Heard on the radio this morning that the Rugger folk are talking about a club / provincial world cup. Does sound very interesting. The gaa on the other hand are hell bent on sticking on a championship system nearly 130 years old. While I appreciate we haven't the geographical scope to play with and the Aussie experiment was probably worthwhile, to maintain interest the gaa needs to seriously look at what's on offer and try to arrive at a system that gives more counties a realistic chance of winning and their support swelling as a consequence.
Look at the Ryder cup in golf. It was dead on its feet with some Americans actually preferring to go fishing rather than participate until it was revamped it and is now regarded as the third biggest sporting event in the world.
The gaa is fearful that losing the tried and trusted provincial championships will hit them in the pocket but I am fearful that burying our heads in the sand will only contribute to continued falling attendances with only 4, 5 or maybe 6 counties out of 32 reaping the rewards

ballybannongael (Down) - Posts: 547 - 06/01/2012 10:51:19    1089366

Culann i agree TG4 do a great job. As regards newspapers even tday find myself searching through a so called irish paper looking for info on the gaa yet can only get scraps. but can find out about players in the english championship never mind the premiership.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 06/01/2012 21:31:51    1089860

Until I see a rugby team in every parish in Ireland and more participation than in the GAA, then this question shouldn't even be asked.

ahsure. (Galway) - Posts: 1779 - 07/01/2012 20:21:04    1090153

07/01/2012 20:21:04
ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 295

1090153 Until I see a rugby team in every parish in Ireland and more participation than in the GAA, then this question shouldn't even be asked.

There more than likely will never be a rugby club in every parish in ireland but participation levels are increasing every year and will get quite close to the GAA. All the better as it will give ireland a better chance of winning or doing very well in one of the worlds biggest sporting events, something that willl never happen in soccer

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 07/01/2012 21:58:11    1090184

ormondbannerman
County: Clare
Posts: 621

1090184
07/01/2012 20:21:04
ahsure.
County: Galway
Posts: 295

1090153 Until I see a rugby team in every parish in Ireland and more participation than in the GAA, then this question shouldn't even be asked.

There more than likely will never be a rugby club in every parish in ireland but participation levels are increasing every year and will get quite close to the GAA. All the better as it will give ireland a better chance of winning or doing very well in one of the worlds biggest sporting events, something that willl never happen in soccer

You have actual stats to back this up? It will grow becuase its coming from a smaller base but do not see it overtaking soccer let alone GAA.

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 08/01/2012 09:10:54    1090191

I get the impression that people in Munster massively overestimate rugbys popularity nationwide.
Particularly people from Clare and Limerick.
They have this perception that rugby is striding forward while every other sport is in reverse.
Is it growing in popularity?
Yes, but it's coming from a pretty small base.
Is it a threat to the GAA?
No.

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 08/01/2012 11:26:30    1090200

08/01/2012 11:26:30
Coylers Elbow
County: Meath
Posts: 780

1090200 I get the impression that people in Munster massively overestimate rugbys popularity nationwide.
Particularly people from Clare and Limerick.
They have this perception that rugby is striding forward while every other sport is in reverse.
Is it growing in popularity?
Yes, but it's coming from a pretty small base.
Is it a threat to the GAA?
No.

It isnt a threat to the GAA but as you said its growing in popularity, what i cant understand is the hatred of the sport from many here, many of whom have probably never played the game in their life

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/01/2012 11:53:22    1090206

not a hope
the game could never compare in skill to gaa rugby is like letting a heard of cattle into a field and then have their heads up each others asses in a scrum.

id watch it when ireland and munster are playing though thats about it

thurlesblues (Tipperary) - Posts: 4475 - 08/01/2012 12:42:09    1090218

I think people are fed up of the rugby propaganda the media are constantly feeding them.
It just doesn't match up with real life.
I don't know a single person who plays rugby and yet I know plenty of people who claim to be Munster and Leinster fans.
They're all pretty young so if they love it so much why don't they play?
Even the lads down the pub watching Liverpool and Man Utd will still play five-a-side with their mates.
Think on this, the big GAA matches get higher viewing numbers pretty much every year compared to the big international rugby matches.
And yet, a huge proportion of the people watching the GAA games are neutral with no particular vested interest in the result.

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 08/01/2012 13:11:55    1090236

The provincial championship have to be overhauled. There is too much imbalance between the provinces. I think it was Martin Breheny in the indo who suggested a revamp of the provincials, 8 teams in each based on a north, south, east and west championship. It would mean the same amount of games for all teams in the early stages. The current system is outdated.

