What day should the games be played?

[derrymac]

I was wondering which day of the week would people prefer the matches to be played on. Since Derry started playing in the LOI, there have been games on a Sunday afternoon, Saturday night, Thursday night and now Friday nights. I imagine there were reasons each time the day was changed but is Friday night the best night? It causes loads of problems for away fans trying to get to any games which aren’t Dublin derbies. I guess Sundays were out with the clash with the gaa but why can’t we play on Saturday afternoons? I don’t think the attendances would fall much just because there would be an English match on tv… we can’t get the barstoolers to come to a match when there isn’t another match on tele so there’s no loss there. They manage in the Irish league to play their matches at a sensible time. With summer football, we don’t even have the English league playing matches for half the season. And I don’t think there would be too much trouble with the tv schedules.. TG4 managed to show the Derry rovers cup game on a Saturday night. We could have all the games played on a Saturday afternoon except the televised game which would be played on a Saturday night. What do other people think.. or do you all prefer having to get a half day on a Friday just so you can crawl through Dublin traffic on a Friday evening?

[monutdfc]

The league tried a couple of seasons ago to implement fixed times for games: the proposal was Friday nights for 1st division and Saturday nights for premier. The clubs couldn't come to agreement on it though.

[Dodge]

Saturday Afternoons would take away a huge source of fans with most junior football being played then. Sundays weren't affected too badly as most Suunday games played in the morning

My own preference would be for Saturday nights but in Ddublin, at least, Friday night works best for crowds. Sundays are now a total disaster for Pats

[joeSoap]

I would prefer a Sunday afternoon kick-off....3.00pm across the card.Brings back childhood memories of heading up to the Markets Field with me old man, or going up to Rathbanein the late 80's for a few pints at the game (when we had a clubhouse):cool:

[harpskid]

Saturday night. Makes it a lot easier for travelling

[bigmac]

I'd go for Friday night myself as it still gives people the chance to have a weekend with their families without the football interfering. I think it's the best time to attract new fans as well as I think there are too many competing things on a Saturday already in the summer, think of a family that head off to the beach for the day - rules out going to an afternoon match and puts a time constraint on having to be back at home with sufficient time to get to the match.

[Jaime]

Saturday all the way. 3pm, maybe with one or two at 7pm.

[ThatGuy]

A couple of games on Saturday evenings with most on Saturday afternoons would be ideal IMO.

[Macy]

Saturday 3pm for me. 3pm Saturday probably has the least clash with tele sport of any kick off time these days...

I think the junior football clash is overplayed tbh. A few vocal pats fans seem to be the only ones that bring it up.... ;)

[BohDiddley]

Friday.
Saturday clashes with kids/ junior football and is also much costlier in brownie points.

[mypost]

I was wondering which day of the week would people prefer the matches to be played on. why can’t we play on Saturday afternoons? I don’t think the attendances would fall much just because there would be an English match on tv… we can’t get the barstoolers to come to a match when there isn’t another match on tele so there’s no loss there. They manage in the Irish league to play their matches at a sensible time. TG4 managed to show the Derry rovers cup game on a Saturday night?

It's no coincidence that a fan of a UK-based club wants to play games on Saturday afternoons. That's the only time, that they ever want to play games, because that's the way it's been done for 100+ years, so that's the way it should always be, :rolleyes: even though it only works in England. Whatever about Irish League games, there is no appetite or tradition down here for Saturday afternoon games.

NL games should all kick off on Saturday nights at 8.30/9.00pm, it's the big sociable night of the week, with the least competition from tv. It is the only time you can attract large numbers of away support from the big clubs, fans who can't go to games on Fridays. Playing on afternoons is crap for atmosphere. Despite this, the FAI still insist that we should play all our International home games at weekends on Saturday afternoons, just to ensure that the atmosphere resembles that of a library for the whole game.

[NY Hoop]

Good thread. Football is a weekend game and should be played at the weekend. Thursday night is a disgrace. Friday nights should be for derbies only. It is symptomatic of this league that Cork, Derry and Waterford play each other on fridays:mad: It is not fair on the fans firstly but the part time players have to take time off work as well. Factor in the traffic problems in not only the capital and you have problems.

