Looks like the GAA Standards and Improvements body have made it clear in response to my e-mail:

GAA
Standards and Improvements Dept
Croke Park Stadium
Dublin 3

14th May 2014

Dear Mr Offside,

Thank you for your recent suggestions put forward in relation to improving the match day experience for patrons attending GAA games across the codes. Unfortunately we have had to dismiss all of them for a number of reasons but mainly because if we excluded all these individuals we would have very few going through the turnstiles. Drunk people may be a nuisance but their €80 means more to us that any discomfort they may cause to you or anyone else who happens to be close to them. Don't get me wrong, we appreciate your €80 as much as theirs but you have to admit you are getting better value for money as you can remember the occasion. Fat people may cause obstructions and could potentially be a Health and Safety hazard but they do tend to spend more in the refreshment facilities in the stadium so again, this means more to us that your discomfort. Ugly women unfortunately make up a lot of our society and banning them could have serious repercussions for us all in the long run - we at Croke Park remember what happened to the Kings Horse at Epsom a few years back and we don't fancy any similar incidents whereby some lass throws herself out in front of an onrushing Sean Cavanagh or Eoghan O'Gara. Plus where do you draw the line as if it is from Croke Park in general then it could be the death of ladies football. Lastly, as for people with BO we need them to mask the smell of Dublin.

Yours in all things GAA,

Anto Cmeretome
Director Standards and Improvements

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 14/05/2014 12:05:20    1587467

Why are Antrim banned from Croke Park? Ha oh sorry there not haha sorry lads school boy joke but I must say it has me laughing out loud here haha.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 14/05/2014 12:13:15    1587471

Antrim have never played in Croke Park, not even since the turn of the century.

Naysayer (Antrim) - Posts: 2071 - 14/05/2014 12:27:43    1587483

We weren't banned in 2010 :-)

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 14/05/2014 12:49:41    1587498

Antrim hurlers have played at least 3 time in Croke Park since 2000 that i can recall.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 14/05/2014 12:53:09    1587503

And the last time they featured in an AI semi-final I had the misfortune of sitting in front of some lovely tanked up fans who started the proceedings when one of the 'ladies' in the group asking; 'Are we the team in yella, or what?' followed by that truly distinguishable sound of a ring pull being removed from a tin of cheap beer. The spray on the back of the neck was somewhat refreshing on a warm day and thankfully they got up and took off before the other semi-final started.

I just don't get that, why go to a game tanked to the eyes and not have the first notion whats going on!!

As a saving grace, I'd put all drunk people in their own section, something like the old Nally stand and as the game was about to start, put a hose of cold water on them for about 10 minutes to knock the boisterousness out of them.

bricktop (Down) - Posts: 2503 - 14/05/2014 12:55:21    1587507

Fair enough Clondalkin/Bricktop - the updated list is:

Drunk People
Fat People
Ugly Women
People with BO
Antrim fans

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 14/05/2014 13:52:15    1587565

bricktop I reckon the saving grace for the rest of Ireland is the lack of success for Antrim teams. I believe that with success Antrim would have one of the most 'colourful' supports out there. I appreciate that is not much consolation for you boys having to listen to our fans on a more regular basis as you often reach and subsequently lose Ulster hurling finals to Antrim.

Naysayer (Antrim) - Posts: 2071 - 14/05/2014 14:07:42    1587571

By the way why are Cork's football supporters banned from Croke Park ? hahaha Jesus I'm coming out with some gems today lads.

clondalkindub (Dublin) - Posts: 9926 - 14/05/2014 14:27:12    1587586

I went to the Tyrone v Kerry AI final in 2005. I hope that was the year anyway!!you know the one where mulligan set up canavan for that goal!!

The woman in my life at the time was from Kerry and before the game everyone was drinking and steamed as usual as drinking started at 7am that morning on the way to Dublin. We found ourselves pegging it down Clonliffe road to the Hill at 3.25 and just made it in as the teams were marching around the pitch.

My missues decided it was a good time to use the ladies room so I pointed out where we were going to be in the Hill 16. First half came and went no sign of her. Called her phone a million times no answer so panic started to set in.

So game over was walking out past the ladies and who pops out her head only the missus. I said jaysus what a coincidence I left you here over an hour and a half ago and your still here. She said to me who won the match I fell asleep on the toilet and didnt see any of it!!!

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 14/05/2014 14:35:22    1587593

We told her Kerry had won she was still half steamed she believed us until she noticed some Tyrone fans going mental outside the ground!!!

