Waterford GAA thread - mod warning post #1 and #51

DiscoStew

IanVW wrote: »

Is Conor Power on the senior panel? He should be if not!

I think Conor works in Dublin so possibly wouldn’t commit to the county. I would be guessing he would be in the thoughts of the new management team for a trial anyway. He’s been a really effective player for Ballygunner in this 5 in a row run and has stepped up his game further this year definitely.

DiscoStew

914 wrote: »

Any official word on attendance today. Stand seemed fairly full and a nice crowd on the opposite bank.

They announced it there. Was over 4,000 anyway, think might have been around 4,300.
When you see it almost at capacity it’s hard to envisage how county championship could get the go ahead there.

914

DiscoStew wrote: »

They announced it there. Was over 4,000 anyway, think might have been around 4,300.
When you see it almost at capacity it’s hard to envisage how county championship could get the go ahead there.

Ye heard something over the PA but was in the jacks so just missed the announcement.

DiscoStew

914 wrote: »

Ye heard something over the PA but was in the jacks so just missed the announcement.

Don’t know if those figures include children who entered for free.

Alpha Centauri

Att: 4275

Mastermcgrath

Alpha Centauri wrote: »

Att: 4275

Interesting thats up 2000 from last years final.

Alpha Centauri

Good to see attendances up. Few good shots here

Deisegodeo

Good to see a decent crowd in attendance again, last year was a desperate attendance so that's positive.

As regards the game, was competitive for 25 minutes but then Ballygunner got on top, got the 5 points before half time and kicked on in second half.

Not Sure how long Peter Hogan is out injured for but I'd say Ballygunner are hoping he can be back for the Munster campaign, beginning with Middleton in Walsh park in a few weeks.

thesultan

Deisegodeo wrote: »

Good to see a decent crowd in attendance again, last year was a desperate attendance so that's positive.

As regards the game, was competitive for 25 minutes but then Ballygunner got on top, got the 5 points before half time and kicked on in second half.

Not Sure how long Peter Hogan is out injured for but I'd say Ballygunner are hoping he can be back for the Munster campaign, beginning with Middleton in Walsh park in a few weeks.

Stop him shouting out to the crowd then

cul beag

Congrats to Ballygunner on their 5th county title in a row. They are a well drilled outfit with some very very good hurlers and the type of hurling they play doesn’t just happen overnight. The movement of their forwards, the diagonal balls going into them, the display of Paudie Mahoney and Brian O Sullivan amongst others was great to watch.
There will definitely be sterner tests ahead if they are to win a Munster title but as for the Waterford championship they can only beat what’s ahead of them.
For all of Abbeyside’s endeavor they just lacked the quality to really trouble the champions but I can see why Queally set up the way he did as in trying to condense the middle 3rd and try to turn it into a battle, but the difference in supply of ball to either sets of forwards was glaring and in that lay the big difference.
Fercombe lived off scraps but still managed 4 pts from play off Barry Coughlan but alas he seemed to be on his own trying to get scores.
Another rumour afterwards was that Queally was to be added to Fanning’s management team!

blueflame

Congrats to Ballygunner on winning 5 in a row, no mean achievement irrelevant of what the quality of opposition are considered to be.

I thought what was very noticeable yesterday was the contrast in style and more so how they imposed their structure. Abbeyside, possibly because of their dual status, seemed much more intent on running with the ball and taking it into contact at every opportunity whereas Ballygunner looked all the time to get the ball into space as quickly as possible.

I thought Ballygunner were very drilled and disciplined in their approach - when their half forward line drifted back their full forward line held their discipline and stayed close to goal, only moving when the Ballygunner backs were getting ready to deliver the ball , the result being acres of space in front of them making the delivery much easier. On the contrary when the Abbeyside half froward line went deep, their full forward line drifted out the field condensing the space and leaving no real goal threat inside.

In fairness to Abbeyside they put up a decent show but shot some of poor wides from distance, especially from frees while Mahony punished them repeatedly from every free. Some good young players in the Abbeyside team but if i am honest i think it is just ridiculously difficult to compete at this level in both codes, especially when you face a side who are as well drilled and coached as Ballygunner.

