Anyone else surprised by this? The highest ratings for all sport on tv in Ireland last year were rugby games ahead of All Ireland finals and the soccer play offs.

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 12/01/2016 15:21:01    1816079

12/01/2016 15:21:01 Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts:6403
Anyone else surprised by this? The highest ratings for all sport on tv in Ireland last year were rugby games ahead of All Ireland finals and the soccer play offs.A world cup where we were expected to do very well was always going to get high ratings. Where's the surprising element that the rugby would be so high in tv figures?

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 12/01/2016 15:54:56    1816089

was surprised by the high ranking ireland and romania got -it was on the same day as a load of big county c'ship games - i even watched it delayed myself coz i was at kilmallock v na piarsaigh. -thought the final would be higher -- excellent gaa figures too it must be said - likely there is a big crossover between the different sports as well

would love to see the viewers figures at the end of japan v boks compared to the start!!

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 12/01/2016 17:13:39    1816115

No, I watched but would not go to an Irish rugby international (you may complain about GAA ticket prices but try the rugby rip off)

And then it will it all fade away as usual.

Look at Munster rugby's crowd attendance...crowds are fading away because they are not winning (its worse they are a pile of the brown smelly stuff)

Yet Football for example is rubbish, worse ever seen, hurling is too limited to a few counties etc etc but the crowd attendances are holding up very well.

All that glitters is not gold and the GAA is more than holding its won ....so won't worry

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 12/01/2016 17:15:19    1816116

i have to admit, i had a wry smile that both the GAA and Rugby easily beat the soccer play off figures,
The soccer boys wont like that, they wont like it atall!!
they are still convinced that soccer dwarfs GAA and Rugby in terms of public interest
:)

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 12/01/2016 18:03:39    1816130

I am not surprised by it. Probably next year, the UEFA European Cup games will get the biggest viewing. They are of national interest.

The GAA is more than holding its own. I agree with Witnof. It could be better though if it was a better product? We waited so long last year to get a really cracking match between two heavy weights (Dublin v Mayo - Mayo v Donegal was a bit of a letdown) and as soon as it arrived, it was over (the championship). Last year Kerry didn't play Mayo or Donegal in the championship and Dublin didn't play Donegal. If the GAA wants to more than hold its own, it must 'engineer' a championship where the heavyweights play each other more often (champions league style or something). Very few people will be too interested in Dublin v Longford (outside of those involved). Ireland v Romania - almost as dead rubber- will hold some attention as it is the national side and though Ireland hammered them, people still watch.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 12/01/2016 19:39:26    1816161