Just back from an epic match in Croker, the minor match was also exciting.
What struck me today is that we, the GAA, have two of the very best games in the world. However the news that the replay will be played in Limerick highlights yet again the crossroads that the GAA is at.

I think that it is absolutely disgraceful that an All-Ireland semi final is playing second fiddle to a mickey mouse American football match.
I have nothing against Limerick! If the GAA decided that replays would be played at provincial venues to spread the games around it is actually something that I would welcome. Unfortunately, the only motive behind this decision is pure greed.

It seems to me that the pen pushers in Croke Park are fixated with generating revenue and have completely forgotten the motivation behind the creation of the GAA (to promote Irish culture, our language and games). This feels like the last straw to me.

A couple of weeks ago I sat in a pub with a number of elderly people in Monaghan (many of whom would have dedicated their lives to local clubs). They were forced to come to the pub to watch their county play.

The hurling was moved because of the Garth Brooks concerts that never happened.

Time for the GAA to decide if its mission is to generate money or promote gaelic games.

Cherno_Samba (Louth) - Posts: 632 - 24/08/2014 18:31:02    1641272

Cherno_Samba
County: Louth
Posts: 461


Time for the GAA to decide if its mission is to generate money or promote gaelic games.


That decision has long since been made unfortunately!! And yes, the soul is being ripped out of the game in order to maximise income.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5251 - 24/08/2014 18:35:35    1641279

If I was a kerry supporter in Kilarney I'd prefer the 1hr 20min drive to Limerick over the 3hr 40min drive to Dublin. Considering you have to travel back after the match that's 4 hours 40 minutes saved travelling.

That's a lot of money on petrol and a much more enjoyable day in a packed stadium that will be more electric than a 60% full croke park could ever be!

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 24/08/2014 18:38:11    1641282

They could promote the games better but having the replay in Limerick is a good move. Easier for Kerry and Mayo supporters to get there. Will also put some extra cash in the economy. GAA is an amateur organisation. Croke Park is a business. They're entitled to have gigs/ other sports etc there.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8001 - 24/08/2014 18:40:00    1641284

cavanman47
County: Cavan
Posts: 963

And yes, the soul is being ripped out of the game in order to maximise income.

Ah now lads, steady on a bit.

The staging of the game in Limerick will not matter a whit to the standard of football on offer & the fact that the ground will be packed to the rafters will guarantee a great atmosphere. The huge areas of empty spaces in Croke Park does take away from the spectacle a bit & it will be a bonanza day for businesses in Limerick as well.

I for one am looking forward to a great day's football from Shannonside

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 24/08/2014 18:41:29    1641286

I agree JackGolf - the point is that the GAA didn't fix the match to Limerick for honourable reasons. They moved the game so that they could play an America football match.

Cherno_Samba (Louth) - Posts: 632 - 24/08/2014 18:44:23    1641289

Christ lads if the game had if been won today by one the teams then croker would have lain idle , and so whats been proposed here is tell tell guys that rented HQ to buzz off ?
No its not. Ideal but neither is life grow up and smell the coffee .
Ps who out there hasnt cried for better conditions and facilities in there own neighbourhood ? And you expected the cost to be supplied via what revenue ?

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 24/08/2014 18:49:14    1641295

MuckrossHead

My comment was in general reference to the apparent attitude of the decision makers at high level within the GAA. By no means is hosting a game in Limerick the worst they've done to show their greed and lack of consideration for players/supporters/coaches, etc.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5251 - 24/08/2014 18:51:52    1641298

On another note, I would like people's answer to the following question:


How often have you attended/watched a game knowing 100% when and where the replay would be if the game ended in a draw?

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5251 - 24/08/2014 18:53:26    1641299

I have no problem with the American game rubbish taking place in CP nxt weekend...the decision on this was made over a year ago. If I was a Mayoman Id be more concerned about the Limerick venue. Suits Kerry more. In terms of corporate GAA sell outs I would point more towards the decision to allow Bord Gais to PERMANENTLY decree that the U21 hurling finals must take place in Thurles. But of course people will only object to that the next time Galway have to go to Thurles to play Tipp in an U21 hurling All Ireland hurling final ( could be a while before that happens).