Tough luck to Abbeyside yesterday but best of luck in the football and best of luck to the Gunners in Munster.

tommylad1212

DiscoStew wrote: »

I think Conor works in Dublin so possibly wouldn’t commit to the county. I would be guessing he would be in the thoughts of the new management team for a trial anyway. He’s been a really effective player for Ballygunner in this 5 in a row run and has stepped up his game further this year definitely.

There won't be any trials

thesaturdayman

Alpha Centauri wrote: »

Good to see attendances up. Few good shots here

Great occasion to be fair.

How are we realistically going to host 10k plus munster games here however?

PTH2009

thesaturdayman wrote: »

Great occasion to be fair.

How are we realistically going to host 10k plus munster games here however?

Don't think it's possible

You have to take into account Waterford season ticket holders, away season ticket holders, sponsor tickets etc. Then if it's on TV a makeshift studio would have to go in somewhere

The banks could get way overcrowded

Deiseen

PTH2009 wrote: »

thesaturdayman wrote: »

Great occasion to be fair.

How are we realistically going to host 10k plus munster games here however?

Don't think it's possible

You have to take into account Waterford season ticket holders, away season ticket holders, sponsor tickets etc. Then if it's on TV a makeshift studio would have to go in somewhere

The banks could get way overcrowded

Where were all of those at Pairc na nGael?

mountgomery burns

Deiseen wrote: »

Where were all of those at Pairc na nGael?

There was still 12K in Limerick. There would definitely be a greater demand for a home game, I'd say there could be a 10K shortage if they were to hold it in Fraher Field. But dunno why this is even a discussion, it's never going to happen.

thesaturdayman

“The new cult is fraher field or forget it” the worldly wise words used by our chairman

Mastermcgrath

mountgomery burns wrote: »

Deiseen wrote: »

Where were all of those at Pairc na nGael?

There was still 12K in Limerick. There would definitely be a greater demand for a home game, I'd say there could be a 10K shortage if they were to hold it in Fraher Field. But dunno why this is even a discussion, it's never going to happen.

Paddy Joe has put his own head on the block now by saying its 'Fraher Field or nowhere' so interesting to see how it all plays out. Then again he has a history of shooting his mouth off and having to backtrack on things

thesaturdayman

Mastermcgrath wrote: »

Paddy Joe has put his own head on the block now by saying its 'Fraher Field or nowhere' so interesting to see how it all plays out. Then again he has a history of shooting his mouth off and having to backtrack on things

He also said that the munster hurling championship format change “would be the worst decision in history of the Gaa “

Turns out to be the greatest in history!

I’m afraid our glorious leader is as bad a judge as Pontius Pilate!!

Mastermcgrath

thesaturdayman wrote: »

He also said that the munster hurling championship format change “would be the worst decision in history of the Gaa “

Turns out to be the greatest!

I’m afraid our glorious leader is as bad a judge as Pontius Pilot!

The thing is that it was and still is the worst decision ever as far as PJ and the Waterford co board was concerned, they knew they would be forced into coughing up for a stadium upgrade and that's what happened

blueflame

If my memory is correct PJ used a good old political escape route by saying "it is Fraher or forget it - but ultimately it is the Waterford Clubs that will decide where the game is played ...." All PJ and the County Board have to do is persuade the club delegates that after "mature reflection" it is in the best interests of the team, county board and supporters and we will be off on our travels yet again.......

To be honest I do not think Fraher Field is near up to it - I think health and safety would limit it to about 6k at maximum and if it is any sort of a wet run up to the games which is possible in this country , that could be slashed even further. I just think PJ's statement was designed to try show those in the West of the county that he was determined in his efforts to redevelop Fraher but even more so to take the emphasis off of what is a more realistic but even more difficult proposition of taking on Munster Council, and looking to play our home games for one year in Nolan Park.

Deiseen

blueflame wrote: »

If my memory is correct PJ used a good old political escape route by saying "it is Fraher or forget it - but ultimately it is the Waterford Clubs that will decide where the game is played ...." All PJ and the County Board have to do is persuade the club delegates that after "mature reflection" it is in the best interests of the team, county board and supporters and we will be off on our travels yet again.......

