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Development of Tuam Stadium

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There is nothing stopping Galway fans travelling to Salthill but our support is nothing short of pathetic.

As I mentioned above, Tuam Stadium hasn't been full for any kind of game involving Galway in the last 20 years. Think about that. The perceived "home" cannot even get a full house.

Are we reliant on the opposition to fill Tuam Stadium then? It's no secret that both Mayo and Roscommon fans would prefer a shorter journey in and out of Tuam. In saying that however, they still outnumber us going to Salthill. The same trend will continue if you go back to Tuam.

The fact they do outnumber us should only highlight the sheer divide and poison that exists within this county when it comes to football. The hurlers bring good numbers whenever they travel so it doesn't extend to them in my opinion.

For point of contrast, when Donegal were playing the worst football ever played at the turn of the decade, they had an almighty army of devoted followers who simply did not care about what style they were playing. But when it's Galway, apparently it's not good enough that the games are on in Salthill or that we aren't playing nice football.

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 427 - 23/06/2019 13:55:20    2198951

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Replying To galwayford:  "Pearse stadium is also beside the Salthill Knocknacarragh GAA club. That is a Football club. The Pearse stadium pitch is great. It is not the pitch's fault if Galway Senior team hand pass all the time. Why don't they kick the football?
And quit blaming the ground. Another example, Connacht rugby play at a Greyhound track. FFS"
Salthill Knocknacarra is a dual club at both juvenile & adult level as well as camogie & ladies football, it's a seperate entity to Pearse Stadium. I never mentioned anything about the pitch at Pearse stadium. Connacht Rugby planning & funding of the €30 Million redevelopment well underway & very well run & marketed. Even the greyhounds are pleased.

moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 23/06/2019 14:39:02    2198971

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Replying To FallenStar:  "There is nothing stopping Galway fans travelling to Salthill but our support is nothing short of pathetic.

As I mentioned above, Tuam Stadium hasn't been full for any kind of game involving Galway in the last 20 years. Think about that. The perceived "home" cannot even get a full house.

Are we reliant on the opposition to fill Tuam Stadium then? It's no secret that both Mayo and Roscommon fans would prefer a shorter journey in and out of Tuam. In saying that however, they still outnumber us going to Salthill. The same trend will continue if you go back to Tuam.

The fact they do outnumber us should only highlight the sheer divide and poison that exists within this county when it comes to football. The hurlers bring good numbers whenever they travel so it doesn't extend to them in my opinion.

For point of contrast, when Donegal were playing the worst football ever played at the turn of the decade, they had an almighty army of devoted followers who simply did not care about what style they were playing. But when it's Galway, apparently it's not good enough that the games are on in Salthill or that we aren't playing nice football."
Perceived to the likes of you maybe. As much as you dislike it though, it is the case.

As you yourself note, we cannot fill Salthill either. But I don't see you giving out about that venue.

The likes of Mayo, Roscommon, Donegal do have great support for their footballers. The question is, would such counties still have such great levels of support in football if they had an inter-county hurling team operating at the same level as we do?

The only thing I would agree with you on is the level of 'divide and poison' in the county. But running down Tuam and the surrounding area as often as you do, isn't going to help matters either.

As for your final comment about the lack of Galway support for the footballers, there was plenty of it in evidence in London recently.

Ailteoir (Galway) - Posts: 904 - 23/06/2019 15:33:56    2198996

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Replying To FallenStar:  "Oh don't worry Ailteoir, I grew up hearing all about it. You forget where I actually come from and still actually live. Being a Tuam Stars man, I'd probably take greater joy if another Galway club team was winning everything like Corofin are right now. However, unlike yourself and many others who reinforce this home notion every now and then, I'm rooted in reality. I have no problem crediting Corofin for their success. They deserve every single bit of it!

Indeed I am fan of Galway football. I'm a bit of anorak when it comes to history in general, but even more so when it comes to sport. So it was only natural I did a little bit of digging.

It is often mentioned how terrified Mayo were coming to Tuam up until 1997. The last time before then they had beaten Galway in Shamtown was 1951 (they won something else that year as well). Over the next 46 years, they would play Galway another 11 times in Tuam. Now 11 games doesn't sound as vast as 46 years but to Galways credit (or was it Tuams?) they won 9 of those games and drew the other two.

