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GAA Stadiums

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Replying To MicktheMiller:  "You miss the days out alright. The journey to a different venue, and the enjoyment of the match, even if you are a neutral. Having the food in different places on the way back is a bonus.
If you travel in good time, you avoid the bottlenecks, and can park in comfort. Simple really, but some people arrive late however, you won't change them."
Aye it was nice to have something to look forward to after a long week working.

We would always be early for matches to get a good seat far enough back in the stand that we won't get wet if it rains and not to get stuck behind a pole.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 11/03/2021 16:24:37    2333907

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K'boy1- not to get stuck behind a pole.

That's a serious problem with the old stands in Tralee and Killarney.

Horsebox77 (Kerry) - Posts: 5491 - 11/03/2021 21:26:08    2333932

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Replying To Horsebox77:  "K'boy1- not to get stuck behind a pole.

That's a serious problem with the old stands in Tralee and Killarney."
That's for sure horse, that's why it's good to get in early if possible.

KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 12/03/2021 02:13:04    2333944

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Does anybody else think Thurles is desperately over-rated as a venue?
I have only been there a handful of times, but I always thought it was so meh.
The town itself is a bit of a kip really, there is hardly a decent pub in the place and the stadium is nothing special.
I think my first visit to Thurles was mid-noughties and I wondered what all the fuss was about. When I was first of drinking age, when Wexford beat Cork there in 2016, I went with some friends from college from Cork who were raving about Thurles - we were in a couple of pubs which were about as nice as the roughest pubs in Dublin. I went to the odd Cork match in the Munster championship there too, I think in 2017, I thought it was underwhelming.
I 100% think Kilkenny is a much better ground. Maybe it is the surrounding ambiance of decent pubs that I think makes it a far superior ground and general match-going experience.
Controversial opinion much? I just don't get the hype. Or what am I missing?

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1836 - 12/03/2021 10:18:37    2333956

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Given the Covid 19 situation, and the big loss the GAA is making, there will be no serious investment in stadia for a decade. It is all about saving the games now. I would suggest selling off some of the stadia will be on the agenda in the next few years. The GAA is facing a 30-40 million euro loss.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2614 - 12/03/2021 10:49:27    2333960

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Does anybody else think Thurles is desperately over-rated as a venue?
I have only been there a handful of times, but I always thought it was so meh.
The town itself is a bit of a kip really, there is hardly a decent pub in the place and the stadium is nothing special.
I think my first visit to Thurles was mid-noughties and I wondered what all the fuss was about. When I was first of drinking age, when Wexford beat Cork there in 2016, I went with some friends from college from Cork who were raving about Thurles - we were in a couple of pubs which were about as nice as the roughest pubs in Dublin. I went to the odd Cork match in the Munster championship there too, I think in 2017, I thought it was underwhelming.
I 100% think Kilkenny is a much better ground. Maybe it is the surrounding ambiance of decent pubs that I think makes it a far superior ground and general match-going experience.
Controversial opinion much? I just don't get the hype. Or what am I missing?"
100%.I thought I was the only one who thought that way about Thurles.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1154 - 12/03/2021 11:39:09    2333966

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Does anybody else think Thurles is desperately over-rated as a venue?
I have only been there a handful of times, but I always thought it was so meh.
The town itself is a bit of a kip really, there is hardly a decent pub in the place and the stadium is nothing special.
I think my first visit to Thurles was mid-noughties and I wondered what all the fuss was about. When I was first of drinking age, when Wexford beat Cork there in 2016, I went with some friends from college from Cork who were raving about Thurles - we were in a couple of pubs which were about as nice as the roughest pubs in Dublin. I went to the odd Cork match in the Munster championship there too, I think in 2017, I thought it was underwhelming.
I 100% think Kilkenny is a much better ground. Maybe it is the surrounding ambiance of decent pubs that I think makes it a far superior ground and general match-going experience.
Controversial opinion much? I just don't get the hype. Or what am I missing?"
People love Thurles because it's where they've been when they've seen all those classic Munster Hurling games over the years and have built up a positive association with the place.

The stadium itself isn't a great place to watch a game of hurling and I've been to plenty of them over the years.

But I disagree with you about the town itself. I think the size of the town lends itself well to creating a big buzz before and after the game.

From a selfish point of view it's very handy from Dublin, only an hour or so on the train out of Heuston.

