Attendances 2014

[Charlie Darwin]

400-ish in Tallaght. Was fairly disappointed with the crowd to be honest. Thought more Rovers fans would make the trip in. Stephen McGuinness, Paul Osam, Trevor Crolly all interested spectators, as well as a handful of the Rovers first team squad.

50 or so from Harps down.
I think Rovers B attendances will fill out a bit as more people buy season tickets, but realistically you won't get many people paying top whack to see the kids getting beat.

[nigel-harps1954]

I think Rovers B attendances will fill out a bit as more people buy season tickets, but realistically you won't get many people paying top whack to see the kids getting beat.

Ah I understand that for sure. I had just expected a little more there due to both it being the First home game of the season for the B side, and the fact Harps and Rovers fans generally have had a very good relationship since Harps fans donated a load of money when Rovers almost went under 10 years ago.

[Dalymountrower]

Ah I understand that for sure. I had just expected a little more there due to both it being the First home game of the season for the B side, and the fact Harps and Rovers fans generally have had a very good relationship since Harps fans donated a load of money when Rovers almost went under 10 years ago.

Let it go Nigel, they just arent into you anymore.

[Martinho II]

I dont see anything confirmed on our attendance v Shels on sat nite last-someone said 2k. can anyone confirm as I keep records of our attendances

[Longfordian]

Not a hope Marty! 800, at the very most. Stand was less than half full by my reckoning. Good lot of Shels in there too.

[nigel-harps1954]

Any official attendances from the weekend at all?

[adamd164]

Very few clubs seem to announce them. Exact figures are always announced during the second half in TX, whether good bad or indifferent.

[Captain2007]

Bray v Sligo attendance IMO approx. 700 (Main stand seats 800) plenty of seats vacant.

[Battery Rover]

1793 at Athlone v Shamrock R, official.

I can confirm that as officially announced by club

[nigel-harps1954]

So, as far as the weekends attendances:

Dundalk v Limerick - 1,654
Bohs v Drogheda - 1,657
Athlone v Rovers - 1,793
Bray v Sligo - circa 600?
St Pats v UCD - circa 1,000?

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps - 260
Waterford v Galway - 610
Wexford v Cobh - circa 300?
Longford v Shels - circa 700?

[Charlie Darwin]

That would be mental if Athlone had the PD's biggest attendance.

[nigel-harps1954]

A lot of estimates, many of which could be all over the place. Will edit as official or otherwise come in.

Weekly total attendance down over 10,000.

Week 2:

PREMIER DIVISION

Athlone - 1,793 (754; 271; 200; 354; 462)
Bohs - 1,657 (1,597; 1,496; 1,488; 1,835; 2,366)
Bray - 600 (891; 965; 1,121; 952; 1,169)
Cork - 5,322 (1,965; 2,786; 2,128 FD; 1,693 FD; 2,681)
Derry - 1,100 (1,446; 1,460; 2,135; 1,965 FD; 2,436)
Drogheda - 2,007 (817; 977; 811; 859; 1,106)
Dundalk - 1,654 (1,997; 949; 1,355; 1,877; 2,371)
Limerick - 1,307 (1,649; 734 FD; 569 FD; 598 FD; 429 FD)
Pat's - 1,000 (1,687; 1,474; 1,346; 1,756; 1,631)
Rovers - 3,510 (2,763; 3,127; 3,779; 3,794; 3,611)
Sligo - 2,600 (2,342; 3,007; 2,103; 1,807; 1,756)
UCD - 885 (487; 506; 558; 610; 272 FD)

FIRST DIVISION


Cobh - 400 (439; 2008 - 1,122 PD; 681; 368; 403)
Harps - 823 (479; 429; 433; 644; 480) -
Galway - 2,418 (No previous)
Longford - 700 (379; 365; 315; 230; 260)
Rovers B - 260 (No previous)
Shels - 767 (1,114 PD; 1,187 PD; 781; 737; 972)
Waterford - 610 (478; 453; 466; 619; 434)
Wexford - 300 (227; 302; 216; 343; 494)

PREMIER AVERAGE: 1,953 (1,566; 1,630; 1,547; 1,512; 2,010)
FIRST DIVISION AVERAGE: 785 (391; 372; 578; 682; 417)

OVERALL AVERAGE: 1,486 (1,140; 1,125; 1,110; 1,095; 1,175)

OVERALL WEEKLY ATTENDANCE: 9,674

OVERALL ATTENDANCE: 29,713

[adamd164]

That's a disappointing crowd for Dundalk... repercussions of charging 20 quid into the stand?

