Beecher Networks - Web Development, Hosting & Domains
Page 55 of 95 FirstFirst ... 545535455565765 ... LastLast
Results 1,081 to 1,100 of 1893

Thread: Rugby now more popular than football AND GAA?!

  1. #1081
    Capped Player
    Joined
    May 2004
    Posts
    18,540
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    7,498
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4,697
    Thanked in
    2,681 Posts
    Liam Toland in the Irish Times:

    "Leinster broke the laws to their advantage, deserving credit for same."

    Discuss.

    http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugb...1579746?page=2

  2. #1082
    International Prospect
    Joined
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    6,237
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1,152
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    571
    Thanked in
    446 Posts
    Have they now breached some great ethical barrier...

  3. #1083
    Capped Player DeLorean's Avatar
    Joined
    Jun 2008
    Location
    Hill Valley
    Posts
    10,894
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    4,418
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    3,280
    Thanked in
    2,081 Posts
    I noticed that Munster couldn't sell out their big Heineken Cup game v Gloucster a couple of weeks back, or at least there were still tickets available on the day. This would have been unthinkable a couple of years back. I wonder how much of it is down to the Celtic Tiger crash and how much of it is down to a rapidly decreasing bandwagon? Presumably a combination of both but I've a feeling the Munster phenomenon may gradually fade into a passing interest or less for the majority. That said, I'm not too well up on the percentages of hardcore fans v bandwagoners.

  4. #1084
    Banned. Children Banned. Grandchildren Banned. 3 Months. Charlie Darwin's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    18,577
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3,890
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    5,310
    Thanked in
    3,368 Posts
    I think it's just price sensitivity + relative lack of success in recent years, plus the fact Gloucester announced in advance they'd be sending a Mickey Mouse side.

  5. #1085
    Capped Player
    Joined
    May 2004
    Posts
    18,540
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    7,498
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4,697
    Thanked in
    2,681 Posts
    I think there's dissatisfaction with the way Munster play too.

    I have to say I'm intrigued by the whole H Cup scenario. I think we are seeing what many of us predicted: as rugby becomes more professional the same fault lines evident in football are also appearing. Player behaviour and coach behaviour are deteriorating. Benefactor owners are affecting competitive balance and financial stability. Thornley wrote a piece recently about how the French clubs will eat themselves but not before they eat everyone else first. Players follow the money, end of story. This romantic idea of Irish players staying at home because they love the place is rubbished now with the end of the tax break. Clubs everywhere are loss making and are entering a financial arms race for success and for players. Clubs are making a power grab from the unions and the unions are competing with each other on behalf of their clubs. Self interest is beginning to rule on all fronts. International rugby union is losing its lustre to a degree, and some clubs are doing their best to ensure this continues.

    I think the IRB has been asleep at the wheel. All of the above has been evident in football since big TV money and Bosman. Almost everyone agrees that some form of FFP is warranted but is unfortunately at least a decade too late in football. UEFA fended off clubs' quest for a self-administered super league by making concessions early and by giving clubs greater say in UEFA's governance. But the IRB (or whoever is supposed to be overseeing the game in Europe at least) should have seen the need for action before now. I don't follow it all closely enough and have only recently been aware of the various tensions, the expiry of the H Cup arrangements, the state of club and franchise finances and the extent of financial clout in France. But the rugby authorities must have seen all this and yet they still stood idly by and at best are in reactive mode.

    My rugby mates all agree and funnily enough, because of this I'm much more at peace with rugby than I have been for a few years. I think their cosy little world is falling apart a little and some humility is returning.

    I said ages back in this thread that I felt there was a Celtic Tiger era sense of self satisfaction in rugby circles in the last few years. I think it's all a bit more objective now and I think that's a good thing. Professional sport is a dirty business and a financially unstable business, idoesn't matter what the sport is.
    Last edited by Stuttgart88; 01/11/2013 at 4:16 PM.

  6. Thanks From:


  7. #1086
    First Team IsMiseSean's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Gaillimh
    Posts
    1,795
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    402
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    292
    Thanked in
    199 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Crosby87 View Post
    Do Ireland have a player on the team who is far and away their best current player? I know nothing about Rugby.
    The answer probably depends on whether you're from Munster or Leinster. I'm from Galway so I don't give a s***e...

  8. #1087
    International Prospect
    Joined
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    6,237
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1,152
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    571
    Thanked in
    446 Posts
    Good post Stutts, only wish I cared more. But I don't.

    And Sean, Connacht are in the Heineken aren't they...

  9. #1088
    Capped Player
    Joined
    May 2004
    Posts
    18,540
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    7,498
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4,697
    Thanked in
    2,681 Posts
    Charlie, is there any broad acceptance at home that rugby is becoming as riddled with self interest as football and that maybe the moral high ground is less elevated than before?

