Restart 31st July

[NeverFeltBetter]

How much would you charge, out of interest?

It's around 55/56 games, so a euro a game (fair enough very few are going to watch every game, but still). I don't think the game pass could be much cheaper than a fiver, really.

Maybe have a time-based passes, ala Now TV. A tenner for a full weekend, or a month or something. I just think your fairweather "Oh I might give the LOI a shot" type would blanch at 55. They might take in one game for just a fiver though. That's the part I'd be pushing hard.

I do wonder about the quality though.

[Nesta99]

Sensible pricing imo. I also think there should be more made of the single game option - it's not an obvious price option that I can see on the main page unless you click on 'buy'. I'd have had it listed under 'packages' even as a single game. But maybe its nitpicking as its pretty close to what I was hoping for before the launch.

[redobit]

https://www.watchloi.ie/

This looks brilliant and well priced. €5 game pass is a great idea, which wasn't previously mentioned in reports.

All clubs buying ST holders a season pass (at a cut price) is good business too.

To be fair it seems decent and to have been handled well.
The €5 game pass is a good idea and RTE providing cameras and commentators will help.
Clubs getting it for season ticket holders will hopefully keep ST fans happy too and should stop people looking for refunds or expecting discounts next season.

[The Lilywhites]

Maybe have a time-based passes, ala Now TV. A tenner for a full weekend, or a month or something. I just think your fairweather "Oh I might give the LOI a shot" type would blanch at 55. They might take in one game for just a fiver though. That's the part I'd be pushing hard.

I do wonder about the quality though.

Yeah, that would be a good idea. A tenner for a gameweek might attract a few new people in.

It's a one camera RTE production so you'd imagine it will be Soccer Republic quality, so should be decent enough.


Clubs getting it for season ticket holders will hopefully keep ST fans happy too and should stop people looking for refunds or expecting discounts next season.

Clubs aren't paying €55 though, they're paying a lot, lot less. You'd also have households that have 2-3 STs.

If you've paid over €200, in some cases closer to €300, for a single ST, I think you're within your rights to expect a discount/refund having only been able to attend 2-3 games of the 18 games you had purchased for.

[Bunny Kelly]

Just the Premier Division?

[passinginterest]

I'm probably in the "watch more on tv than actually go to games" category. I think I'll get a subscription as a way to support the league as much as anything. Hopefully there's more in my category, who take an interest, go to games semi-regularly but don't have a season ticket, and want to support the league.

A lot of people badly impacted by Covid who may not see it as a good way of using any disposable income, but also others who are saving a lot by working from home (personally lunches, coffees, etc. probably 50 or 60 a week savings alone). I've been trying to donate something to a fundraiser or charity most weeks and I'd see this in a similar light.

[redobit]

If you've paid over €200, in some cases closer to €300, for a single ST, I think you're within your rights to expect a discount/refund having only been able to attend 2-3 games of the 18 games you had purchased for.

Nobody saying fans arent entitled or within your rights to expect something. For most clubs their bread and butter is season tickets however (unless you have a sugar daddy, which is fair enough) and I'd like to think that ST holders would be fairly hard core supporters and understand that. Im sure some will look for discount/ refund, which I would get, but Id like to think that streaming of all games would hopefully be a fair compromise for most fans given the pile of crap that season has become.

[WeAreRovers]

It's a one camera RTE production so you'd imagine it will be Soccer Republic quality, so should be decent enough.



Not so, roughly 50% of games will be 2 camera but not possible to say at this juncture which games that will apply to. Decision will be editorial and be made much closer to game times.

[Bucket]

What is the reason for tv companies only having one or two cameras at LOI matches? Is it purely financial or is it the facilities at most grounds? I think the floodlights in some grounds make it look bad too, dark areas on the pitch in Terryland and Richmond for example.

[The Lilywhites]

Not so, roughly 50% of games will be 2 camera but not possible to say at this juncture which games that will apply to. Decision will be editorial and be made much closer to game times.

Even better if that's the case. Was just going by the league website info.

