View Full Version : Rugby now more popular than football AND GAA?!
tetsujin1979
10/10/2010, 12:12 AM
Everything
nice clairification
Noelys Guitar
10/10/2010, 2:15 AM
The most incredible thing that has happened to fans who support Ireland without a doubt has happened in North America in recent times. The amount of North Americans following the team is now incredible. Why, I have no idea. In the 1990's watching an Ireland game in a Manhattan bar (when i couldn't actually travel to said game) was souless. It was like watching the game on your laptop in Sibera. But within the last few years a huge Irish fan base has built up. A few Hispanics and African-Americans but especially East European descendents and of course Irish and Italian's have flocked to the team. Why now? Maybe Crosby can explain. Rugby will never replace football as the worlds sport. These rugby types are the very people who have destroyed the Irish economy. Blackrock and Wesley. Bloxham and Davy. There is your Rugby Leinster core. Should be in the Joy.
bennocelt
10/10/2010, 8:19 AM
nice clairification
Tx, not in mood for a slanging match
(and its obvious from my post anyway)
SUB of the day
10/10/2010, 9:07 AM
In terms of spectacle and excitement and honesty! Rugby Football has gone up to a higher level, Association Football has IMO gone down a level............." honesty"........eye gouging, headstamping, spitting fake blood? classic rugby mentality.
Qwerty
10/10/2010, 3:21 PM
............" honesty"........eye gouging, headstamping, spitting fake blood? classic rugby mentality.
Those are very rare events - I watch primarily NZ teams and they are incredibly clean & fair players. It is true that the Bok brutes and some Northern Hemisphere teams have a smattering of dirty forwards but that is being weeded out of the game and is very much the exception.
It's still a more honest game than soccer by a mile, at least rugby players don't feign injury and collapse in the penalty area pretending they were tackled, there is a real cynicism in soccer. Anyone who saw Holland kick and stamp their way to the WC final must surely know the beautiful game is dead...
When was the last time you saw a soccer match where a single player didn't try and cheat?
amaccann
10/10/2010, 3:21 PM
............" honesty"........eye gouging, headstamping, spitting fake blood? classic rugby mentality.
All of which is caught, cited and subsequently punished by the rugby authorities. It's all generally consistent, and most rugby players play within the spirit of the game. What do FIFA / UEFA do? Oh yeah, pretend it doesn't happen or try and justify it as "part of the game"
Just listening to Newstalk Sunday sports show. They are after extending their discussion on the Irish team and the matches Friday and Tuesday night due to the "overwhelming response" on the textline. So much for a waning interest in the Irish team!
Charlie Darwin
10/10/2010, 4:44 PM
These rugby types are the very people who have destroyed the Irish economy.
Holy wild tangent, Batman.
SUB of the day
10/10/2010, 4:52 PM
Viewing figures for Leinster V Munster peaked at 313000, numbers for ROI V Russia still not available, but I will be stunned if they don't surpass this by some margin.
bennocelt
10/10/2010, 4:57 PM
T
It's still a more honest game than soccer by a mile, at least rugby players don't feign injury and collapse in the penalty area pretending they were tackled, there is a real cynicism in soccer. Anyone who saw Holland kick and stamp their way to the WC final must surely know the beautiful game is dead...
?
You are correct on the whole, but I have seen Italian and French players dive in Rugby especially when there is a Garryowen
Qwerty
10/10/2010, 6:35 PM
Like any sport you have the hard core fans who support the team through thick & thin and then you have the folks that jump on the band-wagon when success comes rolling in.
Given how poor our actual results have really been in the last 8 years and the mostly inept performance of the FAI I think the interest in the team is pretty strong.
Given how much humbug sourrounds the Ireland team it's pretty amazing how popular the team is but we love humbug! we are humbug!
Examples of humbug -
The FAI appointing Stan
The FAI appointing Trapp as the 2nd higest paid manager in international football.
The embarrassing over-reaction to Henry's handball
The ludicrious salary of John Delaney
The FAI retaining Don Givens for so long
The continual recruitment of players who couldn't find Ireland on a map of the UK & Ireland ( I am not referring to James McCarthy or Aiden McGeady, you know who I'm talking about...).
The attempted recruitment of players who have played for England at U21 level and who are known to want to play for England at senior level.
The Fran Rooney debacle and the usual FAI power struggles.
Genesis report
Limerick F.C. v FC Barcelona
FAI ticketing
and on and on and on....thank God for the IRFU or the Ireland team would be playing at the RDS!
