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Great Crowds Watching Hurling In 2018

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Munster Round 1 Cork Clare 24,490 Limerick Tipp 20,423 Round 2 Tipp Cork 22,456 Clare Waterford 13,736 Round 3 Cork v Limerick 34,607 Tipperary v Waterford 10,237 Round 4 Limerick Waterford 23,194 Tipp Clare 20,782 Round 5 Cork Waterford 14,737 Clare Limerick 14,864 Total 199,526 Average 19,952 Leinster Round 1 Dublin Kilkenny 8,000 Est Offaly Galway 8,330 Round 2 Kilkenny Offaly 6,976 Wexford Dublin 10,248 Round 3 Galway Kilkenny 18,775 Offaly Wexford 6,186 Round 4 Wexford v Galway 14,565 Dublin v Offaly 5,000 Est Round 5 Galway Dublin 9,957 Kilkenny Wexford 17,516 Total 105,553 Average 10,555 Leinster probably suffered a little attendance wise from their best supported county Wexford starting to realise they were a fair bit behind Galway. The only real uncertainty about Leinster was the order of Kilkenny and Wexford in the second and third positions and that lack of uncertainty was reflected in the lack of bumper crowds. Over 300,000 in attendance at championship hurling over there past 5 weeks, excellent value for money (20 adult and 5 for kids!) and what outstanding entertainment we got. Kilkenny - Dublin, Cork - Tipp and Cork - Limerick were probably the pick of the pack. I was skeptical about the new system initially but I have to say hats off the GAA this worked brilliantly for year 1 at least. Long may it continue! derickmc (Cork) - Posts: 8 - 18/06/2018 10:15:03 2112541 Link
The new system is brilliant, and with a bit of tweaking to give all teams a break after two games, it should be absolutely kept on. gilly0512 (Galway) - Posts: 1176 - 18/06/2018 10:35:14 2112551 Link
I think threre was almost 19k at Clare Limerick yesterday. I wouldnt be surporsied if the numbers were bigger next year. Supporters have bought in to it as it progressed. No going back now. ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 18/06/2018 11:01:03 2112566 Link
Replying To ZUL10: "I think threre was almost 19k at Clare Limerick yesterday. I wouldnt be surporsied if the numbers were bigger next year. Supporters have bought in to it as it progressed. No going back now." I did read it was something like 18,900 but I thought Cusack Park was capped to 14.5k? LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2489 - 18/06/2018 12:36:25 2112608 Link
Isn't it really just the super 8s in hurling except at the front end of the championship. Hurling is the code that should have the super8s in July, because it has an actual super 8!! jackmeyhoffer (USA) - Posts: 148 - 18/06/2018 12:50:11 2112613 Link
Replying To LohansRedHelmet: "I did read it was something like 18,900 but I thought Cusack Park was capped to 14.5k?" It was announced on tv yesterday as 18,003 I think tipp11 (Tipperary) - Posts: 353 - 18/06/2018 13:35:08 2112638 Link
a big factor for wexford v galway was 5pm on a saturday evening not suiting lots of people.it is not a good time for a match. still great crowds though.there is no going back to knock-out although looking back at ciaran careys point in 96,i did wax lyrical for the absolutely thronged terraces there was at the match. perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 18/06/2018 13:42:53 2112643 Link
Replying To derickmc: "Munster Round 1 Cork Clare 24,490 Limerick Tipp 20,423 Round 2 Tipp Cork 22,456 Clare Waterford 13,736 Round 3 Cork v Limerick 34,607 Tipperary v Waterford 10,237 Round 4 Limerick Waterford 23,194 Tipp Clare 20,782 Round 5 Cork Waterford 14,737 Clare Limerick 14,864 Total 199,526 Average 19,952 Leinster Round 1 Dublin Kilkenny 8,000 Est Offaly Galway 8,330 Round 2 Kilkenny Offaly 6,976 Wexford Dublin 10,248 Round 3 Galway Kilkenny 18,775 Offaly Wexford 6,186 Round 4 Wexford v Galway 14,565 Dublin v Offaly 5,000 Est Round 5 Galway Dublin 9,957 Kilkenny Wexford 17,516 Total 105,553 Average 10,555 Leinster probably suffered a little attendance wise from their best supported county Wexford starting to realise they were a fair bit behind Galway. The only real uncertainty about Leinster was the order of Kilkenny and Wexford in the second and third positions and that lack of uncertainty was reflected in the lack of bumper crowds. Over 300,000 in attendance at championship hurling over there past 5 weeks, excellent value for money (20 adult and 5 for kids!) and what outstanding entertainment we got. Kilkenny - Dublin, Cork - Tipp and Cork - Limerick were probably the pick of the pack. I was skeptical about the new system initially but I have to say hats off the GAA this worked brilliantly for year 1 at least. Long may it continue!" Yes, it's all very exciting at present - I wonder how much is the 'novelty factor' contributing to the buzz (a la football Qualifiers in 2001) ? I would like to see mixed groups - Muns 3/ Lein 2 (Group A) versus Muns 2 / Lein 3 (Group B) - would this yield a middling attendance of 15,000/match ? Five matches per team would still take the current 5 rounds to complete (split rds 2 and 4 over two weekends, so no team plays more than 2 games in consecutive wkds= takes 7 wks to play). Highest team in BOTH provs in EACH group advance to respective Prov Finals - other team in each top 3 (could be a 2nd placed team) go to AI QF Prelim Rd like now. omahant (USA) - Posts: 2608 - 18/06/2018 13:48:53 2112648 Link
Replying To omahant: " Replying To derickmc: "Munster Round 1 Cork Clare 24,490 Limerick Tipp 20,423 Round 2 Tipp Cork 22,456 Clare Waterford 13,736 Round 3 Cork v Limerick 34,607 Tipperary v Waterford 10,237 Round 4 Limerick Waterford 23,194 Tipp Clare 20,782 Round 5 Cork Waterford 14,737 Clare Limerick 14,864 Total 199,526 Average 19,952 Leinster Round 1 Dublin Kilkenny 8,000 Est Offaly Galway 8,330 Round 2 Kilkenny Offaly 6,976 Wexford Dublin 10,248 Round 3 Galway Kilkenny 18,775 Offaly Wexford 6,186 Round 4 Wexford v Galway 14,565 Dublin v Offaly 5,000 Est Round 5 Galway Dublin 9,957 Kilkenny Wexford 17,516 Total 105,553 Average 10,555 Leinster probably suffered a little attendance wise from their best supported county Wexford starting to realise they were a fair bit behind Galway. The only real uncertainty about Leinster was the order of Kilkenny and Wexford in the second and third positions and that lack of uncertainty was reflected in the lack of bumper crowds. Over 300,000 in attendance at championship hurling over there past 5 weeks, excellent value for money (20 adult and 5 for kids!) and what outstanding entertainment we got. Kilkenny - Dublin, Cork - Tipp and Cork - Limerick were probably the pick of the pack. I was skeptical about the new system initially but I have to say hats off the GAA this worked brilliantly for year 1 at least. Long may it continue!" Yes, it's all very exciting at present - I wonder how much is the 'novelty factor' contributing to the buzz (a la football Qualifiers in 2001) ? I would like to see mixed groups - Muns 3/ Lein 2 (Group A) versus Muns 2 / Lein 3 (Group B) - would this yield a middling attendance of 15,000/match ? Five matches per team would still take the current 5 rounds to complete (split rds 2 and 4 over two weekends, so no team plays more than 2 games in consecutive wkds= takes 7 wks to play). Highest team in BOTH provs in EACH group advance to respective Prov Finals - other team in each top 3 (could be a 2nd placed team) go to AI QF Prelim Rd like now." I see exactly where you are coming from. It could be come stale especially if a Munster team gets a head of the pack, I do think it is important to protect the provincial championships though. Cork, Limerick and Waterford have got great boasts from provincial title wins with teams that weren't quite at the level to win an AI. An option could be straight knockout provincials with 2 groups of 5 after with the top 2 in each reaching the AI semi final. The provincial win would give each provincial winner maybe 3 bonus points at the start of the group stages making them odds on for a semi final place. That would give a real incentive to win the provincial title and also open up the possibility of the Cats Coming to Cork, Tipp going to Galway etc in the group stages.. Only negative would be a strong provincial winner could have a semi place wrapped up early with the bonus points leading to a few dead rubbers. dahayeser (Cork) - Posts: 338 - 18/06/2018 16:24:26 2112713 Link
Is the Munster final now sold out? Tickets aren't available online anymore. If it is it's a pity some fans won't get to see the match. Crowds are really coming back to where they were during the boom times. Looks like the current capacity of sample stadium has been reduced from 53,500 to approximately 46,300. If so it's a wonder the game wasn't set for the Gaelic Grounds which now has a bigger capacity. centrefield99 (Galway) - Posts: 102 - 25/06/2018 23:10:49 2115085 Link
Replying To centrefield99: "Is the Munster final now sold out? Tickets aren't available online anymore. If it is it's a pity some fans won't get to see the match. Crowds are really coming back to where they were during the boom times. Looks like the current capacity of sample stadium has been reduced from 53,500 to approximately 46,300. If so it's a wonder the game wasn't set for the Gaelic Grounds which now has a bigger capacity." Match was a sell out very quicky. Great appettite for hurling in Clare atm or great bandwagon in Clare atm however you look at it. The players need this though and it will give the playera a great boost to see a sea of gold Sunday! HTB LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2489 - 26/06/2018 01:11:49 2115137 Link
Replying To centrefield99: "Is the Munster final now sold out? Tickets aren't available online anymore. If it is it's a pity some fans won't get to see the match. Crowds are really coming back to where they were during the boom times. Looks like the current capacity of sample stadium has been reduced from 53,500 to approximately 46,300. If so it's a wonder the game wasn't set for the Gaelic Grounds which now has a bigger capacity." The online tickets are sold out but the club allocations are not yet. If ther clubs return tickets then maybe there will be some available again online. Its a long time since thurles saw 53k. ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 26/06/2018 08:31:33 2115166 Link
Replying To ZUL10: "The online tickets are sold out but the club allocations are not yet. If ther clubs return tickets then maybe there will be some available again online. Its a long time since thurles saw 53k." I don't think any clubs will be returning any tickets. The demand is still huge LohansRedHelmet (Clare) - Posts: 2489 - 26/06/2018 12:00:40 2115287 Link
Replying To LohansRedHelmet: "Match was a sell out very quicky. Great appettite for hurling in Clare atm or great bandwagon in Clare atm however you look at it. The players need this though and it will give the playera a great boost to see a sea of gold Sunday! HTB" part bandwagon (every county has them) but bringing the matches to the likes of cusack park,wexford park,etc has rekindled an excitement towards hurling in most hurling counties. perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 26/06/2018 14:22:59 2115406 Link
Replying To perfect10: "part bandwagon (every county has them) but bringing the matches to the likes of cusack park,wexford park,etc has rekindled an excitement towards hurling in most hurling counties." I disagree with this term 'bandwagoner'. I am going to matches with well over fifty years. I am a bit of of a historian of the game and I can name, and indeed recall most of the players, that have won All Irelands at senior level in that period. I am a mingler and I absolutely enjoy match days. I tend to 'chat up' supporters from my own and other counties and I am always amazed at the amount of knowledge of the game the vast majority of my 'interviewees' possess. The fact is people, who are often deeply involved in the GAA at local level, do not for various reasons attend what we might call lesser games. I also feel that of the 15,000 who stood on the terraces above in Ennis last Sunday week, or at other venues through the country, that you would need to have more that a passing interest in the games to do that. Overall I think most attenders at games are genuine supporters. Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4323 - 27/06/2018 10:01:38 2115748 Link
i agree oldtourman,but i didnt say what percentage was a bandwagon!i did say "part" bandwagon! in general,gaa folk are knowledgeable about the game.i also find where there is open seating,if you get near the middle of the pitch you get more knowledgeable people,they get there early and havent just fallen out of the pub 5 mins before thrown in! i would love to get to more games,but as i work in a bar,i am often working when the games are on. perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 28/06/2018 11:00:07 2116327 Link
Its mighty Who would have thought more hurling games during the summer months would have worked out :-) Next Step - combine the 2 groups (one league) and have some sort of a playoff system. League of 12. Top 2 into Semi Final, positions 3-6 playoff for the other semi final slots. Run Provincial Championship as a knockout in parallel (like a cup) Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 28/06/2018 11:54:15 2116358 Link
Replying To LohansRedHelmet: "I don't think any clubs will be returning any tickets. The demand is still huge" LRH Clubs in Clare and Cork will definitely not be returning their allocation, but a small number may back from clubs in Kerry and Waterford and Tipp and Limerick will get extra tickets on account of the their involvement in the minor final. In the case of Limwrik their team is drawn mainly from a few small parishes in the East,South and City areas of the county. Traditionally rural West Limerick is the main area of Limerick support and with very few on the team or panel from that region, Limerick support may suffer on Sunday, thus releasing an extra small of tickets for further distribution. A few days ago there were no tickets whatsoever available on tickets.ie for this fixture. However tickets for the Killanin End became available on it on Wednesday evening and the Town End ones have been added to the list this morning. Maybe a few seated ones will follow, but I am not holding my breadth, so I took a Killanin End slot despite my aversion to standing on a terrace for four hours plus on a very hot day. Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4323 - 29/06/2018 08:10:04 2116584 Link
Replying To ZUL10: "The online tickets are sold out but the club allocations are not yet. If ther clubs return tickets then maybe there will be some available again online. Its a long time since thurles saw 53k." Capacity is down around 46,000 after the last health and safety review. I'm not sure what the Gaelic Grounds capacity is now..around the same I think. PeggyShippen (Limerick) - Posts: 300 - 29/06/2018 10:51:21 2116627 Link
It should be great on the terrace in this weather. People really need to toughen up abit. If you cant stand for 4 hours and are under 60 with no physical disabilities then you need to reassess your lifestyle. I do feel abit sorry for the pale freckled crowd which struggle in the sun. Luckily I take a tan and love the heat...crank it up to 40 degrees! PeggyShippen (Limerick) - Posts: 300 - 29/06/2018 10:57:49 2116631 Link