Croker - floodlights!!!

[oconghc2]

as a gaa fan as well, i'd love to see the match at Croker - 70 000 - all nearly behing the country! - not many french will travel id imagine!

One quick thing i noticed mightnt have been mentioned!

Game is on wed 7 September at 7.45 ----- Croker has no lights so dunno whats gonna happen??? have to be switched to a saturday game and with the hurling on round that time might be tough for the weekend!!

[thejollyrodger]

like the GAA are going to open it up :rolleyes: I wouldnt even worry about floodlighting

[gspain]

If the GAA were to open up Croke Park and if the F.A.I. were to switch the game then it could be played in the afternoon like we used to when Lansdowne had no lights.

I still think we'll play the french ar Lansdowne - haven't checked Paddy Power lately but last time they had it 3/1 on the game being in Croek Park.

[Superhoops]

If the GAA were to open up Croke Park and if the F.A.I. were to switch the game then it could be played in the afternoon like we used to when Lansdowne had no lights.

I still think we'll play the french ar Lansdowne - haven't checked Paddy Power lately but last time they had it 3/1 on the game being in Croek Park.

I remember seeing something before that even if the GAA agree to soccer and rugby being played in Croke Park, there were conditions attached to the planning permission that prevented midweek events and only a certain number of Saturday events.

[BobbySands]

If Croker and Landsdowne happen to be unavailable for the French match it should be played at Dalymount, the true home of Irish soccer. Fill the place with 15,000 rabid real fans. No corporate freeloaders. Remember Kerrs observations re the away match with Albania in the Euros. I think there were about 12,000 there. Of course the FAI would complain about lost revenue etc but those squandering shysters need to wise up and accept that the reason why the Irish football team have no real home is down to them. A lot of money was made since the late eighties that they blew on consultants and experts to tell them Abbotstown was unfeasible. They took the amazing goodwill of the fans who travelled all over the map to support the team for granted and instead gave their attention to the AIB or whatever. Like many here I've only gotten tix for matches through a friend who works in the bank.

Playing the matches in Liverpool or Glasgow would be an insult. End of rant.

[Superhoops]

If Croker and Landsdowne happen to be unavailable for the French match it should be played at Dalymount, the true home of Irish soccer. Fill the place with 15,000 rabid real fans.
What would qualify as a 'rabid real fan'?

Wearing: Leprechaun hat/suit, Green and White wig, Jesters hat, Celtic jersey?
Carrying: plastic hammer or plastic shamrock?
Knowing the words of: Ole. Ole or the chorus of The Fields of Athenry?
Drinking: 8 to 10 pints before the match?
Number of matches previously attended: Paris and/or Amsterdam?
:rolleyes: :rolleyes:

[Cowboy]

What a ridiculous post, I'm presuming this is tough in cheek and FYI abbotstown had nothing to do with the FAI. There were significantly more than 12k in the Albanian stadium. You assume wrongly that even if we did go to a smaller stadium thet corporates would still not get tickets and in any case who would decide who the 15,000 should be?



If Croker and Landsdowne happen to be unavailable for the French match it should be played at Dalymount, the true home of Irish soccer. Fill the place with 15,000 rabid real fans.

.

[irishfan86]

What a ridiculous post, I'm presuming this is tough in cheek and FYI abbotstown had nothing to do with the FAI. There were significantly more than 12k in the Albanian stadium. You assume wrongly that even if we did go to a smaller stadium thet corporates would still not get tickets and in any case who would decide who the 15,000 should be?

Well Cowboy. I suggest, since Lansdowne cannot be used for football apparently, we use it for "fan trials." Anyone who wants to go to "the real home of Irish football" will fight it to the death until there are only 15,000 fans remaining alive. Close combat weapons only, no automatic weaponry/projectile weaponry will be tolerated. I assume that anyone who could surivive this onslaught would be fairly rowdy and intimidating for the visitors.

P.S.-Survivors of the "fan trials" should have an all expenses trip to Israel paid for.

[Peadar]

Croker has no lights so dunno whats gonna happen??? !!


I know this is like way out there and totally radical, man, but could they like put like lights up??
No, that's just like too crazy!
Sorry!

Special Olympics anyone!? :rolleyes:

[Dotsy]

I know this is like way out there and totally radical, man, but could they like put like lights up??
No, that's just like too crazy!
Sorry!

Special Olympics anyone!? :rolleyes:

Heard a guy on the Last Word on Today FM last week who just wrote a book about croke park history. According to him the stadium is wired for floodlights already. They need to take off the upper front of the stands and put the bulbs in. Apparently it's not that big a project and could be done fairly qucikly.

[Peadar]

Apparently it's not that big a project and could be done fairly qucikly.

The major enlightenment project required is for certain personnel within the organisation, particularly the Dinosaurs in the Cork County Board. :mad:

[Cowboy]

is this the first draft of a reality TV show concept :)


Well Cowboy. I suggest, since Lansdowne cannot be used for football apparently, we use it for "fan trials." Anyone who wants to go to "the real home of Irish football" will fight it to the death until there are only 15,000 fans remaining alive. Close combat weapons only, no automatic weaponry/projectile weaponry will be tolerated. I assume that anyone who could surivive this onslaught would be fairly rowdy and intimidating for the visitors.

P.S.-Survivors of the "fan trials" should have an all expenses trip to Israel paid for.

[TheJamaicanP.M.]

If Croker and Landsdowne happen to be unavailable for the French match it should be played at Dalymount, the true home of Irish soccer. Fill the place with 15,000 rabid real fans. No corporate freeloaders. Remember Kerrs observations re the away match with Albania in the Euros. I think there were about 12,000 there. Of course the FAI would complain about lost revenue etc but those squandering shysters need to wise up and accept that the reason why the Irish football team have no real home is down to them. A lot of money was made since the late eighties that they blew on consultants and experts to tell them Abbotstown was unfeasible. They took the amazing goodwill of the fans who travelled all over the map to support the team for granted and instead gave their attention to the AIB or whatever. Like many here I've only gotten tix for matches through a friend who works in the bank.

Playing the matches in Liverpool or Glasgow would be an insult. End of rant.

This post is about as intelligent as the username.

Dalymount Park is a bigger embarassment than Lansdowne. Park of the terracing has been closed for the past few years due to the fact that it is unsafe. I am totally behind the opening of Croker and despise the bigotry of the GAA dinosaurs. However, I would like to see the French game remain in Lansdowne for a number of reasons. Firstly, I think those Ireland supporters who have been at all the qualifiers and games in recent years should be allowed to remain in their seats for this big game. If the match was played in Croker, the FAI would no doubt bring in more corporate fags and there would be a large bandwagon contingent. Secondly, people complain about the atmosphere in Lansdowne. It would be even worse in Croker. The stands are too far from the pitch and fans in different parts of the ground find it difficult to create a cohesive atmosphere. Finally, the size of the pitch would be playing into French hands. We need a tight pitch IMO.

[Peadar]

Finally, the size of the pitch would be playing into French hands. We need a tight pitch IMO.


We can make the pitch as small as the regulations allow.
That's up the the discretion of the home FA as far as I know??

[thejollyrodger]

Orginally I was in favour of playing in Croker but I've changed my mind.

on a side note, Ireland better get used to playing in big football pitches because the re development of landsdowne road is going to be big enough to play GAA in. :eek: Well i guess it will be good for wingers.

As for opening up Croker, the FAI are going to give half the tickets to AIB type head, fellas who go to matches in suits FFS. There is no real atmosphere in Croker anyway, even in a All Ireland Final, just some cheering near the end.

Anfield HAS an atmosphere, a right sized pitch, decent sized and very near to Dublin. Féck the GAA , go to anfield.

[Peadar]

Anfield HAS an atmosphere, a right sized pitch, decent sized and very near to Dublin. Féck the GAA , go to anfield.

I'd go to Flancare before I'd go to that dump!
Pandering to the prats who claim there's a "link" between Liverpool and Dublin.
If you mention Parkhead you'll get the same response.

[thejollyrodger]

ok Peadar, Ibrox it is so : P

[4tothefloor]

There is a link - the ferry

[Thomo]

I'd go to Flancare before I'd go to that dump!

to the flansiro! after all longford is the centre of ireland! :D

[oconghc2]

dunno bout atmosphere being crap at GAA matches!! fair enough this years final was an exception.

one thing that hinders a big atmosphere sometimes is the way both sets of fans are mixed in together. can imagine it being much better when each set of fans together.

One other thing would be the lack of chants - may annoy some others here, but the big counties aside (the dubs i.e) not many counties have songs etc!!

think - ty-rone! clap clap clap ty-rone! or even Laois! Laois Laois!!

ask any follower of the dubs and theres nothing better than a big day in croker!! (fair enough not many lately! ) great atmosphere !

think therd be excellent atmosphere in the stadium if we got the go ahead!!