Harps, Sligo and Longford have the best solution. Saturday night football. Gives you the whole day to get there and the numerous fans who cant make the away trip on friday will be there. There is no tradition of playing games on saturday afternoons here as there is across the water.

Sunday afternoons was the traditional day for LOI football before the "magic" of floodlights came in and clubs started messing with fixtures sometimes at a days notice:rolleyes: Santry next season and hopefully Tallaght the following will be sunday afternoons. Good for 2 reasons IMO: Gives the away fans a day out and they dont have to stay overnight to support their club and sundays are boring generally!! Obviously though if your county is doing well in the All Ireland you dont play on the sunday.......

There should be also uniform kick off times. Like UEFA ALL night games at 7.45 and day games at 3.30. You cant expect to attract new supporters when the kick offs and games are all over the place.

In summary then fridays for derbies and saturday nights and sunday afternoons for the rest.

KOH

[mypost]

In summary then fridays for derbies and saturday nights and sunday afternoons for the rest.

Sunday afternoons are not much better than Saturday afternoons, with the competition from GAA, and the Premiership. That doesn't work either. It's bad for atmosphere too.

[delboy]

Always thought 5.30pm on a Saturday to be a good time. Spend Saturday morning coaching the kids at the academy, chill out in the afternooon (or travel to an away game). The game is finished by 7.30pm plenty of time to go out on Saturday night proper or travel back home. Also with Friday night away games I've got to get the kids off school early from March to June and from Sept. to November, they love their away games. Sunday can then be spent with her indoors.

[drinkfeckarse]

Always liked the Friday nights myself, Sunday at 3pm would be a poor 2nd choice for me.

[ThatGuy]

NL games should all kick off on Saturday nights at 8.30/9.00pm, it's the big sociable night of the week, with the least competition from tv.
That late on Saturday most people will have plans with their wives/girlfriends/mates. 7pm kick-off on Saturday means that games are over early enough not to interfere with "Saturday nights" and late enough to allow people who are occupied during the day to attend.

It is also the best time, and day, for fans travelling a distance too.

[NY Hoop]

Sunday afternoons are not much better than Saturday afternoons, with the competition from GAA, and the Premiership. That doesn't work either. It's bad for atmosphere too.

Listen you arent gonna to get the barstoolers to come no matter when its on. The GAA argument is a red herring at this stage. Firstly cos how many sundays in our season would there be a major GAA game on? As I said if your county is playing then dont have the game on the sunday. It's not rocket science!

No messing with kick offs either. Plan your life around your club:D

KOH

[mypost]

That late on Saturday most people will have plans with their wives/girlfriends/mates. 7pm kick-off on Saturday means that games are over early enough not to interfere with "Saturday nights" and late enough to allow people who are occupied during the day to attend.

7pm is too early for an evening ko. We play at 7.45/8pm already, what's so wrong about putting the ko back another (half) hour? :confused: Or does everyone have to be back in bed by 12, like we must obey a curfew or something?

If Saturday night ko's at 8.30/9pm are too late for you, go out another night. As usual, someone's self-interest comes before the good of the league. :rolleyes: :( This "me fein" mentality is why the league is the way it is. :rolleyes:

[CollegeTillIDie]

Well how Thursdays came about is like this. Back in the 1980's when we had massive unemployment Dundalk moved their games to Thursday cause it was dole day. Derry did something similar for the same reason a few years later.

[monutdfc]

The league requires minimum of 10 days notice if a game is to be rescheduled. This season we played Dublin City at home while Monaghan county were contesting the league final in Croke Park, while a few seasons ago we had the ridiculous situation of playing Galway United in a league game while Galway county were playing the All-Ireland semi-final. With the gaa's more flexible approach to fixtures and the knock-out nature of its main competitions, it is not always possible to avoid a clash.

We have recently switched from Sunday afternoons to Fridays. This was a request from management and players: the players would be under pressure for a result with all the teams around them having played already that weekend, plus they cannot have a few pints on a Saturday night with a game on the Sunday (although the way some of them have played it looks like they didn't let that stop them). Added to that, with a small crowds the atmosphere was so dead, at least under lights the atmosphere is better even with a small crowd.

[A face]

I wouldn't mind Saturday nights but it doesn't suit everyone thats for sure .... Friday nights are the job in the cross, the best thing that has happened in a long while.

