The Croke Park experience and atmosphere

[Claret Murph]

Now was it just me or was the atmosphere at croke park yesterday flat , dead . I was at the game so for anyone who saw the game on the telly how did it come across ? Now the people I was with said that it was because it was a day game and the atmosphere on Wednesday night should be better but I think it was not a patch on Lansdowne .:(:ball: :(

[OwlsFan]

I was at the new Croke Park once before for a hurling match between Waterford and Clare so this wasn't my first visit. Magnificient and all that 3 quarters of the ground is, my own personal opinion is that the Hill 16 end takes so much away from it. Even one part has no terracing with a house of some sorts there. Imagine if the stands had swept around the whole way - it would be an unbelievable stadium but to me the "uncompleted" end that is Hill 16 takes away hugely from the stadium as a whole. I know this is sacrilege to dare vent a negative view of the stadium and unless there were planning problems or financial problems, I cannot udnerstand why the bowl didn't go round the whole way. Also with no covering to echo the sound, one could barely hear the Welsh support.

The atmosphere at the game was flat. I even felt it myself and found it hard to really get in to it, possibily because we know we're not going to qualify (despite the result last night between Ger/Czech). You don't lose away to Cyprus and draw at home to the Czechs to qualify: not with our miserable away record.

The negativity sounding me also irritated me big time. Four middle-aged men wearing not a hint of green spent the game having a go at Ireland (stopped once he scored) and Robbie. No positive comment about any player. Just jeers and scordful remarks. As for a similar clown to my left, I almost felt like hitting him. Apart from calling McShane "Jim", any time Kilbane or O'Shea made a mess of a pass, he'd scream at the top of his voice "Oh great pass, O'Shea" in a sarcastic manner etc etc On and on for 90 minutes he went - it almost drove me to distraction. I will groan when a bad pass is made but I won't scream abuse at players, especially at the likes of Kilbane who tries his best but isn't up to international football. To me negativity and abuse achieve nothing.

I didn't have any sort of sense of history about the game but it was a strange feeling to see a home game not at Lansdowne. Plus the added hour walk in to town to catch the Luas added to my sense of anti-climax about the whole experience.

Delighted with the 3 points but it's not a day that will live long in the memory. Mind you, at my age, not much remains in the memory anyway ;)

[PaulB]

Agree 100%, didn't think the atmosphere was a patch on Lansdowne, and even that that is not great. We were in upper Davin, and most people around us were more excited by the mexican wave than the match.

Don't know what it is, but the thrill of an Ireland match has definitely gone, oh woe is me.

[andrew1977]

I have to agree with you also, i thought it would be a deafening atmosphere yesterday , (was expecting the noise level like the england rugby match ).
Was a very dead atmosphere, i was at the match and got a text from a mate asking was it as quiet as it sounded on the telly.
Wednesday night under lights hopefully will bring a better atmosphere.
The mexican wave was the only thing the supporters joined in all together with

[Dublin12]

Atmosphere was brutal,very little singing,should have rented in the rugby crowd,at least they have a few more songs to sing.Thought they should've handed out those green cards to hold up or even those batons that the Czech fans had at their game last night.

[andrew1977]

I dont think they could finish hill 16 with a roof on it because of the railway line that runs directly behind it ( i stand corrected though )
Fanatastic stadium, easily outstrips a lot of other european stadiums , flat atmosphere alright yesterday , landsdowne roar was much better , too many corporate heads appeared to floating round yesterday ,just there for the free lunch and to say they were at it, not one big of interest in how our team is doing at all, thats probably the last we will see of them at a match

[RonnieB]

And the "who are ya " chant :(

[Raheny Red]

The mexican wave was the only thing the supporters joined in all together with

Sums it up really!

[OwlsFan]

Mexican wave = boredom for fans. Never seen a Mexican wave at an exciting game. People watch it going round instead of watching the game :confused: . I don't join in myself because (a) I don't like them and (b)as I almost missed the Ronnie Whelan goal in Hannover in 1988 because I was watching a wave go round the ground.

As for that London Cockney chant "Who are yah" ? Saints preserve us. Next we'll be hearing American chants of "Go Ireland" :rolleyes: .

[Claret Murph]

OWLS Where were in the the ground ? I was in the lower Davin and yer man who was anti O'Shea was somewhere to my left in the end a good few around me were laughing every time O'Shea got the ball as we knew yer man would go off his head again .
One other point It was my first time at Croke park but even in the pubs at the back of the Davin what i was in ( hogan stand "ryans" and the big tree after the game ) the atmosphere was flat .
I was talking to guy who was on my bus at the bar and an old guy turned on him and told him f**k off back to the south side with your other soccer scum , not much I wanted to say so we just moved off .