Another question I often ask was why did it take Mayo 38 years to reach another All-Ireland final after 1951? Was it that Galway were so dominating? Were the Rossies too strong on occassion in other years? To an extent yes, we all know what Galway achieved since 1951 and the Rossies reached 2 All-Ireland finals in that time as well. But another thing was Mayo really weren't a force to be reckoned with in Connacht football for long periods of that 38 year spell. They would win only 7 provincial titles in that time period, compared to Galways 21 and the Rossies 9.

As a matter of fact, Mayo would fail to beat Galway in their own backyard of Castlebar from 1944 to 1969. There is much talk of how Mayo have failed to beat us in just the last 4 years so that's a lengthy drought. In the 46 years Tuam traumatised Mayo, Castlebar did little in return to Galway. Galway would in fact, win nearly as many times in Castlebar against Mayo as they did in Tuam (8 times from 1956 to 1987). Mayo would only beat Galway 6 times in the same time period.

It's possible that Mayo weren't that good of a team any time they played in Tuam. It would only be their resurgence in the late 90's that saw them overcome two very good Galway teams in 97 and 99.

It's also important to note that Galway actually played games in Pearse Stadium during this period after it initailly opened in 1957. Mayo would enjoy a rare victory here in 1967, their first in 14 years against Galway. They played twice more in Salthill, a draw in 1969 and a Galway win in 1984.

Galway's record in Pearse Stadium from 1957 until 1997 reads at 7 wins, one draw and 3 defeats. About what I would expect looking at their form in that same time period (the most successful Connacht team but not invincible)"
Good post.

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 24/06/2019 01:30:59    2199569

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Replying To Ailteoir:  "Perceived to the likes of you maybe. As much as you dislike it though, it is the case.

As you yourself note, we cannot fill Salthill either. But I don't see you giving out about that venue.

The likes of Mayo, Roscommon, Donegal do have great support for their footballers. The question is, would such counties still have such great levels of support in football if they had an inter-county hurling team operating at the same level as we do?

The only thing I would agree with you on is the level of 'divide and poison' in the county. But running down Tuam and the surrounding area as often as you do, isn't going to help matters either.

As for your final comment about the lack of Galway support for the footballers, there was plenty of it in evidence in London recently."
Ok then, if it has been enshrined as the home of Galway football, you still didn't answer the question. Why in the last 20 years, even with a reduced capacity, has Tuam Stadium not been full for a Galway game? Pearse Stadium has? or at the very least, enjoyed a crowd upwards of 30'000!

I don't agree with the fact that because we also play hurling, our support is diluted. The dual county excuse is a cop-out in my opinion. As I mentioned already, the hurlers enjoy a strong following not replicated in football despite this status so what is footballs excuse?

You mention the attendance in London. I was over there myself and while there was a decent crowd there, it wouldn't indicate that we have great support by any means. That has been proven with attendances at our next two games much closer to home.

For the record, and it can be lost in how much I persist with my argument, I don't run down Tuam and the surrounding areas. I simply do not agree that Tuam Stadium and by extension North Galway, is the home of football in this county anymore. It certainly had an argument in the past. However the landscape has changed greatly in the last 20-30 years and it is not going to change any time soon. Even with the redevelopment of the ground, which I think is a fantastic initiative (that is also tends to get lost in my arguments)

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 427 - 24/06/2019 09:09:40    2199620

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Replying To moc.dna:  "Tuam Stadium & North Galway is the home of Galway football & historically so. Rural depopulation hasn't helped North Galway nor the fact that the football board is now dominated by the West. Representation on m'ment teams & players hasn't always what it should be at all levels of Galway teams over the last number of years. Some of these clubs with the most chimney pots esp around the city area winning underage titles but unable to produce anything else at adult level is a joke & is only building up certain coaches & players. The fact that DAFTS have to do all the fund raising themselves for Tuam Stadium is so wrong yet a Board can spend €30K on a doctor or €20K on an advisor from another sport, it shows the whole thing is a mess. Roscommon were delighted that the Connacht final was on a wet day in Pearse Stadium, they had no fear of it, outnumbered Galway supporters 2 to 1 & used the full width of it to show their kick passing abilities."
Current make up of Senior Clubs in the Galway Senior Football Championship 2019

