Park added about 20,000 when they built their new stadium..

Ahem. It was a joint effort with the IRFU, who were the sole owners prior to the redevelopment. To lay the blame at the door of the FAI is wrong, if there is blame to be apportioned at all.

Is the AVIVA too small? Attendances since the Stadium opened would suggest not. I admit that the IRFU dropped the ball with the 2010 International Series, however, aside from the England and France Rugby matches, the Stadium has never been close to capacity. This would suggest that it is not too small, and the availability of tickets would evidence that.

Although the decision to remain at Lansdowne Road prevented the Unions from enjoying a large-scale capacity increase, it may have saved them a fortune in the long-run considering the collapse in the property market. If the Lansdowne Road site was not sold, or it was sold to a developer who would ultimately become bankrupt to the tune of hundreds of millions, the Unions could be finished, and any future development would have been shelved.

Flukey wrote: »

As to today, there are a lot of factors affecting the attendance, not just the apathy of Kerry and Cork fans. There are the other sports events that were listed, the fact that it is a bank holiday weekend and on top of that a period when a lot of people are on holidays. It won't be as good today, unless Limerick pull off a shock, but yesterday's matches showed what the crowds missed. Quarter-final days have served up some great days since they were brought in, no matter how many were watching. Those of us that were there yesterday really enjoyed what we saw and those of us going today also look forward to it, and then there is another quarter final to look forward too, and lots more great days in the coming months. It is a pity that some of them won't get the attendance they deserve, but there you go.

The GAA may have to consider alternatives, and flexibility for future Quarter Finals. Prior to the instigation of the new "back-door" system in 2001, Croke Park was rarely used until the Leinster Final, and the All Ireland Series. Prior to 2001 very few games which did not involve Dublin were played before the AI Series. The logistics are a bit of a nightmare for those who would have to travel long distances, and it would be better to allow a game between Limerick v Kerry to be played in the province of Munster.

homerjay2005

shocking attendance today, if this was played in 2 seperate games they would have had about 70,000, instead they had 22, 000.

kerry v limerick would have had about 35k in killarney and mayo v cork would have had the same in castlebar.

the winning pro finalists should get home advantage if they want, give them the option and if they want to play in croke park, then its their choice.

flahavaj

homerjay2005 wrote: »

shocking attendance today, if this was played in 2 seperate games they would have had about 70,000, instead they had 22, 000.

kerry v limerick would have had about 35k in killarney and mayo v cork would have had the same in castlebar.

the winning pro finalists should get home advantage if they want, give them the option and if they want to play in croke park, then its their choice.

I think it should be a neutral venue for All Jreland series games. But they should be sensible about it and use neutral venues that make sense for the competing counties. They could've had the Kerry game in Thurles and the Cork game in Fitzgerald stadium for example.

Semi finals and final in Croker.

copacetic

Het-Field wrote: »

Is the AVIVA too small? Attendances since the Stadium opened would suggest not. I admit that the IRFU dropped the ball with the 2010 International Series, however, aside from the England and France Rugby matches, the Stadium has never been close to capacity. This would suggest that it is not too small, and the availability of tickets would evidence that.

Thats not correct at all. It's been at or very close to capacity at least 3 or 4 other times for Leinster games also and the Europa league final. It is too small for competitive international rugby games, every 6 nations game will sell out with many left without tickets.

Flukey

Kerry should have played Limerick in Munster... and they did during the Munster Championship. We are now at the quarter final stage, and that is different. As has been mentioned, the GAA also have the obligation to the premium seat and box holders. Anyway, the matches were played there and they will be for the forseeable future, so we are really piddling against the wind debating it. Leaving the venue aside and focussing on what happened, it was a great weekend of Gaelic Football. As is being done in other threads, that is what we should focus on.

Het-Field

copacetic wrote: »

Thats not correct at all. It's been at or very close to capacity at least 3 or 4 other times for Leinster games also and the Europa league final. It is too small for competitive international rugby games, every 6 nations game will sell out with many left without tickets.

