Where were the best fans in the world last night ?

[geysir]

And we had big crowds for a string of bad football friendlies. One awful friendly after another,
ie until Brian Kerr came along.

There is not one outstanding factor why our crowds have dropped.
Things have changed with us for a variety of reasons, probably already mentioned. And things may have changed around Europe as well, as in the concentration of high profile friendlies on those few occasions on the football calendar.

[IsMiseSean]

On the rugby on Sunday. Was it a sell-out? I noticed pockets of empty seats at times.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah they sold out ages ago. The empty seats were probably sponsors' allocations or people who didn't fancy getting wet.

[ArdeeBhoy]

basically just one excuse after another really. you either support a team or you dont. 5 or 6 home matches a season is hardly a big ask.

What a laughable comment. There's plenty of people who're 'better' fans who choose to miss largely meaningless friendlies, especially at home. I suspect they put in rather more effort (& time/expense) than most on this thread, if not all following their country.
Though the vast majority wouldn't indulge in some fatuous comments about whether they are 'better' or not. True fans accept very few people will bother with all the games as we're talking 'quantity over quality' amongst other issues.

[BonnieShels]

What a laughable comment. There's plenty of people who're 'better' fans who choose to miss largely meaningless friendlies, especially at home. I suspect they put in rather more effort (& time/expense) than most on this thread, if not all following their country.
Though the vast majority wouldn't indulge in some fatuous comments about whether they are 'better' or not. True fans accept very few people will bother with all the games as we're talking 'quantity over quality' amongst other issues.


Here bloody here. Now can we kill this thread.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Agreed!

[gastric]

Here bloody here. Now can we kill this thread.

And I was just beginning to enjoy the debate about how rugby fans are the best fans in the world!

[p2011]

The "best fans in the world" is clearly such a load of BS that any discussion of the concept can only be as pointless as this thread is/has become.

[BonnieShels]

The "best fans in the world" is clearly such a load of BS that any discussion of the concept can only be as pointless as this thread is/has become.

I agree.

Gastric, there's a hread somewhere called "Rugby is now more popular than soccer, GAA" which discussed similar issues. Hop on in.

This one has to close. Pronto.

[paul_oshea]

I didnt make the match on Wednesday, due to living in London and being a contractor i dont get paid if i miss work, so i try to miss as few days as possible.

Anyway, i digress, although I dont make all the home games, i still ensure i purchase a ticket and never miss the match on tele. I think it isn't possible for all of us to go, but it is possible for all of us to "support", and by that i mean buying a ticket and still watching the game somewhere.

[Stuttgart88]

When did Irish rugby attempt to generate a soccer-style atmosphere at our home ground? Usual holier-than-thou nonsense. Soccer ain't perfect but a good soccer atmosphere is nothing rugby should be afraid of.

[peadar1987]

Before we get on-topic again from the rugby-bashing, I'm going to throw this in:

It really annoys me when rugby fans act like their sport is better than football because "you wouldn't see rugby players diving on the floor like a ballerina every time someone comes near them". etc. etc.

That's not because rugby players are inherently better human beings or anything, it's because there's no advantage. You can bet your life if they could win a penalty by throwing themselves on the ground like they'd been shot, then they would. Instead, their cheating is more along the lines of stamping, punching, and eye gouging. Both sports have problems, don't act like yours is so saintly and perfect!!

Rant over!

[Charlie Darwin]

Before we get on-topic again from the rugby-bashing, I'm going to throw this in:

It really annoys me when rugby fans act like their sport is better than football because "you wouldn't see rugby players diving on the floor like a ballerina every time someone comes near them". etc. etc.

That's not because rugby players are inherently better human beings or anything, it's because there's no advantage. You can bet your life if they could win a penalty by throwing themselves on the ground like they'd been shot, then they would. Instead, their cheating is more along the lines of stamping, punching, and eye gouging. Both sports have problems, don't act like yours is so saintly and perfect!!

