Tried posting this on Monaghan but didn't get much of a response. The link was broken also.

Below is a link to what I think (based on my limited experience of travelling to Clones) the layout is. Are any of you more seasoned posters able to confirm that I am even close to what the layout actually is? Cannot find a solid one on the internet.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc3/981309_10152875472005483_646423419_o.jpg

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 04/06/2013 16:00:22    1398554

There is no Pat McGrane Standing. Its called the hill. I have actually never been behind the goal in clones and the names of each end are slipping my mind at the moment. The area on your diagram to the left behind the goal is Seating.

shaggylegend (Monaghan) - Posts: 1948 - 04/06/2013 16:31:28    1398594

The terrace only end is the O Duffy Terrace which is at the road goals - the other end is called the eastern stand and it is all seated. On a seperate note i think supporters will really miss the caric and the banter in the town on ulster final day - great party athmosphere and whole streets jammed packed and great buzz about - Wont be much partying up around casement - few dark grey housing estates and everyone getting in as late as possible and away early as they can after the games

FrankAnnyalla (Monaghan) - Posts: 339 - 04/06/2013 16:43:12    1398609

I really hope the Ulster final stays in Clones, tradition, atmosphere, location, Clones has it all. Whether common sense will have any bearing on things is anyones guess

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 04/06/2013 17:47:12    1398679

FrankAnnyalla
County: Monaghan
Posts: 214

1398609
The terrace only end is the O Duffy Terrace which is at the road goals - the other end is called the eastern stand and it is all seated. On a seperate note i think supporters will really miss the caric and the banter in the town on ulster final day - great party athmosphere and whole streets jammed packed and great buzz about - Wont be much partying up around casement - few dark grey housing estates and everyone getting in as late as possible and away early as they can after the games

It's a joke. Can't beat Clones.

Samsforthehills (Donegal) - Posts: 1075 - 04/06/2013 19:26:23    1398777

The "design" of Clones is find a Hill and put a football pitch at the bottom of it.

Premium seating can be found in the Oak Trees on a grassy knoll overlooking the west end of the ground.

tyroneed (Tyrone) - Posts: 753 - 04/06/2013 20:42:48    1398828

A real shame that a central location in the 9 county Ulster could not have been logically chosen. But if the British say Belfast is getting 3 x overpriced stadiums, they are getting them.

Money talks, and GAA fans will just have to drive. If anybody thinks any major GAA game will be played anywhere else than the new Casement Park, they are badly mistaken.

I openly disagree with the Idea that a Provincial GAA stadium must be in the Largest Provincial City. It would be different if it was catering for International games on a regular basis, as people would be flying in for games.
But It's not, It's catering for Northern gaels who mostly drive to and from the games.

I like Clones, although it is awkward getting to it.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3026 - 04/06/2013 21:52:48    1398916

Thanks a lot so far!!

Here it is updated.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/474784_10152878078365483_1897458335_o.jpg

I know this is a lot of detail but am I even close with the sections or Gerry Arthur and Pat McGrane?

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 05/06/2013 09:48:20    1398968

The layout of Clones and approx capacity of each section.

Gerry Arthur Stand (North) - main covered stand - all seating - 6,500
Pat McGrane Stand (south) - all seating - 7,000
The Hill (south) - all terrace - 12,000
O Duffy Terrace / Town side (West) - all terrace - 4,500
Eastern Stand / Roslea Rd - all seating - 5,000

The figure for last years Ulster Final was given at 35,000 - full house.

drumlinbelt (Monaghan) - Posts: 179 - 05/06/2013 10:07:09    1398988

Tyroneed
Just for you !!
The "design" of Clones is find a Hill and put a football pitch at the bottom of it.
Premium seating can be found in the Oak Trees on a grassy knoll overlooking the west end of the ground.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=492311590823740&set=a.490117327709833.1073741840.428814233840143&type=3&theater

drumlinbelt (Monaghan) - Posts: 179 - 05/06/2013 10:43:28    1399011

Where Ulster Finals no supposed to be in Casement Park anyway but move because of the troubles. But I'd rather have Clones myself, some great days out there!!

wise_guy (Tyrone) - Posts: 1584 - 05/06/2013 11:50:43    1399070

Yeah I think Casement was the original venue for Ulster Football and Hurling finals before being moved to Clones around the time of the Troubles. Still, can't argue that the new stadium doesn't look the part:

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/gaa/newlook-casement-park-revealed-29056066.html

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 05/06/2013 12:04:16    1399082

History of Ulster Final's
It's a misconception that Belfast was the venue until the time of the troubles really too off. The stats show that between 1888 and 1943 the Ulster Finals were played mainly across south Ulster from Belturbet - Cavan - Clones - Newbliss - Ballybay - Castleblayney - Carrickmacross - Armagh and even Dundalk.

From 1944 - 1960 All Finals were in Clones except two ( Cavan 1952 and Befast 1953 ).
From 1954 - 1960 All Clones. Only in the 60's did Belfast host more Finals than Clones ( Belfast x 6, Clones x 3 and Cavan in 1963 ). From 1970 to 2003 it was all Clones except for Belfast 1971.
From 2004-2006 it was Croke Park and from 2007- Today it was all Clones again.

Head to Head Clones x 70 Ulster Finals v Belfast x 10.

drumlinbelt (Monaghan) - Posts: 179 - 05/06/2013 12:31:55    1399148

As an outsider looking in I'll never understand the Ulster attraction to Clones.

It is the worst of all the major venues in the GAA. I've been to, I think 6 big championship games there and it is easily the worst ground/town I've ever been to for that purpose.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13797 - 05/06/2013 12:35:33    1399153

You are not an ulster man is why MesAmis!
I always loved traveling to Clones, even more so
these days, there are good roads and no more 'border'
checkpoints! Its a modern stadium and when its full
there is one hell of an atmosphere! Clones is a town
steeped in GAA history and it is dear to many of us
Ulster Gaels!
All GAA supporters have always been
welcome by the locals in Clones, will it be the same
in Belfast?! Doubt it, half of them won't even know
the game is on, and the other half don't want it on!
Yes, the stadium in Belfast looks impressive, and no
doubt it will be a fine playing venue for our sport.
However, Ulster final day is more than just a game,
it is an occasion.
No disrespect to Antrim Gaels, but having the Ulster
final in Belfast will not work! Those who have ever
been to a game in Casement park will understand!

TheGateKeeper (Tyrone) - Posts: 2843 - 05/06/2013 12:53:04    1399183

Agree MesAmis - never got this misty eyed look on Clones that everyone else seems to have. Was a nightmare to get to and get out of and have too many memories spent in gridlock on the roads leading to Clones on matchday to remember. My Grandfather was a Cavan man and I have many relations down there around Bawnboy and they often noted that they were able to get to Casement and back on a match day quicker than they were to Clones which is around 40 miles away.

Maybe I wasn't drinking the right drink though!

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 05/06/2013 12:59:23    1399195

People are making their assertions on what Casement will be like on Final day based on their own personal experiences of games they have been to there be it league games or Ulster Championship earlier rounds which I suppose is natural enough. The plan is to rejuvenate the area so that there will be more/nicer establishments for patrons attending the big games here in Belfast. Maybe instead of adopting the mindset already that it is going to be an unpleasant experience people should wait and see what is on offer - and not after the first final as, like anything new, it will take a bit of bedding in time. After all, if you want to make sure you definitely won't enjoy it then go with the attitude that it will be an unpleasant experience and look for all the faults rather than going with an open mind and maybe surprising yourself that those Belfasties aren't really that bad.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 05/06/2013 13:18:32    1399220

Thanks for sticking with the original spirit of the post. I don't think I've ever seen a topic go off-topic so quickly! :-)

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 05/06/2013 14:24:36    1399335

squareball - I noticed yesterday that it only took 2 replies for it to move to an anti-Casement agenda and was going to post then but didn't as the post was about the layout of Clones. However, when it continued in the same vain then as an Antrim man I felt compelled to respond.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 05/06/2013 14:41:00    1399363

If you can't beat them... ;-)

squareball_1988 (Donegal) - Posts: 343 - 05/06/2013 17:46:14    1399647