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I actually attended some really good ones in the 70s, by the time it came around to me the crowds had shrunk dramatically. No atmosphere, no real feelings of 'belonging', no desire to win it, those things were just not there, for me anyway. The general public voted with their feet. Friendly inter-county matches attracted more interest. I understand why it would mean more in Ulster. realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8597 - 19/09/2021 22:43:11 2381733 Link 2 |
I can already hear the inter county manager complaining about losing their players to a competition in front of a handful of people.... StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1737 - 20/09/2021 11:28:52 2381806 Link 0 |
Isn't England is a lot more urban? I've always thought cricket is the most similar in terms of structure. Primary competition is the county championship.
Rolo2010 (Donegal) - Posts: 739 - 20/09/2021 20:42:31 2381949 Link 0 |
As long as I can remember (probably going back to the mid/ late 1980's) when people talked about the Railway cup it was always about how at one time it was a great competition but had now faded so much. bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1360 - 22/09/2021 22:39:57 2382450 Link 0 |
Potential Ulster 15... Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 23/09/2021 15:56:38 2382580 Link 0 |
Some team......
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12074 - 23/09/2021 16:24:27 2382593 Link 0 |
A good team, though Rian O Neill is a forward. His brother Oisin is the midfielder, good player too.. MacNiallais not in the top players in Ulster at present, didn't do much on his return to County football this year.
FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 23/09/2021 18:02:36 2382620 Link 0 |
The railway cup was massive in the 50s and 60s I believe and I used enjoy watching it late 70scearly 80s but then it became devalued by all by many. I felt Munster and Leinster and Connaught to a degree only had 2nd string teams after that. In fairness Ulster players showed interest but alot of the big players in the other 3 provinces had no interest in playing thus devaluing the competition. CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 23/09/2021 19:15:01 2382631 Link 0 |
Good point Mesamis. I agree that Ulster definately proud of their province and Connaught to a lesser degree but Munster not as much I think and Leinster definately not great camaraderie. In Munster a bond with the rugby but in gaa nó real bond in Munster. I find Cork in general shout against Kerry in football and shout against Tipp Limerick Clare and Waterford in hurling unless they playing Kilkenny. Most Leinster don't shout for Leinster teams. The west are good supporters of Galway hurling but in football Galway Mayo and Rossies nó great love for each other. Ulster despite the rivalry are great to support one another afterwards.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 23/09/2021 20:08:09 2382639 Link 0 |
The Interprovincials died because the circumstances which led to their popularity are long gone. There were no TV stations in Ireland the 1950s, so if someone from Meath wanted to see Christy Ring or Nicky Rackard in action they'd no choice but to head down the country to watch them live. Something not easily done when far fewer people had cars and the roads were far worse, and even then you were relying on there being an appropriate opportunity to watch a game; if Cork were knocked out in the first round and you were busy that weekend, you wouldn't get to see Christy Ring for Cork that year. CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1647 - 23/09/2021 22:18:34 2382661 Link 2 |
My dad will always support the Connacht team in, say, the All-Ireland semi-final or final (even the R***ies). Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1043 - 23/09/2021 22:34:16 2382666 Link 0 |
Forgot to include this link about Packie McGarty and his exploits: Forgot to include this link about Packie McGarty and his exploits: https://www.gaa.ie/news/packy-mcgarty-rip/ Tacaí Liatroma (Leitrim) - Posts: 1043 - 23/09/2021 22:36:00 2382668 Link 0 |
Great argument for inter pros. Well done Tacaí.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3678 - 24/09/2021 10:04:11 2382702 Link 0 |
And if the post above is a good argument for inter-provincial competition, this one is a good explanation for why they died off in the first place, and why they're unlikely to be resuscitated. I remember the Railway Cup hurling being played as a blitz-style tournament here in Wexford sometime around the late 1980s (think it was '89). Two semi-finals on the Saturday, and the final on the Sunday. My late uncle (who used to attend just about every match going) went there on both days, and since I went to just about every match with him, I went on both days too. There was barely a handful there on either day. So whatever about playing for your province, the days of playing for your province in front of bumper crowds are indeed long gone. Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2254 - 24/09/2021 14:38:02 2382758 Link 0 |
Crowds wont go unless its given some sort of priority as regards the players selected and its marketed properly.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12074 - 24/09/2021 17:02:16 2382776 Link 0 |
Agreed. 30 years ago provincial rugby was in the same boat. Maybe the GAA should consult their rugby counterparts as to how to make provincial teams more marketable and worth following.
johnocarroll17 (Limerick) - Posts: 408 - 24/09/2021 20:00:51 2382807 Link 0 |
I've nothing against the railway Cup albeit I'd be lying if I said I was bothered about it. Maybe it's time to be realistic and accept its not coming back. Getting players to seriously commit would be very difficult and I don't see promotion /marketing making a huge difference for the same reason that the lower tiers won't be promoted effectively in my opinion,,which is that there's only so much interest to go around, and outside of championship and perhaps the latter stages of the league, the medias priority going forward will be to promote camogie and ladies football. Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1726 - 24/09/2021 20:25:26 2382811 Link 0 |
That's a nonsense comparison. Provincial Rugby didn't grow because one morning they decided to market it more. It grew because after the professionalisation of Rugby, the provinces shifted from exhibition sides to being full time clubs with players getting professional contracts. The whole Rugby environment changed, with new international leagues, European competition and increased broadcasting revenues. Even then this new provincial setup came at the expense of Irish club rugby which decreased in importance. Not one of those things apply in the case of the GAA provinces. CastleBravo (Meath) - Posts: 1647 - 25/09/2021 16:39:15 2382882 Link 3 |
True. But talent wise I'd have MacNiallais second only to Murphy here in Donegal. Was down at Gaoth Dobhair's recent championship match and the man was on another planet, never mind level. Really hope he'll commit fully to Donegal in 2022 and demonstrate his class on a national stage again. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9155 - 25/09/2021 19:11:12 2382906 Link 0 |
Therein lies the rub - split Prov teams before going Pro ? - Lein 3 (Dubs part of all 3), Uls 3, Muns 2 and Conn 2 spilt teams. I'd rather be entertained than preserve stale inter-county structures.
omahant (USA) - Posts: 2621 - 25/09/2021 20:38:47 2382919 Link 0 |