[RonnieB]

Oh yea. KEEP FLAGS IRISH. This bull**** with Celtic Irish, Chelsea Irish, Utd Liverpool etc etc . One part of the crowd booing Giggs as he plays for utd the other booing Bellamy as be plays for liverpool dear lord.

The singing of Field of Athenry with the god awful "Sinn Fein and Ira" thrown into it. I've had a better experience at a german 2nd division match than that ****e yesterday.

[OwlsFan]

Lower Cusack. A lot of Irish fans don't come to support these days. They come to jeer.

[Young Hov]

I agree that the atmosphere was terrible but it has an awful lot to do with the negative opinion of the Staunton regime and the team's performance yesterday hardly helped to generate an atmosphere either. To anyone thinking about bygone days in Lansdowne I can only presume ye're thinking about good, exciting games and not games like yesterday's pedestrian rubbish.
I also saw that horrible chelsea irish flag and the other one with chelsea printed over a tricolour. What are these people thinking?????

[theleprechaun]

in fairness they did give out the little green flags. i have to agree the atmosphere was not great.

[andrew1977]

I agree that the atmosphere was terrible but it has an awful lot to do with the negative opinion of the Staunton regime and the team's performance yesterday hardly helped to generate an atmosphere either. To anyone thinking about bygone days in Lansdowne I can only presume ye're thinking about good, exciting games and not games like yesterday's pedestrian rubbish.
I also saw that horrible chelsea irish flag and the other one with chelsea printed over a tricolour. What are these people thinking?????

Good shot mate about that tricolour daubed with Chelsea across it..It was in one the corners of the David stand towards the Cusack, right ?
What are some Irish fans thinking of !! Most of us follow premiership clubs but to stick their name on an Irish flag is bordering on ludicrous .
And we call the English stupid some times !!

[onenilgameover]

Yep yesterday was poor..but its only a reflection of the team. The ''who are ye'' stuff is awful..the anti english premiership and rangers players is totally embarrassing...in fact alot about being a Ireland football fan is embarrassing at the mo. still we soldier on and wed will be better...

[Armando]

Too many people at the game who were there to watch the spectacle rather than support the team. If you're not going to voice your backing for Ireland when you're at the game then why bother going?.... just watch it on TV.

It's horrible that these people so easily get tickets while fans who really want to be there and sing their hearts out are left in the cold.

This decline has been going on for over 10 years now. When I was in primary school(late 80's - early 90's) we used to queue up from 7.00 in the morning to buy tickets for all Ireland games. These tickets would be on general sale at various outlets to the general public. Until that is restored again - say 20,000 on sale(first come, first served) - we will never have a cracking atmosphere again. You can bet your bottom dollar that the vast majority of people at Croke Pk yesterday would never dream of queuing for a match ticket - proper supporters would.

[Young Hov]

It was in one the corners of the David stand towards the Cusack, right ?

Ya. It was at the corner between the Cusack and Davin stands

[Armando]

I was at the new Croke Park once before for a hurling match between Waterford and Clare so this wasn't my first visit. Magnificient and all that 3 quarters of the ground is, my own personal opinion is that the Hill 16 end takes so much away from it. Even one part has no terracing with a house of some sorts there. Imagine if the stands had swept around the whole way - it would be an unbelievable stadium but to me the "uncompleted" end that is Hill 16 takes away hugely from the stadium as a whole. I know this is sacrilege to dare vent a negative view of the stadium and unless there were planning problems or financial problems, I cannot udnerstand why the bowl didn't go round the whole way. Also with no covering to echo the sound, one could barely hear the Welsh support.

The atmosphere at the game was flat. I even felt it myself and found it hard to really get in to it, possibily because we know we're not going to qualify (despite the result last night between Ger/Czech). You don't lose away to Cyprus and draw at home to the Czechs to qualify: not with our miserable away record.

The negativity sounding me also irritated me big time. Four middle-aged men wearing not a hint of green spent the game having a go at Ireland (stopped once he scored) and Robbie. No positive comment about any player. Just jeers and scordful remarks. As for a similar clown to my left, I almost felt like hitting him. Apart from calling McShane "Jim", any time Kilbane or O'Shea made a mess of a pass, he'd scream at the top of his voice "Oh great pass, O'Shea" in a sarcastic manner etc etc On and on for 90 minutes he went - it almost drove me to distraction. I will groan when a bad pass is made but I won't scream abuse at players, especially at the likes of Kilbane who tries his best but isn't up to international football. To me negativity and abuse achieve nothing.