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 2020 - 24/08/2014 18:53:47    1641300

I have no problem with the American game rubbish taking place in CP nxt weekend...the decision on this was made over a year ago. If I was a Mayoman Id be more concerned about the Limerick venue. Suits Kerry more. In terms of corporate GAA sell outs I would point more towards the decision to allow Bord Gais to PERMANENTLY decree that the U21 hurling finals must take place in Thurles. But of course people will only object to that the next time Galway have to go to Thurles to play Tipp in an U21 hurling All Ireland hurling final ( could be a while before that happens).

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 2020 - 24/08/2014 18:53:47    1641301

Cherno_Samba
County: Louth
Posts: 462

1641289
I agree JackGolf - the point is that the GAA didn't fix the match to Limerick for honourable reasons. They moved the game so that they could play an America football match.

What were they supposed to do? Cancel the American football match at a weeks notice from paying customers?

Limerick is a fine venue, & is easier to reach for both sets of supporters. It will be a big occasion in every sense of the word.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 24/08/2014 18:55:43    1641302

suits both sides to travel to Shannonside in fairness.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13654 - 24/08/2014 18:59:07    1641303

The American football match had to be planned at least a year in advance, I have no problem with that. All semi-finals and replays should be played in Croke Park though. Would the following Saturday have been an option ? I know it's the day before the AIHF, but Kilkenny usually don't travel up on Saturday, neither would most of Tipp, so I reckon hotels in Dublin would be ok for this. Pitch seems well capable of taking games two days in a row.

jerryp (Cork) - Posts: 104 - 24/08/2014 19:01:27    1641306

Lads Limerick is not the issue - for me the issue is relegating Gaelic Games in favour of Garth Brooks or American Football.
If they decided to play both semi finals in Limerick every year I wouldn't have a problem with it. I'm also not happy with removing games from terrestrial television and putting them on Setanta or Sky.

Obviously I'm in the minority, I just think that the amature ethos is out the window now and every decision is based on the bottom line profits.

Cherno_Samba (Louth) - Posts: 632 - 24/08/2014 19:08:38    1641313

What's the problem? Limerick is an excellent venue, it is more convenient for both sets of supporters, the place will be packed to the rafters and the atmosphere should be electric. The game will also will also give a badly needed boost to local businesses. I'm sure the players are perfectly happy to play there and will not feel somehow slighted by not playing in Croke Park for the umpteenth time.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 1034 - 24/08/2014 19:16:31    1641318

The GAA can't win on this one except to replay in 2 weeks time Sat before hurling final. The fact that the US game was booked a long time ago makes the situation difficult. I would liked to have seen the replay in a more central location like Portlaoise but maybe the crowd it can take is not enough. The all ireland semi is not just watched by counties involved but there is a big neutral interest. Limerick is not ideal.

gl1965 (Armagh) - Posts: 5 - 24/08/2014 19:17:26    1641321

Cherno_Samba
County: Louth
Posts: 463

1641289
I agree JackGolf - the point is that the GAA didn't fix the match to Limerick for honourable reasons. They moved the game so that they could play an America football match.

And I agree with you! Yeah it's a shame it takes an AMerican Football game to really spice up the championship. Hopefully it's a replay to remember like Dublin in 1983 and we get a few quarter finals out of croker every year from now on.

Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 24/08/2014 19:21:26    1641325

I have no problem with Croke Park being otherwise engaged on Saturday. But why Limerick? Kerrys next door neighbour. Tullamore or Port Laoise would be equally handy for both teams.

mod (Mayo) - Posts: 859 - 24/08/2014 19:22:55    1641327

Cherno_Samba

Would you have some cop on, the GAA is not losing anything. Another typical post from a whinger and a die hard traditionalist and I for one am sick of it. I am going to American Football next weekend and looking forward to it and I think the football should be rightly so. This event was organised a long time ago, even before the championship kicked off.

What did you want them to do sign a contract "In the event of a replay or any GAA event which may come up on the weekend in question Croke reserve the right to withdraw its services" This game is a great promotion of Croke Park and will be a boost for the local economy an tourism. Croke Park made a commitment to host the game and they should rightly go with it. It would be insanely idiotic to have turned it down at the time for fear of a clash with a replay of all things.

Thurles, Limerick, all these places are way underused as it is.

crossfieldball (Galway) - Posts: 650 - 24/08/2014 19:29:05    1641337