Rugby now more popular than football AND GAA?!

[tetsujin1979]

Top 50 watched shows in 2021 released: https://www.tamireland.ie/top-50-tv-programmes-2021/
No Ireland footall game in the top ten, only one in the top twenty, and four in total in the top 50
England's semi final against Denmark and final against Italy are fourth and third, respectively
All the six nations games are in the top 20, except Italy

[kennedmc]

Top 50 watched shows in 2021 released: https://www.tamireland.ie/top-50-tv-programmes-2021/
No Ireland footall game in the top ten, only one in the top twenty, and four in total in the top 50
England's semi final against Denmark and final against Italy are fourth and third, respectively
All the six nations games are in the top 20, except Italy


Interesting. I guess the numbers for the Euros would exclude the thousands watching it on the beeb etc?

[Eminence Grise]

Rugby sponsor with vested interest in raising rugby's profile sponsors poll that finds rugby is not just a sport but a way of life. (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-41218996.html)

Energia survey of ... Energia customers. Mmm-hmm. That passes every objective test for unbiased and reliable research I can think of.:rolleyes:

[liamoo11]

Rugby sponsor with vested interest in raising rugby's profile sponsors poll that finds rugby is not just a sport but a way of life. (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-41218996.html)

Energia survey of ... Energia customers. Mmm-hmm. That passes every objective test for unbiased and reliable research I can think of.:rolleyes:

God help us. Would joe Duffy ever leave the poor Wolfe Tones alone and go after this nonsense

[Fixer82]

Who cares which is most popular?
They’re all very popular on the island and all wonderful games to watch and play

[Stuttgart88]

I hated playing rugby!

[Fixer82]

I hated playing rugby!

Played a few games when I was younger. Loved it

[JR89]

I hated playing rugby!

I hated playing hurling when younger and loved Gaelic football. Yet you'd have to pay me to watch a football match.

[Fixer82]

I hated playing hurling when younger and loved Gaelic football. Yet you'd have to pay me to watch a football match.

Hurling is the greatest game in the world

[Stav]

Its fairly simple rugby is going well at the moment so loads of interest. The same when ladies team were in world cup. Great interest in Formula 1 when Eddie Jordan had a team in it.So not surprising. We in general get behind Irish teams regardless of sport so hopefully they will do well.

[JR89]

Hurling is the greatest game in the world

I agree, would go out of my way to watch club games in the Hurling but hated playing it. Loved playing rugby but only go to some Munster matches because Thomond Park is right on my door step.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Hurling is the greatest game in the world
Yes it is - the pity is that the GAA control it.

[Jolly Red Giant]

Its fairly simple rugby is going well at the moment so loads of interest. The same when ladies team were in world cup. Great interest in Formula 1 when Eddie Jordan had a team in it.So not surprising. We in general get behind Irish teams regardless of sport so hopefully they will do well.
Also - massive money has been pouring into rugby - from public and private sources.

[Trequartista20]

Also - massive money has been pouring into rugby - from public and private sources.

I'm not surprised.

It's a class issue for me.

Ireland's recent successes in that field have always left me cold. Working class people from poor backgrounds, like me, will always feel alienated by rugby and its cultural fraternity.

[Jolly Red Giant]

I'm not surprised.

It's a class issue for me.

Ireland's recent successes in that field have always left me cold. Working class people from poor backgrounds, like me, will always feel alienated by rugby and its cultural fraternity.

Except in Limerick where it evolved partly as a working class sport in a rather peculiar way.

[Diggs246]

I'm not surprised.

It's a class issue for me.

Ireland's recent successes in that field have always left me cold. Working class people from poor backgrounds, like me, will always feel alienated by rugby and its cultural fraternity.

When I was young that was the case truth be told.

But that is absolutely not the case anymore and hasn't been for 15 years. Go to a few games it's a brilliant sport and it's an amazing feeling when your country is one of the best teams in the world.
It's also an all island sport where northern unionists genuinely drop they're chip on their shoulders for( 80 mins!) and get involved.

[JR89]

Except in Limerick where it evolved partly as a working class sport in a rather peculiar way.