It says on the FAQs: Unless the match is also being broadcast on TV, there will most likely be one camera at each match, but some games will have a two-camera setup.

[Bucket]

Just heard an ad on Newstalk for it

[total hoofball]

What is the reason for tv companies only having one or two cameras at LOI matches? Is it purely financial or is it the facilities at most grounds? I think the floodlights in some grounds make it look bad too, dark areas on the pitch in Terryland and Richmond for example.
I've always noticed on RTE highlights how one or two non-televised games a week may have an extra camera angle so I presume they will be utilising normal camera setups/ distributions for games

[Martinho II]

Just the Premier Division?

Sorry Bunny only saw ur post just now.Yeah its just top flight I am afraid. I know with us we are potentially talking about watching matches on our own website both home and away games and charging a fee for it which I would be glad to support if I cant make it even though I volunteer at matches
I know for now ST holders are included in the 200 capacity that can go to matches.

BTW heard that UCD are allowing home fans in for free to their games with no away fans. I know their gates are low but WTF?

[pineapple stu]

Where'd you hear that?

Don't think it's true

[Mr A]

I heard UCD are paying people to go but still can't get people to attend.

[Martinho II]

Where'd you hear that?

Don't think it's true

I heard it from our program editor and webmaster on our own forum so I trust his judgement. Hes sent UCD a email as we speak. If thats true we know how to blame for the virus spreading!
If I am proven wrong I apologise.

[pineapple stu]

Don't think Longford fans will be allowed in next week, but that was to be expected with the 200 restriction (incl players, etc)

Don't see it being open gates for home fans either.

[D24Saint]

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/5691081/watchloi-rte-head-of-sport-declan-mcbennett-streaming/

To me he expects it not to take off and is saying it’s not RTE’s fault.

[Martinho II]

Yeah I jumped the gun pineapple. Sorry. I am that passionate about ppl pulling their weight to drive corona virus out off this island once and for all and saw red. I didn't mean to cause offence. Its thisockdown is causing posters here to argue with each other on the other thread. I know you personally a long time pineapple hope u accept my apologies

[RathfarnhamHoop]

What is the reason for tv companies only having one or two cameras at LOI matches? Is it purely financial or is it the facilities at most grounds? I think the floodlights in some grounds make it look bad too, dark areas on the pitch in Terryland and Richmond for example.

Think it's down to facilities but not the floodlights kind. For most TV productions they like to have two cameras at pitch level, one behind the goal at a height, and one at sideline at a height. The two at pitch level are expensive because wiring needs to be put in place and taken up each time, and at some grounds they have to rent a crane for the one behind the goal so I guess it'll be a case of if there's a permanent TV gantry behind the goal or not and if so how kitted out it is

[Yossarian]

Sky have sometimes been showing championship matches earlier in the season via the red button and if I recall correctly they were single camera productions with just the one commentator and that wasn’t bad. Obviously not comparable to a game with the full complement of camera positions but I thought it was decent for what was effectively a streaming game. If our games are like that then I’d be happy enough.

[Bucket]

I meant the floodlight issue just makes it look bad on tv. Maybe planning stipulations could be put in place for future developments that would require tv facilities to be included in new stands. A gantry on the halfway line and one in line with each goal line, just in case Hawkeye is ever considered!

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Yeah I got what you meant by floodlights but I don't think aesthetics are what the difference would be between two cameras or one.

There are criteria in place requiring gantries to be a higher classification of stadium but there's really no incentive for the majority of LOI clubs to improve their ground past the minimum league standard. And then it could also be argued most grounds don't need a stand behind one end because the crowds just aren't there to demand it.

[brendy_éire]

Spectators in the north are now allowed to attend outdoor sporting venues "where the operator can control access and ensure adherence to social distancing".

Essentially, no limit on numbers. The GAA are going for 400 spectators to start with, and reports that the Irish Cup final next weekend will have 500 at it. 500 seems low for the size of Windsor Park, mind.

No word on what the plan is for the Brandywell, but the FAI would probably need to make a call on it. Would love to be at the ground this day week, but would it be fair to other clubs for only one team to be allowed fans? Alternatively, maybe the FAI could use the Brandywell as a trial run of how to open other grounds.

[D24Saint]

Spectators in the north are now allowed to attend outdoor sporting venues "where the operator can control access and ensure adherence to social distancing".

Essentially, no limit on numbers. The GAA are going for 400 spectators to start with, and reports that the Irish Cup final next weekend will have 500 at it. 500 seems low for the size of Windsor Park, mind.

No word on what the plan is for the Brandywell, but the FAI would probably need to make a call on it. Would love to be at the ground this day week, but would it be fair to other clubs for only one team to be allowed fans? Alternatively, maybe the FAI could use the Brandywell as a trial run of how to open other grounds.

Don’t think anyone should begrudge any fan that can attend a game if it’s allowed. I do think it could be used as a trial run for other clubs.

[EatYerGreens]

Spectators in the north are now allowed to attend outdoor sporting venues "where the operator can control access and ensure adherence to social distancing".

Essentially, no limit on numbers. The GAA are going for 400 spectators to start with, and reports that the Irish Cup final next weekend will have 500 at it. 500 seems low for the size of Windsor Park, mind.

No word on what the plan is for the Brandywell, but the FAI would probably need to make a call on it. Would love to be at the ground this day week, but would it be fair to other clubs for only one team to be allowed fans? Alternatively, maybe the FAI could use the Brandywell as a trial run of how to open other grounds.

Derry operate on a different political jurisdiction than everyone else, so different rules applying is pretty standard really.

You could argue that it would give them an advantage to have a couple of hundred fans at a game, but I doubt those sorts of numbers would make much difference really. And once you go down the route of mitigating against the difference in political jurisdictions, where do you stop? For example - Derry have to pay VAT on gate receipts whilst no-one in the south does, which is a big disadvantage for them. It wouldn't help the AIL cause if clubs in the north thought the difference in jurisdiction was countered when it gave them a perceived advantage, but not when it gave them a disadvantage.

[RathfarnhamHoop]

Wouldn't really have a problem with derry having fans in the ground. Maybe though with the caveat that the normal percentage be away fans, that way nobody could really complain. Way I see it some clubs have already had the advantage of playing certain games at home so there's not much of a fairness argument against it because that ship has sailed.

[DCWA]

Pack 3500 in declare attendance of 3000. Anyone asks say they got really life like cardboard cut outs with some movement ability and programmed with audio.

[nigel-harps1954]

Presumably Derry have at least 400 season ticket holders regardless, so they wouldn't have to declare anything, as they've already paid for their tickets.

[DCWA]

Presumably Derry have at least 400 season ticket holders regardless, so they wouldn't have to declare anything, as they've already paid for their tickets.

Good point. I am not sure what our current number of season ticket holders is but makes no difference pack the rest of us in 15 quid cash, never happened, happy days pay for Junior for next year with the profits.

[Neish]

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football/5691081/watchloi-rte-head-of-sport-declan-mcbennett-streaming/

To me he expects it not to take off and is saying it’s not RTE’s fault.

To me he is looking for a reason to justify them pulling the plug on showing LOI live

[Calcio Jack]

To me he is looking for a reason to justify them pulling the plug on showing LOI live

Certainly doesn’t help potential viewing figures when for example Rovers v Harps next Sat is scheduled to go head to head with the FA cup final.... what dope came up with that

[D24Saint]

Have to say I find watching football on the telly with no fans as exciting as mass. It will be extremely interesting how our league fares out.

[D24Saint]

Certainly doesn’t help potential viewing figures when for example Rovers v Harps next Sat is scheduled to go head to head with the FA cup final.... what dope came up with that

Something the FAI wold come up with it has their MO all over it.

[Martinho II]

Longford Town have set up its own gofund me page. Our supporters club is running it as all our fundraisers since the pandemic broke have being cancelled since and that was for the running of our club. The car boot sale was always a popular fundraiser and club are down considerably in revenue ie gate takings,Shop sales,programme sales,merchandise and also car boot sale.
If any of the lads would like to support this we would be grateful. My younger brother who used to be a prominent foot.ie contributor pauro 7 is running it and has done a superb job. The site has only being set up 3 hours and we have raised 1.5k so far.

Heres the link:

http://ltfc.ie/ltfc-supporters-club-gofundme-page-set-up-to-help-out-the-club/

[Bucket]

Why can't the car boot sales continue?

[gufct]

https://galwayunitedfc.ie/club-statement-on-supporters-attending-games-and-streaming/

[D24Saint]

https://galwayunitedfc.ie/club-statement-on-supporters-attending-games-and-streaming/

I admire galway for that stance , it’s better to give a small number the opportunity to attend a game rather than not bother.

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

So 147 essential people for a game? Seems high and thus 53 season ticket holders seems low. However based on the stream from Saturday people will still be able to see the game fine.

[nigel-harps1954]

Once you count it all up, you're not far off 150 people when scraping bare minimum really.

Media/journalists, TV crews, photographers, medical/order of malta, players, coaching staff/various backroom team, club officials, stewards (which are still essential even without crowds), potentially ballboys/girls at some grounds.

I went through a rough count of a normal enough match night in Finn Park and got to 130 pretty quickly, and there'd be bigger backroom teams at some other clubs.

[D24Saint]

Once you count it all up, you're not far off 150 people when scraping bare minimum really.

Media/journalists, TV crews, photographers, medical/order of malta, players, coaching staff/various backroom team, club officials, stewards (which are still essential even without crowds), potentially ballboys/girls at some grounds.

I went through a rough count of a normal enough match night in Finn Park and got to 130 pretty quickly, and there'd be bigger backroom teams at some other clubs.

The numbers rack up quick enough alright. Then on top of the above is club volunteers, club directors etc ,sponsors who are entitled to first option on a ticket. I admire Galway for distributing their surplus tickets but its understandable why other clubs aren't in a position to.

[brendy_éire]

So 147 essential people for a game? Seems high and thus 53 season ticket holders seems low. However based on the stream from Saturday people will still be able to see the game fine.

147 seems about right.

The GAA in Celtic Park are working off a model of 120, excluding press. Slightly larger panels in GAA granted, but 147 seems about right for Galway.

It's 53 ST holders, but are away fans getting an allocation?

[Nah Nah Nah Nah]

Sounds like we need 150 as we are only offering 50 season ticket holders entry. I presume no away fans will be permitted anywhere.

[Martinho II]

Why can't the car boot sales continue?

The social distancing rules . The way the car boot sales work is there are stalls all on top of each other and people wander around browsing at it and buying. This would have a very strong impact on our fundraising as not too many people would attend as much and not as many would be willing to set up a stall. Thats my opinion on it.

Even if you reduce the nos attending our car park in front of the ground where car boot sale does be held to say 200 ppl attending how can u control them with the carpark so open? Its the government regulations that is the big problem for us!

[Martinho II]

Sounds like we need 150 as we are only offering 50 season ticket holders entry. I presume no away fans will be permitted anywhere.

Yeah that would be the case.

[Bucket]

I asked the question because I know how big of an area ye have, so my thinking was the more space you have, the more social-distance you would have too. The market in Galway has been open again for ages and it's a very narrow lane in town

[Redbull]

I just watched some of the IFA Cup semi final, surprised they had crowd noise during the game.

[Martinho II]

I asked the question because I know how big of an area ye have, so my thinking was the more space you have, the more social-distance you would have too. The market in Galway has been open again for ages and it's a very narrow lane in town

Yeah its a tricky one as I asked one of the chief organisers that Q on our own whatsapp so have to take him at his word. Its strange that the Galway is open though or is it that they have more staff to regulate it I wonder?

[Mr A]

The market in Galway now has a one way system and is also split in two with half the stalls being hosted in the grounds of a school across the way. The city council do put people there to enforce the one way element.

[Bucket]

I don't know, I just drove by, didn't actually walk through it. I'd guess hand sanitizer at each stall and traders wearing masks. Probably a one-way system in place too