In fairness, the Europa League Final was an exceptional fixture, with significant international relevance. It was always likely to get a decent crowd. In spite of that, there were large pockets of seats available, and tickets were available right up until the day.

Furthermore, the Leinster fixtures enjoyed a baseline attendance in the ten of thousands, thanks to Leinster's Season-Ticket brigade. The tickets for the European Cup games are also significantly cheaper than the cost for competitive international fixtures. The FAI Cup final enjoyed the 36,000 crowd on the back of the "pocket money" ticket prices, which was a master-stroke on the part of the FAI. However, the FAI simply cannot afford to pull such a stroke for every international fixture.

Ultimately, I am greatful for the manner in whcih the IRFU/FAI built their stadium. If they had chosen to leave D4 in an attempt to significantly increase their stadium's capacity, then both organisations ran the risk of being hit very hard by virtue of the property deals which they would have been forced to engage. If they had moved to Abbottstown, it is certain that they would be in a significant form of negative equity, and depending on the destination of the Lansdowne Road site, it could have led to even greater penury on the part of the IRFU and the FAI. The payment of 20,000 extra fans for 2-4 fixtures a years would simply not have covered the cost.

km79

Once the football enters the all Ireland stage then all matches are in croker and they shud be ! How wud limerick have felt if they were not given their day there ? It's a reward for making it to that stage. I travelled up today by train and brought my son. As a mayo man I travelled more in hope than anything else but even if we had lost it wud have been money well spent. The stadium is the best in the country and one of the best in Europe. It deserves to be showcased. Sometimes I think people just like to have something to complain about ....

Het-Field

km79 wrote: »

Once the football enters the all Ireland stage then all matches are in croker and they shud be ! How wud limerick have felt if they were not given their day there ? It's a reward for making it to that stage. I travelled up today by train and brought my son. As a mayo man I travelled more in hope than anything else but even if we had lost it wud have been money well spent. The stadium is the best in the country and one of the best in Europe. It deserves to be showcased. Sometimes I think people just like to have something to complain about ....

But if this "reward" is not economic, then surely it deserves reconsideration.

km79

Het-Field wrote: »

km79 wrote: »

Once the football enters the all Ireland stage then all matches are in croker and they shud be ! How wud limerick have felt if they were not given their day there ? It's a reward for making it to that stage. I travelled up today by train and brought my son. As a mayo man I travelled more in hope than anything else but even if we had lost it wud have been money well spent. The stadium is the best in the country and one of the best in Europe. It deserves to be showcased. Sometimes I think people just like to have something to complain about ....

But if this "reward" is not economic, then surely it deserves reconsideration.

Who will decide this ? The players ? Fans ? Both county boards ? From the quarters on the matches are in croker. This is something for the lesser counties to aim for in the qualifiers.

copacetic

Het-Field wrote: »

.

Furthermore, the Leinster fixtures enjoyed a baseline attendance in the ten of thousands, thanks to Leinster's Season-Ticket brigade. The tickets for the European Cup games are also significantly cheaper than the cost for competitive international fixtures. The FAI Cup final enjoyed the 36,000 crowd on the back of the "pocket money" ticket prices, which was a master-stroke on the part of the FAI. However, the FAI simply cannot afford to pull such a stroke for every international fixture.

you were simply factually wrong, and now you are posting more incorrect facts. There aren't tens of thousands in the season ticket brigade, there were 12,500 last year. 42,500 or so short of the capacity.

You are also wrong about the tickets for the European games being significantly cheaper, for the 1/4 and semi final this year they were very close to normal international prices.
You were trying to make a point that the stadium has only sold out twice, when it has sold out at least 7 times. You're just wrong.

Het-Field

copacetic wrote: »

you were simply factually wrong, and now you are posting more incorrect facts. There aren't tens of thousands in the season ticket brigade, there were 12,500 last year. 42,500 or so short of the capacity.

You are also wrong about the tickets for the European games being significantly cheaper, for the 1/4 and semi final this year they were very close to normal international prices.
You were trying to make a point that the stadium has only sold out twice, when it has sold out at least 7 times. You're just wrong.