Yeah rugby in Limerick has good roots in the working class and one of the most successful clubs in Ireland (Shannon RFC) were initially formed by Limerick dockers. Rugby has slumped big time in Limerick though from the days of Limerick dominating the AIL in the 90s and 00s.

[tetsujin1979]

Munster dominates rugby in Limerick now, there's an argument to be made that the provincial game has been detrimental to the traditional club sides.
On the other hand, without the provincial sides, we'd never have a chance of European titles

[Fixer82]

Yes it is - the pity is that the GAA control it.

I’d much rather the GAA control it than the FAI

[Fixer82]

This is the kind of thing that turns the average Joe off rugby

https://twitter.com/FCTwenteBenson/status/1700136007385915659?s=08

Also, the project player thing really annoys me. There’s about 4 lads in our squad who’d be playing for Wales at this World Cup if they’d been signed by Llanelli.
A rule that only favours the wealthier rugby nations

[JR89]

Munster dominates rugby in Limerick now, there's an argument to be made that the provincial game has been detrimental to the traditional club sides.
On the other hand, without the provincial sides, we'd never have a chance of European titles

Oh the IRFU 100% did the right thing. Irish rugby wouldn't be where it is today if they didn't prioritise the provincial teams after the game went professional.

And it's testament to how well the IRFU are run when you consider they've got four professional teams and the national team to run and finance. English clubs are going bust while Irish rugby thrives.

Though in general even rugby in Limerick at the provincial level isn't as strong as it was with Limerick struggling to provide players for Munster. Though we're now seeing lads coming through from places like West Cork that wouldn't have come through years ago.

[SkStu]

The same thread over on foot.romania just blew up

[Crosby87]

Don't know much about rugby but it appears Romania are not very good.

[Stuttgart88]

Rugby sponsor with vested interest in raising rugby's profile sponsors poll that finds rugby is not just a sport but a way of life. (https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/rugby/arid-41218996.html)

Energia survey of ... Energia customers. Mmm-hmm. That passes every objective test for unbiased and reliable research I can think of.:rolleyes:

Malachy Clerkin’s reply…

Malachy Clerkin: Please, rugby. Don’t ruin the Rugby World Cup for the rest of us

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/2023/09/08/malachy-clerkin-please-rugby-pretty-please-dont-ruin-the-rugby-world-cup-for-the-rest-of-us/

[tetsujin1979]

Noticed that the attendance for Ireland-Romania at the weekend has been given as 41,570. That's an increase of more than 2,000 on the Ireland-Belgium group game in Euro 2016 that was held in the same stadium - 39,493 - and strangely more than every game that was held in that stadium during the tournament - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouveau_Stade_de_Bordeaux#UEFA_Euro_2016_matches
Has capacity increased since 2016?

[Diggs246]

Noticed that the attendance for Ireland-Romania at the weekend has been given as 41,570. That's an increase of more than 2,000 on the Ireland-Belgium group game in Euro 2016 that was held in the same stadium - 39,493 - and strangely more than every game that was held in that stadium during the tournament - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouveau_Stade_de_Bordeaux#UEFA_Euro_2016_matches
Has capacity increased since 2016?

I would say world rugby gave the locals free tickerts to be honest

[tetsujin1979]

Watching the game, I thought the attendance was quite low

[NeverFeltBetter]

Thought so too, and that's well on from the apparent issues loads had getting into the ground for kick-off. Probably counting every ticket handed out, paid or not, and not those that were taken at the gate.

[ifk101]

The temperature was in the mid to high 30s. The side opposite the TV cameras was near empty but that side was directly in the sunshine. Would have been pretty unbearable to sit there so fair dues to those that did. And yes, would have been full if a football World Cup match but the rugby crowd are smart.

[Straightstory]

The problem with hurling as a spectator sport is that it's really hard to see the (very small) ball. It also must be among the least-played games in the world by they fewest players. Even in Ireland it's only played in a handful of counties. Hard to see its appeal at all.

[NeverFeltBetter]

I mean, it's played in just about every country, there's five tiers to the senior game after all, and its important not to underestimate the club scene in terms of engagement. But I get your point. I think the appeal from a spectating perspective is the mixture of speed and the skill needed to manage that and the small ball within the confines of what can be an extremely aggressive sport. The senior game has managed to create this ambiance of every All-Ireland match being a fearsome battle attended by thousands of people with amazing atmospheres, and I think that tends to make-up for any moment when the action is hard to follow (which, speaking purely for myself, isn't that big a deal most of the time).

[JR89]

I mean, it's played in just about every country, there's five tiers to the senior game after all, and its important not to underestimate the club scene in terms of engagement. But I get your point. I think the appeal from a spectating perspective is the mixture of speed and the skill needed to manage that and the small ball within the confines of what can be an extremely aggressive sport. The senior game has managed to create this ambiance of every All-Ireland match being a fearsome battle attended by thousands of people with amazing atmospheres, and I think that tends to make-up for any moment when the action is hard to follow (which, speaking purely for myself, isn't that big a deal most of the time).

Was in the US last year for the all Ireland semi final and showed a few Americans the Munster final before watching Limerick Vs Galway. They wanted to watch one game before the semis so they weren't asking a 101 questions while the match was on and they were instantly hooked. Loved the speed the game was played at, the skills level that was on show, and the fact that players only wear helmets for protection.

In Lacross players would have helmets, chunky padded gloves, shoulder pads, and elbow pads. They were amazed the hurlers were going out with their axed shape stick and the only protection used was a helmet. They loved it so much they went out of their way to watch the final a few weeks later.

[SkStu]

They showed hurling on Canadian sports networks here a few years ago (maybe in the 2012-2016 timeframe) and the people who watched it were absolutely obsessed with the game - whether people i work with or on social media. It was shown off peak times and not live but it was very popular. Ice hockey, the national sport here, is a derivative of hurling of course so there are a lot of parallels in terms of the skill and speed involved in both sports. I think they lost the rights after those couple of seasons and thats why they stopped showing it. I don't think they showed Gaelic football.

I always thought lacrosse was a derivative too but apparently it has its roots in the indigenous sports culture.

[kksaints]

I remember a group of German tourists showed up to a Junior hurling match for my local team once, they weren't very impressed and left after 10 minutes or so. Another time a bus load of French students showed up at a match, they seemed to enjoy more although their attempts to generate atmosphere with a few chants was met with bemusement from the locals. I think when people see the top level hurling as their first experience they think it's great and will often stay watching it. But if they start off watching the lower level club hurling they're generally much less impressed. I like hurling and it's my 2nd favourite sport after football but a lot of people overrate the sport and are much more reluctant to call matches out as bad when they clearly are or make flimsy excuses as to why a match was poor.

[EalingGreen]

It's also an all island sport where northern unionists genuinely drop they're chip on their shoulders for( 80 mins!) and get involved.Thanks.

It's really nice to know we're appreciated.

Of course, it helps that we're all too stupid to know when we're being patronised.

[EalingGreen]

Noticed that the attendance for Ireland-Romania at the weekend has been given as 41,570. That's an increase of more than 2,000 on the Ireland-Belgium group game in Euro 2016 that was held in the same stadium - 39,493 - and strangely more than every game that was held in that stadium during the tournament - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nouveau_Stade_de_Bordeaux#UEFA_Euro_2016_matches
Has capacity increased since 2016?I can think of three possible explanations which might explain this, at least partly.

First, football often has segregation requirements which reduce the capacity.

And second, there are liable to be many more media from all over the world, taking up places which could go to fans?

Finally at major football tournaments, FIFA/UEFA usually give out great swathes of tickets to sponsors, various bigwigs and National Association representatives etc, very many of whom don't even bother to turn up, at least for lesser games, and even when genuine fans cannot get their hands on tickets.

Perhaps such issues are less of a problem for Rugby?