I didn't have any sort of sense of history about the game but it was a strange feeling to see a home game not at Lansdowne. Plus the added hour walk in to town to catch the Luas added to my sense of anti-climax about the whole experience.

Delighted with the 3 points but it's not a day that will live long in the memory. Mind you, at my age, not much remains in the memory anyway ;)

Jaysus, that could have been me writing that - word for word! Even the hour walk to the Luas and sense of anti climax - although I managed it in 30mins:p .

Also, there must have been clowns like those you mentioned all over the place. I had to endure the same crap - condecending ****s.....and they never sang once. Why exactly do people like this go to games - is it just to brag that 'I was there'. I actually had to tell one guy to shut the **** up (very unlike me:o ) because of his constant berating of O'Shea. If I'm honest it actually kind of ruined the game for me, more so than the tripe that unfolded on the pitch.

[eirebhoy]

You can't really compare it to the rugby crowd as rugby is an action packed game, yesterday's game was terrible. The guy I was sitting beside wasn't afraid to be the only guy in our section singing on his own so me and him were getting the people around us going.

[Countyman]

I think the atmosphere would have been a lot better if it wasnt for the general bad feeling surrounding the team at present. Throw in the fact that its a longshot that we might qualify and add a touch of a dire game of football and lo and behold you have the ingredients of a crap atmosphere.

I think the wave actually improved the atmosphere for about 10 minutes. Maybe its because we didnt have to watch the poor show on the pitch.

The pubs were quiet too.

[pineapple stu]

I agree that the atmosphere was terrible but it has an awful lot to do with the negative opinion of the Staunton regime and the team's performance yesterday hardly helped to generate an atmosphere either.
Definitely. That game just sucked the life out of people.

Although the stewards were a lot more strict about getting people to sit down as well, which didn't help.

[Countyman]

This decline has been going on for over 10 years now. When I was in primary school(late 80's - early 90's) we used to queue up from 7.00 in the morning to buy tickets for all Ireland games. These tickets would be on general sale at various outlets to the general public. Until that is restored again - say 20,000 on sale(first come, first served) - we will never have a cracking atmosphere again. You can bet your bottom dollar that the vast majority of people at Croke Pk yesterday would never dream of queuing for a match ticket - proper supporters would.

Thats an interesting point and I think it makes sense.

[Noelys Guitar]

Thats an interesting point and I think it makes sense.

I used to get all my tickets at Elverys going all the way back to the 70's. I completely agree about half the tickets going on open sale again.

[eirebhoy]

A few people on here told me to bring binoculars when I said I was in row W. I couldn't have been further away from the pitch. 4 rows from the very back and in the corner of the stadium. The view was fantastic.

[tetsujin1979]

What stand were you in eirebhoy? I was in row V in the hogan

[Schumi]

Muck atmosphere, summed up by the fans at the back of the Canal lower singing 'we're supposed to be at home'. There wasn't much singing in the lower canal but I honestly heard nothing at all from anywhere else.

[eirebhoy]

What stand were you in eirebhoy? I was in row V in the hogan
Row W in the Hogan. :) Seat 746 I think.

The stairs split me from my brother which was a bit foolish by the FAI.

[tetsujin1979]

Row W in the Hogan. :) Seat 746 I think.
According to this - http://www.crokepark.ie/page/stadium_seating_plan.html - you were sitting somewhere in Clonliffe Road ;)
I was in section 727, was Row V not row W, right in line with the goal line

[Poor Student]

I miss Landsdowne. I was in the Lower Canal End in what I think was the eL section (though my ticket was very isolated from my compatriots). I got the obligatory poke in the back and sit down gesture very fast. The two lads behind me were so lethargic that even during the 'Stand up for the boys in green' chant they stayed seated and preferred to stare at my arse for a minute or two than watch the game.

[eirebhoy]

According to this - http://www.crokepark.ie/page/stadium_seating_plan.html - you were sitting somewhere in Clonliffe Road ;)
I was in section 727, was Row V not row W, right in line with the goal line
Just checked the tickets, I'm in 726.

[Soko]

I agree that the atmosphere was terrible but it has an awful lot to do with the negative opinion of the Staunton regime and the team's performance yesterday hardly helped to generate an atmosphere either.