Mea Culpa, my use of language was sloppy when referring to the number of existing Leinster Season ticket holders.

Last time I paid into a rugby international, my ticket cost 90Euros. When I paid into the Leinster v Leicester game it was over half the price cheaper. That is emperical evidence of a major drop in the price. I would also remind you of the package deals offered by the IRFU for the Autumn Internationals at the AVIVA. The deals were anything but value for money, and the cheapest single match seat was 75 Euros for the Argentina game.

I am not incorrect in stating that the games against Clairmont Auvergne and Leicester fell a way short of a capacity crowd, and tickets were avaiable. The same applied to the Europa League Final. You are the one who is factually incorrect in claiming 7 sell outs. In case you have forgotten, the Autumn Internationals were a mess thanks to a balls-up on the part of the IRFU in ticket allocations, and each game was also well short of a capacity crowd.

Sell Outs
-Ireland v France 51,000
-Ireland v England 51,000
-Ireland v Russia 50,822

Non Sell Outs
Porto v FC Braga 45,391 (Over 6,000 short of Capacity)
Leinster v Toulouse 50,073 (Over 1,000 below Capacity)
Leinster v Leicester 49,222 (Almost 2000 short of capacity)
Leinster v Clermont 44,873 (Almost 7,000 short of capacity)
Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers 36,000 (15,000 short of capacity)
Ireland v Andorra 40,000 (11,000 short of capacity)
Ireland v Macedonia 32,000 (Almost 20,000 short of capacity)

You may wish to quibble about what amounts to a "capacity attendance", and a "sell out" but it is clear that it is a long way from "at least 7 fixtures".

copacetic

Here is your quote again, if you are really now claiming that a few k short of capacity is 'never been close to capacity', I give up. You've also missed out Leinster v Munster.

Het-Field wrote: »

.

Is the AVIVA too small? Attendances since the Stadium opened would suggest not. I admit that the IRFU dropped the ball with the 2010 International Series, however, aside from the England and France Rugby matches, the Stadium has never been close to capacity. This would suggest that it is not too small, and the availability of tickets would evidence that.

IngazZagni

Het-Field wrote: »

Sell Outs
-Ireland v France 51,000
-Ireland v England 51,000
-Ireland v Russia 50,822

Non Sell Outs
Porto v FC Braga 45,391 (Over 6,000 short of Capacity)
Leinster v Toulouse 50,073 (Over 1,000 below Capacity)
Leinster v Leicester 49,222 (Almost 2000 short of capacity)
Leinster v Clermont 44,873 (Almost 7,000 short of capacity)
Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers 36,000 (15,000 short of capacity)
Ireland v Andorra 40,000 (11,000 short of capacity)
Ireland v Macedonia 32,000 (Almost 20,000 short of capacity)

You may wish to quibble about what amounts to a "capacity attendance", and a "sell out" but it is clear that it is a long way from "at least 7 fixtures".

Both these games were technical sellouts in that all tickets available to the public were sold. Many of the corporate boxes were empty which contributed to the slightly lower numbers. Also you forgot the Leinster/Munster clash which was also a sellout. That's 6 sellouts off the top of my head in the past year. I expect that number to increase this season as more sensible ticket prices and options are made available. Remember ticket prices increased quite a bit after moving from Croke Park and that was on top of the economic crisis that was really becoming apparent at the time.

Also for what it's worth as of last week, the two Summer International friendlies for later this month against France and England have sold 30,000+ and 40,000+ respectively so far.

maestroamado

Flukey wrote: »

Kerry should have played Limerick in Munster... and they did during the Munster Championship. We are now at the quarter final stage, and that is different. As has been mentioned, the GAA also have the obligation to the premium seat and box holders. Anyway, the matches were played there and they will be for the forseeable future, so we are really piddling against the wind debating it. Leaving the venue aside and focussing on what happened, it was a great weekend of Gaelic Football. As is being done in other threads, that is what we should focus on.

