Tom Humphries' column in today's times a fantastic read on this very subject:
http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2011/0207/1224289180958.html

Well worth a read. That line about Wikileaks and trying to disclose the team line-ups for GAA games is a classic...

doublehop (Kildare) - Posts: 4172 - 07/02/2011 15:02:37    862277

I think The GAA should pull the media especially RTE in about coverage,In Fairness the Match of the day style show was good last nite but maybe a little earlier for the kiddies,There were mid week McKenna/O Byrne cup games on all jan they could of showed on rte1/2 tg4 tv3 3e.instead of repeats of shows,the print media can be poor at times also

shea (Kerry) - Posts: 409 - 07/02/2011 15:06:40    862285

Rugby is like hurling. Very strong in some areas but completely non-existant in other areas.

Its not as big a threat to Football and soccer that some people make out. Rugby has come along in terms of support in recent years thanks to the success of the Ireland team and the GAA could learn a few things in terms of marketing and branding but its still very much a minority sport with an element of elitism.

There are almost as many GAA clubs in Dublin alone as there are rugby clubs on the entire island.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13833 - 07/02/2011 15:15:00    862293

Well PomeroyPlunkett its obvious which side your bread is buttered.your obviously a Big Graeme McDowell fan.

Rugby will never ever be as big as the GAA,to be honest its way behind Soccer as well

shea (Kerry) - Posts: 409 - 07/02/2011 15:24:25    862315

Rugby isn't half as big as the media like to make out.
It's just supported by the 'right' people.
The fact of the matter is that even the kids that go to places like Blackrock, Terenure etc. stop playing after they leave school and adult playing numbers are actually decreasing.
Don't believe the hype.

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 07/02/2011 15:37:34    862331

PomeroyPlunkett
County: Tyrone
Posts: 2472

I've talked to few rugby heads from around Dungannon and they know plenty about Tyrone football and they've admitted to watching AI's. They know thir S Kavanaghs from their Ciaran Whelans. Sports people are sports people and rumblings on this thread say more about GAA followers than it does about the average rugby supporter. The likes of BOD, Sexton, Fitzgerald, Shane Byrne, Eric Miller, Horgan, Kearney, T O'Leary, Mike Ross have all played a GAA sport at some level and are still keen followers of their respected counties so we should treat them like our own. Is it a case of 'you're either with us or against us' in the GAA?

Con Cavan (Cavan) - Posts: 894 - 07/02/2011 15:46:22    862343

The fact of the matter is that even the kids that go to places like Blackrock, Terenure etc. stop playing after they leave school and adult playing numbers are actually decreasing.

Just interested where you got that info from, I'm not trying to disprove it but if you could show where you got this that would be great.

Also would it be the same for decreasing numbers for other sports too, as the culture changes in ireland, A study has said that Irish men top the list of the fattest in europe now, might point to a lack of sport being played in general.

Hag_and_Cheese (Tipperary) - Posts: 6103 - 07/02/2011 15:48:15    862346

A study has said that Irish men top the list of the fattest in europe now, might point to a lack of sport being played in general.

That is why so many play rugby!

Real Kerry Fan (None) - Posts: 2957 - 07/02/2011 15:54:36    862358

'Your obviously a Big Graeme McDowell fan.'

I am, think he's a great golfer and comes across as very genuine. Everyone in Ireland should be proud of him, what this has to do with this debate though I honestly don't know. Con I think there is a certain arrogance and smugness amongst certain GAA fans. Off course the GAA is the biggest sport in Ireland but why the need to mock and put down other sports. I love GAA but I'm also a big Rugby fan, I played at school and it's probably the sport I'm best at. Surely it's good to be interested in as sports as possible instead of being someone like Shea who blindly follows one sport and potentially misses out on the enjoyment of playing or watching another

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 07/02/2011 15:59:00    862366

Incorrect again Sir,i have played Soccer at quite a high level,Also have repersented my county at hurling be it at u-14 level,i also enjoy watchig American Football,MMA and wait for it .....Cricket i enjoy ODI cricket..so Sir someone like Shea who blindly follows one sport and potentially misses out on the enjoyment of playing or watching another What are you basing this on? Your own lazy and ignorant stereotypes?

shea (Kerry) - Posts: 409 - 07/02/2011 16:17:21    862384

Shea, how did the 2 boys disrespect the Anthem?

Barnowl94 (Galway) - Posts: 3150 - 07/02/2011 16:26:38    862395

shea
County: Kerry
Posts: 105

862315 Well PomeroyPlunkett its obvious which side your bread is buttered.your obviously a Big Graeme McDowell fan.

I'm as fan of his, should i give it up, what's the problem with him?

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 07/02/2011 17:48:31    862490

shea
County: Kerry
Posts: 105

862285 I think The GAA should pull the media especially RTE in about coverage,

do you mean pull them as arrest them or pull them in and offer to pay for the coverage of all these games you want coverd that very few bother to attend?

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 07/02/2011 17:50:58    862494

shea
County: Kerry
Posts: 105

862266 Sorry bad.monkey
i actually have alot of time for Luke Fitzgearld,met his father Des a few years back,nice man

you need to meet all the irish squads fathers, then all will be fine

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 07/02/2011 17:52:47    862499

I see your wumming about over here too dhorse.

seanie_boy (Tyrone) - Posts: 4235 - 07/02/2011 17:59:33    862508

Hurling is Ireland's national sport. End of story!!

wise_guy (Tyrone) - Posts: 1584 - 07/02/2011 18:27:05    862536

wise_guy
County: Tyrone
Posts: 1184

Hurling is Ireland's national sport. End of story!!


I wish that were true. But realistically, it probably comes fourth behind football, rugby, and soccer.
I like fourth place though, less pressure.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 07/02/2011 18:36:55    862547

This is not rugby country

yew_tree (Mayo) - Posts: 11689 - 07/02/2011 18:46:23    862564

Shea you still haven't explained how Best, Trimble etc. have disrespected the Irish national anthem?

pplocal (Tyrone) - Posts: 5878 - 07/02/2011 19:06:04    862589

What a ridiculous statement, Gaa players are pretty much the same as any old joe soap,A Farmer or a postman people can relate to them,Munster rugby came across a remarkable bunch of players the last 10 years the likes of Hayes and Quinlan,O Gara and Flannery people can relate to them,but now who can converse with Luke Fitzgearld,Rob Kearney,Dricco and Heaslip,see the average Joe dont drink in Lillies every Saturday night,date Models and have there head stuck up there "you know what""they are pretty much like every politican in this country,out of touch with the common man. As for Rory Best and Trimble who time and time again disrespect Amhrán na bhFiann. As for This is Rugby Country..this rugby country dont have a national anthem or national flag

haha clearly noticeable how this poster states his munster guys are down to earth genuine fellows haha but all the 1s he slates are from other teams
o gara is hated in limerick most munster rugby people there tell me he is very ignorant and wont stay after to sign kids jerseys as for jerry flannery being ordinary and someone you can relate to doesnt he and his family own 5 or 6 bars in limerick city,rugby in genreal whatever province you talk about has always been an upperclass sport even look at the match day ticket prices and an awful of bank employees get free tickets once a sport turns professional it looses its credibility as a person that people can relate to

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 07/02/2011 19:17:58    862599