Viewing figures for Leinster V Munster peaked at 313000, numbers for ROI V Russia still not available, but I will be stunned if they don't surpass this by some margin.
The Russia game would have got way, way more than that.
As did any big GAA game over the summer.
Charlie Darwin
10/10/2010, 8:28 PM
The Russia game would have got way, way more than that.
As did any big GAA game over the summer.
Yeah, rugby is still the minority sport by some distance. I bet if you did a demographic analysis on the numbers you'd find the audience profile for the rugger is a lot younger than either of the other sports.
I dunno about that.
I went to a couple of rugby games in Croke Park and I found it generally to be a much older crowd with far fewer kids than you'd get at a GAA/soccer game.
Charlie Darwin
10/10/2010, 9:00 PM
That's a money thing. Watch rugby in any pub in south Dublin and it's all 20-30 year olds.
jbyrne
10/10/2010, 9:49 PM
thank God for the IRFU or the Ireland team would be playing at the RDS!
thank god for the fai and the irish government or the irfu would be playing in the rds
bwagner
11/10/2010, 8:12 AM
A silly dublin fool just summed the whole thing up there to me in work ...They (Ireland) f**king* got Doyle injured for " US" (us being Wolves of course) ....Wolves !
A silly dublin fool just summed the whole thing up there to me in work ...They (Ireland) f**king* got Doyle injured for " US" (us being Wolves of course) ....Wolves !
What a top of the range clown. Ask him what part of Wolverhampton has he connections with again?!?
There was a piece in the paper yesterday about an FAI and Garda run project in Ballymun every Friday night. Its a midnight five a side league. Apparently has brought down the rate of anti social behaviour on that particular night by over 50%. Great initiative and as Dunph/Giles always advocate its the working class kids playing ball on the street is where the real football talent comes from. Can you imagine the IRFU supporting such a venture?!? They probably dont even know where Ballymun is.
Football is for all. Rugby as a participation sport is for you if you are from Limerick, if not then its only for the private school, middle class upwards brigade. Sad but by and large true.
jbyrne
11/10/2010, 9:08 AM
There was a piece in the paper yesterday about an FAI and Garda run project in Ballymun every Friday night. Its a midnight five a side league. Apparently has brought down the rate of anti social behaviour on that particular night by over 50%. Great initiative and as Dunph/Giles always advocate its the working class kids playing ball on the street is where the real football talent comes from. Can you imagine the IRFU supporting such a venture?!? They probably dont even know where Ballymun is.
Football is for all. Rugby as a participation sport is for you if you are from Limerick, if not then its only for the private school, middle class upwards brigade. Sad but by and large true.
what you say is true to a great extent but the IRFU have set up camp in many places you wouldnt think of including tallaght for example
what you say is true to a great extent but the IRFU have set up camp in many places you wouldnt think of including tallaght for example
Am happy to be proven wrong in certain instances but what I wrote above is my own personal experience in Cork and Dublin. Only really need to look at the demographics of the Irish/Leinster/Munster teams to illustrate the background of the vast majority. Must admit it was only when I moved to Dublin a few years ago that I fully realised the extent of the private school upbringing attached to Rugby.
And just for the record, am not one of these twisted anti other sport brigade (of which the gaa seem to have many). Am very happy to see Irish rugby do very well and there are elements of its organisation that we as football supporters can learn from. its just Irish football is my no.1 no question.
tetsujin1979
11/10/2010, 9:42 AM
what you say is true to a great extent but the IRFU have set up camp in many places you wouldnt think of including tallaght for example
This is true, I think a team from Tallaght knocked out one of the big schools (Blackrock or St Mary's) out of the Leinster schools cup earlier this year?
gastric
11/10/2010, 9:56 AM
On the debate about rugby and soccer, the reality is rugby is our only professional team sport, we are successful in club rugby and these lads are seen to be part of the community. The top Irish soccer players live abroad, earn mad money and the majority of them will probably never live in Ireland again. This is why rugby continues to flourish in Ireland.
Stuttgart88
11/10/2010, 10:15 AM
Why have Irish football fans abandoned foot.ie? A day before a big match I'd expect fresh posts every few minutes!
elroy
11/10/2010, 10:18 AM
Why have Irish football fans abandoned foot.ie? A day before a big match I'd expect fresh posts every few minutes!