Rant over!
Plus rugby players do dive when it is advantageous.

[paul_oshea]

Before we get on-topic again from the rugby-bashing, I'm going to throw this in:

It really annoys me when rugby fans act like their sport is better than football because "you wouldn't see rugby players diving on the floor like a ballerina every time someone comes near them". etc. etc.

That's not because rugby players are inherently better human beings or anything, it's because there's no advantage. You can bet your life if they could win a penalty by throwing themselves on the ground like they'd been shot, then they would. Instead, their cheating is more along the lines of stamping, punching, and eye gouging. Both sports have problems, don't act like yours is so saintly and perfect!!

Rant over!

Its not though its usually done from the viewpoint of "its more manly" or a "proper mans sport", rather than a cheating one. In the rugby fans, and GAA fans, its that he is a weaker human being by getting hurt easier than their GAA or Rugby playing counterpart.

[peadar1987]

Its not though its usually done from the viewpoint of "its more manly" or a "proper mans sport", rather than a cheating one. In the rugby fans, and GAA fans, its that he is a weaker human being by getting hurt easier than their GAA or Rugby playing counterpart.

But if the GAA and rugby players could get an advantage from pretending to be hurt, they would. It's not because they're "more manly" or "proper men" that they don't do it, it's that there's more advantage to be gained by cheating elsewhere.

[paul_oshea]

I think they find it hard to abstract the two to be honest.

[Stuttgart88]

Before we get on-topic again from the rugby-bashing, I'm going to throw this in:

It really annoys me when rugby fans act like their sport is better than football because "you wouldn't see rugby players diving on the floor like a ballerina every time someone comes near them". etc. etc.

That's not because rugby players are inherently better human beings or anything, it's because there's no advantage. You can bet your life if they could win a penalty by throwing themselves on the ground like they'd been shot, then they would. Instead, their cheating is more along the lines of stamping, punching, and eye gouging. Both sports have problems, don't act like yours is so saintly and perfect!!

Rant over!I promise that's not me logging onto Peadar's account!

[peadar1987]

I promise that's not me logging onto Peadar's account!

And liking your own posts.

[DannyInvincible]

There's plenty of play-acting and simulation in Gaelic football when it can prove beneficial to engage in it. Here's just one example:


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DHuU3EdJ1NQ

[BonnieShels]

I can't see that due to a work block on YouTube but it has to be a Corkman, maybe Graham Canty or the swallow himself, Kieran Donaghy.

Now close this thread dag nabbit!

[SkStu]

although I dont make all the home games, i still ensure i purchase a ticket and never miss the match on tele. I think it isn't possible for all of us to go, but it is possible for all of us to "support", and by that i mean buying a ticket and still watching the game somewhere.

Why? I think that is completely unneccessary. I dont think it makes you any more of a fan than someone who lives in London and just watches the games. All I think is that it is a complete waste of your money. Does anyone get the use of your ticket??

[geysir]

There's plenty of play-acting and simulation in Gaelic football when it can prove beneficial to engage in it. Here's just one example:
Typical Derry whataboutery :)

Here's a more common Cork Kerry, fist to face, merely handbags. :D

http://oi44.tinypic.com/348q54h.jpg

[paul_oshea]

Why? I think that is completely unneccessary. I dont think it makes you any more of a fan than someone who lives in London and just watches the games. All I think is that it is a complete waste of your money. Does anyone get the use of your ticket??

If, for the reason you don't support by purchasing tickets, you think that its completely unnecessary, I disagree, I would see it as completely necessary, for I can't be there in person, I'm pretty sure the FAI, who our team represent, are more than happy with the financial support I am offering.

[tetsujin1979]

If, for the reason you don't support by purchasing tickets, you think that its completely unnecessary, I disagree, I would see it as completely necessary, for I can't be there in person, I'm pretty sure the FAI, who our team represent, are more than happy with the financial support I am offering.
who gets the ticket, or is it another empty seat?

