Attendances 2019

[marinobohs]

Not sure about that but Bohs could well break the away attendance for a LOI game that evening 1500 plus is possible. If we were going in the apposite direction to a ground of a similar standard we would bring a similar number, lots of Rovers fans wont go to Dalyer because of the away end and the poor view.

So there are approx. 1600 shams fans out there 'boycotting' Dalymount ? Wow, who knew ? Genuinely the first I (or I suspect anyone else) heard of that.

[Kingdom]

Ah, I don't know. We're still a good bit off. The league isn't even the main competition in GAA. There's no direct equivalent in LOI but in terms of importance it's probably halfway between the League Cup and FAI Cup. It's spoken about as important for preparation for the championship. And we're miles off.

I'd use GAA attendances as an indicator that match going fans are out there. I go to both and see a lot of the same faces at Bohs and Dublin games. If LOI top division could match GAA top division it would be amazing. Even if that meant splitting Dublin GAA attendances across the Dublin LOI clubs.

Similarity I don’t think you’re exactly equating like for like. If we take the main participation sports as comparotors in a purely Irish sporting event context then you’ve got to surely base your comparison from the top down?
If you’re doing that, then the top
Level for rugby is the national team, same for footie, but for gaa it’s ch/ship.

The next level down for rugby is different again because it’s the h/cup, for gaa it’s league and for us it’s the LoI.

[Asterix]

Wouldn't say any rovers fans boycott dalymount, we sell out the des Kelly every time and used to bring at least double when we were in the Connaught street side.
Doubt bohs will be given more than 1000 anyway.


If any dundalk fans are still interested you had 798 in fans Tallaght according to the people in the ticket office at Rovers.

[marinobohs]

[QUOTE=Asterix;1994669]Wouldn't say any rovers fans boycott dalymount, we sell out the des Kelly every time and used to bring at least double when we were in the Connaught street side.
Doubt bohs will be given more than 1000 anyway.


If any dundalk fans are still interested you had 798 in fans Tallaght according to the people in the ticket office at Rovers[FONT=arial, sans-serif][SIZE=2][COLOR=#6a6a6a].

Didn't think so (RE Boycott) :D suspect we should be able to bring 1000 but difficult to say with it being a Tuesday night (I mean WTF ???). Always a great buzz, and both sets of fans enjoy each game but was surprised at the figure of 2,500, just seemed unrealistic for ANY LOI club on a Tuesday night. Honestly wish it were true !

[oriel]

Wouldn't say any rovers fans boycott dalymount, we sell out the des Kelly every time and used to bring at least double when we were in the Connaught street side.
Doubt bohs will be given more than 1000 anyway.


If any dundalk fans are still interested you had 798 in fans Tallaght according to the people in the ticket office at Rovers

If thats corrrect, 800 away fans at a LOI match is still a more than decent turn out.

[bohsmug]

Similarity I don’t think you’re exactly equating like for like. If we take the main participation sports as comparotors in a purely Irish sporting event context then you’ve got to surely base your comparison from the top down?
If you’re doing that, then the top
Level for rugby is the national team, same for footie, but for gaa it’s ch/ship.

The next level down for rugby is different again because it’s the h/cup, for gaa it’s league and for us it’s the LoI.

But the average LOI crowd is way below the average Division 1 crowd. This season's LOI attendance so far compares favourably with previous years LOI attendance but not with GAA. If anything it shows how much scope there is for improvement.

[sbgawa]

2,500 on a Tuesday ? Our fans work  shams brought about 8/900 to Dalymount early season. You believe we should get 3 times that on a Tuesday to Tallaght ?


I did'nt mean that 2500 would be traveling i meant that there would be no restrictions, so "up to" that amount could be accomadated.....in other words more than would be needed!
I did also make the point that it was a tuesday so expectations would be lower. It is Easter Tuesday so at least the kids are off school so the large family contingent that come to Rovers matches might still come (those that arent away)

also re Dalymount , boycott is a strong word , id say more that some people just couldnt be bothered , if the new Dalymount is ever built with facilities etc i could easily see 3-500 more Rovers fans traveling over so 1300-1400 rather than the current 900 ish.