That is true, its a lot quieter these days. YBIG seems to be the flurry of activity, although a fair few clowns on that and not as easy to follow. Plenty of impressive work done by the lads there though.
jbyrne
11/10/2010, 10:28 AM
This is true, I think a team from Tallaght knocked out one of the big schools (Blackrock or St Mary's) out of the Leinster schools cup earlier this year?
it was a team from bray that knocked blackrock out of the senior cup but the school concerned is still from the same genre of school as the likes of blackrock. its more in the club game that new forces from non traditional rugby playing areas have appeared
Stuttgart88
11/10/2010, 10:29 AM
That is true, its a lot quieter these days. YBIG seems to be the flurry of activity, although a fair few clowns on that and not as easy to follow. Plenty of impressive work done by the lads there though.
The lads do great work, but the forum is like a bit of banter rather than a discussion platform as far as I can tell.
tetsujin1979
11/10/2010, 10:51 AM
it was a team from bray that knocked blackrock out of the senior cup but the school concerned is still from the same genre of school as the likes of blackrock. its more in the club game that new forces from non traditional rugby playing areas have appeared
That was it, my mistake. Although I have heard of IRFU projects in Tallaght to get the game played in non-traditional areas
Jinxy
11/10/2010, 12:41 PM
Am happy to be proven wrong in certain instances but what I wrote above is my own personal experience in Cork and Dublin. Only really need to look at the demographics of the Irish/Leinster/Munster teams to illustrate the background of the vast majority. Must admit it was only when I moved to Dublin a few years ago that I fully realised the extent of the private school upbringing attached to Rugby.
And just for the record, am not one of these twisted anti other sport brigade (of which the gaa seem to have many). Am very happy to see Irish rugby do very well and there are elements of its organisation that we as football supporters can learn from. its just Irish football is my no.1 no question.
For a lad that isn't 'anti' any sport you never miss an opportunity to have a go at the GAA.
Surely you're not so naive that you don't realise there is a large anti-soccer element amongst the rugby fraternity?
I know plenty of rugby afficionados that happily refer to soccer as 'chavball'.
These are the same lads that were turning their nose up at having to cross the river to watch international rugby in Croke Park.
Look at any of the rugby forums.
They can't wait till the day the IRFU are freed from the shackles binding them to the FAI and irish soccer.
Polster
11/10/2010, 12:53 PM
Recession guys, I can't be justifying €90 + travel and accom from London. Throwing in the friendly games as a package is taking the p**s in the current economic climate to. How about trying to fill the stadium for friendlies by vastly expanding out the school boy tickets and better concessions for others. At €5.60 a beer in the stadium they'll make up their money if they get enough people in.
After 20 years on the block booking, I didn't take up the last allocation, I know others the same.
paul_oshea
11/10/2010, 12:55 PM
Why have Irish football fans abandoned foot.ie? A day before a big match I'd expect fresh posts every few minutes!
ive been doing my best stutts. where have you been theres only a couple today.
Stuttgart88
11/10/2010, 1:02 PM
where are you been theres only a couple today.is that actually a sentence?
Polster
11/10/2010, 1:08 PM
Are you travelling O Shea or watching it here?
paul_oshea
11/10/2010, 1:21 PM
watching it here but im down in the 'wharf tomorrow so im getting worried about getting back in time to watch it. im thinking i might head to mornington crescent to watch it....the sheephaven.
Are you around PG, in the well? If i thought i'd get back in time id head down, but cant guarantee it.
For a lad that isn't 'anti' any sport you never miss an opportunity to have a go at the GAA.
Surely you're not so naive that you don't realise there is a large anti-soccer element amongst the rugby fraternity?
I know plenty of rugby afficionados that happily refer to soccer as 'chavball'.
These are the same lads that were turning their nose up at having to cross the river to watch international rugby in Croke Park.
Look at any of the rugby forums.
They can't wait till the day the IRFU are freed from the shackles binding them to the FAI and irish soccer.
When have I had a go at the gaa??? I may have my criticisms of them, but to say I have a go is without reason.
What I have posted above is true. From (numerous) personal experiences at both playing and attending gaa matches, I have seen plenty of over the top negative/bitter comments about football and foreign games. Genuinely, it is actually scary how intense such comments can be. For example, how often on a football tv/radio show do you hear the pundits/contributors proclaiming how great the sport is compared to gaa??? Never i suggest. I can name at least 4 instances in various (popular) programmes in this years championship alone. Forgive me but I hate such attitudes, everyone to their own sport, why the need to bring down another with general negative comments. Feel free to criticise if it is valid. Any critical comments I have ever made about the gaa or rugby I believe come under this category. Please bring me up on them if and when they are not.
