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GIFT events - running clocks

  • 23-08-2025 11:30AM
    #1
    csirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,052 ✭✭✭


    I attended both the rugby and American football events over the past couple of days. Would be a regular at domestic american football events - like to support our local athletes.

    They had a running clock for the 2nd half of the AFI U19 v Kiski HS game in Donnybrook. Knocked c.1 hour off the expected length of the event. I know the game result was not in doubt, but there are ways to handle that safely.

    Ticket prices were 20euro for adults and 15e for kids. With buying food in the stadium, you"re well in excess of 100 euro spend for a family of 4.

    Soectators left feeling short changed. If you're promiding a c.3 hr event, and are charging prices not that different to GAA and LOI games in smaller venues, you cant cut the event short by 1 hour. These events are not all about the score./result - its about the experience and supporting the young athletes.

    Noticed that the officiating crew had some of the same officials who did the same at the Shamrock Bowl in 2024 - again a running clock in the second half in an event that people paid into.

    Same happened at the GIFT rugby event on Thursday. Shortened games, including for those games that were not blow outs , one score was 50 to 30 something.

    If GIFT is planning to shorten games or there is a risk of it happening, then tell people in advance and charge a ticket price that reflects this. I think maybe 10euro for adults and kids free woiuld be a better price point for Donnybrook and bring a lot more people in - last nights crowd was only in 200-300 range.



Comments

  • #2
    davetherave
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 3,591 ✭✭✭davetherave


    I can't speak for the rugby, but I officiate in the Irish leagues. (not that I'm speaking on behalf of AFI mind) That's part of the competition rules. Running clock if the score difference is more than 30 points. If the difference drops below, then it's back to regular clock, but it would be the same thing in a Cowboys Trojans game, or a Crusaders/Giants game.



  • #3
    csirl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,052 ✭✭✭csirl


    https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123748533#Comment_123748533

    I dont think anyone has any issues with this in Irish league games where people arent charged admission.

    But this doesnt work for a stadium event, with paying spectators. Once people are paying, you need to think about things more carefully. Otherwise people, possibly watching for the first time, will feel duped. Different rules should apply. Incidently this years Shamrock Bowl kicked off a few minutes before the published kickoff time. So AFI has had 3 events in little over a year where paying spectators were disregarded.



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