Interesting stat on Irish fans watching premiership games

[tetsujin1979]

Ireland v france is the highest watched sporting even of the last 15 years;
http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/international/2009/1119/257577-ireland_rte/

Ireland - Croatia from the Euros only just behind it: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2012/2012/0611/324567-millions-tune-in-for-republic-of-ireland-clash/

[Charlie Darwin]

Ireland - Croatia from the Euros only just behind it: http://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/euro-2012/2012/0611/324567-millions-tune-in-for-republic-of-ireland-clash/
Well, interest waned quickly.

[geysir]

Latest figures 9admittedly 4 years old. but unlikely to cahnge too drastically);
http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Research/Ballpark_Figures_2008_/Ballpark_Figures.pdf
More people play football than gaelic sports and rugby combined.

The most probable trustworthy figures in that research are the club membership and attendance figures, research in those 2 areas show the GAA to be the supreme sport in Ireland.
But yeah there's enough interest in soccer in Ireland but not enough yet to add another 300 - 500 to each game on a regular basis.
I'd hazard a guess that one reason why for instance Norwegian/Swedish clubs have a much stronger base than Irish, is the clubs are multi sports, Handball Football, Ice Hockey etc. A person might not be active in a particular sport but still identifies with the club.

[Dodge]

The most probable trustworthy figures in that research are the club membership and attendance figures, research in those 2 areas show the GAA to be the supreme sport in Ireland

In term of attendance, thats never in dispute. But that's my point, there are millions of people interesting in football but they have no interest in Irish football (save for 6-8 internationals a year)

[ArdeeBhoy]

'Millions' is a bit strong...
:rolleyes:

Tens of thousands. Who wouldn't turn up as regularly, with more frequent matches. As they live away or abroad.

Comparisons with Leinster or Munster rugby is a better indicator?

[Dodge]

'Millions' is a bit strong...
:rolleyes:

Not really. 2 million people is the RTE figure.


Tens of thousands. Who wouldn't turn up as regularly, with more frequent matches. As they live away or abroad.
That ireland only. I'm tal;king abotu people interested in the sport. not attendances.


Comparisons with Leinster or Munster rugby is a better indicator?
Better indicator of what? More people attend those games.

But the point isn't about attendance, its about people interested in the sport who don't attend football games (of which there are millions)

[SkStu]

I used to work in sports merchandise...

Dodge on his way to work...

http://www.sabotagetimes.com/wp-content/uploads/shoes-e1346069127623.jpg

[ArdeeBhoy]

Lol. At his bizarre perceptions of people who watch on TV somehow all being 'sports fans'.

Perhaps half of the 'millions' are usually those who can't be bothered to change channels. Include some of my own nearest & dearest under that broad brush.

[geysir]

AB, do you not realize the difference between what Dodge wrote about tv viewers being "interested in football' and "sports fans"?

[ArdeeBhoy]

Yes, except it doesn't make sense.

As the description (& associated definition of both) are too vague!!

Something I would hope even a Pats fan might appreciate...

[Dodge]

Yes, except it doesn't make sense.

You ignoring the participation bit too?

[geysir]

Yes, except it doesn't make sense.

I interpret that as meaning you don't understand the difference :)

[ArdeeBhoy]

No, I don't agree. Or is that too difficult to grasp...
;)

[Stuttgart88]

Except it isn't and TV figures are generally stronger for Rugby, Hurling and GAA matches. Was interesting a few months ago that an under 20 rugby game got more viewers than the Premiership on RTE, it'd be naive to say that the decline of soccer popularity in the past 10 years hasn't benefited Rugby in a big way in this country. Both internationals play in the same stadium and one has problems filling it, the other does not. Leinster, a club side can fill the Aviva better than the Republic of Ireland can which is the harsh reality. Times have changed.Selective choice of comparisons. Come back when you're comparing like with like. We've thrashed this out on the "Rugby now more popular...." thread, and your view didn't hold much water then either.