Galway City - 4 ( CLG Bhearna, Salthill/Knocknacarra, St Michaels, St. James')
Galway West/Conamara - 5 Killanin, Maigh Cuillin, Naomh Anna Litir Mór, An Cheathrú Rua, An Spidéal
North Galway 6 Killererin, Milltown, Tuam Stars, Corofin, Mountbellew-Moylough, Caherlistrane
Central Galway 3 Claregalway, Annaghdown, Monivea-Abbeyknockmoy


Galway football is fairly evenly spread now around the county (Minus the Hurling parts). This notion that Tuam is where its at for Football is something from a different era before half the population bought houses within 10 miles of Medtronic.

As for comment that North Galway representation on teams isn't what it should be i'd say anyone who had any involvement with Galway football over the years would find that comment the highest of high irony. Two separate city teams won the Minor county championship in the relatively recent past (one of which won every game at a canter) and got exactly 1 player each on the county minor panel for it!

kazoochka (Galway) - Posts: 344 - 24/06/2019 12:15:47    2199813

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Replying To FallenStar:  "Ok then, if it has been enshrined as the home of Galway football, you still didn't answer the question. Why in the last 20 years, even with a reduced capacity, has Tuam Stadium not been full for a Galway game? Pearse Stadium has? or at the very least, enjoyed a crowd upwards of 30'000!

I don't agree with the fact that because we also play hurling, our support is diluted. The dual county excuse is a cop-out in my opinion. As I mentioned already, the hurlers enjoy a strong following not replicated in football despite this status so what is footballs excuse?

You mention the attendance in London. I was over there myself and while there was a decent crowd there, it wouldn't indicate that we have great support by any means. That has been proven with attendances at our next two games much closer to home.

For the record, and it can be lost in how much I persist with my argument, I don't run down Tuam and the surrounding areas. I simply do not agree that Tuam Stadium and by extension North Galway, is the home of football in this county anymore. It certainly had an argument in the past. However the landscape has changed greatly in the last 20-30 years and it is not going to change any time soon. Even with the redevelopment of the ground, which I think is a fantastic initiative (that is also tends to get lost in my arguments)"
Pearse was full alright.. full of Mayos..
That's all.
Tuam has had a few national league games nothing more.
Of course our support is pathetic, but I believe back in Tuam, with maybe a new invigorating management team , numbers will increase..

Belclare (Galway) - Posts: 904 - 24/06/2019 14:08:55    2199932

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Replying To kazoochka:  "Ask any Mayo or Roscommon man would they rather drive 20 minutes to Tuam stadium which will be 70% full of their own fans anyway, or keep driving another 100 miles on a round trip to get to Salthill due to some perceived "aura" Tuam stadium allegedly had back in the old days.

Are you actually for real?"
Oh I'm for real alright. Don't worry, Mayo and Ros fans would drive to slyne head to see their respective teams play Galway if they had to, an extra few miles (or hour plus in traffic) won't stop them outnumbering our sad support in Pearse.
There was no 'perceived' aura in the old days in Tuam, it was reality. Mayo couldn't buy a win there. Not for more than four decades, more than a whole generation. The history books are for real, Kazoochka. Ros hated coming there too. It had and has something, as basic as it was and still is. It'll improve though. The works will happen, even if the county board don't support it.
Pearse is a nice ground in a nice part of town, there's no doubting that. Its not traffic friendly but its still workable, so that's tolerable. The pitch surface is great but being on a hill that's practically first landfall to 3,000 miles of Atlantic makes it a wind tunnel a lot of the time. The big problem is that our supporters just don't go there in big numbers and our players and management don't seem to do siege mentality or fortress mentality or any bloody mentality to actually make the place seem like its our back yard and not a place for visiting teams to strut around the place,chest out, knocking us on our arses and organising their pitch invasions. Our recent record in the games that matter in Pearse Stadium is very, very poor and the support there mirrors that.

togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 1050 - 24/06/2019 22:47:48    2200356

