A stadium is judged on it's accesibility, comfort, facilities and most importantly atmosphere. Croker has these in abundance. It's not the most beautiful, yes Joseff you are correct but look at what happened to the most beautiful stadium ever? The Stadio del Alpi in Turin was built in 1990 and was levelled last year due to the terrible atmosphere and poor viewing areas for fans. There isn't a bad seat in Croker.

Daith (Kildare) - Posts: 1172 - 19/06/2010 18:37:48    681718

So Joseff, you're criticisms of Croker are because the Hill is unsafe, the pitch aint great, the seats are faded, it isn't a bowl, there's moss on the roof and its too big.

1.) The hill is as safe / unsafe as ny other modern terrace in Europe. Can't quite see how you think this is a problem.
2.) The seats are faded and there's moss on the roof cos its an outdoor stadium and Ireland is normally a cold and damp climate for most of the year. Hence why there's the moss. and the seats have faded from the time the sun comes out. Honestly, these, and the pitch, are cosmetic and could be sorted out without relocating to another stadium, which would seem an extreme option just cos the stadium needs a bit of a spruce.
3.) It's not a bowl: so what? I've been to a few stadiums over here and most are dull and boring. Croker is a great stadium, a tribute to the work Liam Mulvihill put into researching other stadia.
4.) Boogaloo if its too big. Its still a great stadium.

Your reasons are flawed, but i don't think your interested in what other people have to say, so you'll probably pick plenty of faults in my comments.

Tongo (UK) - Posts: 1795 - 19/06/2010 19:59:49    681793

A stadium is judged on it's accesibility, comfort, facilities and most importantly atmosphere. Croker has these in abundance. It's not the most beautiful, yes Joseff you are correct but look at what happened to the most beautiful stadium ever? The Stadio del Alpi in Turin was built in 1990 and was levelled last year due to the terrible atmosphere and poor viewing areas for fans. There isn't a bad seat in Croker.
_____________________________________________________________

If thats the basis then lets evaluate Croke Park.

1. Accesibility. Nightmare to get in or out of. Terrible parking on small residential roads. Often leads to large traffic jame and many fans turning late for a game. Poor public transport connections with links outside Dublin. 4/10
2. Comfort. (already spoke about this but anyway) seats are too cramped. Area behind the stand for toilets, food etc (don't know what the name for this is) gets very crowded before the match, at half time and after the match. 5/10
3. Facilities. Presume by this you mean toilets, eating drinking etc. (already spoke about again on food and drink) Main thing about them being the huge ques and overpriced food. Toilits are good However. 5/10
4 Atmosphere. Gererally quite poor. If the staduim isn't almost full the place is like a funneral home. Had a terrible atmosphere for soccer and rugby games. Only a real atmosphere when the dubs play there. 4/10

Overall, by your critiria Croke Park is a 5/10 stadium. Surely this isn't good enough?

On another point, i don't appreciate people calling it "croker"
This is highly disrespectfull to Archbishop Croke.

Yours In Sport,
Joseff

joseff (Louth) - Posts: 964 - 19/06/2010 20:04:38    681794

Joseff I enjoyed the comment about the international travelling and stadia you have visited. I too have been to many overseas stadia. I will list them in a post should you require. Croke park holds its own with all of them. I disagree with you in relation to the atmosphere in Croke Park at rugby and soccer matches. I was at a number of these. Soccer matches didn't generate a good atmosphere principally because of the poor entertainment levels not because of the stadium. One glorious exception was the Italy game last October. Rugby generally generated a good atmosphere. I was at the Munster Leinster game. The atmosphere that day was quite simply incredible. i realise Joseff that the intellectual content of my posts does not remotely approach the levels required to challenge, nay even excite your legendary intelligence . I will endeavour to improve the quality of my posts should you respond to my humble offering

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6197 - 19/06/2010 20:24:12    681807

There were other comments in there, but I haven't time to remember (care about) them.