If the Dundalk support at 798 was repeated at each match it would be phenomenal,

[Ezeikial]

If any dundalk fans are still interested you had 798 in fans Tallaght according to the people in the ticket office at Rovers.



I don't think your assertion on the ticket office numbers are pertinent or even particularly credible.

Anyone who was in the away section that evening was aware of the incompetency around accommodating the numbers admitted.

It was clear well before kick-off that the number of seats allocated was too few for the visiting crowd, yet it still took 20 minutes into the match before the dangerous overcrowding was resolved. The solution of opening the unoccupied adjacent section was so simple to implement that it beggars belief that it took so long to action.

If there was a goal scored in that time (or any other major incident causing a crowd surge) the consequences of the overcrowding could have been serious.

I hope Shamrock Rovers, AGS and SDCC have learned from this and review the issues (maybe this also includes the ticket office ticket counting system)

[SkStu]

Not sure about that but Bohs could well break the away attendance for a LOI game that evening 1500 plus is possible. If we were going in the apposite direction to a ground of a similar standard we would bring a similar number, lots of Rovers fans wont go to Dalyer because of the away end and the poor view.

any idea what this is? I think we brought 1200 (give or take) to Belfield a few weeks ago.

[marinobohs]

I did'nt mean that 2500 would be traveling i meant that there would be no restrictions, so "up to" that amount could be accomadated.....in other words more than would be needed!
I did also make the point that it was a tuesday so expectations would be lower. It is Easter Tuesday so at least the kids are off school so the large family contingent that come to Rovers matches might still come (those that arent away)

also re Dalymount , boycott is a strong word , id say more that some people just couldnt be bothered , if the new Dalymount is ever built with facilities etc i could easily see 3-500 more Rovers fans traveling over so 1300-1400 rather than the current 900 ish.

If the Dundalk support at 798 was repeated at each match it would be phenomenal,

Fair enough, although I would be surprised if even 3-500 fans were put off by Dalymount (certainly contrary to any shams fan I've ever spoken to). Don't think facilities play much of a part in attracting fans to Irelands biggest game :D

[Kingdom]

But the average LOI crowd is way below the average Division 1 crowd. This season's LOI attendance so far compares favourably with previous years LOI attendance but not with GAA. If anything it shows how much scope there is for improvement.

Do you mean the Average GAA NFL Div 1? If you were to remove Dublin, GAA crowds are atrocious in the main. If you go below Div 1, well they're truly shocking.

Even championship for one-off games outside of Dublin matches, it's embarassing. Just look at the "super-8s" last year.

The LoI has a bit to go, but if it could get to, hold and then look to build on a total matchday attendance of 20k, that would be a start. You'd be averaging around 4k per PD game, and then 1k per FD game, which is an approximation, but achievable. You don't get 20k supporters going to Ulster or Munster weekly games.

Btw, and I don't know if it was referenced elsewhere, but there is another angle to it when comparing the GAA, and it's that relatively speaking their support only has to be sporadic, yet even at an average of 1 game per calendar month a season, GAA fans still support in poor numbers (Div 1 sides excepted).

[bohsmug]

I don't really see how you can disregard NFL Division 1 if you're making any sort of comparison. You go lower down in LOI and it doesn't look good at all, similar to GAA. Anyway the best thing on that thread is the suggestion the GAA should start using the hashtag #GaelicfootballoneofgreatestfieldgamesinWorld as a promotional tool. Bit of a mouthful.