[tetsujin1979]

just as a compare and contrast, here's Alan Quinlan's thoughts on the crowd at the Ireland - England game at the weekend: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0213/1224329981475.html

[paul_oshea]

who gets the ticket, or is it another empty seat?

Empty seat normally, id rather someone else also spent money.

Whatever people think of the people that run the FAI, they run football in the country and need all the money they can get, especially given how poor attended the league is. Without sounding somewhat self-righteous, and I know I can put stutts in this bracket also, I see it like a charitable donation as much as anything else - and thats not because they have my sympathy, rather my support. It would be good if a few more expats, who cant really support in any other way did the same.

[IsMiseSean]

just as a compare and contrast, here's Alan Quinlan's thoughts on the crowd at the Ireland - England game at the weekend: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0213/1224329981475.html


Quinlan finding it hard to get he's head around the fact that the majority of Rugby 'supporters' are bandwagoners.

[Stuttgart88]

just as a compare and contrast, here's Alan Quinlan's thoughts on the crowd at the Ireland - England game at the weekend: http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0213/1224329981475.htmlI think that's an excellent article by the way and I think footy fans will empathise with that. Even during the Croker rugby games (I was at many of them) the atmosphere was flat, except the famous England game. I was at the opener against France and might as well have been watching snooker. Something's gone amiss at both footy and rugger methinks.

[tetsujin1979]

When did Irish rugby attempt to generate a soccer-style atmosphere at our home ground?

Usual holier-than-thou nonsense. Soccer ain't perfect but a good soccer atmosphere is nothing rugby should be afraid of.
only spotted this now. This has been going on for ages, Leinster play a short tune every time there's a score announced. I don't know what it is, but it sounds like something from Zorro, or a bullfight, and the crowd chants "Ole" when it finishes.
Doesn't happen at Thomond Park, or at least not after every score.

[Stuttgart88]

re-Paul's remark above, yes, I see the FAI as a deserving charity to a large degree. I grin and bear ticket prices. I'm what they call "price inelastic".

[paul_oshea]

To be fair, I think the munster supporters would be more traditionalist, even though ROG pointed out on a wet evening in musgrave park in the late 90s/00s playing to 1500 in the ****ing rain, it would be more of a thing to be seen at by the South Dubs and the schools.

[paul_oshea]

re-Paul's remark above, yes, I see the FAI as a deserving charity to a large degree. I grin and bear ticket prices. I'm what they call "price inelastic".

I thought you are what they call, "terribly-affected-middle class" ;)

[Stuttgart88]

I don't know what you mean, but one memorable moment from my playing career springs to mind.

I was playing up in North Co. Dublin, Rush I think. I was in goals and some local kids were throwing stones at me from behind the net. I tried to sound hard and I put on my toughest Dublin accent and said "lads, will yiz ****ing quit throwing ****stones". Which prompted the young knackers to roll around laughing and one said "Ah Jaysus, the goalie's a poshie".

[BonnieShels]

I think that's an excellent article by the way and I think footy fans will empathise with that. Even during the Croker rugby games (I was at many of them) the atmosphere was flat, except the famous England game. I was at the opener against France and might as well have been watching snooker. Something's gone amiss at both footy and rugger methinks.

I was at the French game and the only thing I got out of it was cold knees and I lived around the corner on Distillery Road.

I didn't enjoy the atmosphere at all.

[SkStu]

If, for the reason you don't support by purchasing tickets, you think that its completely unnecessary, I disagree, I would see it as completely necessary, for I can't be there in person, I'm pretty sure the FAI, who our team represent, are more than happy with the financial support I am offering.

I dont think buying a ticket for a game that doesnt get used equals support for the Irish team. It is financial support for the association that "runs" Irish football. Support can be shown in other meaningful ways whether you are at home or abroad. Look its all well and good to support in a way that you see fit, i just dont think it makes you any more of a supporter of the Irish team. I also like to see a return on my support - if i commit passion i expect it in return, if i commit cash i expect something for that. For you to purchase a ticket and have a seat sit empty makes no sense to me. It should/could be donated to charity or someone who cannot afford a ticket, no? I think that is what i have most problem with...