[Charlie Darwin]

First impressions are... that's a huge jump for UCD isn't it? Even allowing for the local derby, that's a cracking crowd. Drogs is probably misleading as they had Dundalk. Longford seem to be surfing the crest of a wave from the optimism of last season and a much improved squad, long may it continue. Also, it's been said before, but huge credit to Cork for getting the crowd in for Pats. I'm glad they didn't bend on the Sunday kick-off.

[nigel-harps1954]

First impressions are... that's a huge jump for UCD isn't it? Even allowing for the local derby, that's a cracking crowd. Drogs is probably misleading as they had Dundalk. Longford seem to be surfing the crest of a wave from the optimism of last season and a much improved squad, long may it continue. Also, it's been said before, but huge credit to Cork for getting the crowd in for Pats. I'm glad they didn't bend on the Sunday kick-off.

Going by pictures, Bohs seemed to have a large brunt of the crowd in Belfield that day.

There was something like 200-300 Shels fans down in Longford.

Seemed to be a very large Dundalk support in Drogheda last week. I'd be much, much more disappointed in their home crowd.

For first home games of the season, this weekends round of games threw up some awfully disappointing crowds.

[Charlie Darwin]

For first home games of the season, this weekends round of games threw up some awfully disappointing crowds.
Out of interest, have you tracked the first week attendances of teams over the past few years, as you have the averages? I could look it up myself of course (from your data) but it would be arduous, whereas I assume you have it mapped out on spreadsheets. For the record, I think the work you do on attendances is invaluable :)

[Ezeikial]

I think Rovers B attendances will fill out a bit as more people buy season tickets, but realistically you won't get many people paying top whack to see the kids getting beat.

Is it normal for your season ticket sales to increase as the number of matches available decreases?

[Longfordian]

Out of interest, have you tracked the first week attendances of teams over the past few years, as you have the averages? I could look it up myself of course (from your data) but it would be arduous, whereas I assume you have it mapped out on spreadsheets. For the record, I think the work you do on attendances is invaluable :)

Nigel's an attendance geek, but he's our attendance geek.

[White Horse]

That's a disappointing crowd for Dundalk... repercussions of charging 20 quid into the stand?




Too early to say. However, the stand looked to have the usual number of people in it. Apart from the away section, which was empty. I think the attendance has more to do with disappointment following the 4-1 defeat in Drogheda.

However, the increase in ticket prices will have an impact on attendance. The question is how significant it will be.

[pineapple stu]

St Pats v UCD - circa 1,000?
Definitely more than that - 1,500 maybe - but if you want to play on the side of conservatism, go for it.

[Dalymountrower]

The holiday weekends have their effect on crowds and Nigel probably has the stats to back that up.
That Derry v Cork game looked to have less than a thousand from the TV pictures, they are a fickle enough crowd up there and if they are not getting results and not playing a good brand of football they will be in trouble.
Great Athlone crowd but 6-700 Rovers fans would have bumped that up.
Bohs played Drogs in the league once last season and I think the crowd was about 1800?

[Dodge]

Definitely more than that - 1,500 maybe - but if you want to play on the side of conservatism, go for it.

Yeah, that's about right 1,400-1,500. There was an issue with the new ticket scanning equipment too so probably didn't release an official figure.

[Charlie Darwin]

Is it normal for your season ticket sales to increase as the number of matches available decreases?
For the first few weeks, yes.

[outspoken]

Where on earth did you get that attendance martinho. I said 550 myself and the leader had it down today as in the region of 600 so not too far off. Poor attendance but with the rugby and everything else going on I think we all expected it deep down. FD football just doesn't draw crowds, simples.

[ForzaForth]

Attendance at Wexford - Cobh match was 211.

[nigel-harps1954]

The holiday weekends have their effect on crowds and Nigel probably has the stats to back that up.