I agree it's great to see attendances coming up. I'm genuinely excited and hopeful that, even with the expected drop off, we achieve higher attendances than we have in recent memory. I do believe something is happening and LOI is starting to forge a more positive reputation. I'm starting to think social media may even be helping us in this regard. LOI doesn't have a huge marketing budget but your snapchats/instagrams/whatever will have people taking videos at matches and reminding people that there's live football on your doorstep. Previously you would have had to have actively chosen to watch LOI (either on telly or in person) to know anything about it. Nowadays people see little clips from friends on social media and it may just be peaking interests.

[sbgawa]

Fair enough, although I would be surprised if even 3-500 fans were put off by Dalymount (certainly contrary to any shams fan I've ever spoken to). Don't think facilities play much of a part in attracting fans to Irelands biggest game :D
'
combination of put off plus thats all our allocation is.
I'd agree in general i don't think bad facilities put off the hard core but i think better facilities bring families and floating supporters.

[sbgawa]

I don't think your assertion on the ticket office numbers are pertinent or even particularly credible.

Anyone who was in the away section that evening was aware of the incompetency around accommodating the numbers admitted.

It was clear well before kick-off that the number of seats allocated was too few for the visiting crowd, yet it still took 20 minutes into the match before the dangerous overcrowding was resolved. The solution of opening the unoccupied adjacent section was so simple to implement that it beggars belief that it took so long to action.

If there was a goal scored in that time (or any other major incident causing a crowd surge) the consequences of the overcrowding could have been serious.

I hope Shamrock Rovers, AGS and SDCC have learned from this and review the issues (maybe this also includes the ticket office ticket counting system)


ive been estimating numbers in the East stand for years and id say 800 is about right (the netting seat kills at the front spread people out).
800 is a phenomenal traveling support.
The lack of scanning of tickets that was reported is irrelevant the tickets were sold and unless a lot of dundalk fans traveled without tickets and then queued up in the hope they could bunk in i don't know why the number admitted would be different to what was sold.
Again 800 is a phenomenal support and the highest by far i've seen in Tallight for a team outside Dublin.

[Kingdom]

I don't really see how you can disregard NFL Division 1 if you're making any sort of comparison. You go lower down in LOI and it doesn't look good at all, similar to GAA. Anyway the best thing on that thread is the suggestion the GAA should start using the hashtag #GaelicfootballoneofgreatestfieldgamesinWorld as a promotional tool. Bit of a mouthful.

I agree it's great to see attendances coming up. I'm genuinely excited and hopeful that, even with the expected drop off, we achieve higher attendances than we have in recent memory. I do believe something is happening and LOI is starting to forge a more positive reputation. I'm starting to think social media may even be helping us in this regard. LOI doesn't have a huge marketing budget but your snapchats/instagrams/whatever will have people taking videos at matches and reminding people that there's live football on your doorstep. Previously you would have had to have actively chosen to watch LOI (either on telly or in person) to know anything about it. Nowadays people see little clips from friends on social media and it may just be peaking interests.

Honestly, I think a lot of is to do with the realisation that the "product" the public are being fed from the UK is not what it is supposed to be.
I really think the fact that there is a fundamental link now between the Senior team and the League here, that is improving the profile also.

[EatYerGreens]

Not sure about that but Bohs could well break the away attendance for a LOI game that evening 1500 plus is possible. If we were going in the apposite direction to a ground of a similar standard we would bring a similar number, lots of Rovers fans wont go to Dalyer because of the away end and the poor view.

Is there a record for away support in the league ? If so - who and when ? How far back does it go, as Derry were bringing thousands to even very ordinary first division games in the mid 1980s.

[Ezeikial]

ive been estimating numbers in the East stand for years and id say 800 is about right (the netting seat kills at the front spread people out).
800 is a phenomenal traveling support.
The lack of scanning of tickets that was reported is irrelevant the tickets were sold and unless a lot of dundalk fans traveled without tickets and then queued up in the hope they could bunk in i don't know why the number admitted would be different to what was sold.
Again 800 is a phenomenal support and the highest by far i've seen in Tallight for a team outside Dublin.

