Covid 19 - LOI Ramifications

[Nesta99]

With the conduct of some GAA fans in Lockdown 1 and people gathering at LoI grounds more recently, be it inside or out, maintaining social distancing in a football ground is, or seen as a different challenge than a cinema or pub. 200 people could and should probably be able to attend games after the break as the logic above is sound, but football crowds are considered to be more likely not to comply with instructions than families at the cinema. The untouchable GAA was stripped of elite sport category (regardless of how it was spun) due to the conduct of clubs, counties and supporters for context. But I do think the numbers would be manageable, restricted to season ticket holders/members (is that fair?) so little doubt about traceability if needed - I do get that people could provide bogus names and address at pubs et al too (people dont want to end up quarantining so fake details used to thow off the scent), and one reason why debit card only purchases was on the table as a way to shore up proof of identity & not having to have people lose the plot by being asked to carry ID etc etc. Its just more straight forward to wait a month and have an additional 1.6m vaccinated people by HSE projections....yeah I know... even half that number by early July would put a massive dent in risk, and to dodge the curve ball cyber attack type stuff will help.

[John83]

I understand the need for caution but it makes no sense that in July I can go to the cinema that has absolutely no ventilation and then head inside to a pub with the same issue but I can’t sit in a stand/terrace in the open air in front of a big field.
Each thing we reopen carries some risk. The government isn't reopening things in order of least risk to most, but distorting that order to facilitate things that are popular or economically important, neither of which the LoI is. Going to the shop is riskier than sitting in a stadium, but I'm happy they prioritised my ability to buy food over seeing mediocre football. My point is that you can disagree with the order in which they're reopening things, but just saying A is riskier than B, so B should reopen first is a nonsense.

Cinema is incredibly popular here. Pubs are even more so. Hotels generate a lot of revenue and employment. The LoI? **** no. There's something on one of the news sites this morning about them looking into 25k at the All Ireland Finals, so it's not like they're not thinking about sport.

[D24Saint]

I’d expect they’ll row back on this as it just does not make sense.

Things not making any sense hasn't seemed an obstacle to introducing certain rules for a good while now. I cant see attendances at sport getting dispensation from the madness.

[joey B]

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps and Cork City against Cabinteely on the 11th of June to be used as pilot events for the return of crowds,great to see some progress on this....

[Dalymountrower]

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps and Cork City against Cabinteely on the 11th of June to be used as pilot events for the return of crowds,great to see some progress on this....
Also Shamrock Rovers V Drogs as a further "pilot" for the same home venue according to Indo. A scientific led choice no doubt, can home support aid a struggling team?...and repeat just to make sure dontcha know.

[sbgawa]

Also Shamrock Rovers V Drogs as a further "pilot" for the same home venue according to Indo. A scientific led choice no doubt, can home support aid a struggling team?...and repeat just to make sure dontcha know.

I know our off-site HQ in Abbotstown would have found a reason to do this anyway but it does make sense to use the biggest venue in the LOI to be fair to go with the biggest numbers.
i assume it will be home fans only (thats what we told them anyway ;) )

[Dalymountrower]

I know our off-site HQ in Abbotstown would have found a reason to do this anyway but it does make sense to use the biggest venue in the LOI to be fair to go with the biggest numbers.
i assume it will be home fans only (thats what we told them anyway ;) )

Would have made sense to have a third pilot site in a smaller stadium rather than TC or SDCC. Your Abbotstown sub office must be concerned at your recent form, nothing that a couple of additional bizarre international call ups couldn`t fix?

[Nesta99]

Tallaght is probably the easiest ground to manage so Im not sure how a successful trial there is transferable to Oriel Park for example, unless its a ticking box exercise and what works at one ground passes all other grounds!?

[Yossarian]

I would have thought that having a pilot in a small and awkward ground might be more beneficial as if it works there then it can be easily transferred to the bigger grounds. At least there is some progress.

[sbgawa]

Would have made sense to have a third pilot site in a smaller stadium rather than TC or SDCC. Your Abbotstown sub office must be concerned at your recent form, nothing that a couple of additional bizarre international call ups couldn`t fix?

Ah sure NDCC will be available in a few years :p ;)

[Nesta99]

Would have made sense to have a third pilot site in a smaller stadium rather than TC or SDCC. Your Abbotstown sub office must be concerned at your recent form, nothing that a couple of additional bizarre international call ups couldn`t fix?


Ah sure NDCC will be available in a few years :p ;)

Its well for some, LCC Stadium (in Dundalk) would do me nicely:o

[Dalymountrower]

ah sure ndcc will be available in a few years :p ;)
dcc ?

[sbgawa]

North Dublin County Council. :o

[Dalymountrower]

North Dublin County Council. :o
North Dublin County is Fingal, Santry stadium , 6-4 etc.That plucky victory over mighty longford must have gone to your head?

[Charlie Darwin]

Cinema is incredibly popular here.
To be fair, cinemas are probably the only thing that went bust at a faster rate than LOI clubs over the Delaney era.

[Charlie Darwin]

I would have thought that having a pilot in a small and awkward ground might be more beneficial as if it works there then it can be easily transferred to the bigger grounds. At least there is some progress.
I think that'd be dependent on them actually wanting to make it work. It's probably more a case they want to open the biggest, most modern ground and it goes well and everybody pats them on the back and tells them they're fantastic.

[2 Year Contract]

The term 'test event', I’m assuming it’s just testing the actual hosting of an event and getting people into and out of the ground safely/social distanced rather than following up with the attendees re: if they’ve caught covid in the 10 days (or whatever it is) after the game?

[mcgonigle]

Why should it only be open to Rovers fans? Should be open to all LOI fans to apply to attend. I'd happily head to Tallaght and abuse the F*** out of Rovers. A lot built up over the last 15 months 😁

[sbgawa]

Why should it only be open to Rovers fans? Should be open to all LOI fans to apply to attend. I'd happily head to Tallaght and abuse the F*** out of Rovers. A lot built up over the last 15 months 

Might be a problem maintaining social distance there McG :D
I assume its not just because we told the FAI thats the way we want it but probably due to stop away fans traveling together or some such nonsense

[Dalymountrower]

In the failed political entity will Derry allow away fans to attend after the break?

[Charlie Darwin]

In the failed political entity will Derry allow away fans to attend after the break?
It's up to the FAI afaik

[Dalymountrower]

It's up to the FAI afaik

Noticed that they had fans in for six county GAA matches at the weekend. So Derry have to get consent from FAI and from local Public Health before they are allowed similar facilities?

[Charlie Darwin]

Noticed that they had fans in for six county GAA matches at the weekend. So Derry have to get consent from FAI and from local Public Health before they are allowed similar facilities?
Yep, as far as I'm aware the NI Exec were happy for limited crowds to return but the FAI felt the case numbers were too high in Derry to risk it.

[Candystripe]

Yep, as far as I'm aware the NI Exec were happy for limited crowds to return but the FAI felt the case numbers were too high in Derry to risk it.

The positive cases in Derry have reduced massively over the past two weeks so looking like Derry will have fans back after the break.

No away fans will be allowed in the immediate future.

[Charlie Darwin]

The positive cases in Derry have reduced massively over the past two weeks so looking like Derry will have fans back after the break.

No away fans will be allowed in the immediate future.
That's great news - hopefully in two weeks' time we're all in a much better position.

[D24Saint]

That's great news - hopefully in two weeks' time we're all in a much better position.

The end is sight hopefully. I’ll never complain about questionable over priced burgers or dank toilet scent in LOI grounds again.

[Charlie Darwin]

The end is sight hopefully. I’ll never complain about questionable over priced burgers or dank toilet scent in LOI grounds again.
But that's one of the best parts!

[D24Saint]

https://www.rte.ie/news/coronavirus/2021/0531/1225021-coronavirus-ireland-sport/

[Longfordian]

But that's one of the best parts!

Absolutely. Nothing better than coming out of the jacks with pee on your shoes then going to queue at the chip van until well after the second half has begun.

You actually would miss it though.

[Nesta99]

When restrictions are lifted we could have some bumper attendances, for as long as the novelty remains anyway. Clubs should be ready to make hay as it could offer an opportunity to nab the interest of curious newbies appreciating the freedom and getting out and about.

[Dalymountrower]

A third League of Ireland "pilot" announced......Rovers at home again, this time v Dundalk.They must be planning on learning something that couldn't be learned from the previous 2 home Rovers games.!
So other than for Rovers matches no crowds back til 2nd week of July at the earliest.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

That’s not correct. We’ve 100 fans in for the Drogheda match next weekend. All other clubs should be allowed the same.

https://www.sligorovers.com/update-on-attending-games/

[placid casual]

A third League of Ireland "pilot" announced......Rovers at home again, this time v Dundalk.They must be planning on learning something that couldn't be learned from the previous 2 home Rovers games.!
So other than for Rovers matches no crowds back til 2nd week of July at the earliest.

This must be my favourite post so far this year.

[D24Saint]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2021/0607/1226457-guidelines-for-trial-events-with-fans-published/

[Dalymountrower]

https://www.rte.ie/sport/other-sport/2021/0607/1226457-guidelines-for-trial-events-with-fans-published/

Thanks.So 100 fans plus 100 officials/players etc in grounds less than 5,000 in June.Possibly 200 in July..Other than Sligo, any other clubs going to go to the hassle of elaborate arrangements for maybe 1500 euro in gate receipts?.

[D24Saint]

Thanks.So 100 fans plus 100 officials/players etc in grounds less than 5,000 in June.Possibly 200 in July..Other than Sligo, any other clubs going to go to the hassle of elaborate arrangements for maybe 1500 euro in gate receipts?.

Was thinking the same myself. It appears to me that the powers that be want to able say officially that crowds are allowed but are still discouraging them at the moment. I cant see the rationale of having three test games in Tallaght. Its great for Rovers fans but smacks of preferential treatment by the FAI. If Tallaght is seen an an ideal venue for fans again then other clubs should at least be given the option of hosting a match there with crowds. Id say nobody would take up the option as it would disrupt normal matchday operations/routines at clubs.

[redobit]

Thanks.So 100 fans plus 100 officials/players etc in grounds less than 5,000 in June.Possibly 200 in July..Other than Sligo, any other clubs going to go to the hassle of elaborate arrangements for maybe 1500 euro in gate receipts?.

They'll be no gate receipts in the Showgrounds. Draw for tickets comes from season ticket holders. 100 fans is better than nothing and a nice thank you from the club imo. People are mad to get back in to see the team and being top of the table is adding to it.

The pilot or test games in Tallaght is obviously a step in the right direction. But it makes very little sense. What can be learned from doing the same test over and over in the same stadium. These pilot games should be spread around the country. Look at the Showgrounds ... capacity of 5000 and Sligo county has 8 cases, practically nothing, in the last 14 days. Very doable to have a test game of 1000 people in the Showgrounds.

[Longfordian]

200 spectators to be in attendance at the LTFC game apparently. Official capacity is over 5k these days so we can have the higher amount. Assuming we can get 200 willing to turn up.

[2 Year Contract]

Pats have confirmed 200 fans will be let into both home games this month (v Sligo and Finn Harps)

[D24Saint]

Pats have confirmed 200 fans will be let into both home games this month (v Sligo and Finn Harps)

Great news. It finally feels that things are on the way back in the country.

[Dalymountrower]

Bohs have also confirmed 100 for Drogs game, lottery among M members and st holders.

[total hoofball]

Athlone Town investigating ‘serious allegations’ that two players broke Covid regulations by travelling abroad (https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/athlone-town-investigating-serious-allegations-that-two-players-broke-covid-regulations-bytravellingabroad-40520928.html)

https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/league-of-ireland/athlone-town-investigating-serious-allegations-that-two-players-broke-covid-regulations-bytravellingabroad-40520928.html

[Stav]

You are right but it has to start somewhere and Tallaght is seen as a modern stadium. Let6s all pull together and get through this and then hopefully we all can enjoy games with crowds.

[gufct]

Connacht Tribune reporting upto 4 Athlone players travelled abroad during the break.

[Dalymountrower]

I would be surprised if there werent more players in other clubs who scuttled overseas during the mid season break.

[total hoofball]

I would be surprised if there werent more players in other clubs who scuttled overseas during the mid season break.
That's a certainty, has to be LOI managers this week secretly seething noticing how their pale players returning to training this week with unusual tans

[Dalymountrower]

https://www.shamrockrovers.ie/2021/06/14/pilot-test-match-success/#.YMd4-PlKhPY

Aww everyone`s against them.!

[John83]

Yikes! That's a very unprofessional post. I guess their site is volunteer-run.

[Nesta99]

Yikes! That's a very unprofessional post. I guess their site is volunteer-run.

Must be a recent bandwagoner as the 'anti Rovers background noise' long predates 2019!!;)

[NeverFeltBetter]

Jeez that's sad.