To be honest I do not think Fraher Field is near up to it - I think health and safety would limit it to about 6k at maximum and if it is any sort of a wet run up to the games which is possible in this country , that could be slashed even further. I just think PJ's statement was designed to try show those in the West of the county that he was determined in his efforts to redevelop Fraher but even more so to take the emphasis off of what is a more realistic but even more difficult proposition of taking on Munster Council, and looking to play our home games for one year in Nolan Park.

With a bit of work they could probably get Fraher up to 8k but that would require work to be started already... Which it hasnt...

willbeuptuesday

thesaturdayman wrote: »

Great occasion to be fair.

How are we realistically going to host 10k plus munster games here however?

Lads the most Fraher Field could hold is 7K with a brown envelope to the Health and Safety Authority!! The banks behind both goals had plenty of room for more people but in this day and age there is no way they will allow a large crown onto a grass bank. At the minimum they would expect it to be concreted and have safety barriers. Fraher Field is a non runner full stop, we need to be realistic as the county board don't have the money to pay for even small upgrades to the place. We have to suck it up and move to Thurles until Walsh Park is ready, not ideal but only stating the obvious.

Deiseen

willbeuptuesday wrote: »

thesaturdayman wrote: »

Great occasion to be fair.

How are we realistically going to host 10k plus munster games here however?

Lads the most Fraher Field could hold is 7K with a brown envelope to the Health and Safety Authority!! The banks behind both goals had plenty of room for more people but in this day and age there is no way they will allow a large crown onto a grass bank. At the minimum they would expect it to be concreted and have safety barriers. Fraher Field is a non runner full stop, we need to be realistic as the county board don't have the money to pay for even small upgrades to the place. We have to suck it up and move to Thurles until Walsh Park is ready, not ideal but only stating the obvious.

Concreting could be done wotb relatively no fuss or planning permission. Pay for it with money from two champ games.

deiseach

If the crowd is 5,000 in Fraher, so be it. All other things being equal, that's only going to be a few thousand down on the crowd that would turn up to the games against Clare and Limerick* in Thurles or Cork. And that's before a) Waterford fans boycott the games - I know I will be, ALL FOUR OF THEM - or b) Waterford boycott the games. #fraherorforgetit

*No, Limerick will not have a 10,000-strong contingent traipsing around the country after them for the whole of June. If anything, the attitude will be to wait for bigger days, a state of affairs about which they can be confident this year.

willbeuptuesday

I do not want to sound like a defender of the County board (As I believe they are holding the County back in so many ways with their continued amateurism) but people need to be more informed when it comes to finances. The County Board do not receive any of the Gate receipts from Championship games, they receive funds centrally for their participation in the Championship and all this money goes to running the board and relating matters. As far as I am aware we receive a % of the national league games (Could be open to correction on this) but their scope to raise money is limited. They need in my opinion a person dedicated to this function, a commercial officer similar to Wexford. This persons sole function is to develop and co-ordinate fundraising initiatives while developing the Waterford GAA Brand to exploit commercial opportunities which our high profile players can generate. This person would build relationships local small businesses as well as larger multinationals which could be mutually beneficial to all involved. This would drive Waterford GAA onto the next level.

thesaturdayman

willbeuptuesday wrote: »

I do not want to sound like a defender of the County board (As I believe they are holding the County back in so many ways with their continued amateurism) but people need to be more informed when it comes to finances. The County Board do not receive any of the Gate receipts from Championship games, they receive funds centrally for their participation in the Championship and all this money goes to running the board and relating matters. As far as I am aware we receive a % of the national league games (Could be open to correction on this) but their scope to raise money is limited. They need in my opinion a person dedicated to this function, a commercial officer similar to Wexford. This persons sole function is to develop and co-ordinate fundraising initiatives while developing the Waterford GAA Brand to exploit commercial opportunities which our high profile players can generate. This person would build relationships local small businesses as well as larger multinationals which could be mutually beneficial to all involved. This would drive Waterford GAA onto the next level.

Re Gate receipts - they would have made close to 100k from the county final.