The veracity of the 798 number, or how 'phenomenal' it may be, is hardly the most pertinent issue.

It is the safety issue that occurred because of the large disparity between the number of seats allocated and the number of people admitted to that section. If the incompetency involved in this, exasperated by the incredibly slow response in relieving the dangerous overcrowding, was repeated in the future, it would only be a question of time before there would be serious consequences.

While some forum posters here may be in denial about what happened, I sincerely hope that the club and/or the safety authorities are not. Otherwise it calls into question their ability to safely host large away crowds.

[Kingswood Rover]

Do the same Rovers fans refuse to go to Oriel, Sligo (you can’t see down sideline if your beside the big fences they have up) Finn Park and Pats as view in Sheds poor?
Dalyer and Oriel are the grounds that i often hear fans say they will not go to. Pats behind the goal is crap as well but you have a decent chance of a stand ticket in Richmond if you are in early enough. Sligo is fine imo, Finn park tbh its a long time since i was there.

[Kingswood Rover]

So there are approx. 1600 shams fans out there 'boycotting' Dalymount ? Wow, who knew ? Genuinely the first I (or I suspect anyone else) heard of that.
What are you on about we only get 900 tickets. Let me clarify i am talking about (in the main) the current ground regs across the league. So if you go back to prior to Rovers going into Shed we would have taken 1500 plus to Dalyer. Look who cares about this my dick is bigger than your Dick garbage. Great attendances so far with some noteworthy work by clubs in their communities being a big contributor.

[sbgawa]

The veracity of the 798 number, or how 'phenomenal' it may be, is hardly the most pertinent issue.

It is the safety issue that occurred because of the large disparity between the number of seats allocated and the number of people admitted to that section. If the incompetency involved in this, exasperated by the incredibly slow response in relieving the dangerous overcrowding, was repeated in the future, it would only be a question of time before there would be serious consequences.

While some forum posters here may be in denial about what happened, I sincerely hope that the club and/or the safety authorities are not. Otherwise it calls into question their ability to safely host large away crowds.

I'm not in denial at all, dundalk fans were left standing for 20 minutes under cover of a nice roof. It's a shocking indictment that could easily have led to people having to bunch up into a three people for every 2 seats situation. Close shave....irony or what :)

[Ezeikial]

I'm not in denial at all, dundalk fans were left standing for 20 minutes under cover of a nice roof. It's a shocking indictment that could easily have led to people having to bunch up into a three people for every 2 seats situation. Close shave....irony or what :)

You really think a 'nice roof' is in some way relevant?

It was a safety issue not simply one of comfort. The aisles and stairways were packed with people trying to get in to a stand section that was already full.

You seem to have very little appreciation for the safety issues involved in stadium overcrowding, but then that's also what I thought about those responsible for the inertia and mismanagement on the night.

Most of the tragedies listed here involve the consequences of overcrowding or mismanagement of crowds:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Stadium_disasters

[sbgawa]

Exaggerate much? If people had been pushed up against the orange netting anything could have happened :)

[sbgawa]

I've been googling but can't find any specific numbers for away support for Derry in the late 80s, but I'd suspect they were the biggest certainly over a season or two.
I suppose if you go back far enough into the 50s and 60s the crowds were far higher.
Rovers had a couple of thousand for the final game in bray in 2011....Given bray were taking tenners at the gate with no tickets anything is possible crowd wise :).

For a normal league match I'd say if bohs or pats get 1500 into the east stand it will b e a modern record.

[Eminence Grise]

Look who cares about this my dick is bigger than your Dick garbage.

Not you, sir, and I salute you for it! Good of you to take the lower case and be, ah, the bigger man.

