Airtiricity League XI v Manchester United confirmed for Aviva Stadium on August 4

Last nights match gave the LOI players a chance to play against one of the best teams in World Football. This forum is always on about the league players not getting enough recognition especially at National level and yet when they get this opportunity all this forum does is slate it!
As for the result, what other result did people expect?? The standard of LOI football is crap! You pay €20 into a LOI game, there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game! So where is the appeal??? Last nights match was not going to get the "barstoolers" as this forum likes to put it, out on Friday night!
The EPL has the appeal that is why people travel over to games and support the team they follow in the pub, its enjoyment! :o People like to spend their hard earned on things they enjoy!

Beating Bray tomorrow is all that matters.
Great post One Red Army.

I wouldn't give that DugOut bloke the satisfaction lads...WUM.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

You pay €20 into a LOI game, there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game!

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As compared to the Premiership, where you pay E300 into a game (once you buy the over-priced travel packages), there is little or no atmosphere (last night perfect evidence of that), the standard of football is merely ok for most of it (better players doesn't make for better games, as the World Cup and the CL final showed, to cite just the two most obvious examples) and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game?

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Originally Posted by Dugout

Last nights match gave the LOI players a chance to play against one of the best teams in World Football. This forum is always on about the league players not getting enough recognition especially at National level and yet when they get this opportunity all this forum does is slate it!
As for the result, what other result did people expect?? The standard of LOI football is crap! You pay €20 into a LOI game, there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game! So where is the appeal??? Last nights match was not going to get the "barstoolers" as this forum likes to put it, out on Friday night!
The EPL has the appeal that is why people travel over to games and support the team they follow in the pub, its enjoyment! :o People like to spend their hard earned on things they enjoy!

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I would agree.

You can coat the event with blame for the FAI or the "barstoolers" or the team not being uncoordinated due to not playing together or whatever you like. The reality is this, that Man Utd side is in pre-season, many of that team returned from their holidays only 6 days ago. All of those players should have had a huge fitness advantage over Man Utd. This was also a Man Utd side that lost to a Mexican club side days before, they were not in flying form or any such.
The mistake for the first goal was inexcusable, as was the lad celebrating when he scored when they were still 5 goals behind.

If the league wanted respect out of that they have nobody but themselves to blame for cocking it up. And they hurt their league big-time last night, not the FAI, not the Irish people. They, the players did.

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

As compared to the Premiership, where you pay E300 into a game (once you buy the over-priced travel packages), there is little or no atmosphere (last night perfect evidence of that), the standard of football is merely ok for most of it (better players doesn't make for better games, as the World Cup and the CL final showed, to cite just the two most obvious examples) and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game?

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Premiership is gash. I wouldn't go to either an LoI game or an EPL one. I go to Bundesliga games whenever I can, fantastic atmosphere and involved crowd over there. As well as El Classicos in Spain for amazing tension. A game isn't worth seeing in person imo if the atmosphere is lacking, might as well just watch it on the box.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

Last nights match gave the LOI players a chance to play against one of the best teams in World Football. This forum is always on about the league players not getting enough recognition especially at National level and yet when they get this opportunity all this forum does is slate it!
As for the result, what other result did people expect?? The standard of LOI football is crap! You pay €20 into a LOI game, there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game! So where is the appeal??? Last nights match was not going to get the "barstoolers" as this forum likes to put it, out on Friday night!
The EPL has the appeal that is why people travel over to games and support the team they follow in the pub, its enjoyment! :o People like to spend their hard earned on things they enjoy!

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The appeal is that people like you are not there

WUM

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Originally Posted by CuanaD

The appeal is that people like you are not there

WUM

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Just to clarify, I am not a wind up merchant!! It annoys me when all I read about on here is LOI "barstoolers" etc,etc....are to blame for not supporting the league!

For the record, I support the LOI and attend games on a weekly basis. I don't support a particular team but do attend either Richmond, Dalymount or Tallaght depending on what I feel will be the best match to attend.

I am not saying the standard of the EPL is out of this world but it appeals to people because they have good PR!

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Originally Posted by Dugout

Last nights match gave the LOI players a chance to play against one of the best teams in World Football. This forum is always on about the league players not getting enough recognition especially at National level and yet when they get this opportunity all this forum does is slate it!
As for the result, what other result did people expect?? The standard of LOI football is crap! You pay €20 into a LOI game, there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game! So where is the appeal??? Last nights match was not going to get the "barstoolers" as this forum likes to put it, out on Friday night!
The EPL has the appeal that is why people travel over to games and support the team they follow in the pub, its enjoyment! :o People like to spend their hard earned on things they enjoy!

