FAI Cup 2018

[marinobohs]

They didn't really get a say in the matter, it was happening no matter what, only decision was how involved they'd be. The atmosphere problems are either down to the team or easily enough fixed but won't be

The FAI actively chased the day tripper / family supporter type. While initially it brought crowds to see the shiny new stadium, it delivered a bored sterile atmosphere. Have gone with “new” fans to both Aviva and LOI games and everyone of them preferred the atmosphere at Dalymount, Tallaght or Inchicore.
Real football for real fans
Must be said the turgid trash constantly served up by Martin O ‘Neill Ireland don’t give fans much to cheer about.

[EatYerGreens]

yeah correct. on off the ball they were talking about the lack of atmosphere at Ireland games now and it was way better in the old days. Maybe I am wrong in what I have said but do the FAI regret upgrading the Aviva Stadium?

Ignoring the fact it wasn't their decision - are you really asking if the FAI regret having a state of the art stadium which can be used to attract major footballing events to their jurisdiction, and which after the debt is cleared will make them pots of money, and enable their salaries and bonuses to go up ?

I'm sure it's a decision that keeps them up at night ;)

[Martinho II]

Ignoring the fact it wasn't their decision - are you really asking if the FAI regret having a state of the art stadium which can be used to attract major footballing events to their jurisdiction, and which after the debt is cleared will make them pots of money, and enable their salaries and bonuses to go up ?

I'm sure it's a decision that keeps them up at night ;)

it was just on off the ball when johnny ward was raising it he was of the opinion that the atmosphere was better under the old stadium. i suppose back then a lot more people were standing behind the goals. he mentioned the fact that in his opinion people standing at matches always generated way better atmosphere than people sitting.that was simply the point that I was trying to raise.

[El-Pietro]

it was just on off the ball when johnny ward was raising it he was of the opinion that the atmosphere was better under the old stadium. i suppose back then a lot more people were standing behind the goals. he mentioned the fact that in his opinion people standing at matches always generated way better atmosphere than people sitting.that was simply the point that I was trying to raise.

Here's a tip. Ignore everything Johnny Ward says. He's so far up his own hole it's hard to decifer when he says something accurate. He's a hot take merchant. He has made his career in having an opinion regardless of whether that opinion makes any sense. He might even believe some of his own bull**** but you should know better.

[Mr A]

The atmosphere at the old Lansdowne was awful. It was so open and there always seemed to be a gale blowing through. On the right day with a full house it might have been OK, but a lot of the time it was pretty poor. People only tend to remember the best days of things like that, the Aviva is night and day better in every way.

[marinobohs]

The atmosphere at the old Lansdowne was awful. It was so open and there always seemed to be a gale blowing through. On the right day with a full house it might have been OK, but a lot of the time it was pretty poor. People only tend to remember the best days of things like that, the Aviva is night and day better in every way.
The problem ie not the stadium - the Aviva is better in every way, but in the crowd.

[Martinho II]

Here's a tip. Ignore everything Johnny Ward says. He's so far up his own hole it's hard to decifer when he says something accurate. He's a hot take merchant. He has made his career in having an opinion regardless of whether that opinion makes any sense. He might even believe some of his own bull**** but you should know better.

look theres no need to be getting personal with me each to their own as they say!

[Shearer]

Here's a tip. Ignore everything Johnny Ward says. He's so far up his own hole it's hard to decifer when he says something accurate. He's a hot take merchant. He has made his career in having an opinion regardless of whether that opinion makes any sense. He might even believe some of his own bull**** but you should know better.
I strongly disagree. I think Johnny Ward is excellent at what he does, I value his opinion greatly.

[David BOHie]

Cork won the match on Sunday 99 flares to Dundalk’s 65 or it looked that way to me. Went with my grown up son to the game. First time for either of us at an FAI Cup Final. Unreal atmosphere. Decided to side with Dundalk on the day only because of Athlone man Robbie Benson. Decent lad and from a great musical family. I had the pleasure of recording his mother and sister a few times playing traditional tunes. Don’t know if he plays any instrument himself but I‘d say he could turn a hand to anything like that if it was his wont. He had a good game and unlucky not to score.
Brilliant craic from both set of fans. Was sitting in front of a bevvy of Dutch men who were there for the weekend. They were Ajax supporters and of all the players that caught their eye they thought Duffy was the standout participant and always willing to take a man on.
Really funny comment from a Dundalk man behind us who said something to the effect that Cork had risen about their station and needed to be taken down a peg. Sure weren’t both clubs scraping the bottom of the barrel within the last decade or so?
Watched the game back on the player. The Referee was very consistent and his team of officials must be praised for an excellent performance.
Was sitting behind a lad who was the spit of Bradley the Rovers manager. I would actually venture to think it is on the mind of Dundalk that if they can keep the current setup intact they could gain on Shamrock Rovers’ cup record.
With a greater marketing push I daresay the numbers might push 35,000 next year as the buzz from this year will encourage a great many schoolboy/girl clubs to attend and tons of neutrals. Having been without live football for so long I was on a high yesterday still after the game.
Congratulations Dundalk and commiserations to Cork City. Great value for money. Total trip cost including meals ticket and travel for us both just €125.