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Replying To togoutlads:  "Oh I'm for real alright. Don't worry, Mayo and Ros fans would drive to slyne head to see their respective teams play Galway if they had to, an extra few miles (or hour plus in traffic) won't stop them outnumbering our sad support in Pearse.
There was no 'perceived' aura in the old days in Tuam, it was reality. Mayo couldn't buy a win there. Not for more than four decades, more than a whole generation. The history books are for real, Kazoochka. Ros hated coming there too. It had and has something, as basic as it was and still is. It'll improve though. The works will happen, even if the county board don't support it.
Pearse is a nice ground in a nice part of town, there's no doubting that. Its not traffic friendly but its still workable, so that's tolerable. The pitch surface is great but being on a hill that's practically first landfall to 3,000 miles of Atlantic makes it a wind tunnel a lot of the time. The big problem is that our supporters just don't go there in big numbers and our players and management don't seem to do siege mentality or fortress mentality or any bloody mentality to actually make the place seem like its our back yard and not a place for visiting teams to strut around the place,chest out, knocking us on our arses and organising their pitch invasions. Our recent record in the games that matter in Pearse Stadium is very, very poor and the support there mirrors that."
You might have a reference of that research I did above. A lot of people seem to be hyping Mayo to being this all conquering team in that time period when in reality, they were just a poor team and Galway were much better. Galways record in Castlebar in the same time period reflects this.

I don't think Roscommon ever "hated" coming to Tuam. They have enjoyed some fine victories in Tuam Stadium over the years. I have heard Mayo's perspective on Tuam but there is nothing to suggest Roscommon had the same opinion.

Of course, what I outlined in that post was that Galway were, by a distance, the best team in Connacht across that time period. They won more Connacht titles than the other 4 counties combined. Games were played in Tuam and Salthill, as well as away from home in that time, so no one venue should was a contributing factor by any means.

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 427 - 25/06/2019 13:16:31    2200582

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Replying To Belclare:  "Pearse was full alright.. full of Mayos..
That's all.
Tuam has had a few national league games nothing more.
Of course our support is pathetic, but I believe back in Tuam, with maybe a new invigorating management team , numbers will increase.."
The same could be said about 97 and 99 as well. They made up at least two thirds of the attendance at this years FBD encounter too.

Even if the games were National League, and at a reduced capacity, I have always felt the attendances at Tuam never mirrored it's "status" as the home of Galway football. Should we rephrase the saying to be the Home of Championship football instead?

A massive effort has to be made to mobilise our support. There wouldn't be any issue filling either ground then. The level of hardcore support following this county should never be dependent on management staff or playing style or home venue in my opinion.

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 427 - 25/06/2019 13:54:58    2200607

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Replying To FallenStar:  "The same could be said about 97 and 99 as well. They made up at least two thirds of the attendance at this years FBD encounter too.

Even if the games were National League, and at a reduced capacity, I have always felt the attendances at Tuam never mirrored it's "status" as the home of Galway football. Should we rephrase the saying to be the Home of Championship football instead?

A massive effort has to be made to mobilise our support. There wouldn't be any issue filling either ground then. The level of hardcore support following this county should never be dependent on management staff or playing style or home venue in my opinion."
I agree, I was in Ballinasloe last Sat week for the u 20 kerins cup final, and the large contingent were treated to a fabulous display by an attacking galway outfit.
I believe a change in playing system will bring people back..

Belclare (Galway) - Posts: 904 - 25/06/2019 14:46:47    2200644

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Replying To Belclare:  "I agree, I was in Ballinasloe last Sat week for the u 20 kerins cup final, and the large contingent were treated to a fabulous display by an attacking galway outfit.
I believe a change in playing system will bring people back.."
Hear hear! We are a discerning lot we Galway Gaels! Unfortunately when teams aren't going well support dies off.
But when we have a team worthy of the name we do turn out in huge numbers.
We like our teams to play with style, dash and pride in that magical Galway Galleon on their chests!
Come on lads get the finger out and so will we!