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Either the worst WUM to desend on planet FOOT.IE for a while or a very deluded football "fan". Not sure that post should be dignified with a reply but ....... once more (with gusto)

If the money spent by IRISH football "fans" on ENGLISH/SCOTTISH football clubs was spent on IRISH football clubs - standard of player would improve (better players could be aquired) > thus improving the standards > thus improving the crowds > improving atmosphere (any sort of picture developing here ?) all leading to better facilities here and greater employment for people in the game here.

Of course, adding to the Glazers wealth is much more fun :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by Dugout

Last nights match gave the LOI players a chance to play against one of the best teams in World Football.

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No it wasn't. If anything, the last thing last night was about was football and that is the most painful thing about it all; a football body who don't care about the game of football here.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

This forum is always on about the league players not getting enough recognition especially at National level and yet when they get this opportunity all this forum does is slate it!

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Because the opposition was an afterthought and it wasn't meant to be a game, it never was meant to be anything of the sort. It was a PR stunt and one that still backfired as the LOI didn't and was designed not to benefit, FAI don't make money from selling Man U shorts and Man U don't need the exposure.

If the FAI had their way, they'd have brought over UK Celtic PLC and Man U to sign autographs for an hour but to thank them for "allowing" an Irish team to play them? Thanks a bunch!

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Originally Posted by Dugout

As for the result, what other result did people expect?? The standard of LOI football is crap! You pay €20 into a LOI game,

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I pay €15, you were ripped off and deservedly so; long may it continue :D

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Originally Posted by Dugout

there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game!

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Just like last night.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

So where is the appeal???

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Again, just like last night, where was the appeal?

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Originally Posted by Dugout

Last nights match was not going to get the "barstoolers" as this forum likes to put it, out on Friday night!

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I'd like to stick a barstool up a barstooler if what last nights crowd is what we are looking to go to games :)

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Originally Posted by Dugout

The EPL has the appeal that is why people travel over to games and support the team they follow in the pub, its enjoyment! :o People like to spend their hard earned on things they enjoy!

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The appeal of the EPL evaporates outside of 6 teams, Marathon Travel don't run too many package deals to see Hull, Wigan or Reading for reasons best known inside their trophy cabinets. Discuss.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

Just to clarify, I am not a wind up merchant!! It annoys me when all I read about on here is LOI "barstoolers" etc,etc....are to blame for not supporting the league!

For the record, I support the LOI and attend games on a weekly basis. I don't support a particular team but do attend either Richmond, Dalymount or Tallaght depending on what I feel will be the best match to attend.

I am not saying the standard of the EPL is out of this world but it appeals to people because they have good PR!

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So now you say you pay "20 euros" in to see the "crap" on offer in the LoI on a weekly basis?
Impressive. When did you pay 20 euros into Richmond or Tallaght? I normally pay 15.

I dont know if anyone caught this on the TV last night but i spotted somthing that really summed up the night. When Owen scored and rooney missed over the bar take a look behind the goal....two stewards in orange FAI jackets start jumping up and down like they have won the lottery. I think that says it all really

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Originally Posted by Dugout

I am not saying the standard of the EPL is out of this world but it appeals to people because they have good PR!

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And last night was just a PR exercise for United.

What really makes me laugh is that the barstoolers get their knickers in a twist about comments from LoI supporters online and use it as a reason not support their local team, when it's nothing compared with the contempt they are held in by football supporters in England.

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

Premiership is gash. I wouldn't go to either an LoI game or an EPL one. I go to Bundesliga games whenever I can, fantastic atmosphere and involved crowd over there. As well as El Classicos in Spain for amazing tension. A game isn't worth seeing in person imo if the atmosphere is lacking, might as well just watch it on the box.

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Oh dear. Just jump on the latest fashion trend, eh?

Occasion is far more important than atmosphere. I know I'll far more enjoy our trip to Dundalk tomorrow night - need to get out of our current rut, pull away from the relegation play-offs nad maybe close in on a Setanta Cup spot - than I would going to a game in any of the top leagues (and I've been to club games in 11 countries at this stage, from Andorra and the Faroes to La Liga and Serie A). Occasion is personal, atmosphere of itself is just some people shouting. The second helps the first, but of itself, the second is irrelevant.