Only seeing this post now. Great post. Glad you enjoyed it. Went as a neutral myself and really enjoyed it. Hopefully one day it will sellout. That will be some buzz. I'd love a proper football culture in this country. We have a fantastic niche at the minute but I was it was a bit bigger.

Anyway, I think we're on the right path

[David BOHie]

I strongly disagree. I think Johnny Ward is excellent at what he does, I value his opinion greatly.

Welcome to the forum, Johnny

[Shearer]

Welcome to the forum, Johnny
Cheers David. I'll give you a shout-out in the Racing Post 😂

[David BOHie]

Any NAPs Johnny? :laugh:

In fairness Johnny seems like a good lad. As a previous poster said he's a hot take merchant, but that's his niche. The work he puts in for the LOI is admirable. He's very passionate about the league and wants it to succeed. He's a very prominent LOI supporter and the league is better for the work he, and Dan McDonnell, do.

[sullanefc]

I'd be inclined to agree with El-P on johnny ward. Not a very likeable person IMO.

[outspoken]

I think it’s far to say the setting and the atmosphere is certainly not a problem. As for standing, did he look behind the two goals on Sunday? Silly comments

[mcgonigle]

I'd be inclined to agree with El-P on johnny ward. Not a very likeable person IMO.

Have you met him in person?

I first met him in Warsaw, seemed a really nice guy. Didn't meet him again until after we won the league this year against Pats, remembered me and was straight over to offer his congratulations. So I would have to disagree with you both. Also think he's pretty good on the LOI podcast

[mcgonigle]

Must say I'm delighted by the amount of neutrals and casual football fans that have said to me what a good game it was and that the atmosphere was great even on the telly. Lets hope it inspires a few of them to start going t games

[Martinho II]

Have you met him in person?

I first met him in Warsaw, seemed a really nice guy. Didn't meet him again until after we won the league this year against Pats, remembered me and was straight over to offer his congratulations. So I would have to disagree with you both. Also think he's pretty good on the LOI podcast

he also produces the Galway Utd programme . how he gets the time I dont know. I have done pieces for him on Galway programme and speaks well. he used to be involved with galway utd fanzine also.

[sullanefc]

Have you met him in person?

Does it matter?

My opinion is based on the tripe that comes out of his mouth on the radio.

[marinobohs]

Does it matter?

My opinion is based on the tripe that comes out of his mouth on the radio.

No such thing as 'bad publicity' :D would no agree with many of his soundbytes but at least he has an interest.

[sbgawa]

agreed , anyone who takes an interest in the LOI has to be given the benefit of the doubt......except Bohs fans obviously :)

[SkStu]

agreed , anyone who takes an interest in the LOI has to be given the benefit of the doubt......except Bohs fans obviously :)

or the Rovers accounts payable crew. ;)

[EatYerGreens]

No such thing as 'bad publicity' :D would no agree with many of his soundbytes but at least he has an interest.

The whole "no such thing as bad publicity" cliché is pure ballax btw.

Just ask Gary Glitter's record label or publicist.

[Kingswood Rover]

Rovers Bohs final, the drama, the terror (of losing of course) the noise, the massive Dublin derby hype from the media, the flags and flares. I have a dream.

[marinobohs]

Rovers Bohs final, the drama, the terror (of losing of course) the noise, the massive Dublin derby hype from the media, the flags and flares. I have a dream.

with Bradser's derby record that could be a nightmare for you ;)

[Shearer]

with Bradser's derby record that could be a nightmare for you ;)
Would that count as a double cup final - playing against Shamrock Rovers with it actually being in a proper cup final?

[oriel]

Lets face it Dundalk v Cork City has turned the Cup Final into a proper occasion - average crowd the last 4 years is 26,531. Average for the last 20 years prior to that was 14,320.

The FAI should be looking to build on this momentum and target a 30k average in the years to come, maybe get to the point where it might drive a bit of income for the league. Get attendance of 40,000 average ticket price €10 - 400k plus a % of the food / drink + a proper TV Fee - put that money into prize-money for the league etc, a vision for the fut......who am I kidding.....

TOP 10 FAI Cup Final attendances in last 50 years:

2735


Thanks for posting up the top ten cup final crowds, very interesting to read.

I was only talking about the marketing of the game at the weekend, and the whole big day out experience and especially for kids. This was notable from Dundalk’s perspective, where the avg crowd is say 3k (max), but more than 12k went to support the team for the final, which is obviously a ratio of 4 to 1.

The point was almost proved in my day out, 5 of us went, but I was only one who goes to every home game, I suppose 3 were kids in the group, but this was probably the trend all over the ground. Ticket prices for a fiver for kids and a tenner for adults in the lower stands is a great deal to be fair.