Originally Posted by
Nesta99
They were! It was likened to a World Cup (which Ireland were in of course) as those without tickets headed out for the game. There were also long queues at Tesco and the like with people buying beers and snacks to group up and sit in to watch the game, and also those watching on the big screen at the town Square. The restriction on capacity at Oriel frustratingly lost the club significant cash as it would have outsold even the League decider, but that's a different issue.
These sort of nights are not a regular thing but if a rough estimate of 300k watched a LoI side in their 1st tie of the CL, 2nd round after a defeat away 1st leg but with a chance of going through, well there is some, at least little, hope that things could improve for the domestic game image. Was Pat's home game against Legia televised? I was abroad at the time. A comparison with that would be a gauge of whether the numbers for the BATE game are a bit of an anomaly or whether interest is generated for European hopefuls.
I am obviously biased, but retaining the league and doing it all again and with a bit of luck in the draw the whole league could benefit if the TV numbers show some public appetite for seeing domestic teams in Europe doing well; rather than going in to Celtic, or Man U default supporter mode and belittling homegrown efforts.
(yes I am on one of those boring quiet work nights! which now that ive said it we will get hammered 'til 8am)