I'd compare it a lot to Clones in ways. I've been up in Clones a few times and never really 'got it' but the town does lend itself well to creating the atmosphere like Thurles. The main thing is that so many people have so many great memories of being there for Ulster Championship games that it has become special to them.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13802 - 12/03/2021 12:41:34    2333975

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Does anybody else think Thurles is desperately over-rated as a venue?
I have only been there a handful of times, but I always thought it was so meh.
The town itself is a bit of a kip really, there is hardly a decent pub in the place and the stadium is nothing special.
I think my first visit to Thurles was mid-noughties and I wondered what all the fuss was about. When I was first of drinking age, when Wexford beat Cork there in 2016, I went with some friends from college from Cork who were raving about Thurles - we were in a couple of pubs which were about as nice as the roughest pubs in Dublin. I went to the odd Cork match in the Munster championship there too, I think in 2017, I thought it was underwhelming.
I 100% think Kilkenny is a much better ground. Maybe it is the surrounding ambiance of decent pubs that I think makes it a far superior ground and general match-going experience.
Controversial opinion much? I just don't get the hype. Or what am I missing?"
Sorry but I would disagree with your assessment. As my wife is from Wexford and I am a Limerick man and both of us have followed over respective counties for decades, so I have frequently attended games in both venues. I find there is little or no atmosphere in Kilkenny compared to Thurles on big match day. From once you hit Liberty Square that special match day atmosphere seems to pervade the town. You seem to have been unlucky with the pubs you visited, in Thurles, but over the years I have visited many pubs in Thurles that were absolutely hopping. I have been to games over the years in venues all over the country, from Galway to Wexford Park and From Ballycastle to Killarney with places like the Ennis Road Grounds, McHale Park , Pairc Tailteann, Walsh Park, Pairc Ui Caoimh, Cusack Parks in Ennis and Mullingar, among others thrown in and none of them come within an asses roar of Thurles for that special something on big match day.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4495 - 12/03/2021 12:57:05    2333978

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I wonder is there anybody who has been to every county ground in the country. I've been to all bar 3 which I'd imagine is a pretty good record. The new Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Dr Cullen Park and Dungarvan. Hopefully they'll be the first places I'll go when it all opens up!

97Cavans (Cavan) - Posts: 410 - 12/03/2021 13:17:09    2333982

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Replying To StoreysTash:  "Does anybody else think Thurles is desperately over-rated as a venue?
I have only been there a handful of times, but I always thought it was so meh.
The town itself is a bit of a kip really, there is hardly a decent pub in the place and the stadium is nothing special.
I think my first visit to Thurles was mid-noughties and I wondered what all the fuss was about. When I was first of drinking age, when Wexford beat Cork there in 2016, I went with some friends from college from Cork who were raving about Thurles - we were in a couple of pubs which were about as nice as the roughest pubs in Dublin. I went to the odd Cork match in the Munster championship there too, I think in 2017, I thought it was underwhelming.
I 100% think Kilkenny is a much better ground. Maybe it is the surrounding ambiance of decent pubs that I think makes it a far superior ground and general match-going experience.
Controversial opinion much? I just don't get the hype. Or what am I missing?"
I think it's more to do with the history and tradition involved than the stadium itself or indeed the facilities. Thurles itself is a bit of a nightmare on match days and certainly nothing to write home about.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 12/03/2021 13:40:12    2333985

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "Sorry but I would disagree with your assessment. As my wife is from Wexford and I am a Limerick man and both of us have followed over respective counties for decades, so I have frequently attended games in both venues. I find there is little or no atmosphere in Kilkenny compared to Thurles on big match day. From once you hit Liberty Square that special match day atmosphere seems to pervade the town. You seem to have been unlucky with the pubs you visited, in Thurles, but over the years I have visited many pubs in Thurles that were absolutely hopping. I have been to games over the years in venues all over the country, from Galway to Wexford Park and From Ballycastle to Killarney with places like the Ennis Road Grounds, McHale Park , Pairc Tailteann, Walsh Park, Pairc Ui Caoimh, Cusack Parks in Ennis and Mullingar, among others thrown in and none of them come within an asses roar of Thurles for that special something on big match day."
I hear you oldtourman, and yes the pubs were busy but they reminded me of Quinns on a match day - packed, sweaty, disgusting toilets and more than a few shady enough characters walking around.
Maybe I am just a bit of a boring individual and like a busy pub with a bit of atmosphere rather than a pub where you are pushed around and the toilet sinks look like somebody thought they were for something other than washing your hands.
I will however re-visit once this pandemic is over and give it another chance to prove me wrong.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1836 - 12/03/2021 14:17:04    2333990