Holiday weekends generally have a very bad effect on attendances, although I had hoped first home games would have made a difference to most teams.



Out of interest, have you tracked the first week attendances of teams over the past few years, as you have the averages? I could look it up myself of course (from your data) but it would be arduous, whereas I assume you have it mapped out on spreadsheets. For the record, I think the work you do on attendances is invaluable :)

First home attendances of all combined teams from 2012 = 28,717
First home attendances of all combined teams from 2013 = 28,780
First home attendances of all combined teams from 2014 = 30,024

Slightly up each season. Bit of a rise this year, mostly due to the fact Galway FC are back, and no attendance from Salthill Devon or Mervue.
Bumper attendance at Cork helped greatly, but, 2012 saw almost 4,000 at both Cork and Derry first home games, and over 5,000 at first Shamrock Rovers game, and 2013 saw bumper attendances at Dundalk, Derry, Limerick, Shamrock Rovers, Cork and Sligo for their first home games of the season.

It all cannot be attributed to just a 5,500 attendance at Cork in TX this season. First division attendances have, thus far, increased quite dramatically. Largely, this is due, in lue, to the demise of Salthill and Mervue, and addition of Galway FC and Shelbourne to the division.

Overall, attendances seem to be slightly up on previous seasons. But, as we all know, the first few weekends count for absolutely nothing.

Get back to me around June/July and we'll see how things are going then.

[ATFC-1887]

The holiday weekends have their effect on crowds and Nigel probably has the stats to back that up.
That Derry v Cork game looked to have less than a thousand from the TV pictures, they are a fickle enough crowd up there and if they are not getting results and not playing a good brand of football they will be in trouble.
Great Athlone crowd but 6-700 Rovers fans would have bumped that up.
Bohs played Drogs in the league once last season and I think the crowd was about 1800?
There wasnt 6-700 Rovers fans. No more than 300

[Martinho II]

Where on earth did you get that attendance martinho. I said 550 myself and the leader had it down today as in the region of 600 so not too far off. Poor attendance but with the rugby and everything else going on I think we all expected it deep down. FD football just doesn't draw crowds, simples.

saw it online myself. totally wrong. sorry about that...

[wonder88]

762 at Tolka, not bad I suppose
203 at Belfield UCD v Athlone desperate
1027 at Galway v the B team good but need a goal fairly soon, style of play not too bad, but managers need to understand that they have to provide some entertainment for the fans who pay into the games.
Great crowd at Dalymount any figures yet?

[Hitman]

2750 at the Cross.

[nigel-harps1954]

About 450 in Finn Park. Dreadful night in Ballybofey so it doesn't surprise me.

[Olander]

Good crowd at Eamonn Deacy Park tonight, 1027 was the official attendance.

I was a bloody awful evening for a game and the football served up wasn't much better. Putrid stuff. If results don't improve very quickly our crowds will plummet.

[Cuyahoga]

5,000 at Dalymount tonight according to Extratime.ie

[Acornvilla]

Where on earth did you get that attendance martinho. I said 550 myself and the leader had it down today as in the region of 600 so not too far off. Poor attendance but with the rugby and everything else going on I think we all expected it deep down. FD football just doesn't draw crowds, simples.

We've won our opening two matches and Shels will bring a decent crowd given that we're a pretty handy away trip, so I'll make an estimate that we'll get around 5/600 at the CCS this weekend :P

I'm the attendance prediction king!

[niallsparky]

5,000 at Dalymount tonight according to Extratime.ie

Wonder how they worked that one out. Dalymount supposedly only holds 4200 or so these days...

[Longfordian]

Wonder how they worked that one out. Dalymount supposedly only holds 4200 or so these days...

Guessed I'd imagine! I think whoever it was they had at the match said the Jodi was full and the Rovers end was full which was about 1,000. Sounds like a little bit over 4,000 based on my now hazy recollections of Dalyer.

[ger121]

Jodi is close to 2800 and was rammed. Des Kelly was over 2/3 full. So maybe circa 4000 at a push.

[oriel]

1,023 at Drogs v Derry, nice to see exact figures given, I think Drogs only gave estimated crowds last season.

Should be no reason why all clubs should not be able to give exact figures for all games.

Also Drogs appear to have picked up some lost support so that's good to see.