So now you say you pay "20 euros" in to see the "crap" on offer in the LoI on a weekly basis?
Impressive. When did you pay 20 euros into Richmond or Tallaght? I normally pay 15.

I was using €20 as a general figure, I should have used €15 if I had known you would be so childish about it. Maybe I should also mention that your €15 in Richmond use to include a programme but not anymore!! :)

Shedendinvisibl last nights atmosphere was brutal and I am no Manure fan! The majority of fans that went are Manure fans and thats their choice. The same its your choice to support your LOI team. These fans dont see the appeal of LOI so they have no interest. That is the LOI biggest problem lack of appeal to people.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

So now you say you pay "20 euros" in to see the "crap" on offer in the LoI on a weekly basis?
Impressive. When did you pay 20 euros into Richmond or Tallaght? I normally pay 15.

I was using €20 as a general figure, I should have used €15 if I had known you would be so childish about it. Maybe I should also mention that your €15 in Richmond use to include a programme but not anymore!! :)

Shedendinvisibl last nights atmosphere was brutal and I am no Manure fan! The majority of fans that went are Manure fans and thats their choice. The same its your choice to support your LOI team. These fans dont see the appeal of LOI so they have no interest. That is the LOI biggest problem lack of appeal to people.

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Sorry now, childish?
20 euros is not a general figure, its an incorrect figure which you were attempting to use to verify your point.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

Last nights match gave the LOI players a chance to play against one of the best teams in World Football. This forum is always on about the league players not getting enough recognition especially at National level and yet when they get this opportunity all this forum does is slate it!
As for the result, what other result did people expect?? The standard of LOI football is crap! You pay €20 into a LOI game, there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game! So where is the appeal??? Last nights match was not going to get the "barstoolers" as this forum likes to put it, out on Friday night!
The EPL has the appeal that is why people travel over to games and support the team they follow in the pub, its enjoyment! :o People like to spend their hard earned on things they enjoy!

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You location is set to touchline, surly it should be barstool...

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

Maybe we should leave behind these silly notions and accept that people support the sports and teams that entertain them?

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W.U.M.

Do you honestly think people support Liverpool FC over the past 10 years for "entertainment"?

Ok I will agree that Man United and Arsenal play a nice brand of football but sweet jesus the rest of the EPL is so bloody negative.

Last night was hard to watch, the national papers today will rip local football to bits but the thing that most annoyed me last night was Richard Sadlier and Bill O'Herlihey (sp? ah who really gives a ****e). Why was Con not presenting this? Sadlier is a bitter **** who really doesn't add anything to a discussion only his usual "from my experience with Pats", now, the muppet spent one season at Pats (open to correction), what the f*ck does he know about the league? Roddy would have actually made better viewing than the boring...... ah I'll leave it.

Other random points that could be used:

Id bet the league select would have given a better account of itself had the game been played last season with the likes of Healy, Deegan and Fahey all still about.
Id say had Bohs beaten TNS the side would have struggled even more so without the likes of Keegan, Powell and Shelley.
Im sure had Rovers players been involved it would have strengthened the side.
Maybe Rico could have selected Amond as one of the form strikers in the league all season.
Maybe Rico should have started Mulcahy.

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Originally Posted by marinobohs

Either the worst WUM to desend on planet FOOT.IE for a while or a very deluded football "fan". Not sure that post should be dignified with a reply but ....... once more (with gusto)

If the money spent by IRISH football "fans" on ENGLISH/SCOTTISH football clubs was spent on IRISH football clubs - standard of player would improve (better players could be aquired) > thus improving the standards > thus improving the crowds > improving atmosphere (any sort of picture developing here ?) all leading to better facilities here and greater employment for people in the game here.

Of course, adding to the Glazers wealth is much more fun :rolleyes:

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I think you have it the wrong way around. The league should be capable of being attractive to the public on its own merit. The fact that the public don't have an interest in the LoI I would view as more a failing of the league than a failing of the public attitude.

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Originally Posted by Dugout

The standard of LOI football is crap! You pay €20 into a LOI game, there is little or no atmosphere, the standard of football is poor, and most of the crowd spend the game moaning about everything to do with the game! So where is the appeal??? Last nights match was not going to get the "barstoolers" as this forum likes to put it, out on Friday night!
The EPL has the appeal that is why people travel over to games and support the team they follow in the pub, its enjoyment! :o People like to spend their hard earned on things they enjoy!

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The exact same argument could be made for cheering on Argentina in a few days time.

[barstool]
I wouldn't pay 20 quid to watch Ireland play, the standard is crap, and most of the crows spend the game moaning, so where's the appeal?