This was what Flukey was saying a couple of days ago and can we allow the gaa admin to allow our games be played this way.

ShamoBuc, real fans, like you and I and the regulars here, go to matches all year. I went to my first matches in 2011 on the 1st of January. Many of the moaners only go to a few matches anyway. They complain about having to travel to the 3 or 4 games that they actually go to. So I spend far more money on my GAA fix than a lot of the moaners do, and you probably do too. The real championship starts this weekend, but for some fans the GAA season only starts this weekend - and may end this weekend, yet they'll still moan about the cost of it.

If they saw the amount my GAA fix costs me, they'd soon shut up. Not just at the amount, but at the fact it was a Dub's expense. Real fans, while they'd like it to be cheaper, will get on with it. The Cork fans will complain this weekend for the one day they will go, but they won't be going two days like me, even though my county isn't playing on either day, and they won't be going on the two days of the following weekend, as I will be, although my county will only be playing on one of them, the other being the first Hurling semi-final. It may be handier for me to go because I am nearer, but I will be paying for it. Going on the four days over the next two weekends, will cost me a lot more than the one day some fans will be going, but I am not the one in here complaining. I was in Thurles last Sunday, and of course I will be at the Dublin Hurling semi-final too, and then the two football semi-finals and hopefully the Hurling and Football finals too, and probably the Ladies Football and Camogie finals. Compare all that expense to what the moaners give out about. I could stay at home for all those games, but I want to get my fix, am prepared to pay for it and won't be moaning about it. If they don't want to pay, then stay at home. If they want to follow their county, then they know the cost. Like me, no one is forcing them to go. Just don't moan about it. If they want to moan about cost, I'll send them my GAA expenses for the year, and then they'll see what a real GAA fan (and a Dub) pays. Next Sunday is loose change by comparison.

homerjay2005

Het-Field wrote: »

You may wish to quibble about what amounts to a "capacity attendance", and a "sell out" but it is clear that it is a long way from "at least 7 fixtures".

you left out 3 other soccer fixtures that were +46,000.

there was 48,000 at the united v LOI game, 50,000+ at the Russia game and 46,000 at the argentina game.

Het-Field

copacetic wrote: »

Here is your quote again, if you are really now claiming that a few k short of capacity is 'never been close to capacity', I give up. You've also missed out Leinster v Munster.

Fine you win.

However, you subsequently said that there were "at least 7 sell outs". That is a very dubious assertion, which you then ignored.

Cummybaby

I was at Croker yesterday. Shocked by the attendance. What is the point in bringing four teams and their supporters from West/South coast to the East coast to play football. Why not a have a double header in Semple stadium and sell it out. How about giving football back to the people instead making people pay through the nose to see it. But that would mean thinking outside the box - a tough ask for a bunch of power hungry right wing conservatives a.k.a the GAA hierarchy.

P.S. - the half-time media blitz to make the GAA seem cool and relevant is about 20 years too late. It will never shake off its image as an old man's club full of god-fearing stuffy shirts.

rossie1977

homerjay2005 wrote: »

shocking attendance today, if this was played in 2 seperate games they would have had about 70,000, instead they had 22, 000.

kerry v limerick would have had about 35k in killarney and mayo v cork would have had the same in castlebar.

i doubt it, kerry fans will travel for the final, to watch kerry and cork or kerry and dublin, there was only 6,500 at the limerick/kerry match in the munster championship remember, can't see that turning into 35k in less than 2 months

mayo had a very poor following at the connacht final just 2 weeks ago and cork fans simply don't travel either, so a cork/mayo quarter in castlebar would be lucky to attract more than 19,000 which turned out for the galway mayo match in june

the winning pro finalists should get home advantage if they want, give them the option and if they want to play in croke park, then its their choice.

i agree with this

Samich

The reason the aviva is at 55k capacity is because they knew they wouldn't be able fill it often enough.

Also rugby matches are dearer than gaa matches as it is a professional sport and wages have to be paid.

What do the GAA do with their money?????