Yours In Sport,
Joseff
------------------------------------------------------------------

You shouldn't be on an internet forum if you don't care about other peoples views.

dammon (Meath) - Posts: 1291 - 19/06/2010 20:42:41    681830

Joseff I enjoyed the comment about the international travelling and stadia you have visited. I too have been to many overseas stadia. I will list them in a post should you require. Croke park holds its own with all of them. I disagree with you in relation to the atmosphere in Croke Park at rugby and soccer matches. I was at a number of these. Soccer matches didn't generate a good atmosphere principally because of the poor entertainment levels not because of the stadium. One glorious exception was the Italy game last October. Rugby generally generated a good atmosphere. I was at the Munster Leinster game. The atmosphere that day was quite simply incredible. i realise Joseff that the intellectual content of my posts does not remotely approach the levels required to challenge, nay even excite your legendary intelligence . I will endeavour to improve the quality of my posts should you respond to my humble offering

_____________________________________________________________

Greengrass i will reply as i respect youa s a poster, i don't think you've had a swipe at me on the Louth page unlike most others.
I think on most of your points we will have to agree to disagree.
As the bit at the end of your message was i presume tongue in cheek, i'll just nod along.
So then Greengrass, do you accept my points in relation to accessability, facilities and whatever the 3rd one was, i can't think now.
Hows the push from Cooley this year to win Joe?

Yours In Sport,
Joseff

joseff (Louth) - Posts: 964 - 19/06/2010 20:53:53    681842

Croke Park is a modern a stadium and theres no questions thats its a great staium, look at windsor park in comparision, I was their a few times and its poor.

Atticalllegends (Down) - Posts: 96 - 19/06/2010 21:20:17    681869

You shouldn't be on an internet forum if you don't care about other peoples views.

____________________________________________________________

Am afraid my comment may have came out wrong. What i ment was i didn't care about the opinion of certain people. Most of this had a well found reason.
I respect and value the input of most people, for example yourman above from the UK made a great comment but i didn't see at at the time of my last comment.

Yours In Sport,
Joseff

joseff (Louth) - Posts: 964 - 19/06/2010 21:25:22    681875

I humbly thank you Joseff for responding. There were four points on your post. My answer to your question is that we agree on your first point. Alas on the subsequent three points the answer would be a resounding but entirely respectful no. We'll agree to disagree yet again. As for Cooleys championship push the answer is I have no idea as I have no connection with them. Now I am off to my local hostelry for several beers. I hope you have the same intentions as myself.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6197 - 19/06/2010 21:27:47    681878

I humbly thank you Joseff for responding. There were four points on your post. My answer to your question is that we agree on your first point. Alas on the subsequent three points the answer would be a resounding but entirely respectful no. We'll agree to disagree yet again. As for Cooleys championship push the answer is I have no idea as I have no connection with them. Now I am off to my local hostelry for several beers. I hope you have the same intentions as myself.

I was always under the ilusion you were a Cooley man Green, please forgive me.
Well i haven't drunk since uth last contested a leinster-semi so no i did not. I trust am the better of it this morning :D

Anyway isn't it terrible that someone has set up a thread, just using my points about Croke Parks shortt-comings and has tried to paint over them.

Yours In Sport,
Joseff

joseff (Louth) - Posts: 964 - 20/06/2010 12:41:40    682077

Croke park should never allowed to fall into disrepair and shabbiness. maintinence is all important

oricelt (USA) - Posts: 207 - 20/06/2010 12:56:19    682096

Plaese Joseff go back to the Louth page, we know how to handle you there, these people here on the main page actually take you serious whereas we know it's highly unlikely you ever been to Croke Park and you have made it obvious you have never been to the Nou Camp or even ever spoke to someone who has been there as it is notoriously old fashioned and run down. Come back to us we won't judge you, it's better that you run your opinions by us before letting eveybody here them.