[Peadar]

ok Peadar, Ibrox it is so : P

Do they have a decent ground?
What capacity do they have?
Not a big fan of Glasgow as a whole.
Edinburgh is nice!


The Diaspora,the diaspora........ ;)

Isn't there a tablet for that? ;)


One other thing would be the lack of chants - may annoy some others here, but the big counties aside (the dubs i.e) not many counties have songs etc!!

think therd be excellent atmosphere in the stadium if we got the go ahead!!

I agree with you on pretty much everything here.
In addition to your points, I think the atmosphere suffers at Hurling especially because you have to watch the game so closely that it's hard to sing or chant at the same time.
The game could also be at night, under lights which would add to the atmosphere.

The only downside is that you'd have so many more people there who may never have been to a game and not know how to participate in the atmosphere. It would be the same situation as we currently have in Lansdowne only on a larger scale.

[carnstien]

If the GAA were to open up Croke Park and if the F.A.I. were to switch the game then it could be played in the afternoon like we used to when Lansdowne had no lights.

I still think we'll play the french ar Lansdowne - haven't checked Paddy Power lately but last time they had it 3/1 on the game being in Croek Park.
I really would prefer to see it played in Lansdowne. It's and old shack of a place but when it's full there's a hell of an atmosphere and it's what our boys are used to.

Who else remembers what happened to Arsenal when they played there European games in Wembley?

[Peadar]

Who else remembers what happened to Arsenal when they played there European games in Wembley?

I was there to see Barcelona and Fiorentina.
Believe me it wasn't the 72,000 crowd that was the problem, it was the width of the pitch.
Arsenal were caught out too many times as the team back then lacked any real pace. Wembley wasn't the biggest pitch in the Britain or anything but the running track made it feel really big and I think Arsenal just weren't comfortable there.
I don't think the same thing would be such a factor for Ireland given how few times the team play at Lansdowne Road anyway.

[carnstien]

I was there to see Barcelona and Fiorentina.
Believe me it wasn't the 72,000 crowd that was the problem, it was the width of the pitch.
Arsenal were caught out too many times as the team back then lacked any real pace. Wembley wasn't the biggest pitch in the Britain or anything but the running track made it feel really big and I think Arsenal just weren't comfortable there.
I don't think the same thing would be such a factor for Ireland given how few times the team play at Lansdowne Road anyway.
I still don't like the idea and I don't think Kerr will either. All you are doing is creating the possibility for unforeseen things to go wrong. Arsenal never expected to perfrom so badly at Wembely, it just happened and the possibility is always there that it could happen to us.

[Peadar]

Arsenal never expected to perfrom so badly at Wembly.

I can't see why not. They've hardly go any real European pedigree to suggest they would have had greater success in Highbury.
Aren't they back playing in Highbury for the last 4 European seasons now?
Still no success in Europe.
Brian Kerr is a resourceful man and I'm sure he'll make the best of the situation, whatever it may be.

[Colm55]

I really would prefer to see it played in Lansdowne. It's and old shack of a place but when it's full there's a hell of an atmosphere and it's what our boys are used to.

Who else remembers what happened to Arsenal when they played there European games in Wembley?

In my opinion the atmosphere in Croker would be much better because at a capacity crowd of 75,000 there would be a hell of a lot more of supporters like ourselves at it due to more tickets being available, I struggle to get tickets to lansdowne due to the fatcats in their suits and i'm sure it applies to others here aswell. Played at croker and there is double the amount available for the likes of ourselves. I've no qualms at all about the atmoshere being any less at croker then at lansdowne, I believe it would be ten times better for the above reason.

You do make a good point regarding arsenal at wembley but i honestly don't think it applies here!

[fergalr]

Don't understand the sentimentality about Landsdowne - I never ever liked the kip. In any case, when was the last time we played well there?

[Peadar]

In any case, when was the last time we played well there?

Beating Holland and drawing with Portugal in the last WCQ's?

[fergalr]

Beating Holland and drawing with Portugal in the last WCQ's?

Both times we were outplayed for much of the match and got the results with a combination of luck and grit.

All I'm trying to say is that the Rugger HQ has never felt like home and I won't be sorry to see it go.

[thejollyrodger]

I hate looking at landsdowne road too. it has to be one of the uglest stadia in western Europe. Can wait till they flatten the place.

Stade de France is a pretty wide stadium and Ireland managed ok there so I dont think the width should be too much of a problem.

Im still not sure about the atmosphere though in Croke Park. The major selling point is that its handy and more people can go and see the team playing but there is deftinetly draw backs. A team will be playing into an empty stand, the atmosphere isnt guaranteed.

Can someone clarify will the grass be suitable for soccer. I read somewhere that they have mixed it with some other wierd stuff and it might be like playing on an astro pitch.

[Peadar]

Can someone clarify will the grass be suitable for soccer. I read somewhere that they have mixed it with some other wierd stuff and it might be like playing on an astro pitch.


The pitch is perfect for "soccer."

Here's the science bit.

The new pitch at Croke Park was laid during spring/summer 2002 in time for the Leinster hurling final but its use was limited in its first winter to minimise the damage ahead of the Special Olympics and All-Ireland Club finals, which took place on 17 March 2003.

This was the first replacement of the pitch surface in the history of the stadium. Supplied and installed by Leicester-based, Hewitt's Sportsturf, the new surface is a DD GrassMaster Desso pitch. The yarn and DD GrassMaster system, comprises of a stable, free-draining base layer topped by a layer of compost-enriched sand. During installation computer controlled machines injected a special yarn into the ground to a depth of approximately 20cm leaving 2cm above the ground.

A rye grass especially developed for Croke Park was then seeded between the artificial grass fibres. Once the natural grass has grown fully and the turf is dense, the artificial grass fibres carry out their work almost invisibly. This natural grass is hard-wearing, quick growing and has a quick recovery time, taking between only four and six weeks to grow. The close proximity of the stitching and the natural grass roots growing around the stitching is what gives the pitch its stability and is the key to the success of this type of surface. The system is employed in a number of English soccer stadia, including Anfield (Liverpool FC), Upton Park (West Ham United) and Villa Park (Aston Villa).

Source Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Croke_Park)

[ccfcman]

A team will be playing into an empty stand, the atmosphere isnt guaranteed.

Boavista do it, and @ Euro 2004 the Atmosphere was excellent [from the tv]

[roboyle]

Yeah, I don't think the atmosphere at Croker will be an issue - I've been there a fair bit these last few years (Tír Chonaill abú!!) and despite various stands being closed at one stage or another for redevelopment, the close proximity of the stands to the pitch and the steep angle of the stands themselves lend themselves to crowd noise carrying across the pitch and into the other stands... as long as you've a reasonably vocal crowd of 45,000+ things should be fine.
The stands at Lansdwone are FAR too open to build up a bit of noise and the new enclosed design should help once the stadium is done.

[Peadar]

I'd nearly say that they'd be able to use temp seats on the terrace as well.
It's quite steep in parts but I'd say it could be approved and completed.

[Bowsy]

I would like to see how small a soccer pitch in Croker would look. The pitch is very close to the stands so probably wouldn't be too bad. Even with a section closed a large crowd in Croker would generate an intimidating atmosphere and obviously would provide a lot more tickets but we might as well discussing the logistics of playing the game at the bottom of the sea until there's any movement from the GAA.

[Peadar]

I would like to see how small a soccer pitch in Croker would look. The pitch is very close to the stands so probably wouldn't be too bad.


There's 50m of a difference in length.
If the Hill was closed you could take 35/40m of that from the Hill end of the pitch. Then the Canal end would be 15/10m extra away from the goal.
The width is 15m on each side, I think.
All these figures are from memory.
I'm very much open to correction.

[Bowsy]

Even 25 metres each end isn't too bad. Must have been more space behind the goals at Wembley and presently at Hampden. I'll believe the GAA allowing Garrison games into Croker when I see it though.

[thejollyrodger]

well judging by that above, the playing surface should be good enough for soccer. The surface on landsdowne road is pretty poor, the grass is so long. Is that a rugby thing ?

Getting temporary seating in hill 16 would be nice and solve that problem of an empty stand but I cant see UEFA giving the nod. Still the atmosphere in Portugal was very good so maybe its not critical.

50 meters in length is quite a distance length wise. I dont know the dimensions of Croke Park but I looked the dimensions of soccer up


The dimensions of the field are:
Length: minimum 90 m (100 yards)
Maximum 120m (130 yards)
Width: minimum 45m (50 yards)
Maximum 90m (100 yards)
http://experts.about.com/q/1848/2458242.htm

[Peadar]

dimensions of Croke Park but I looked the dimensions of soccer up

Think Croker is 150m x 75m
So that would mean a mere 30m off the length.
I can't see how a football pitch max width could be 90m though?
120m long by 90m wide?
Do the dimensions have to be in proportion?
120m long by 45m wide would be mental!

[thejollyrodger]

(Croke Park - 144.5 m x 88m) http://www.gaa.ie/page/information__specifications.html

Yeah croke park is 145 meters long and 88 meters wide. 25 meters divided into two is feck al distance from the stand. The two side terraces would be right up against the pitch !!

The soccer dimensions with the pitch can be almost square. There is some pitch somewhere where it is nearly the case. Just the way it was built :D

[Bring Back Mick]

Can someone clarify will the grass be suitable for soccer. I read somewhere that they have mixed it with some other wierd stuff and it might be like playing on an astro pitch.[/QUOTE]

As long as they don't mark it out with the same stuff a well known W London GAA club used on some of their pitches left tram lines, up to 6" deep once soaked into ground........................... :eek:

[gufcfan]

I cant see them giving in at all. Fair play to Sean Kelly for stickin his neck out, but even so the congress is where it has to be passed. It didnt pass last time, and all i can see is a repeat.

Crazy idea...>>>

Bertie should call a few of his buddies and get some cash together and offer the members of the GAC Congress a few squid.
I must also mention that i in no way am I implying that Mr. Ahern would even consider such tactics, in any situation.

Off topic but, the only way u would get me into croke park was if ireland were playing there.

Shower of ...

[jbyrne]

Can someone clarify will the grass be suitable for soccer. I read somewhere that they have mixed it with some other wierd stuff and it might be like playing on an astro pitch.

same kind of pitch used in Anfield among other football grounds as far as i know

[Peadar]

same kind of pitch used in Anfield among other football grounds as far as i know

Do try and keep up, JB. ;)
I've addressed that question here. (http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=174464&postcount=33)

[Bondvillain]

the only way u would get me into croke park was if ireland were playing there.

Shower of ...

I'm with you on that one.... It's sad I know, it being such a magnificent stadium and all, but the history speaks volumes....
AUSTRALIAN/INTERNATIONAL RULES? CHECK!

AMERICAN FOOTBALL? CHECK!

U2? CHECK!

SIMPLE MINDS? CHECK!

IRELAND V FRANCE WCQ SEPT '05? AH LADS, WOULD YOU EVER STOP NOW, LIKE GOOD MEN, AND DONT BE ANNOYING US WITH YOUR "SACCER" CODOLOGY...RULES ARE RULES...


I fear that being inside croker is something you & I AREN'T going to be telling the young folk about in years to come....

[jbyrne]

Do try and keep up, JB. ;)
I've addressed that question here. (http://foot.ie/showpost.php?p=174464&postcount=33)

probably addressed previously by Peadar ;) but.... the construction of the new Croke Park wouldnt have been possible in its present form if a rugby pitch behind the old Cusack Stand hadnt been sold to the GAA by the school / club that owned it..... bit ironic really!!

[gspain]

I'm with you on that one.... It's sad I know, it being such a magnificent stadium and all, but the history speaks volumes....
AUSTRALIAN/INTERNATIONAL RULES? CHECK!

AMERICAN FOOTBALL? CHECK!

U2? CHECK!

SIMPLE MINDS? CHECK!

IRELAND V FRANCE WCQ SEPT '05? AH LADS, WOULD YOU EVER STOP NOW, LIKE GOOD MEN, AND DONT BE ANNOYING US WITH YOUR "SACCER" CODOLOGY...RULES ARE RULES...


I fear that being inside croker is something you & I AREN'T going to be telling the young folk about in years to come....

you forgot Muhammad Ali boxing Al Blue Lewis and a few more concerts. :)

BTW a pitch being too big is not a problem for football - we just pick the size we want if it ever does get opened up.

No idea re the grass but assuming it is not artificial turf then it would be fine.

I still can't see it being opned up though. Too many influential people against it. Love to know what Paddy Power think now. Last tiem I saw odds was earlier in the year and it was 3/1 against when the papers were speculating re it opening up. As usual the bookies were right.

[razor]

Bertie should call a few of his buddies and get some cash together and offer the members of the GAC Congress a few squid.
If a few quid was assembled, hypothetically of course, then I reckon a hit man should be hired and euthanasia performed on a number of dinosaurs that exist around the country. And that should include a few within the FAI also.

[BobbySands]

Someone could give Croker a ring and ask is it ok if Neil Diamond plays there on the date of the France match. They're bound to say yes in which case we stick him upfront as a partner for Robbie Keane for the first few mins.

By the way Jamaican PM. Drop dead.