[geysir]

It might/would be an issue if the game was a sure fire sell out.
It's Paul's choice in this instance to regard the FAI as a charity.
Leave the lad alone :)

[Charlie Darwin]

Empty seat normally, id rather someone else also spent money.

Whatever people think of the people that run the FAI, they run football in the country and need all the money they can get, especially given how poor attended the league is. Without sounding somewhat self-righteous, and I know I can put stutts in this bracket also, I see it like a charitable donation as much as anything else - and thats not because they have my sympathy, rather my support. It would be good if a few more expats, who cant really support in any other way did the same.
Do you buy league tickets too?

[geysir]

I smell an offer of a LOI season ticket, at a very good price, on its way to Paul's inbox.

[paul_oshea]

No but i buy all the raffle tickets for the club at home and the big draw at christmas which probably costs about the same as a season ticket at a LOI ground. Ok probably not....:D

I'm 40 miles form a LOI ground. Or was, multiply that by at least 10 now :)

[Charlie Darwin]

No but i buy all the raffle tickets for the club at home and the big draw at christmas which probably costs about the same as a season ticket at a LOI ground. Ok probably not....:D

I'm 40 miles form a LOI ground. Or was, multiply that by at least 10 now :)
But your money will go much further at a LOI club than in the FAI coffers.

[Sleepingpartner]

So they say. The LOI is a great concept and so are the fans but that's as far as it goes.

[geysir]

No but i buy all the raffle tickets for the club at home and the big draw at christmas
That's one way to make sure you win the prize.

[SkStu]

Leave the lad alone :)

i just want to convince him that im right and that he should change his mind to my way of thinking on this and everything else... i really dont see the problem... ;)

Sorry Paul... you know I love you really :(

[Stuttgart88]

Quinlan's Irish Times observations have receivbed a lot of response:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0214/1224330010109.html?via=mr#

[paul_oshea]

But your money will go much further at a LOI club than in the FAI coffers.

Go much further in that club? But does it help the development or grants given out to local clubs who nurture and give an outlet to people in my area? No it doesn't. Whatever little amount goes to development officers or money to clubs either directly or indirectly through my purchase of an international ticket, its definitely better than not buying one.

I've never been contacted by a charity but I would be more than willing, otherwise like geysir says, unless the match was sold out then I don't think redistribution becomes a problem, in fact I would be more against it for many reasons, not least because those who go to the crap games deserve the big ones as well or the more difficult ones to get to, deserve to be able to go to the less difficult ones to get to also - where I would want to go - but also because I think the FAI could do with another sale.

If you don't want to buy one or support in that way fair enough, I accept that. You make the point that if you commit cash you accept something back, if/when you give cash to sponsor a child in africa, do you expect to get a letter back saying Dear Skstu....?

[Charlie Darwin]

Quinlan's Irish Times observations have receivbed a lot of response:

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/sport/2013/0214/1224330010109.html?via=mr#
They seem to have deleted all the comments. There were 250 last night, only 18 now.


Go much further in that club? But does it help the development or grants given out to local clubs who nurture and give an outlet to people in my area? No it doesn't. Whatever little amount goes to development officers or money to clubs either directly or indirectly through my purchase of an international ticket, its definitely better than not buying one.
Whatever club you want. I'm just saying your money will be much closer to the grassroots if you invest in a club rather than the national association.

[paul_oshea]

Yes and that's why I said I buy tickets for club draws and christmas raffles etc also.

[ArdeeBhoy]

So Bonnie's hopes are going well then...

[BonnieShels]

So Bonnie's hopes are going well then...

They're taking a battering along with my dreams. This thread is like a cockroach/Bray Wanderers.

[nigel-harps1954]

This thread is like a horror story. Why someone would actively seek to give hard earned money, to further line the pockets of Mein Führer Delaney is beyond me.