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Replying To 97Cavans:  "I wonder is there anybody who has been to every county ground in the country. I've been to all bar 3 which I'd imagine is a pretty good record. The new Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Dr Cullen Park and Dungarvan. Hopefully they'll be the first places I'll go when it all opens up!"
That's some going all right. Haven't been to the other two but Pairc Ui Chaoimh is a fine stadium and worth a trip when you can.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 12/03/2021 15:09:28    2333995

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Replying To catch22:  "That's some going all right. Haven't been to the other two but Pairc Ui Chaoimh is a fine stadium and worth a trip when you can."
Pairc ui Chaoimh is fine compared to all GAA except croke Park but its fairly average to poor compared to most new modern stadiums especially internationally.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3758 - 12/03/2021 16:54:29    2334012

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Replying To 97Cavans:  "I wonder is there anybody who has been to every county ground in the country. I've been to all bar 3 which I'd imagine is a pretty good record. The new Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Dr Cullen Park and Dungarvan. Hopefully they'll be the first places I'll go when it all opens up!"
Haven't been to the county ground in: Sligo, Mayo, Waterford, Louth, Fermanagh and Derry.

In counties that have more than one; I've been to Ballybofey but not to Donegal's grounds in Ballyshannon or Letterkenny. Similar in Kerry, I've been in Killarney but never been to a game in Tralee. Monaghan is another with multiple grounds but I've only been to Clones. I'm sure there are other counties I'm missing with multiple County grounds.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13802 - 12/03/2021 17:15:29    2334013

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Replying To galwayford:  "Given the Covid 19 situation, and the big loss the GAA is making, there will be no serious investment in stadia for a decade. It is all about saving the games now. I would suggest selling off some of the stadia will be on the agenda in the next few years. The GAA is facing a 30-40 million euro loss."
Sell to who and what county will sell their county ground? Unless your suggesting county boards will go under financially. Can't see it happening.

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11582 - 12/03/2021 17:17:04    2334014

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Replying To 97Cavans:  "I wonder is there anybody who has been to every county ground in the country. I've been to all bar 3 which I'd imagine is a pretty good record. The new Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Dr Cullen Park and Dungarvan. Hopefully they'll be the first places I'll go when it all opens up!"
Well done you. I've been to alot but not as many as you.. Pairc Uí Caoimh is class at moment but the location is awkward and a long walk from the city. Killarney a great location for a game especially in a fine day. I like Thurles too but Tullamore is a fine stadium with loads of leg room in the stand.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3928 - 12/03/2021 22:01:53    2334041

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Well done you. I've been to alot but not as many as you.. Pairc Uí Caoimh is class at moment but the location is awkward and a long walk from the city. Killarney a great location for a game especially in a fine day. I like Thurles too but Tullamore is a fine stadium with loads of leg room in the stand."
Was never in the new Pairc Ui Caoimh but was at the county grounds in every county and more than one in most counties.... Went to Ruislip in London and traveled to New York to see Cavan play Kerry in a league match there in 1997... but it was played in a different stadium than NY play their Connaught Championship games.. it was played where the Cosmos soccer team played their games in the 70's...

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3904 - 13/03/2021 00:10:28    2334050

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Replying To 97Cavans:  "I wonder is there anybody who has been to every county ground in the country. I've been to all bar 3 which I'd imagine is a pretty good record. The new Pairc Ui Chaoimh, Dr Cullen Park and Dungarvan. Hopefully they'll be the first places I'll go when it all opens up!"
I'm the same as you. I've been to all of them bar Markievicz Park, Nowlan Park and the new Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6180 - 13/03/2021 00:12:37    2334051

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "Was never in the new Pairc Ui Caoimh but was at the county grounds in every county and more than one in most counties.... Went to Ruislip in London and traveled to New York to see Cavan play Kerry in a league match there in 1997... but it was played in a different stadium than NY play their Connaught Championship games.. it was played where the Cosmos soccer team played their games in the 70's..."
Fair play to you. You and your fellow County man are top supporters and its people like you deserve the good days like this year's Ulster championship title.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3928 - 13/03/2021 10:56:16    2334065

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Replying To CiarraiMick:  "Fair play to you. You and your fellow County man are top supporters and its people like you deserve the good days like this year's Ulster championship title."
Thanks CiarraiMick... but I don't find county football near as entertaining as it was 10/15 years ago... I find it hard to bother going to county matches anymore...!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3904 - 13/03/2021 14:25:30    2334078

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