And of course I am not naive or stupid enough to suggest that in rugby and football circles, they are not factions who do not speak too highly of the other. There is little doubt that many of the rugby crowd view the FAI as a nuisance. And in a sense, I can see their point of view.
jbyrne
11/10/2010, 1:54 PM
They can't wait till the day the IRFU are freed from the shackles binding them to the FAI and irish soccer.
what shackles? the IRFU and FAI have enjoyed an excellent relationship since the 70s
Stuttgart88
11/10/2010, 2:04 PM
Tom Humphries drew a lot of criticism in the Irish Times letters page about his Ryder Cup (being just a load of marketing baloney) comments. One reader disgreed strongly, offering criticism of GAA and football which he says Humphries champions instead. I was tempted to point out in response that Humphries is equally dismissive of football.
How is Humphries dismissive of football?
what shackles? the IRFU and FAI have enjoyed an excellent relationship since the 70s
The IRFU is the senior partner in that relationship.
There has been quite a bit of scorn in rugby circles in relation to the sales, or lack thereof, of Vantage Club tickets.
jbyrne
11/10/2010, 5:21 PM
The IRFU is the senior partner in that relationship.
There has been quite a bit of scorn in rugby circles in relation to the sales, or lack thereof, of Vantage Club tickets.
how on earth does this in any way "shackle" the IRFU??
legendz
11/10/2010, 6:07 PM
The obsession with football across the water is mad alright. When you look at rugby, you don't see that big an interest in the Aviva Premiership. The FAI/LoI aren't doing much to address things though are they. Man United after all were welcomed to the Aviva!
Gather round
11/10/2010, 7:49 PM
The obsession with football across the water is mad alright. When you look at rugby, you don't see that big an interest in the Aviva Premiership
Some of the English media (particularly the Conservative-supporting Telegraph papers) give disproportionate coverage to rugby union, which both reflects and encourages its reputation as a sport for the affluent.
paul_oshea
11/10/2010, 8:17 PM
GR he is talking about irish interest here i think.
how on earth does this in any way "shackle" the IRFU??
It doesn't but the perception amongst a lot of rugby folk is that the FAI are getting a sweet deal at far less expense.
irishultra
11/10/2010, 10:55 PM
becoz the aviva premierships is terrible. anyone ever seen the defence :O interest in the magners league isnt even that big in ireland tbh.
tetsujin1979
11/10/2010, 10:59 PM
becoz the aviva premierships is terrible. anyone ever seen the defence :O interest in the magners league isnt even that big in ireland tbh.
It's pretty big, attendances for Munster and Leinster regularly top 15,000 each. The recent game between the two sides at the Aviva stadium set a new attendance record for the competition - 50,645
jbyrne
12/10/2010, 7:39 AM
how on earth does this in any way "shackle" the IRFU??
It doesn't but the perception amongst a lot of rugby folk is that the FAI are getting a sweet deal at far less expense.
but you said this earlier...
They can't wait till the day the IRFU are freed from the shackles binding them to the FAI and irish soccer.
the IRFU would never have afforded the stadium on their own and the government would not have given such a grant as they did to the IRFU on their own. rugby has always looked down on football but they have benefited greatly from renting their stadium over the years and with the funding of the new one.
bennocelt
12/10/2010, 11:36 AM
How is Humphries dismissive of football?
Well know for it in fact, read any of his books, etc
He is a major gah head
Stuttgart88
12/10/2010, 12:55 PM
Jinxy, he wrote a piece a few years back "50 reasons why GAA is better than football" and followed up after we lost at home to France with a really dismissive piece about Irish football and its supporters ("We're not going to South Africa and nobody will care"). He's categorically a GAA man first and foremost, Bennocelt is fully correct.
legendz
12/10/2010, 12:56 PM
Rugby's elitism is the reason for the split in the sport and the creation of Rugby League. There always will be a touch of elitism with Rugby Union, just the way it is. If people have a problem with it but like rugby, they could take up rugby league!
Whatever people think about soccer, it is the global game. None of the other football codes have created it's amount of interest.
I was in Cork at the weekend, it's crazy a city like that can't generate more interest in their local team. Maybe with the right ownership moving forward the club will develop.
the IRFU would never have afforded the stadium on their own and the government would not have given such a grant as they did to the IRFU on their own. rugby has always looked down on football but they have benefited greatly from renting their stadium over the years and with the funding of the new one.
Then why are you arguing with me?
Powered by vBulletin® Version 4.2.2 Copyright © 2025 vBulletin Solutions, Inc. All rights reserved.