Re their scope to raise money is limited - are you having a laugh! They used to have a race day fundraiser in punches town & made a complete balls of it, wexford took it over and cleared over 100k this year from it!

Similarly look at Cork (who have their issues) & Kilkenny well able to host big events such as concerts in their stadiums? Whilst they were getting Rod Stewart & Ed Sheeran we were getting Jedward & the high kings!! Those comparisons along musically are as accurate as anything off the field. Organised professionals against a rabble of amateurs!

hardybuck

willbeuptuesday wrote: »

I do not want to sound like a defender of the County board (As I believe they are holding the County back in so many ways with their continued amateurism) but people need to be more informed when it comes to finances. The County Board do not receive any of the Gate receipts from Championship games, they receive funds centrally for their participation in the Championship and all this money goes to running the board and relating matters. As far as I am aware we receive a % of the national league games (Could be open to correction on this) but their scope to raise money is limited. They need in my opinion a person dedicated to this function, a commercial officer similar to Wexford. This persons sole function is to develop and co-ordinate fundraising initiatives while developing the Waterford GAA Brand to exploit commercial opportunities which our high profile players can generate. This person would build relationships local small businesses as well as larger multinationals which could be mutually beneficial to all involved. This would drive Waterford GAA onto the next level.

Completely agree on the Commercial Manager point, I raised it myself a few weeks ago.

I've always wondered about the gate receipts bit - maybe you could shed light. Do the host county then get paid rent for the use of their stadium effectively then, or how does it work? Do you remember the fiasco a few years ago when Waterford tried to influence the venue of a Munster game by putting money on the table?

liogairmhordain

willbeuptuesday wrote: »

The banks behind both goals had plenty of room for more people but in this day and age there is no way they will allow a large crown onto a grass bank. At the minimum they would expect it to be concreted and have safety barriers.

it was allowed in navan twice this summer for the meath-tyrone and laois-monaghan qualifiers -

https://www.sportsfile.com/id/1532295/

https://twitter.com/officialgaa/status/1005506256180797442

not forgetting the waterford-monaghan football qualifier

https://www.dungarvangaa.ie/waterford-v-monaghan/

willbeuptuesday

Why could n't the county Board organise a race day in Tramore which benefits the clubs and the board.

This is how it should run, 7 race card with average of 10 horses per race, clubs could have more than one horse but not in the same race. That would mean that we have 70 horses running and it costs €2000 per horse which clubs would find a sponsor for and the €2000 is also their levy for the year, so they might as well pay it here. The winning horse wins €5k for their club and this leaves the county board with €105k in paid levys.

The negotiate a deal with the race course for ticket sales and aim to have a 60/20/20 split, eg.. 60% to race course 20% to CB and 20% to the clubs. The result of this is that clubs will push the tickets and all parties will see a big increase in sales. The benefits to all parties is as follows;

Tramore race Course - Bigger attendance equals bigger food/Drink and tote sales.
CB-No work in selling tickets and 20% take on these tickets is handy money.
Clubs- no organising of an event, just sell tickets and reap the rewards.

Additional sources of income; In tandem with the Race Day a separate Deise Day Business Day where local businesses can pitch stands in a specially erected Marquee, the County Boards Commercial Manager can organise this, these are big business and business see real value in buying a Pitch at one of these as all the patrons are local. An overall sponsor could be sourced for this and the potential to make money for the county board is huge. Relationships would be established with local businesses and more importantly will be managed by a professional who will follow up after the event. This Commercial expert can devise media strategies which we could link local business to Waterfords social media platforms (which need to be looked at urgently) but I promise there is serious money to be made here. If done right the Business side could raise as much as the race day itself. The best thing about this type of event is that it repeats itself annually and can be built upon annually!!

Clubs can make more money by getting the jockey sponsored and as a gesture of goodwill towards the clubs, the county board should get a good prize for a raffle which will be ran off on the day and all proceeds will be split equally amoung the clubs who get involved. This would give the clubs a badly needed boost.

I'm sure people have other ideas of how we can add to the day and I would love to hear them. But compare this to the Race day that already exists! Just an idea.