[Ezeikial]

Exaggerate much? If people had been pushed up against the orange netting anything could have happened :)

https://dw8stlw9qt0iz.cloudfront.net/8helUHVPvP20LeKbM_SlMzQnfMw=/2000x2000/filters:format(jpeg):quality(75)/curiosity-data.s3.amazonaws.com/images/content/thumbnail/standard/0cea5417-e0f8-405c-f3f1-08216346cbe7.png

[RathfarnhamHoop]

There's an awful lot of ****e posted on this site but I think claiming figures from a clubs official ticket office are neither relevant nor credible probably takes the biscuit.
It's actually impossible for the figure to not be relevant as they were posted just in case any Dundalk fans were interested in the official number and not in relation to any conversation that might have been going on in your own head Ez. Claiming they're not credible on the basis of not believing the poster is one thing but claiming they're not credible on the basis the ticket office itself is wrong is laughable, especially when the game was an all ticket event and the number is roughly what multiple estimates have put it at and what has been taken on here as the number.

Now if the conversation is now (back) on the issues of the night there's actually a few things you're leaving out Ez. Mainly that it may have taken 20 minutes to open the next section but a while before that the netting at the front of the stand started to get moved but it was decided due to the rain to stop that and see about opening the next section so that fans could stay dry, trying to keep away fans under shelter, if only every set of away fans could be treated so well.

Was the over crowding acceptable? No. It was a learning curve though and not deserving of being brought up again to such an extent out of nowhere.

[dundalkfc10]

Dalyer and Oriel are the grounds that i often hear fans say they will not go to. Pats behind the goal is crap as well but you have a decent chance of a stand ticket in Richmond if you are in early enough. Sligo is fine imo, Finn park tbh its a long time since i was there.

You can pay into the Stand in Oriel and have an excellent view!

[Asterix]

You can pay into the Stand in Oriel and have an excellent view!

Not sure excellent is the word I'd use, better perhaps. I'd expect at least a clear view for €20.

https://foot.ie/attachment.php?attachmentid=2777&stc=1

[sbgawa]

We should have a predict the crowd competition as a separate bonus point in the predictions league ( humble suggestion Sirs )....
I feel sure this would be a good thing for me.

[Nesta99]

There's an awful lot of ****e posted on this site but I think claiming figures from a clubs official ticket office are neither relevant nor credible probably takes the biscuit.


Ah come on RH, under declaring ticket sales is as old as the hills and as much a key LoI business practice as spending money ye dont have hoping to make money. Maybe not in this case and I dont dispute the figures but it will be a while yet before I take all declared ticket sales and announced attendanes anywhere at face value. Its not that long ago that we were given cloakroom tickets at United Park eg. If there are hand held scanners used than people can slip through occasionally without their ticket scanned. That can be reconciled with ticket sales to some extent. I wasnt at the game so cant comment at the level of risk, precieved or real, but it is not unknown for crowd congestion entering league grounds. I hate when there is a delayed response to a developing situation (in general as Im aware of how things get very bad very quickly) even if there was no risk this time, the next time there could be with larger numbers if a proper debrief isnt done to improve decision making on the move - especially with Na Gardaí who will be dealing with huge crowds and need to act quickly to avert injury or worse.

[El-Pietro]

Why would a team under declare attendance? The ticket sales are not taxed (with the exception of Derry). What possible reason could teams have for under reporting? If anything over reporting makes more sense to try and impress sponsors and encourage more fans to attend in future.

[Lim till i die]

Why would a team under declare attendance? The ticket sales are not taxed (with the exception of Derry). What possible reason could teams have for under reporting?

This is asked every couple of months on here and the innocence warms the cockles of my heart.

As for impressing sponsors, there are no sponsors in the LoI, just charitable donors.

[sbgawa]

Underdeclaring the crowd allows some clubs to pocket the cash paid at the gate to pay some bills/players in cash.