WildPundit (Tipperary) - Posts: 1709 - 14/05/2014 14:36:38    1587595

Can we include Meath fans as they fall into ALL those categories :)

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8775 - 14/05/2014 14:40:07    1587597

There should be no issue at all, no need to rewrite the Irish Constitution just to deal with social dysfunctional malcontents attending a GAA match. Just refer to the back of any GAA ticket, the powers reserved for GAA Stewards are quite wide ranging even more so than your average bouncer as they are backed up by the police. No need for breathalyser tests or making judgement calls the ticket seems to say "If in doubt chuck em out". Go on read it.....................

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4954 - 14/05/2014 14:49:17    1587599

Talking of GAA constitution, a wise man once told me that there is/was a rule that if a ground was not full at game start time that you are entitled to attend the match for free. Has anyone ever heard of the existence of such a rule?

Naysayer (Antrim) - Posts: 2071 - 14/05/2014 14:57:51    1587604

Htaem
County: Meath
Posts: 5185

1587400
yew_tree

Agree 100%...usually have 4-5 myself but see some fellas waddling in after 8-10 and maybe a half one or 2...that's their business though, no problem with that but why even bother go to the match if you can't concentrate...better off stay in the bar and watch it there.

Yep I agree 100% aswell, I'd usually be in the 4-5 mark before games meself and without putting an exact figure on in (because everybody is different) people should just stay within their limits before a match because it is completely pointless being at a game when your legless.


I guess thats the point im making. If a person cant stay with in their limits then they shouldnt get in. Id like to restate that i my self have a few pints before a game. I have no issue with a lad/lassie having a few drinks being merry getting into the spirit of the match and having the craic etc. But i do take issue with people being DRUNK. My sons will be joining me in the next few years at matches and i dont want them being pestered by obviously drunk people who obviously have no real interest in the game and are just there for a piss up. I see nothing wrong with few pints 4/5/6/7 what ever your own tolerance is. But i do have an issue with someone being DRUNK at 3.30 in the after noon where there are young kids families and people who have a genuine interest in the actually match rather than the drink.

Folks thanks for the posts keep them coming

rebels abu !!!

ritchie (Cork) - Posts: 346 - 14/05/2014 15:14:40    1587616

Maybe that explains why the Dubs don't ty to enter Croke Park til after throw-in and why the GAA keep putting the time back to make sure they are all in.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 14/05/2014 15:16:47    1587619

Depends on the stewards arock!

I was in the Hogan lower for Dublin/Cats, Dublin/Kerry double header a few months ago and nothing was done about 5/6 drunken eijits who came in late to the football and stood up through the game blocking peoples view and forcing others to leave their seats because of their abuse. Myself and a few others told them to shut up and were told they would get us later outside. They were reported to stewards but they were not spoken to or asked to leave.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 14/05/2014 15:21:39    1587621

When did that ever happen offside rule? Only matches I ever remember being delayed were because people were late arriving into the stand and that only happened once or twice in last ten years. Hill is always full before throw in. Indeed I don't think they let you in if you arrive late.

There have also been a good few matches delayed outside of croker. Generally to do with traffic or ticket scanning problems.

hurlingdub (Dublin) - Posts: 6978 - 14/05/2014 15:24:42    1587625

Ah ritchie I am not too sure.

I remember going to matches with my folks and siblings many years ago and witnessing many drunk people. If anything I recall finding it amusing more than anything else. Those were the good old days as well where on the way home my mother would have been advising my father to give the guy in front a bit of extra space as he clearly had too much to drink before taking the wheel.

I do not think it did me any harm and sure you cannot shelter the young ones too much - it will be a couple of years yet before like you I start taking the kids to games but unless someone is actually being a danger to them I do not think I will be getting too exercised. And this is coming from someone who attends the games without a drop of drink on board.

Naysayer (Antrim) - Posts: 2071 - 14/05/2014 15:29:07    1587630

All in jest hurlingdub - was implying that the Cute Dublin Hoors would probably be wise to the rule Naysayer mentioned and that was their motive for turning up late for those few games that throw-in got put back by at least 15 minutes as the GAA Cute Hoors realised this and rather than lose the entrance fee just delayed the game instead. When of course we know the real reason was so they could get well tanked up for the match and take their fat, ugly, BO smelling women to the game without fear of embarrassment....

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 14/05/2014 15:42:17    1587642