Pretty much. I just don't have any enthusiasm for these games. I've been to Croke Park umpteen times and just couldn't be bothered going to this game. I don't know how he's done it but Staunton has completely evaporated by interest for this team

[Kingdom]

Jaysus was there a Croke Park Experience? I didn't experience it if there was! Worst game atmosphere wise I've been at. The amount of day-trippers (for a home game ffs) was ridiculous.
I had a horrible match in the area I was seated. I was in Cusack Lower Block 302 Row J seat 28. Was anyone here near me? Some absolute looper with a tache was sitting two rows down and two seats to the left of me going fcuking beserk at all things Irish. Couldn't hack it so everytime he started abusing our players, his players, I had to have a go.
But to top this there was a group of aul wans with their kiddies sitting behind me. Ten mins in, she started making calls to the gang at home. Got the kid to wave his flag so Jimmy at home could pick him out of 72k others. The flag was hitting me in the back of the head. She was on the phone for a good 20 mins for the varoius calls she made. This shyte continued all through the game. With about 5 mins to go, Hunty went down to the Davin corner and we all stood up to see. She started screaming at us all to sit down. Couldn't take any more of her shyte so told her do one and get back on her mobile phone. Was abused for the rest of the game and the same as were leaving. Roll on Weds as I'll have the same cnut sitting behind me. Ruined the game for me. At least weds night there mightn't be so many women and kids at the game. The decision not to give the home fans the Hill is hurting even more.

[jbyrne]

what about the stupid band behind the goal??!!!! sounded like they were doing a drum roll as someone was about to take a corner or free kick in a dangerous area! complete tacky nonsense and takes away from the atmosphere in my opinion. also, why revert to playing pop music after the goal? completely takes away from the post goal crowd celebrations

only a fool would think that introducing these things makes the atmosphere better. good atmosphere has to be spontaneous by the fans it cant be created. its about time the regular fans were listened to…. a singing section with no interference from that clown on the PA is the only way forward

[gspain]

Yes terrible atmosphere. The performance has to be the main factor here though not the stadium. I was there for the rugby at the atmosphere was very good.

[Newryrep]

Seat - Upper Davin Block 723

Great view, better than i thought it was going to be, any singing appeared to come from centre of Upper Davin or my left in Hogan.

Impressed with the stadium- first time since U2 circa 85.

Match

Awfull game but glad of the 3 points - we cant afford to drop in the seedings anymore

Mexican Wave - Jesus christ how low can we go. Your team is getting played off the park by Wales during a 20 min spell and a mexican wave starts. Absolute embarassment. Maybe we get the team we deserve. To many event junkies. I hope to god Wednesday is better.


Overall

Train journey down was dire, crammed in like Sardines - how come there are additional trains for the rugby/gaelic and not football. - joke

Weather - couldnt have been much better , pity the game didnt live up to it

Train journey back not to bad as i was well oiled by that stage

[Eire06]

a singing section with no interference from that clown on the PA is the only way forward
Wasn't the canal end with the EL fans ment to be the singing section... :rolleyes:
There was the odd burst of song, got annoyed when 'stand up for the boys in green' started. I stood up and got shouted at to sit :mad:

[gspain]

Tickets for Wednesday are on public sale and there is no need to queue.

I think the block booking system is about as fair as you'll get. It means the fans who go to all games get the tickets for the big games. The IRFU and GAA don't have such a system and the fans who go to the low profile games get screwed.

Now certainly a lot of block bookings are in the "wrong hands" It must be frustrating for those fans not on the BB list. However that problem may well be resolved by a few more bad performances. I was shocked to see some of the corporate boxes were empty on Saturday. When the bill from the fAI for the next batch of games comes through in July or august some people won't be sending the money back.

[elroy]

After the game I was left missing LR or that if we played in a smaller stadium that we'd only have genuine fans at the game who care about Ireland. I really got sick of the abuse the players were getting from some people, plus the booing of Robbie Keane when he came off was disgraceful.
The Mexican wave was an embarassment, in a game that although poor was on a knife edge and we needed to win.

The atmosphere in LR was much superior than what we had on sat, however I am hoping that the night game on wed will give us a better atmosphere. Very disappointed with the pitch as well, very very bobbly.

[Newryrep]

what was the story with the empty seats at the centre of Upper Cusack stand. Must of been about 60 odd seats in a block not filled ?

[elroy]

I agree, i think theres a greater chance of more genuine fans attending with the block booking scheme. If there was a general sale, the touts would get a ****load of the tickets. They get enough as it is. Im holding off on judgement until wed night when i hope the atmosphere will be much better.

A more inspiring performance would help too.

[Peadar]

The guy I was sitting beside wasn't afraid to be the only guy in our section singing on his own so me and him were getting the people around us going.

You weren't in 501 by any chance?

