Now, I'm not trying to offend the eight counties involved this weekend but in the day's when the GAA is fighting for audience numbers with soccer and rugby and in a summer where we have the euro's and the Olympics the Championship is the is really starting with a whimper this weekend.

Louth v Carlow, Laois v Wicklow, Offaly v Longford, Fermanagh v Antrim, I mean none of these matches holds a huge amount of interest for the neutral. And none are being televised with the Sunday Game live only returning the week after next.

Could the Tipp v Cork or Derry v Tyrone game not have been scheduled for the first weekend (proper) of the Championship to create a bit of hype and excitement about the 2016 All-Ireland?

Once again the GAA and its provincial councils fail to do the simplest thing: take the two best matches the draws have thrown up for the opening rounds and schedule them for the first weekend!

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/05/2016 10:14:47    1853487

Tony Kelly on off the ball last night said their not here to entertain their here to win matches , so if the players don't give a rats about audience why should anyone else?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 10/05/2016 10:37:05    1853499

'Im not trying to offend' but sure i'll go ahead and do just that eh!!

What is ridiculous is that there is no live coverage of any of the matches, as I said in another thread, in 2014 antrim v Fermanagh was one of the games of the championship. Im sure all the other counties could also make a case for their games being entertaining and worth watching.

But sure the elitist among us just want to watch Kerry,Dublin,Mayo,Tyrone etc.

Its actually also similar to rte ignoring the qualifier group hurling matches last week based on the ridiculous assumption that nobody outside the counties involved wants to watch them.

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 10/05/2016 10:44:44    1853504

As was already pointed out by my esteemed fellow countyman the same fixture between ourselves and Fermanagh two years ago was not only described as probably the best match of that Championship by yer own Mr P. Spillane but also Oisin McConville who was doing the radio coverage that day said at the time it would take a helluva match the rest of the Championship to beat it. But sure the Championship doesn't really start til the Kerrys of this world take to the field - isn't that right?

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 10/05/2016 10:52:30    1853508

The problem is the provincial system. The championship cannot be marketed properly due to the unevenness of it. Do you start with a bang and then delay all those unattractive games for a week or two so that the championships can continue with a whimper? Until we move to a championship of 4 groups of 8 , which conceivably could be on a geographic basis but would be better if organised on a seedings basis, it will be hard to get enough attractive games to grab the attention. Anyway if the football championship is anything like last year (and it probably will) the whimper will continue until August and the All Ireland semi finals, when the games will become most competitive and exciting and less one sided and predictable.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 10/05/2016 10:56:04    1853510

A seeding basis wouldn't work for attendances. Is someone from Waterford going to travel the whole way to Derry?

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 10/05/2016 11:26:24    1853521

Now, I'm not trying to offend the eight counties involved this weekend but in the day's when the GAA is fighting for audience numbers with soccer and rugby and in a summer where we have the euro's and the Olympics the Championship is the is really starting with a whimper this weekend.

Louth v Carlow, Laois v Wicklow, Offaly v Longford, Fermanagh v Antrim, I mean none of these matches holds a huge amount of interest for the neutral. And none are being televised with the Sunday Game live only returning the week after next.

Could the Tipp v Cork or Derry v Tyrone game not have been scheduled for the first weekend (proper) of the Championship to create a bit of hype and excitement about the 2016 All-Ireland?

Once again the GAA and its provincial councils fail to do the simplest thing: take the two best matches the draws have thrown up for the opening rounds and schedule them for the first weekend!
TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts:1365 - 10/05/2016 10:14:47 1853487

Could not agree more Hermit. No live matches again on the opening weekend. No change in the champo at all. Its a total joke at this stage.

Sick complaining about it.

TheRightStuff (Donegal) - Posts: 1688 - 10/05/2016 11:26:36    1853522

J. H. Christ would some of you lads get a fecking grip.

We are talking about games involving Division 3 and 4 teams here. With respect none of these teams will be anywhere near an All Ireland final and I doubt any will make it to the last 8!

Do you see any other major sporting competition which begins with such an under-whelming line up? Does the premiership kick off with Norwich v West Brom for example??

To the two Antrim lads: do you think the GAA and its fan base operates differently to every other sport?

So what if they might turn out to be good games, do you seriously think as many neutrals will sit down and watch a game involving Antrim and Fermanagh as involving Cork and Kerry or Dublin v Kildare or Derry v Tyrone or Galway v Mayo?? Do you think Antrim and Fermanagh generates as much excitement and buildup for a neutral as Tipp v Cork will the week after next?

Clondalkin, players can say what they want but if no one is watching pretty soon no one will be playing either will they?

I'm trying to make a simple point that, yet again, the GAA fails to capitalize on the product it has by starting its Championship with a proper top-billing clash to generate momentum and interest from the Irish sporting public. There will be serious competition for a tv audience from Rio and France over the next two months so shouldn't it fight its corner as best it can?

But of course you can't say anything on here these days without someone jumping down your throat...

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/05/2016 11:38:17    1853527

Clondalkindub you surprise me. Do you think that GAA players are paid entertainers?. Tony Kelly is absolutely right. Gaelic football/hurling is merely a pastime that amateurs play for their satisfaction. Winning games and, maybe trophies, enhances that satisfaction. If you choose to follow the game and get satisfaction from it, that's good for you.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 10/05/2016 12:26:30    1853557

Hermit - I wasn't jumping down your throat. I was jumping down the throat of those who decide to televise (or not as the case always is) matches which involve the likes of ourselves. I was pointing out that they are potentially missing out on great games as was seen 2 years ago and that for some they believe that it only starts to become a proper championship when the likes of Kerry, Dublin, Donegal or whoever start.