Sergeant_Slash (Cavan) - Posts: 2182 - 08/01/2012 13:39:03    1090242

08/01/2012 13:11:55
Coylers Elbow
County: Meath
Posts: 782

1090236 I think people are fed up of the rugby propaganda the media are constantly feeding them.
It just doesn't match up with real life.
I don't know a single person who plays rugby and yet I know plenty of people who claim to be Munster and Leinster fans.
They're all pretty young so if they love it so much why don't they play?
Even the lads down the pub watching Liverpool and Man Utd will still play five-a-side with their mates.
Think on this, the big GAA matches get higher viewing numbers pretty much every year compared to the big international rugby matches.
And yet, a huge proportion of the people watching the GAA games are neutral with no particular vested interest in the result.

Really????
Rugby is getting more and more popular and participation numbers are showing that. I know plenty of people who watch man u, liverpool etc and none play football apart from kicking a balll in their garden from time to time.
The attitudes here towards fellow irish people representing their provinces, country stinks. Im not a big GAA fan at all but i support my club, county in everything they play in and dispite not having played a game of hurling or football in 8 years i still pay a yearly subscription to my local club who have no gym, facilities that i could use like a gym.
Why do so many feel that rugby must be knocked every chance it gets

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/01/2012 15:09:27    1090271

Why do so many feel the need to argue that the GAA is under threat from rugby?
Because that is what primarily fuels the resentment.
I'm tired of nonsense surveys from public relations companies and I'm tired of the results of these nonsense surveys being given the time of day.

Coylers Elbow (Meath) - Posts: 1075 - 08/01/2012 15:35:37    1090280

08/01/2012 15:35:37
Coylers Elbow
County: Meath
Posts: 783

1090280 Why do so many feel the need to argue that the GAA is under threat from rugby?
Because that is what primarily fuels the resentment.
I'm tired of nonsense surveys from public relations companies and I'm tired of the results of these nonsense surveys being given the time of day.

In some areas where rugby has never had a presence before a couple of years ago there is strong and vibrant rugby clubs. Rugby is increasing in popularity and if you think that its a facade being driven by PR companies well for you but many people will think you are bonkers
The GAA is not under threat from rugby but rugby is increasing in popularity and will continue to do so into the future

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/01/2012 16:01:04    1090291

Ormondman - if you are 'not a big GAA fan' what are u doing on HS!

As for rugby, professionalism and the importation of the players who the "clubs" need to compete will kill the current hype. Dont actually mind the game but despise for the most part the assholes involved in it in Dublin.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 08/01/2012 16:13:05    1090298

08/01/2012 16:13:05
hurlingdub
County: Dublin
Posts: 3669

1090298 Ormondman - if you are 'not a big GAA fan' what are u doing on HS!

As for rugby, professionalism and the importation of the players who the "clubs" need to compete will kill the current hype. Dont actually mind the game but despise for the most part the assholes involved in it in Dublin.

When i say big GAA fan, i mean i dont go to every hurling, football game that my club play in. I only go to 9 or 10 a year but i follow them as best i can.
Their is a few idiots who are in schools like blackrock, CBC in cork etc but there is gowls playing GAA as well. Professionalism certainly will not kill rugby in ireland. since rugby turned pro in 96 rugby has only went on the up in ireland and the IRFU have recently put in procedures where there will be less and less importation of players from abroad to play pro with the 4 provinces

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/01/2012 16:24:44    1090302

Rugby or soccer will never replace G.A.A. games as number 1 !! Not a chance !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 08/01/2012 16:25:13    1090305

My understanding is that there are more players playing ladies gaelic footbal than all the males (and females) playing rugby. I reckon that answers the question.

lochgarmanabu (Wexford) - Posts: 1022 - 08/01/2012 17:42:12    1090365

thurlesblues
County: Tipperary
Posts: 2852

1090218 not a hope


id watch it when ireland and munster are playing though thats about it

When is that match on

dhorse (Laois) - Posts: 11374 - 08/01/2012 17:42:23    1090366

08/01/2012 17:42:12
lochgarmanabu
County: Wexford
Posts: 715

1090365 My understanding is that there are more players playing ladies gaelic footbal than all the males (and females) playing rugby. I reckon that answers the question.

Proof?????
about 160'000 registered rugby players in ireland in last available figures

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 08/01/2012 18:00:01    1090378

Cavanslasher,while the sheer physicality required may prevent many kids from playing rugby,Im pretty sure that soccer actually has already overtaken the gaa in terms of participation

TheRoad (Galway) - Posts: 1339 - 08/01/2012 18:00:42    1090380