[NY Hoop]

Well how Thursdays came about is like this. Back in the 1980's when we had massive unemployment Dundalk moved their games to Thursday cause it was dole day. Derry did something similar for the same reason a few years later.

Nonsense or else you're joking. I first went to Dundalk in 1989 to support the Hoops and it was always sunday afternoons. They started the thursday night rubbish in the late 90s. And of course like sheep a few others tried it as well. Dole day is not just on a thursday.

Mypost has it right. This me fein attitude is why this league is in the mess its in. Players want to have a pint saturday night? Can you imagine that in another league ffs?:o

Would'nt be too sure on the 10 day rule either. Galway changed a game this season cos one of their players' brothers was getting married!!! You could not make it up. Boez changed a fixture cos they were hiring out their pitch!!

Appalling stuff. Fixtures that are announced at the start of the season should be set in stone and not changed for any reason other than if your county gets into a major stage in the All Ireland or a if there's a natural disaster.

KOH

[mypost]

Friday nights are the job in the cross, the best thing that has happened in a long while.

More "me fein" mentality. We play at home on Fridays too, even though I don't like it. You would get more people at the gate on Saturday nights, except for so called LOI "fans", who put socialising with their mates/birds, ahead of watching their club.

As it is, playing in Santry shi-thole next season, means we can't play on any night, nor in Tallaght by the sounds of it. The games are perfectly timed of course, to clash with live GAA/Premiership tv coverage to ensure that only the die-hards turn up. :(

[dublinred]

Saturday nights has less disadvantages anad seems to work , the league could hype up live sat night football.

[NY Hoop]

As it is, playing in Santry shi-thole next season, means we can't play on any night, nor in Tallaght by the sounds of it. The games are perfectly timed of course, to clash with live GAA/Premiership tv coverage to ensure that only the die-hards turn up. :([/QUOTE]

I've just pointed out the GAA thing. It's only on a certain amount of times a year. Take sligo for example. I can guarantee you that if they are doing at all well next season they will bring a great crowd to santry precisely because it is a sunday. If you support your club you'll be at the game. **** the premier****.

IMO Tallaght will be a success on a sunday afternoon. Look at the RDS. For most of the 6 years we were there the team wasnt great but on average we had decent crowds because it was a sunday. It was a day out and we gained a new support base there.

KOH

[coislaoi]

It is symptomatic of this league that Cork, Derry and Waterford play each other on fridays:mad: It is not fair on the fans firstly but the part time players have to take time off work as well. Factor in the traffic problems in not only the capital and you have problems.

KOH

You have lost me there. Are you referring to yourself and other Hoop fans not being able to travel to Derry, Cork & Waterford because they play on Friday nights? Don't yourselves, Bohs, Shels, Pats and UCD play on Friday night. Did you ever consider that we have to travel to everywhere (the shortest trip being Waterford)? You on the other hand get handy trips to Phibsborough, Inchicore, Drumcondra & Donnybrook.

Broadly speaking Friday nights suit home fans but don't suit away fans.

Saturday nights imo would be the best time overall with a 7.30 (across the board) kick off.

[NY Hoop]

You have lost me there. Are you referring to yourself and other Hoop fans not being able to travel to Derry, Cork & Waterford because they play on Friday nights? Don't yourselves, Bohs, Shels, Pats and UCD play on Friday night. Did you ever consider that we have to travel to everywhere (the shortest trip being Waterford)? You on the other hand get handy trips to Phibsborough, Inchicore, Drumcondra & Donnybrook.

Broadly speaking Friday nights suit home fans but don't suit away fans.

Saturday nights imo would be the best time overall with a 7.30 (across the board) kick off.

Sorry should have explained it better. I'm referring to ALL fans who have to travel distances for friday night games. Agree with your last line.

And Cop On I already said twice that if your county is involved in the latter stages of the All Ireland obviously you dont play on that sunday:rolleyes:

KOH

[mypost]

I've just pointed out the GAA thing. It's only on a certain amount of times a year. If you support your club you'll be at the game. **** the premier****.

The GAA is on every Sunday, every week of the year. There are club, county, minor, and senior games every sunday, across the country, on top of live tv coverage, of which there are several such games on Sunday afternoons, and that's before you consider the Premiership tv factor. We cannot compete with that on Sundays, that's why most clubs play earlier in the weekend. I like the idea of playing on Sunday nights, but nobody ever does, so I guess it's a non-runner.