There is an amusing sense of irony though that you start a post with the classic "Now, I'm not trying to offend" but then take offence at something somebody else says - and which wasn't even directed at you. I am now offended that you were offended. And so is my wife.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 10/05/2016 12:39:50    1853567

The problem is the provincial system. The championship cannot be marketed properly due to the unevenness of it. Do you start with a bang and then delay all those unattractive games for a week or two so that the championships can continue with a whimper? Until we move to a championship of 4 groups of 8 , which conceivably could be on a geographic basis but would be better if organised on a seedings basis, it will be hard to get enough attractive games to grab the attention. Anyway if the football championship is anything like last year (and it probably will) the whimper will continue until August and the All Ireland semi finals, when the games will become most competitive and exciting and less one sided and predictable.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts:323 - 10/05/2016 10:56:04

Couldn't agree more...have been saying this for years.

bubba83 (Dublin) - Posts: 333 - 10/05/2016 12:40:48    1853569

Sorry Hermit but Fermanagh are not a Division 3 or 4 side. They finished 4th in Division 2 but don't let that get in the way of your rant.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 10/05/2016 13:02:43    1853585

Hermit you numpty, it started weeks ago and in both codes.

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 10/05/2016 13:14:25    1853595

This years Champions League began on June 30th with a 1st round qualifier between Pyunik of Armenia and San Marino's Folgore. I don't hear anyone clamouring for a Barcelona/Real Madrid first round though.

Seeding would actually do the opposite to helping. Seeding would place all the strongest teams in separate groups, so they have no chance of meeting each other in the group stages. Same with the weak teams, they'd all be in separate groups and not stand a chance vs. anyone.

CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1643 - 10/05/2016 13:17:19    1853597

The championship needs to be split into divisions (like the league is) and each week you could have a really high profile fixture that the media could focus on and get people excited about.

I'm going to the Offaly Longford match on Sunday but i genuinely couldn't give a fiddlers about it as we are not going to progress much further and certainly are not going to get to a Leinster final.

The championship is essentially pointless for any of the teams outside the top 2 divisions.

Until the GAA realise that what people crave is regular fixtures during the summer and even contests and actually do something to make that happen then nothing will change.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 10/05/2016 13:29:23    1853606

Tony Kelly on off the ball last night said their not here to entertain their here to win matches , so if the players don't give a rats about audience why should anyone else?

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts:7404 - 10/05/2016 10:37:05


Bad choice of words but I will say this , that fella entertains me every time he takes to the pitch, really enjoyed the last two games , Id assume he meant there not there to play fancy hurling and lose,
Our own Dublin when we lost to Donegal pulled in the reins somewhat on the free flowing stuff , players play to win end of , styles and entertaining are a by product of the coaching set up of teams etc

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 10/05/2016 13:42:04    1853611

Poolsturgeon hits the nail on the head.Its high time we got rid of the provincial championships, their day has gone.
It takes the guts of 4 months to play off a championship that will probably have no more than a handful of meaningful & competitive games.
If an events organiser was brought in to organise the GAA championship theres no way they would come up with the system we have nowadays as its just daft, unbalanced, unfair and illogical.

Condorman (Dublin) - Posts: 983 - 10/05/2016 13:44:38    1853612

Apologies for calling Fermanagh a Division 3 or 4 team and yes they I know they also made the Q-finals last year. I was just trying to labour a point.

I am not having a 'rant' either, nor am I arguing that the Championship structure be radically changed (this has been argued to death on here and elsewhere)

I am simply saying that every year the GAA's fixture list usually throws up a couple of tasty encounters in the first rounds. So why can't the GAA ensure those games (the likes of Tyrone v Derry and Cork v Tipperary this year etc) are put on the first weekend of the Championship and get a sense of anticipation and excitement for the summer going from the get go?!!!

I mean it is a pretty simple thing to do to help generate public/media interest.

P.S: By first weekend of the Championship I do not mean the Leinster round robin in hurling or the annual trip to NY by some Connacht team.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 10/05/2016 14:21:35    1853629

The Hermit the match of the weekend is def Louth v Carlow. The smallest county in Ireland taking on the second smallest county in Ireland. So much at a stake with the winners getting a shot at playing the Royals. You should pop up to Portlaoise and you will get value for your money with Laois taking on Wicklow straight after as part as a double header.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 10/05/2016 14:22:41    1853630

Uibh Fhaili1986:
Counties in a similar position to yours keep banging the 'we want to be in the proper championship and not an intermediate/junior All-Ireland' drum for the past few years.

If there 2 grades Premier Senior and Championship Senior would you go to see your county with greater enthusiasm? 2 separate c'ships of 16 teams with promotion for winners of the 2nd tier for the following year.

Would make things much more competitive:
Premier Senior
Dublin
Kerry
Mayo,
Cork
Donegal
Tyrone
Monaghan
Cavan
Kildare
Roscommon
Down
Meath
Derry
Armagh
Fermanagh
Galway
Clare

Championship Senior
Laois
Offaly
Westmeath
Armagh
Longford
Sligo
Tipperary
Limerick
Antrim
Louth
Wexford
Carlow
Wicklow
Waterford
Leitrim
London

Why not?

SmellyBadger (Limerick) - Posts: 32 - 10/05/2016 14:51:27    1853638