    I'm all on for people preferring one sport over another but I've never bought into the notion that any sport is fundamentally more honourable than the other.

  10. #1089
    First Team IsMiseSean's Avatar
    Joined
    Jul 2004
    Location
    Gaillimh
    Posts
    1,795
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    402
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    292
    Thanked in
    199 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by ArdeeBhoy View Post
    And Sean, Connacht are in the Heineken aren't they...
    Probably, I don't think they need to qualify for it. Mickey Mouse competition...

  11. #1090
    Banned. Children Banned. Grandchildren Banned. 3 Months. Charlie Darwin's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    18,577
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3,890
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    5,310
    Thanked in
    3,368 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Stuttgart88 View Post
    Charlie, is there any broad acceptance at home that rugby is becoming as riddled with self interest as football and that maybe the moral high ground is less elevated than before?

    I'm all on for people preferring one sport over another but I've never bought into the notion that any sport is fundamentally more honourable than the other.
    I don't really know to be honest. I think the cockiness has given way to a bit more realism over the past year and people are beginning to see that the likes of Boudjellal and Wray are every bit as ruthless as their soccer counterparts, but in this country I think the success of the provinces has allowed many in the game to evade any sort of serious examination.

    I do tire of this "rugby is turning into soccer" spiel. I like the way referees get more respect in rugby, but the moral highground becomes tiresome, especially when you have the odd player losing an eye.

  12. Thanks From:


  13. #1091
    Reserves
    Joined
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    437
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    85
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    93
    Thanked in
    48 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by DeLorean View Post
    I noticed that Munster couldn't sell out their big Heineken Cup game v Gloucster a couple of weeks back, or at least there were still tickets available on the day. This would have been unthinkable a couple of years back. I wonder how much of it is down to the Celtic Tiger crash and how much of it is down to a rapidly decreasing bandwagon? Presumably a combination of both but I've a feeling the Munster phenomenon may gradually fade into a passing interest or less for the majority. That said, I'm not too well up on the percentages of hardcore fans v bandwagoners.
    Irish rugby is at it's lowest point for quite some time — 10 years at least. Munster have been in decline for a couple of seasons. Their fans also got screwed over the issuing of season tickets (can't remember exact details but the issue was along the lines of having to buy two season tickets, one for Cork and one for Limerick, where before you could buy one ticket to cover both). Those things combined have impacted their attendance massively. Ireland dropped to their lowest level in a long time when they lost to both Scotland and Italy in the last 6 Nations. There's still a lot of question marks over Leinster's season, a couple of reasonable performances in the Heineken Cup aside, they've looked very poor in the league. Ulster are the only team in any kind of ascendancy and are probably the best provincial side at the moment.

    At this stage, I think the bandwagoners have been weeded out, yet the number of spectators remains strong. Leinster continue to have an average attendance greater than the capacity of their stadium (around 19,000 thanks to a couple of games in the Aviva each season). Munster manage to average 15,000+ people per game despite form and ticketing issues, Ulster averaged 10,000 per game last season and have a brand new stadium this season. Connacht draw over 5,000 fans a game despite being rooted to the foot of the league. You're talking 45,000+ people on average attend a club rugby game in Ireland, 15 times a year. The national team probably bring in another 45,000 people five or six times a year (based on 3 autumn internationals and two to three home 6 Nations games).

    I think rugby is still in a very strong position relative to football in this country.

  14. Thanks From:


  15. #1092
    Capped Player
    Joined
    May 2004
    Posts
    18,540
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    7,498
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4,697
    Thanked in
    2,681 Posts
    Everyone's in a strong position relative to football!

    But the IRFU has just had to borrow 26 million and am I right in thinking Leinster has debts of around 20million? What is the financial position of the other provinces?

  16. #1093
    Capped Player DannyInvincible's Avatar
    Joined
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Derry
    Posts
    11,524
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3,404
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    3,738
    Thanked in
    2,284 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Charlie Darwin View Post
    I do tire of this "rugby is turning into soccer" spiel. I like the way referees get more respect in rugby, but the moral highground becomes tiresome, especially when you have the odd player losing an eye.
    Ah, c'mon! Sure, what'd ya be needin' two eyes for anyway?!

  17. #1094
    Banned. Children Banned. Grandchildren Banned. 3 Months. Charlie Darwin's Avatar
    Joined
    Jan 2010
    Posts
    18,577
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    3,890
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    5,310
    Thanked in
    3,368 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by Stuttgart88 View Post
    Everyone's in a strong position relative to football!