[Macy]

There is no tradition of playing games on saturday afternoons here as there is across the water.
Doesn't stop thousands of nob ends going over for 3pm Saturday games every week though.

Saturday 3pm - public transport an option for travel, most of the season in daylight anyway with summer football, there and back in a day for any fan for any game, less clash with the bogball (both TV and local), less competition - shopping v football (people who'd stay in to watch the RTE/Setanta game would probably stay in for the Premiership anyway).

Mypost, the problem isn't fans that are going now, it's the people we have to attract - the people that probably would put socialising with their mates/bird above going the match. Give em a choice between shopping with the bird and the match we have more chance of winning...

[fbtn]

We tried changing our Saturday night games to a Friday last year to see if it would improve attendances but it didn't. It just meant less away fans and the same amount of home fans.

Saturday nights are perfect for me. Friday night and Sunday with the family and a footballing, beering day out on the Saturday.

Atmosphere just isn't the same on a Sunday and Thursday nights are a disaster. Shouldn't be allowed IMO.

Saturday night, best option and Friday after that. Friday nights mean a half day off work for most people travelling so it can be a balls for a lot of fans.

We're playing Derry tomorrow night because of the Ireland game on Sat but as NY Hoop pointed out, makes no real difference when it is a derby game.

[bigmac]

Mypost, the problem isn't fans that are going now, it's the people we have to attract - the people that probably would put socialising with their mates/bird above going the match. Give em a choice between shopping with the bird and the match we have more chance of winning...

I don't know though, I think if the league marketed itself as the start of a good night out they'd probably be able to get in a few more people. I never head out on a night till about 9 or so anyway so it's ideal to go to a match and then head into the pub. This is a market that could definitely be tapped into with a bit of effort.

Incidentally, how is wanting to schedule games so they get the most people a "me fein" attitude? Friday nights is my preferred time and IMO the time that has the best potential for getting a good home crowd at the RSC. If a game is on in Dublin at 7.45 I have no problem making it up from Waterford either for it.

[Colm]

I wouldn't mind Saturday nights but it doesn't suit everyone thats for sure .... Friday nights are the job in the cross, the best thing that has happened in a long while.

Spot on there A face.

I'd prefer Saturday nights myself as you'd be able to go on the p!ss for the day.

However, it's been proven any time a game was switched that we get our biggest crowds on a Friday night at the Cross so it would be ridiculous for us to change. For example say for a big game like Shels or Rovers we'd get 5000-6000 on Friday night but we'd be lucky to get 4000 any other night of the week.

[NY Hoop]

I don't know though, I think if the league marketed itself as the start of a good night out they'd probably be able to get in a few more people. I never head out on a night till about 9 or so anyway so it's ideal to go to a match and then head into the pub. This is a market that could definitely be tapped into with a bit of effort.

Agree.

Incidentally, how is wanting to schedule games so they get the most people a "me fein" attitude? Friday nights is my preferred time and IMO the time that has the best potential for getting a good home crowd at the RSC. If a game is on in Dublin at 7.45 I have no problem making it up from Waterford either for it.

The thing is the rescheduling of games sometimes is not to maximise crowds. Look at the 2 examples I have given already. You've just contradicted yourself there. YOU have no problem making a game in Dublin but what about the regular 9 to 5 joe schmo who cant make it? That's why the games should be sat night or sunday afternoon.

FBTN describes it perfectly!!

KOH

[noby]

7pm is too early for an evening ko. We play at 7.45/8pm already, what's so wrong about putting the ko back another (half) hour? :confused: Or does everyone have to be back in bed by 12, like we must obey a curfew or something?

If Saturday night ko's at 8.30/9pm are too late for you, go out another night. As usual, someone's self-interest comes before the good of the league. :rolleyes: :( This "me fein" mentality is why the league is the way it is. :rolleyes:


The problem I see with that is not the amount of drinking time you've left in the night. But if you're only leaving the ground heading on to 11pm, and have to face a 3 hour journey home you may be more inclined to stay at home. I would like the Saturday 7.30 ko. If you need to get home you can be on the road for 9.30. Like wise if you *need* to go out.

I don't think it's someone's self-interest coming before the good of the league when it's pointed out that a lot of people may like to be socialising by ten o'clock on a saturday. I think it's being reaalistic

[Krstic]

I don't care what night we play, as long as we keep winning:D

[Conor H]

In a poll done bu the GUST on what days home matches shoud be played the reults were.....
Friday..71%
Saturday...16%
Thursday....9%
Sunday...2%
..the above are the rough figures...see here for accurate results see here...http://gust-online.com/gust/component/option,com_poll/task,results/id,2/Itemid,55/

[monutdfc]

Similar poll on www.monaghanunited.ie:


Following the recent switch of matchdays to Fridays, when would you prefer to watch the Magic Mons
Friday
68 66%

Saturday
18 17.5%

Sunday
12 11.7%

Thursday
5 4.9%

[The Stars]

Saturday night(at the movies.......)

[sligoman]

Saturday nights are the best in my opinion. I hate games been played on Thursday or Friday nights. Sunday afternoon used to be good enough in Monaghan too:)

[pete]

Poll Added. 1 Choice, no stupid "none of the above" options. No option for Monday or thursday as they stupid options too.

IMO the live TV game should be on different time than the rest of the games & should be evening too as looks better under lights.

Ireish League teams don't play many games at night cos floodlights are very poor quality.

[sligoman]

No option for thursday as they stupid options too.In fairness pete, Dundalk play on Thursday's so you should have added Thursday in too;)

[Conor H]

In fairness pete, Dundalk play on Thursday's so you should have added Thursday in too;)
Ya but how many away fans can get to dundalk on a thursday night.They really should change.I prefer G.U.F.C matches to be played on a friday night in Terryland but a Saturday is much easier for going to away games.

[pete]

In fairness pete, Dundalk play on Thursday's so you should have added Thursday in too;)

Thursday isn't the weekend. Imagine if the country pandered to Dundalk in other areas. :eek:

IMO saturday evening bad option is most peoples big night out of the week & football support dress code isn't usually appreciated in bars & clubs.

[NY Hoop]

Poll Added. 1 Choice, no stupid "none of the above" options. No option for Monday or thursday as they stupid options too.

IMO the live TV game should be on different time than the rest of the games & should be evening too as looks better under lights.

Ireish League teams don't play many games at night cos floodlights are very poor quality.

Not too sure about that poll. All games should'nt be on same time. Agree about the live game being out on its own. Irish League teams are just used to playing saturday afternoons. Absolutely nothing to do with floodlights as they have had lights for ages.

Sat night and sunday afternoons.

KOH

[superfrank]

Saturday evening to accomodate for travel time.

[mypost]

I don't think it's someone's self-interest coming before the good of the league when it's pointed out that a lot of people may like to be socialising by ten o'clock on a saturday. I think it's being realistic


IMO saturday evening bad option is most peoples big night out of the week & football support dress code isn't usually appreciated in bars & clubs.

That's why it is a self-interest "me fein" mentality. You'd think you could only go out on Saturday nights? :rolleyes: If Saturday is your only night free, and there's a game on, couldn't you "socialise" before the game?

Early indications from the poll shows that Saturday nights are going to win hands down. So why do most clubs insist on playing at home on Friday nights?? :confused:

[The Stars]

The sensible ones dont play on Friday nights.

[ColinR]

from a selfish point of view, i used to really enjoy fridays - few pints after work, stroll up the road, enjoy the game, and then head out for a few pints afterwards. always a great way to start the weekend.

clubs that play on fridays, i'd imagine would lose out short-term, but once the new kick-off times established, either a three pm, or an evening kick off would work better if all teams went along with it - but it should be a case of all or nothing.

[Conor H]

The sensible ones dont play on Friday nights.
Stupid post.We play on a friday because it's when we get our biggest home crowds.With the exception of Sligo no other 1st Division team has brought an away support to terryland,therefore the club will not change the games to allocate for the possibilty that some clubs might bring a handfull of fans.Saturday night would have to be considered if we got promoted because large away supports would definitely travel to galway but i'm not sure would that suit the home fans.If you look at the poll it doesn't look like it.

[Jaime]

"me fein" mentality is why the league is the way it is. :rolleyes:

Yes that's right, lads who DO go to games and who DO care enough to talk about game ko times on an internet forum are the the ones at fault for the current state of the league... :rolleyes: