Rovers concern over dwindling numbers

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The small attendance of Shamrock Rovers fans at last Sunday’s FAI Cup final 1-0 defeat to Derry City has alarmed many Hoops officials and indeed supporters of Ireland’s domestic league.

Rovers, who were once the dominant force of Irish soccer and could average five or six thousand at most home games only a decade ago, have seen their support dwindle dramatically over the last few years.

Derry City fans had to undertake a relatively major journey to attend the Cup final, with the majority making the trek to Dublin and back on the same day due to the fact that Monday was not a Bank Holiday in the North. Yet they still outnumbered their opponents by a significant margin.

Indeed, the Candystripes allocation of 5,000 tickets was sold out in a matter of days, whereas a percentage of Rovers’ allocation of 4,300 was still on sale last Sunday.

The Hoops’ problems mainly stem from the club’s homeless status for the last number of years, and club officials will hope that the lost supporters return when Rovers’ new stadium in Tallaght is complete.

charity clap for the homeless- it´s only taken them a decade to realise it :rolleyes: What are they basing the huge projected attendances in Tallaght on? Mass retirement of taxi drivers or what :)

I dunno if it would last but they'lll definitely get a big increase when they move to tallaght - huge catchment area in tala & a lot way (in dublin terms) to Inchicore which be nearest ground.