I'll be cheering on Argentina, because I love watching the boys, Carlos, Leo, Sergio Kun Aguero (If you use his nickname it makes you a proper fan, like saying Stuart Psycho Pearce every time you mention him)... Argentina have the appeal Ireland don't have.
[/barstool]

And people saying "WUM" as a reply to every post they don't agree with are being downright childish.

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

I think you have it the wrong way around. The league should be capable of being attractive to the public on its own merit. The fact that the public don't have an interest in the LoI I would view as more a failing of the league than a failing of the public attitude.

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The evidence would suggest otherwise. The disparity in attendances between National League Games and the All Ireland, the fact that last decade's Leeds supporters are now almost all cheering for Man U or Chelski, the obsession with Spanish an Italian football (as opposed to the Bundesliga, which has better crowds, more goals, and is cheaper) would all point towards the public attitude being that they want to slavishly associate themselves with success. It's pathetic really. I've used this analogy before, but the people who were cheering for Man U last night are like the kid who'd hold someone's arms behind their back for the school bully to hit them.

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

And people saying "WUM" as a reply to every post they don't agree with are being downright childish.

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WUM!!

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

And people saying "WUM" as a reply to every post they don't agree with are being downright childish.

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So you do think people watch Liverpool to be entertained?

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Originally Posted by peadar1987

The exact same argument could be made for cheering on Argentina in a few days time.

[barstool]
I wouldn't pay 20 quid to watch Ireland play, the standard is crap, and most of the crows spend the game moaning, so where's the appeal?

I'll be cheering on Argentina, because I love watching the boys, Carlos, Leo, Sergio Kun Aguero (If you use his nickname it makes you a proper fan, like saying Stuart Psycho Pearce every time you mention him)... Argentina have the appeal Ireland don't have.
[/barstool]

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No it can't, Ireland is my country. It represents me. There is no LoI club within even a 2 hour drive of me. Most of them are near or from a city I can't even stand and barely tolerate let alone support. When they're representing Ireland I'll support them, when they're representing Dublin they can **** off I'll support the team that play the game better and are more attractive to watch.

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Originally Posted by Sam_Heggy

So you do think people watch Liverpool to be entertained?

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I can't think of any other reason why anyone would watch any team in any sport other than to be entertained by it.

A quote from Facebook that sums up the scale of the issue really;
"My god what a nyt we had last nyt!!!! We had a fab time!!!! The Aviva is som place, was fantastic. A nyt that will never be forgotten for a number of reasons, but most of all for the happiness & excitment that shone on my boys faces everytime united scored!!!"

That's how most Irish children are brought up if you come from outside a traditional League of Ireland stronghold, I can remember how much I wanted to go to see Liverpool playing in Dublin when I was younger, the Irish opposition was irrelevant. There's a sea change that needs to be made that is probably impossible and as others have pointed out clubs are better off concentrating on taking small steps and gradually expanding their catchment areas and community appeal than hoping for a miraculous conversion of the masses because a representative side beat "United" or a team qualifies for the group stages of a European competition.

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I'll support the team that play the game better

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Winning is always everything. Glory! Glory!

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

I can't think of any other reason why anyone would watch any team in any sport other than to be entertained by it.

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lemons or is that lemmings

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

No it can't, Ireland is my country. It represents me. There is no LoI club within even a 2 hour drive of me.

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So you reckon a two-hour drive is the absolute geographic limit that a person can overcome to support a team?

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Originally Posted by passinginterest

A quote from Facebook that sums up the scale of the issue really;
"My god what a nyt we had last nyt!!!! We had a fab time!!!! The Aviva is som place, was fantastic. A nyt that will never be forgotten for a number of reasons, but most of all for the happiness & excitment that shone on my boys faces everytime united scored!!!"

That's how most Irish children are brought up if you come from outside a traditional League of Ireland stronghold, I can remember how much I wanted to go to see Liverpool playing in Dublin when I was younger, the Irish opposition was irrelevant. There's a sea change that needs to be made that is probably impossible and as others have pointed out clubs are better off concentrating on taking small steps and gradually expanding their catchment areas and community appeal that hoping for a miraculous conversion of the masses because a representative side beat "United" or a team qualifies for the group stages of a European competition.

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A Question. Why do you think the notion of supporting foreign club rugby teams is non existent in this country while kids in particular are rampant in their support of Munster and Leinster?