I'd say it is "mostly" in the past as most clubs issue numbered tickets and sell online where there is a paper trail.
That match i mentioned earlier in Bray when Rovers won the league i paid a tenner cash on the gate to a guy who waved me on when i put my hand out for a ticket.
The crowd declared on the night escapes my addled memory but i do remember laughing at the number at the time.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Ah come on RH, under declaring ticket sales is as old as the hills and as much a key LoI business practice as spending money ye dont have hoping to make money. Maybe not in this case and I dont dispute the figures but it will be a while yet before I take all declared ticket sales and announced attendanes anywhere at face value. Its not that long ago that we were given cloakroom tickets at United Park eg. If there are hand held scanners used than people can slip through occasionally without their ticket scanned. That can be reconciled with ticket sales to some extent. I wasnt at the game so cant comment at the level of risk, precieved or real, but it is not unknown for crowd congestion entering league grounds. I hate when there is a delayed response to a developing situation (in general as Im aware of how things get very bad very quickly) even if there was no risk this time, the next time there could be with larger numbers if a proper debrief isnt done to improve decision making on the move - especially with Na Gardaí who will be dealing with huge crowds and need to act quickly to avert injury or worse.

The argument for under reporting of attendance only really has any grounds when there's cash at the gate with no physical ticket involved (which can be hidden away with no paper trail) or complimentary tickets which fall in a bit of a grey zone it seems to count or not to count (personally think it should be, its attendance not tickets sold). Now I doubt Rovers were giving complimentary tickets away for the away end and Tallaght is an all ticket stadium so there goes both those possibilities. Also the fact this isn't a declared or announced number, it's just someone asking a mate in the ticket office to have a look at how many away tickets were issued for away fans for them so there's absolutely no reason for it to be incorrect, other than that it's tickets sold so the actual attendance could be lower but couldn't be higher.

All that's before you get into the ridiculousness of calling a standalone statement that wasn't trying to be relevant to anything other than attendance numbers which it does quite well irrelevant. This conversation was also had and concluded immediately after the game and brought up by one poster as part of their weird obsession with Rovers for no real reason.

[Ezeikial]

There's an awful lot of ****e posted on this site but I think claiming figures from a clubs official ticket office are neither relevant nor credible probably takes the biscuit.
It's actually impossible for the figure to not be relevant as they were posted just in case any Dundalk fans were interested in the official number and not in relation to any conversation that might have been going on in your own head Ez. Claiming they're not credible on the basis of not believing the poster is one thing but claiming they're not credible on the basis the ticket office itself is wrong is laughable, especially when the game was an all ticket event and the number is roughly what multiple estimates have put it at and what has been taken on here as the number.

Now if the conversation is now (back) on the issues of the night there's actually a few things you're leaving out Ez. Mainly that it may have taken 20 minutes to open the next section but a while before that the netting at the front of the stand started to get moved but it was decided due to the rain to stop that and see about opening the next section so that fans could stay dry, trying to keep away fans under shelter, if only every set of away fans could be treated so well.

Was the over crowding acceptable? No. It was a learning curve though and not deserving of being brought up again to such an extent out of nowhere.


The argument for under reporting of attendance only really has any grounds when there's cash at the gate with no physical ticket involved (which can be hidden away with no paper trail) or complimentary tickets which fall in a bit of a grey zone it seems to count or not to count (personally think it should be, its attendance not tickets sold). Now I doubt Rovers were giving complimentary tickets away for the away end and Tallaght is an all ticket stadium so there goes both those possibilities. Also the fact this isn't a declared or announced number, it's just someone asking a mate in the ticket office to have a look at how many away tickets were issued for away fans for them so there's absolutely no reason for it to be incorrect, other than that it's tickets sold so the actual attendance could be lower but couldn't be higher.

All that's before you get into the ridiculousness of calling a standalone statement that wasn't trying to be relevant to anything other than attendance numbers which it does quite well. This conversation was also had and concluded immediately after the game and brought up by one poster as part of their weird obsession with Rovers for no real reason.

For a lad who is complaining about this being brought up, you seem fairly determined to keep bumping it with similar successive posts.

My final thoughts on this:

I don't believe that the 798 number posted by Asterix is accurate, but whether it is or not is hardly the issue. You have acknowledged the overcrowding issue, which presumably means that you recognise there were insufficient seats allocated for the number of people admitted. Whether this is due to a wrong ticket count, ticket admin c**k-up or just that nobody could count the number of seats correctly is anyone's guess (although presumably will be known within the Shamrock Rovers club).

The incredibly slow response to the overcrowding safety problem that inevitably developed is also a worry: the netting was removed from a small number of rows in one section only about 5 minutes into the match. This was a belated and inadequate response to a problem that was obvious to those in the stand for quite some time before that. It took another 15 minutes to open the adjacent unoccupied section of the stand.

The overcrowding clearly presented safety issues - if there was a goal scored or another incident that sparked a crowd surge, the consequences could have been more serious than just mild discomfort for 15 minutes

I sincerely hope that that club officials, AGS, and SDCC safety officers are not as blasé about dismissing this as you and others here.

[Lim till i die]

I don't post that often here anymore.

Is this fella for real? Or a super try hard wum?

Wow.

[marinobohs]

Who would have thought, facilitating the crowd was more interesting (for some) than the game itself 😁

Honestly, some of the snowflakes on here are embarrassing.

[sbgawa]

snowflake with a chip on both shoulders

[marinobohs]

snowflake with a chip on both shoulders

Cliche overload 😁 perhaps we should open crowds ie 🙄

[Nesta99]

Debating overcrowding at LoI games is a touch of a stretch I will agree. Actual away attendance at the game in question isnt really the point. What is essential is that if or whenever it happens that there is an unexpected load on facilities/staffing available, that there is a timely response!!! Every club has an Event Controller, there is a Garda presence, and stewards need to be on the ball too. Seeing Ezeikial's observations of being there on the night as little more as being a wum, snowflake, ott, in any way is a risky business. It wasnt a Hillsborough or Heysel (as were included in the wiki link) but its not something to ever be dismissed!! Jaysus if anyone has ever seen the incredible way in which the Bradford tragedy so quickly got out of hand then general sense would suggest that quicker reaction may have been a consideration and discussed post match even at LoI games. Mostly in my experience issues have developed due to having one or two stiles open while selling tickets at that stile, with a batter of people outside frantic to get in to the ground. So far not to the extent of a major crush happening, but the same people that oversee these smaller games also oversee much larger events be it games in the Aviva, Croke Park, concerts etc. If they have been allegedly slow in managing 7 or 800 people then lets seriously hope its never 7 or 8000.

Ive been in Oriel during a few friendlies, one with Liverpool early 90's and it was f*cking horrible with 12k in the place that is no different than what is there today, the old Landsdowne when they still had the cageing on the south terrace circa 1995 and on both occasions it took no more than 10 minutes for the fun to turn to panic. In Oriel they passed kids (as I was myself at the time) over the then premiter fence with the touchline the 'overflow'. In landsdowne I ducked and dived toward the section gate and eventually a Garda opened the gate and people were falling out of the section breathless due to the crush (it was to the right and below where the old TV studio used to be looking toward the pitch). Now nothing ultimately happened these times bar a bit of a scare but if they were never discussed they could have been worse on another occasion. Its always a learning curve, should be seen as nothing else and never dismissed!! You wont get 12k in to Oriel Park in a hurry and those dividing fences in Landsdowne were taken down.

[dundalkfc10]

I don't post that often here anymore.

Is this fella for real? Or a super try hard wum?

Wow.

I have a feeling he is <Mod Snip>

Mod: Don't name people on here please.

[dundalkfc10]

Unfortunatley be less than 50 of us in Derry tomorrow night, No Bus Companies will take fans up there still.

Heading up with a mate in the car, looking forward to it and a few pre match pints with few Derry lads

[EatYerGreens]

Unfortunatley be less than 50 of us in Derry tomorrow night, No Bus Companies will take fans up there still.

Heading up with a mate in the car, looking forward to it and a few pre match pints with few Derry lads

That's a real shame, and very behind the times too.

Sure the likes of Linfield, Glentoran, Coleraine etc have been playing there with no hassle. Bringing union and ulster flags with them, and singing 'party tunes' in some cases (i.e. Coleraine). If their fans aren't getting attacked despite all that, then Dundalk should have nothing to worry about. Though I get why the bus firms are still reluctant.

[dundalkfc10]

That's a real shame, and very behind the times too.

Sure the likes of Linfield, Glentoran, Coleraine etc have been playing there with no hassle. Bringing union and ulster flags with them, and singing 'party tunes' in some cases (i.e. Coleraine). If their fans aren't getting attacked despite all that, then Dundalk should have nothing to worry about. Though I get why the bus firms are still reluctant.

Few seasons ago, buses were attacked on 2 separate occasions (local scum on way out of ground) and the bus companies won’t go anymore.

We get same bus driver every away game and he says every time it’s Derry, not allowed take use there.

[EatYerGreens]

Few seasons ago, buses were attacked on 2 separate occasions (local scum on way out of ground) and the bus companies won’t go anymore.

We get same bus driver every away game and he says every time it’s Derry, not allowed take use there.

I know all that, but my point still stands. If union jack carrying Coleraine fans can go to a game at the Brandywell, sing GSTQ and the Sash, and then leave without incident, then Dundalk fans should have nothing to worry about (and by extension, the bus company).

I get the issue, But times have changed.

[mcgonigle]

I know all that, but my point still stands. If union jack carrying Coleraine fans can go to a game at the Brandywell, sing GSTQ and the Sash, and then leave without incident, then Dundalk fans should have nothing to worry about (and by extension, the bus company).

I get the issue, But times have changed.

The bus companies are basing their decision on experience. This was not 10 years ago, it was as recent as 2 and 3 years ago, it happened multiple times and was not isolated to Dundalk. Why would they take the chance? While it might not have happened since the redevelopment Derry cannot guarantee it will not happen again

[Nesta99]

Its understandible from the coach companies I suppose. But things do change, it will probably take a while for the companies to get the message though. It is a shame as Derry is one of the best away trips, always a great chat with the Derry fans in the pubs before the game. How's the atmosphere in the new Brandywell? Ive yet to visit and crowds are up after a few lean years. There was always a cracking atmosphere, especially back in the heady days of the late 80's between Dundalk and Derry...that penalty in the cup final was more than made up for the following year!!! ;p

[Nesta99]

The bus companies are basing their decision on experience. This was not 10 years ago, it was as recent as 2 and 3 years ago, it happened multiple times and was not isolated to Dundalk. Why would they take the chance? While it might not have happened since the redevelopment Derry cannot guarantee it will not happen again

Can any club really make any guarantees!?

[dundalkfc10]

Its understandible from the coach companies I suppose. But things do change, it will probably take a while for the companies to get the message though. It is a shame as Derry is one of the best away trips, always a great chat with the Derry fans in the pubs before the game. How's the atmosphere in the new Brandywell? Ive yet to visit and crowds are up after a few lean years. There was always a cracking atmosphere, especially back in the heady days of the late 80's between Dundalk and Derry...that penalty in the cup final was more than made up for the following year!!! ;p

Can’t wait for a few pints up there tomorrow, heading up at 3 to a have a few pre match. The locals/fans in the pubs be 100%

[Nesta99]

Enjoy! Wish I was able to go myself. Ye ould be in the pub by 5.30 so enough time to get 1 or 2 more than a few - make up for the lack of cans not bussing it ;)

Is the Brandywell Pride supporters group still on the go? Whenever they were at a match in Dublin they'd head home via Dundalk and in to Oriel for a few beers. Couple of time the Lillywhite was opened up for them and there was even chips and cocktail sausages ordered in from Mullens for them. Good bunch of lads! We were a 1st Division club then so about as close as it got to premier division football in Oriel then...:(