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 25/06/2019 15:15:10    2200667

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I was there in Pearse Stadium the days we lost to Laois, Wexford, and Westmeath. We didn't have a reputation of playing negative football then in fact the opposite was true, we were far too wide open. I believe the attendance of one of those qualifiers against laois or westmeath was in the 3,000-4,000 range open to correction. I think we are codding ourselves when we say we have great support they are just waiting for us to play a bit of football in order to come out. There's no evidence of that in the last 20 years other than the 3 or 4 year period under O'mahoney when we were winning all irelands. Plenty of games in 01-05 we played great stuff and were massively outnumbered on the terraces in Tuam, castlebar , croker etc.

kazoochka (Galway) - Posts: 344 - 25/06/2019 16:07:31    2200708

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Replying To FallenStar:  "You might have a reference of that research I did above. A lot of people seem to be hyping Mayo to being this all conquering team in that time period when in reality, they were just a poor team and Galway were much better. Galways record in Castlebar in the same time period reflects this.

I don't think Roscommon ever "hated" coming to Tuam. They have enjoyed some fine victories in Tuam Stadium over the years. I have heard Mayo's perspective on Tuam but there is nothing to suggest Roscommon had the same opinion.

Of course, what I outlined in that post was that Galway were, by a distance, the best team in Connacht across that time period. They won more Connacht titles than the other 4 counties combined. Games were played in Tuam and Salthill, as well as away from home in that time, so no one venue should was a contributing factor by any means."
Your research, while very interesting, is somewhat undermined by your sweeping assertion about Mayo - "in reality, they were just a poor team and Galway were much better."
Mayo were not such a poor time through that 46-year time period of our utter domination over them in Tuam Stadium. Mayo were in fact a top tier team during much of that time. Mayo won the National League in 1970, lost the 1971 and 1972 finals to a superb Kerry team, they lost the league final again in 1978, to a great Dublin team. Mayo won the Connacht title in 1967, 1969, 1981, 1985, 1988, 1989, 1992 and 1993. I'd think not too bad a record in the 60's, 70's, 80's and 90's. They were no minnows and no poor team throughout a 46-year period, indeed they could play a bit. Must be something in that old Tuam Stadium! Not saying that its impossible but many of us are unlikely to see a 46-year unbeaten runs v Mayo in Pearse, a couple or three years on the trot might do us for now!
Anyway, support is badly needed for Galway, wherever we play our matches, and that'll come when we show some passion on the field, some more intelligence, quick action and leadership on the sideline before and during matches, and a willingness to attack and play football positively and decisively. Whether or not KW, BS and K Stritch can suddenly bring that out of this group now, well we'll find out soon enough. The diehards like us will be there, will they give us something to cheer about? That's up to them.

togoutlads (Galway) - Posts: 1050 - 25/06/2019 16:27:19    2200717

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Pearse stadium should make the place more GAA friendly. Why not name a stand after one of our heroes. How about the Tony Keady stand? or the 3-in-row terrace. Croke park has Hill 16, Connacht rugby has the Clan stand, and Galway Utd have Eamon Deacey park. So lets develope a more fortress mentality!

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2614 - 25/06/2019 21:23:27    2200912

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Replying To galwayford:  "Pearse stadium should make the place more GAA friendly. Why not name a stand after one of our heroes. How about the Tony Keady stand? or the 3-in-row terrace. Croke park has Hill 16, Connacht rugby has the Clan stand, and Galway Utd have Eamon Deacey park. So lets develope a more fortress mentality!"
Eamonn Deasy park a fortress :)

Rayo1 (Galway) - Posts: 140 - 25/06/2019 22:06:47    2200946

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Replying To Rayo1:  "Eamonn Deasy park a fortress :)"
Well it would be a fortress if Galway United actually owned it instead of renting from the crowd of visionarys who do!

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 427 - 26/06/2019 08:32:42    2201054

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connacht rugby dont own their place and nor do galway soccer- two joke shops really

squares_edge (Galway) - Posts: 680 - 26/06/2019 11:00:11    2201135

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Replying To FallenStar:  "Well it would be a fortress if Galway United actually owned it instead of renting from the crowd of visionarys who do!"
Doesn't matter if you own it or not......if your no bloody good it will never be a fortress regardless.

Rayo1 (Galway) - Posts: 140 - 26/06/2019 19:40:25    2201423

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Replying To Rayo1:  "Doesn't matter if you own it or not......if your no bloody good it will never be a fortress regardless."
Connacht Rugby are doing quite well. As are Cork City to use another example. I could go on. Maybe the half arsed GAA supporter doesn't understand the meaning of loyalty ;)

FallenStar (Galway) - Posts: 427 - 26/06/2019 22:46:46    2201512

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