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

A Question. Why do you think the notion of supporting foreign club rugby teams is non existent in this country while kids in particular are rampant in their support of Munster and Leinster?

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There's no media saturation coverage of foreign club rugby? Munster and Leinster rugby have massive PR marketing machines behind them and they've managed to be relatively successful in a minority international sport?

who gets the money from last nights game????

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

No it can't, Ireland is my country. It represents me. There is no LoI club within even a 2 hour drive of me. Most of them are near or from a city I can't even stand and barely tolerate let alone support. When they're representing Ireland I'll support them, when they're representing Dublin they can **** off I'll support the team that play the game better and are more attractive to watch.

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Seeing as you can get most of the way across the country in 2 hours, I find that incredibly hard to believe.

Also, take a look at your argument; "League of Ireland clubs are too far from me, and don't represent me, so I'll "support" a club that plays even further away and represents me even less".

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Originally Posted by Duggie

who gets the money from last nights game????

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Man Utd mostly.

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

I can't think of any other reason why anyone would watch any team in any sport other than to be entertained by it.

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Thats because you're not a football fan. You might as well support Eastenders or Greys Anatomy.

Its hilarious that people think last night's game changed anything. Bohs beat Aston Villa in a friendly last week and nobody rushed to claim the LOI was now the equal of the EPL.

Man utd are a great side and they played a team haggled together for 1 training session with their mind on more important league issues next weekend.

if the likes of murfinator want to continue to watch football on TV and attend the add game as an impartial observer, then so be it.

They'll never expereince the thrills real football fans do, so its there loss.

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

A Question. Why do you think the notion of supporting foreign club rugby teams is non existent in this country while kids in particular are rampant in their support of Munster and Leinster?

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Because Munster and Leinster have international success because there's no huge marketing machine behind English rugby. Why don't Connacht have the rampant support? Probably because they're not winning enough for the pathetic glory hunters.

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Originally Posted by punkrocket

Winning is always everything. Glory! Glory!

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Originally Posted by passerrby

lemons or is that lemmings

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

So you reckon a two-hour drive is the absolute geographic limit that a person can overcome to support a team?

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Its bitter, backwards ****s like you why the LoI has such a bad name. oh whine whine nobody likes our ****ty league despite losing to welsh part timers and getting steamrolled by a Man United side on their summer holidays its still all THEIR fault and in no ways a failing of our beloved league. Curse them supporting sides that embrace success, develop actual Irish internationals, play an attractive brand of the game and display other positive attributes, REAL fans hang out in wet lifeless stadiums on a friday night watching a 0-0 draws supporting a team purely because they're based geographically near to me. Its boring but we get to complain bitterly about barstoolers afterwards so its OK. Actually no its the GAA's fault for being more popular than us, screw them too. And the FAI, and Fianna Fail and many other who we'll continue to blame to disguise the fact the actual blame lies with the league having no attraction values whatsoever to the public.

</end rant>

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Originally Posted by pineapple stu

Man Utd mostly.

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the crowd money, who gets this?? FAI?

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Originally Posted by Murfinator

Its bitter, backwards ****s like you why the LoI has such a bad name. oh whine whine nobody likes our ****ty league despite losing to welsh part timers and getting steamrolled by a Man United side on their summer holidays its still all THEIR fault and in no ways a failing of our beloved league. Curse them supporting sides that embrace success, develop actual Irish internationals, play an attractive brand of the game and display other positive attributes, REAL fans hang out in wet lifeless stadiums on a friday night watching a 0-0 draws supporting a team purely because they're based geographically near to me. Its boring but we get to complain bitterly about barstoolers afterwards so its OK. Actually no its the GAA's fault for being more popular than us, screw them too. And the FAI, and Fianna Fail and many other who we'll continue to blame to disguise the fact the actual blame lies with the league having no attraction values whatsoever to the public.

</end rant>

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Temper, temper!

TNS are actually a full time side, for starters.

And if you'd suggest to most football fans in England, Argentina, Spain, Germany, Italy, Brazil, Portugal, France, Switzerland, Poland, Norway, Denmark, Turkey, Chile, Sweden, Russia or Greece that they should give up following the team that represents them and their city, that this is a "backwards attitude", and that "real fans (TM)" "support (TM)" "Big Clubs (TM)", like Liverpool or Real Madrid, they'd laugh in your face.

I know you've rationalised this all into a Gordian knot, but your attitude could easily be used to justify supporting a foreign team over the national side. "They're crap", "the stadium is wet (not any more)", "They don't get 150,000 to games like Brazil do"...