What was Cork last night, 2,750? Bray was never the best attraction so that's a damn good turn up.

If Bohs v Rovers was over 4k, it was a positive night all round, and I'd imagine there will be a decent crowd at Sligo v DLK tonight.

In the FD good to see Galway having another decent crowd, but they probably start to need winning games to keep the locals interested. With the in mind it will do no harm to Finn Harps crowds if they keep winning.

[Dodge]

What was Cork last night, 2,750? Bray was never the best attraction so that's a damn good turn up.


They got 5,300 for the Pats game. That's some drop. Still a great crowd of course but I thought they'd get more

Jut over 200 at UCD/Athlone apparently

[nigel-harps1954]

With the in mind it will do no harm to Finn Harps crowds if they keep winning.

Was nice to see over 800 for the first game in Finn Park this season, and the 450 or so last night, while disappointing, was completely expected due to the horrible weather. From torrential downpours at 4pm, to a lovely spring evening at 6pm, to heavy snow at 8pm, it was just one of those days.

Good weather next week could see a bumper crowd against Galway.

[adamd164]

What was Cork last night, 2,750? Bray was never the best attraction so that's a damn good turn up.

Would have hoped for more, weather on the day probably didn't help any of the games as it started bucketing mid afternoon.

Our next home game is v Shamrock Rovers in a couple of weeks so I'd expect a big turnout at that.

[Pablo Escobar]

They got 5,300 for the Pats game. That's some drop. Still a great crowd of course but I thought they'd get more

Jut over 200 at UCD/Athlone apparently
There was a huge campaign to get people through the gates, the weather was great, it was the opening game with a club legend as manager and we were playing the champions. Then, this week, the weather wasn't great and we were playing a team that aren't exactly a great draw. I don't think we have to explain the drop, more the big turnout on opening day.

[ger121]

These RTE KO days and times are killing attendances. Doesn't look like a big crowd at Richmond.

[outspoken]

Just over 180 in Ferrycarrig last night, really worrying.

[oriel]

1,763 at Sligo v Dlk.

[Charlie Darwin]

Jodi is close to 2800 and was rammed. Des Kelly was over 2/3 full. So maybe circa 4000 at a push.
Rovers sold out our allocation for the DK but it looked like they'd closed off a good portion of it. I heard we were given 600 tickets but no idea if that's accurate. Jodi looked like it was oversold.


These RTE KO days and times are killing attendances. Doesn't look like a big crowd at Richmond.
Shed Invincibles are boycotting Richmond as far as I know. The only fans you could hear singing at the game were the 100 or so Limerick fans.

[ger121]

Rovers sold out our allocation for the DK but it looked like they'd closed off a good portion of it. I heard we were given 600 tickets but no idea if that's accurate. Jodi looked like it was oversold.

Yeah knew you had sold your allocation in DK bar 2 blocks kept empty for security reasons. Fair few in A+B too so you deffo oversold. Would stick with my 4000 attendance figure which is well up on recent Derbies.

[Charlie Darwin]

Yeah knew you had sold your allocation in DK bar 2 blocks kept empty for security reasons. Fair few in A+B too so you deffo oversold. Would stick with my 4000 attendance figure which is well up on recent Derbies.
I'd agree with that, I don't think Dalymount could accommodate 5,000 even with a full Des Kelly. Either way, great atmosphere and good signs for the league. The same game last year on a Monday afternoon was tepid.

[ger121]

Shed Invincibles are boycotting Richmond as far as I know. The only fans you could hear singing at the game were the 100 or so Limerick fans.

Even allowing for that Charlie, think we'd both agree RTE games on Sat/Sun are killing attendance figures.

[ger121]

Rovers sold out our allocation for the DK but it looked like they'd closed off a good portion of it. I heard we were given 600 tickets but no idea if that's accurate. Jodi looked like it was oversold.


Shed Invincibles are boycotting Richmond as far as I know. The only fans you could hear singing at the game were the 100 or so Limerick fans.


I'd agree with that, I don't think Dalymount could accommodate 5,000 even with a full Des Kelly. Either way, great atmosphere and good signs for the league. The same game last year on a Monday afternoon was tepid.

Was that the BH Monday early KO that finished 0-0? Was diabolical.