Louth Gael (Louth) - Posts: 1227 - 20/06/2010 13:07:13    682111

Plaese Joseff go back to the Louth page, we know how to handle you there, these people here on the main page actually take you serious whereas we know it's highly unlikely you ever been to Croke Park and you have made it obvious you have never been to the Nou Camp or even ever spoke to someone who has been there as it is notoriously old fashioned and run down. Come back to us we won't judge you, it's better that you run your opinions by us before letting eveybody here them.

Louth Gael, i will no longer be posting on the Louth page. That comment above is an example of the reasons why.
People like you just take every oppertunity to have a swipe at me (no matter what rubbish you suggest)

Yours In Sport,
Joseff

joseff (Louth) - Posts: 964 - 20/06/2010 17:03:52    682271

Joseff, i think you are judging Croker (i will continue to call it Croker) on aspects that are irrelevant. The toilet facilities etc are excellent, as you would expect in a modern stadium. Or are you looking for toilets from a 5 star hotel? Atmosphere is down to the fans, not the stadium. If the fans don't create some atmosphere, that's not the fault of the stadium. As regards it being cramped, its no different to any modern stadium. Seats are close together to maximise on space. Granted, i agree there ain't much parking, but i once made the journey to Croker from St Stephens Green, over the Liffey, up O'Connell Street and across Mountjoy Square. Its a great walk, through the centre of Dublin and into the suburbs, in amongst the various supporters from the competing counties. A great experience. An out of town venue would not afford such an experience. Plus there's enough public transport for there not to need big car parks.

Tongo (UK) - Posts: 1795 - 20/06/2010 17:52:31    682288

Louth Gael, i will no longer be posting on the Louth page. That comment above is an example of the reasons why.
People like you just take every oppertunity to have a swipe at me (no matter what rubbish you suggest)

Yours In Sport,
Joseff

Is that a promise.

Louth Gael (Louth) - Posts: 1227 - 20/06/2010 19:46:41    682377

Accesibility: 10/10 - Its a 10 minute walk from my house.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13845 - 20/06/2010 21:03:26    682438

Joseff: On another point, i don't appreciate people calling it "croker"
This is highly disrespectfull to Archbishop Croke.

You obviously know little or nothing about the good Archbishop... "Croker" was his nickname in the seminary, so disrespectful it isn't...

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 21/06/2010 10:12:07    682563

First of all I dont agree that the Hill is an 'eye-sore', I personally I love it and don't think Croke Park would be the same with out it.

How on earth is the Hill unsafe? Truely puzzled by this one. It cant become overcrowded as only a certain amount of people are allowed in as only a certain amount of tickets are printed. It's not like old systems where you pay at the gate and people just kept flooding in. As has been proved in the German Bundisliga Safe standing works, and it is indeed very safe, cheaper and generates a better atmosphere.

Antifa (Donegal) - Posts: 143 - 21/06/2010 11:03:09    682619

I havent been to many other stadiums but i tink croker is amazing!! mayb its not the best stadium in the world but its the best for me coz i have experienced so many amazing days there!! and have felt every emotion under the sun while being there!!! but i do agree with the statement that the hill looks messy and outdated compared to rest of the stadium. it jus dusn fit in n e more and the only reason it wont b changed is simply bcoz of the dublin supporters!! the GAA like to keep on the good side of the dubs and they are always given preferential treatment. if they want the hill to stay the way it is then that way it will stay!!!!

Meathwoman4eva (Meath) - Posts: 9 - 21/06/2010 11:14:20    682633

Joseff: On another point, i don't appreciate people calling it "croker"
This is highly disrespectfull to Archbishop Croke.

You obviously know little or nothing about the good Archbishop... "Croker" was his nickname in the seminary, so disrespectful it isn't...

I'll have you know i spent many years studying sports sociology at University and I know more about Archbishop Croke than anyone else.
Still i find it disrespectfull, who wants a nickname put on their stadium.

In relation to LouthGaels query, never say never

Nice to see the views of a few other posters there aswell such as the MEADE mab above. The problem with MEADE is they (like the dubs) also think they own Croke Park.

Yours In Sport,
Joseff

joseff (Louth) - Posts: 964 - 21/06/2010 12:01:51    682699