[EalingGreen]

One thing which often gets overlooked whe talking about the Rugby (ahem) World Cup, is that out of a total of over 200 nation states worldwide, rugby is only the national sport in New Zealand (population 5.2m), Fiji (pop.950k), Samoa (pop.226k), Tonga (pop.108k) and a handful of tiny Pacific islands.

Which I think gives the game a little perspective which you never hear from rugby alickadoos* themselves.

* - Posting this gave me cause to google the term (here - https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/alickadoo), with it's possible originator being an interesting character (here - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Crawford). Isn't it great that he managed to drop the chip on his shoulder long enough to achive such an impressive CV...

[Diggs246]

Thanks.

It's really nice to know we're appreciated.

Of course, it helps that we're all too stupid to know when we're being patronised.

And the chip on the shoulder is back..!!

Apologies I absolutely did not mean to offend. Sorry

[EalingGreen]

And the chip on the shoulder is back..!!Thanks again.


Apologies I absolutely did not mean to offend. SorryAssuming you genuinely don't see that yours was a prejudiced remark, then I'm not sure that makes things any better.

"Northmen, Southmen, Comrades all..."

[Diggs246]

Thanks again.

Assuming you genuinely don't see that yours was a prejudiced remark, then I'm not sure that makes things any better.

"Northmen, Southmen, Comrades all..."




RE: And the chip on the shoulder is back..!!

This was a gag following on from our last correspondence, which I did say sorry for, but as we know the first casualty of the troubles was comedy

RE Assuming you genuinely don't see that yours was a prejudiced remark, then I'm not sure that makes things any better.

Again not accepting an apology, that’s not the way forward


RE: "Northmen, Southmen, Comrades all..."

If you are infaring I’m a republican? Or a wolf tones fan etc I would like to point out that I’m protestant, who is revolted by the IRA

[seanfhear]

Could we get some balance = = Maybe two chips ! !

[Diggs246]

Could we get some balance = = Maybe two chips ! !
I'll take it! ( no vinegar)

[Fixer82]

The problem with hurling as a spectator sport is that it's really hard to see the (very small) ball. It also must be among the least-played games in the world by they fewest players. Even in Ireland it's only played in a handful of counties. Hard to see its appeal at all.

You’re right. It’s crap. Should be boycotted actually

[Fixer82]

RE: And the chip on the shoulder is back..!!

This was a gag following on from our last correspondence, which I did say sorry for, but as we know the first casualty of the troubles was comedy

RE Assuming you genuinely don't see that yours was a prejudiced remark, then I'm not sure that makes things any better.

Again not accepting an apology, that’s not the way forward


RE: "Northmen, Southmen, Comrades all..."

If you are infaring I’m a republican? Or a wolf tones fan etc I would like to point out that I’m protestant, who is revolted by the IRA

The Wolfe Tones of course named after a famous Protestant.
Religion has nothing to do with it

[CraftyToePoke]

I would like to point out that I’m protestant

Do you support Rangers Diggs ? Or a soft spot for them at least ?

[Diggs246]

Crafty you're a ticket
Do you support Kenny? Or a soft spot for him at least?

[CraftyToePoke]

Crafty you're a ticket
Do you support Kenny? Or a soft spot for him at least?

Oh a raging hard on for the chap.


I would say I support the mission not to treat the football as a booby trapped (!) device Diggsy, mon frere & Stephen Kenny is merely the front the opening stages of this battle is being fought, if you get me.

Now back on topic, you Ranger you.

[Diggs246]

Oh a raging hard on for the chap.


I would say I support the mission not to treat the football as a booby trapped (!) device Diggsy, mon frere & Stephen Kenny is merely the front the opening stages of this battle is being fought, if you get me.

Now back on topic, you Ranger you.

No crafty, you're just not man enough to own your mistake..in relation to Kenny
All I want is for my country to do well
I just want the best for our people. You just can't quite say I made a mistake.
Stephen is the worst manager we've ever had.

I do find me being a prod = rangers fan good value to be fair!

[ontheotherhand]

Back to the important stuff - hurling is wildly overrated.

[Fixer82]

Back to the important stuff - hurling is wildly overrated.

Incorrect. Prob the most difficult field game to play in the world