The atmosphere was brutal alright.
A handful of Welsh fans making more noise than 70,000 Ireland fans.
Hopefully we'll do a better job of it on Wednesday.
The football just doesn't inspire passion though.

[tetsujin1979]

Just checked the tickets, I'm in 726.
One block over from me, one of my mates was in 726 as well

[Jerry The Saint]

I was shocked to see some of the corporate boxes were empty on Saturday.

I heard that the takeup of Premium tickets (i.e. 10-year GAA ticket holders who have the option to buy their seats for other games/events) was something like 85% for the rugby but only 35% for the Wales game. And it's only likely to get worse. Even packaging it with Germany, a series of bad results would probably lead to people skipping the Cyprus game as a protest or simply through lack of interest.

I thought the atmosphere at the start of the game was much better than people are giving credit for. Certainly I've never heard the anthem sung as loudly at a GAA game. This team just doesn't inspire enthusiasm, wherever the game is played. It's not completely a glory-hunting thing either, even allowing for the fact that we have (almost) no realistic hope of qualifying, an actual decent performance, playing proper, exciting football even for a brief spell would help to get the crowd on their side.

[Peadar]

...plus the booing of Robbie Keane when he came off was disgraceful.

I didn't boo Robbie Keane but I certainly shouted at him to get off the field.
When you're being replaced and there's a young fella on the sideline, waiting to come in, the least you can do is make an effort to get off the pitch. Especially when you've been rubbish!

[gufct]

Too many people more interested more interested in a public crucifixion than supporting their country. The amount of arseholes around me who hadnt a clue about soccer was amazing.

Whats the story with flags i had 3 but wasnt allowed hang them not by the stewards but by some Gaa head and i wasnt covering any advertising hoarding with them.

[jbyrne]

I didn't boo Robbie Keane but I certainly shouted at him to get off the field.
When you're being replaced and there's a young fella on the sideline, waiting to come in, the least you can do is make an effort to get off the pitch. Especially when you've been rubbish!

rubbish is being extremely harsh and blinkered. he played his socks off, set up our goal and set up duff for our other great chance. the problem is that his role is unclear and he needs someone up beside him. he has to keep going looking for the ball. would have been far more effective with doyle beside him
his booking was also a joke.

people who booed our top scorer ever should be ashamed of themselves. its this kind of carry on that is actually helping make things worse rather than better as it is affecting the teams confidence.
our two best performances this campaign (germany and chech rep) were given when the crowd was 100% behind the team

[gspain]

I heard that the takeup of Premium tickets (i.e. 10-year GAA ticket holders who have the option to buy their seats for other games/events) was something like 85% for the rugby but only 35% for the Wales game. And it's only likely to get worse. Even packaging it with Germany, a series of bad results would probably lead to people skipping the Cyprus game as a protest or simply through lack of interest.

I thought the atmosphere at the start of the game was much better than people are giving credit for. Certainly I've never heard the anthem sung as loudly at a GAA game. This team just doesn't inspire enthusiasm, wherever the game is played. It's not completely a glory-hunting thing either, even allowing for the fact that we have (almost) no realistic hope of qualifying, an actual decent performance, playing proper, exciting football even for a brief spell would help to get the crowd on their side.

I heard 93% for rugby and 40-45% for football for the premium tickets. However remember these are owned by GAA fans. Even those with no interest in rugby would presumably buy them for friends or sell them for a substantial profit. A mate of mine got offered the football ones from a colleague on the basis of the 4 games so maybe the FAI sold them that way. From what I could see the premium seats seemed pretty full. I know another friend managed to get 2 as his block booking from the FAI.

I thought the atmosphere was poor all the time. The anthem was sung with a lot more passion at big games in Lansdowne. Obviously a 3pm saturday kickoff didn't help and eveningg ames will be better but I think it was down to the performance and previous ones. The Welsh fans weren't that impressive either although much better than us. Still they were probably shocked by their performance too.

[Beavis]

Too many people more interested more interested in a public crucifixion than supporting their country. The amount of arseholes around me who hadnt a clue about soccer was amazing.


Definitely agree with that.

I was in the upper hogan and it was terrible, I was banging the bodhran constantly to no avail. It seemed the Lower Canal was the best for trying to get things going. We are able to swap our tickets for the Lower Canal for Wednesday so that where I'll be going.]

The Welsh fans were quiet as away fans go, if we had been playing an eastern european team or something we would have been put to shame on Saturday.

[gspain]

People around me in the lower Hogan gave him a standing ovation. The Sunday times said he was excellent.

I would never boo our own players. I didn't think he had a good game. I think he is not a captain. I think he is trying far too hard and trying to do things he can't do very well.