    But the IRFU has just had to borrow 26 million and am I right in thinking Leinster has debts of around 20million? What is the financial position of the other provinces?
    They didn't have to borrow the money - it's just a quirk in the way the IRFU operates that they provide a lot of up-front cash to the provincial unions and clubs. They're borrowing against future ticket sales (I know, nothing's certain) because 10-year ticket sales are more or less dead.

    Leinster have a legacy debt of something like €8 million for the Donnybrook development but their finances are stable. Munster are in a worse position as far as I know and still have something like €5m owed to the IRFU they had to borrow a couple of years back.

  18. Thanks From:


  19. #1095
    International Prospect
    Joined
    Jun 2007
    Posts
    6,237
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1,152
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    571
    Thanked in
    446 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by IsMiseSean View Post
    Probably, I don't think they need to qualify for it. Mickey Mouse competition...
    Harsh.

  20. #1096
    Youth Team
    Joined
    Jul 2009
    Location
    Dublin
    Posts
    244
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    135
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    93
    Thanked in
    52 Posts
    Quote Originally Posted by DeLorean View Post
    I noticed that Munster couldn't sell out their big Heineken Cup game v Gloucster a couple of weeks back, or at least there were still tickets available on the day. This would have been unthinkable a couple of years back. I wonder how much of it is down to the Celtic Tiger crash and how much of it is down to a rapidly decreasing bandwagon? Presumably a combination of both but I've a feeling the Munster phenomenon may gradually fade into a passing interest or less for the majority. That said, I'm not too well up on the percentages of hardcore fans v bandwagoners.
    Big year for GAA in Munster, big runs for Limerick, Clare & Cork and an AI replay. All took its toll on the wallet!

  21. #1097
    Coach tetsujin1979's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Dublin, originally from Limerick
    Posts
    22,241
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1,103
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4,992
    Thanked in
    3,286 Posts
    compare and contrast the amount of coverage given to the search for, and eventual appointment of, managers for the football and rugby teams.
    All goals, yellow and red cards tweeted in real time on mastodon, BlueSky and facebook

  22. #1098
    Capped Player
    Joined
    Apr 2005
    Location
    Maígh Eó
    Posts
    16,378
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    2,602
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    1,040
    Thanked in
    846 Posts
    It was always more of a sure thing though Tets for the rugby, and there are a handful of countries to go to for a Rugby Coach.
    I'm a bloke,I'm an ocker
    And I really love your knockers,I'm a labourer by day,
    I **** up all me pay,Watching footy on TV,
    Just feed me more VB,Just pour my beer,And get my smokes, And go away

  23. #1099
    First Team
    Joined
    Aug 2010
    Location
    Torquay, Australia
    Posts
    2,322
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    656
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    508
    Thanked in
    357 Posts
    If you look at the administration of rugby and football in this country, I would take Philip Browne and his team over Delaney and co. The IRFU overcame their slow acceptance of professional rugby to build a successful model, and while it faces many hurdles presently, Browne's limited comments on these hurdles were honest, yet left you feeling confident that the IRFU know what they are doing. Why do I not feel the same way when Delaney and Co make statements?

  24. #1100
    Coach tetsujin1979's Avatar
    Joined
    Nov 2003
    Location
    Dublin, originally from Limerick
    Posts
    22,241
    Thanks Thanks Given 
    1,103
    Thanks Thanks Received 
    4,992
    Thanked in
    3,286 Posts
    "limited" is the key word there gastric. Browne has time to prepare statements and responses, whereas Delaney is constantly in the public eye.
    He wasn't questioned publicly after the last six nations, hasn't had to answer questions about underage progress, stadiums (Sports ground in Galway or Musgrave Park) player salaries, management salaries, players leaving the country, etc.
    Dogs on the street seem to know what Delaney is earning, I couldn't tell you the last time I saw Browne in front of a camera.
    Last edited by tetsujin1979; 07/11/2013 at 11:16 AM.
    All goals, yellow and red cards tweeted in real time on mastodon, BlueSky and facebook

Page 55 of 95 FirstFirst ... 545535455565765 ... LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Rugby v football in the media
    By Paddyfield in forum Other Sports
    Replies: 20
    Last Post: 17/04/2011, 8:24 PM
  2. Most Popular Threads
    By Dodge in forum Support
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 20/11/2007, 6:21 PM
  3. 20 reasons why I prefer rugby to football
    By joeSoap in forum Other Sports
    Replies: 16
    Last Post: 17/09/2006, 2:39 PM
  4. No Football or Rugby at Croke Park
    By gspain in forum Other Sports
    Replies: 154
    Last Post: 17/04/2005, 3:17 AM
  5. Rugby a bigger thread to GAA than Football?
    By pete in forum Premier & First Divisions
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 09/08/2002, 2:03 PM

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •