slayer
County: Limerick
Posts: 5611

1791676
I think in general roofs on stadia are good.

But in GAA there is something added to a game when the rain falls. At the Kilkenny game in 2014, when Limerick reeled off 0-5 in a row to go 0-16 to 1-11 up, a lady with 3 or 4 kids turned and said to me 'I'm absolutely shaking'. I asked was she cold from the weather, but it was the atmosphere. The place was rocking, despite the horrendous conditions. Now we didn't win the game, but that performance will live long in the memory and in my opinion the rain added to the drama of the game. There was a passage of play down Limerick's left half back line in the second half where every player was giving each challenge 100% and not only did I feel proud as a Limerick man, but to see the Kilkenny lads matching that effort, hunger and desire in those conditions showed just how much both teams wanted that place in the final.

Sometimes the rain makes it epic!

I was at that game slayer. Got soaked on the Hill but I think you're right, the rain actually can add to the tension and the atmosphere.

It also doesn't always ruin the game. The football final was a poor game and the conditions did not help but sometimes we've had some unreal displays of skill in very bad weather.

There was some serious hurling done between Limerick and KK that day. Who was it that whipped over the one handed point at one stage?

Likewise although a poor match overall, there were still some moments of great skill in the Dublin Kerry match. And going back further who remembers Bryan Sheehan and Michael Meehan's shootout in the rain in 2008?

I hate the idea of making artificial conditions with a roof.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13709 - 24/09/2015 10:37:36    1791700

MesAmis

Who was it that whipped over the one handed point at one stage?

Shane Dowling.

commercials1 (Limerick) - Posts: 115 - 24/09/2015 10:49:11    1791707

23/09/2015 18:36:39
sliotharfan
After hearing of Joe Kiernan's comments that Sunday's final would of been better played under a closed roof (no question it def would of been a better game in dry conditions).
What do folk reckon about a roof being on croke park? I personally can't ever see it happening with the cost and design. Mckenna has come out today saying the same. Would need hill 16 to go and be replaced by stand like others before a roof could be looked at and is that . possible with space/area behind the hill? And is it necessary as croke park doesn't fill capacity wise enough in the year to warrant the extra capacity
24/09/2015 09:05:27 yew_tree
I reckon the stadium would need to be rebuilt. Maybe the next time around. I wonder do the GAA have a plan for 20-30 years from now. Who know's what the advances in tech and building will be but I imagine Croke Park in its current guise will be quiet outdated by then. it may be outdated in 25-30 years or so but highly doubt much will be done to change much considering costs etc

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 24/09/2015 10:51:58    1791709

The one handed point was Shane Dowling. A great score.

There have been great games in the rain down through the years. The 1985 hurling Semi between Galway & Cork for example. Galway won 4-12 to 5-5 and while it wasn't the greatest game it was tense and exciting.

I enjoyed last Sunday too, it's not always all about skill etc, it has to be about passion and who wants it more at times too.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 24/09/2015 11:04:35    1791713

It rains a lot in Ireland.

Options :

A. Get a seat under shelter.
B. Bring a jacket.
C. Stay at home.

I brought my daughter to her first Cúlcamp in August in Maynooth.

It was raining a bit one morning. A 'concerned' mother asked one of the girls running the course if there would be any matches that day because of the rain? It was just a drop of rain, no harm at all!

Are we in danger in this generation of i-Phones and Netflix and PS2s of going a bit soft?

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7346 - 24/09/2015 11:24:06    1791723

1973. Need I say more.

SAMTHEMAN73 (Limerick) - Posts: 72 - 24/09/2015 11:29:12    1791727

Are we in danger in this generation of i-Phones and Netflix and PS2s of going a bit soft?

If you are on these while the game is in progress, give up your seat for the real fans :-)

We all get communication during the game, but it is good to switch off the devices while the action is on. Or else put your sim card into an old nokia and if someone calls or texts fair enough. Selfies can be great fun but the real memories are out on the pitch!

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 24/09/2015 11:34:05    1791735

1973. Need I say more.

As Kilkenny men have told me, nothing was going to stop Limerick winning that final. Not the rain, not the injuries Kilkenny or Limerick had, not even the need for a pushover try for our goal.

DVD takes pride of place in the collection.

slayer (Limerick) - Posts: 6480 - 24/09/2015 11:39:55    1791737

The Irish weather is a great leveller when it comes to some games. I have played against teams on a wet day with slippery footing, wind etc who on a fair day we would have been expected to beat out of the park but due to the conditions either scraped through or on occasion were beaten. Have also played against teams who on paper we wouldn't have been expected to beat but did due to the conditions.

When we look at the Intercounty and the advantages some Counties have over others i.e. finances, resources etc it levels up the playing field a bit and adds to it in my opinion. In fact, forget this silly talk of a roof and let us put a more realistic motion to Congress - that if the sun is shining and the pitch is dry that games are postponed until the next rainy day. I know a man who swears he can make it rain by running naked around a field while singing Daniel O'Donnell songs. The GAA would do well to employ him for all big games - plus would do away with the need to have pre-match entertainment e.g. Brush Shields or the likes.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 24/09/2015 11:47:59    1791740

Sure if we put a rood on, Dublin would never have to play a championship game in the rain again ;)

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11232 - 24/09/2015 12:13:11    1791751

really would like the hill all seated granted great atmosphere in there but looks awful compared to rest of ground.

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 705 - 24/09/2015 12:59:55    1791773

Does anybody know if they still going ahead with plans for a roof in O Moore Park?

crikey (Australia) - Posts: 355 - 25/09/2015 15:53:14    1792433

Does the rain affect football more than hurling? The standard was excellent in kk-limerick, and when I was small I remember offaly-kk in a torrential downpour in 95, that had incredible hurling (it was so wet the players went back to the dressingrooms instead of warming up). Bad rain always affected my hurling anyway, can't remember if I played football any cr@pper in the baisteach

flack (Dublin) - Posts: 1054 - 25/09/2015 16:00:43    1792438