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

**osarusan** · 05/08/2010, 9:20 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

But the South Korean comparison is interesting; thanks for sharing!

My experience with EPL teams touring Japan would have been the same. people who'd never never been to a J-League game were in raptures over visits by Man. United.

Football attendances differ greatly according to the team, but with a population of 120 million, they are still decent. Last week's attendances for J1, with the two figures in bold in the bottom corner showing total and average attendances. J2 games can get as low as 2000 for the weaker clubs. Still way higher than LOI on average, of course.

31 Jul Urawa Reds Omiya Ardija Saitama.S 40,326
31 Jul Kashima Antlers Vissel Kobe Kashima 16,415
31 Jul Yokohama F･Marinos Nagoya Grampus Nissan.S 29,964
31 Jul Albirex Niigata F.C.Tokyo Tohoku Den.S 36,910
31 Jul Jubilo Iwata Cerezo Osaka Yamaha 10,021
01 Aug Gamba Osaka Montedio Yamagata Kanazawa 11,036
01 Aug Sanfrecce Hiroshima Kyoto Sanga F.C. Hiroshima.B 16,193
01 Aug Kawasaki Frontale Vegalta Sendai Todoroki 16,326
01 Aug Shonan Bellmare Shimizu S-Pulse Hiratsuka 13,316 190,507 21,167

**WoodquayBoy** · 05/08/2010, 9:34 AM

Now I'm not a man to subscribe to conspiracy theories (okay, I am), but thought it interesting that tyhe 4 players who the ex-Shamrock Rovers manager decided to leave on for the full 90 minutes were all Bohs players. And who are Bohs playing on Sunday . . . . .
Ndo was very good, Keegan did well also, thought Sheppard posed more of a threat than Madden when he came on, Peers was an absolute disaster.
Mulcahy's goal got a great cheer, but the crowd was in the middle of a Mexican wave at the time which boosted the noise level. Didn't see many of 'the family' there, a few Sligo heads and United lads and lasses, you couldn't move for the Anti-Glazer brigade, a lot of whom bought Norwich scarves from stalls outside (can't imagine any of that money will end up with MUST) and were decked out in the new kit, putting money in the Glazers' pockets. Hilarious.

**Cuyahoga** · 05/08/2010, 9:36 AM

Originally Posted by Fivesilver

Peers and Ndo emerged uninjured - all that matters to me about that little skirmish last night.

I think Peers will be mentally injured after the mess he made of that first goal!

**Straightstory** · 05/08/2010, 9:37 AM

What was supposed to be a celebratory night for Irish football turned into a complete humiliation. Every barstooler's perception and prejudice about the League of Ireland was confirmed. Hugely damaging.
Delaney should be ashamed of himself.
This is the man who, after the game against France, looking for an example of a meaningless, useless football match chose 'Bohs v Waterford' - a fixture from the league he's supposed to be supporting.
This is the man who made the pathetic approach to FIFA to make Ireland the 33rd team at the World Cup.
I suspect after the game last night he went for a slap up meal with the Man U big wigs and got his photo taken with Alex Ferguson. Go now, Delaney - you are hated, hated, hated.
I feel sorry for Damian Richardson, a passionate supporter and defender of the LOI. Complete embarrassment and humiliation for him as well.
Richard Sadlier can only induce bemusement. He can never find anything positive to say about the league (although admittedly last night was probably one of the worst days ever for domestic football). Why is he involved with the League at all?
I watched twenty minutes of the game with the sound turned down to avoid the spectacle of Irish people cheering on a team from Lancashire.
A terrible night for Irish football. A terrible, terrible night.

**pineapple stu** · 05/08/2010, 9:40 AM

If Rico was thet much a supporter of the LoI, he'd not have gotten involved at the outset.

**Duggie** · 05/08/2010, 9:41 AM

Richard Sadlier can only induce bemusement. He can never find anything positive to say about the league (although admittedly last night was probably one of the worst days ever for domestic football). Why is he involved with the League at all?

exactly...thankyou. hes depressing to listen to, he should be kicked off the TV. always moaning, hes so negative.

**Duggie** · 05/08/2010, 9:42 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

If Rico was thet much a supporter of the LoI, he'd not have gotten involved at the outset.

why not? im sure he would see it as an honour to manage the league select. not his fault they let him down in fairness.

**pineapple stu** · 05/08/2010, 9:46 AM

The embarrassment for the LoI was the overall event, not the performance.

**Murfinator** · 05/08/2010, 9:50 AM

I never understood the perception of people on this site. I can understand people feeling frustrated that a competition isn't as popular as they'd wish but dragging national pride into it is ridiculous.
There was a time when supporting the 'foreign games' like soccer meant you had no national pride. Nowadays if you're not supporting an Irish soccer club side you have no national pride. Especially strange accusations coming from a site that are notoriously anti-GAA.
Maybe we should leave behind these silly notions and accept that people support the sports and teams that entertain them?

**marinobohs** · 05/08/2010, 9:50 AM

Originally Posted by pineapple stu

If Rico was thet much a supporter of the LoI, he'd not have gotten involved at the outset.

Fully agree Stu, Rico's "uncle Tom" role in this should not be forgotten. The things desperate people do to find work

**Bry Boy** · 05/08/2010, 9:54 AM

for th derry fan again i didnt hear the liverpool shirt thing but if i am rite i did say that i would go with my bray shirt and support the league of ireland.

**D.24saint** · 05/08/2010, 9:54 AM

I think Rico has a lost a lot of credibility out of this farce, ever since the game was announced he has been Delaney's lap dog on MNS afraid to cast his normally over inflated opinion against the FAI, A lot of people on here have to make peace with the barstoolers I have they will never change there moronic ways end of, nearly every one I know is a barstooler (apart from friends picked up in Richmond of course!) it is sadly one of those sad idiosyncrasies of the Irish people they sit in their dingy boozers singing at a telly thinking they are the greatest football fans on earth, this show why frued said "This is one race of people for whom psychoanalysis is of no use whatsoever. and I can see why.I found a book on amazon the FAI should pick up it could give them clowns a few pointers.

**OneRedArmy** · 05/08/2010, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

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

Just because its true doesn't mean we all have to like it or subscribe to it.

Each to their own, but I reserve the right to view many of the knuckledraggers who attended last night's farce with derision and contempt. This isn't an Irish phenomena, the "no al calcio moderno" movement, Supporters Direct in the UK and many other bodies are all against the commoditisation and big corporate influence that is turning football into a high cost lifestyle entertainment "activity" and ultimately ruining the beautiful game.

Eventus Junkius Hibernus isn't unique but as a nation we seem to have a particular problem with committing to being a "supporter" and a gra for the big day out. Its evident in many other sports. 15 years ago an interpro rugby match would've got 1,000 fans, yet if you listen to many Munster fans they were born in a red shirt......at the same time 15 years ago 5,000 people were watching Irish superleague basketball games.....now its a man and his dog, the average GAA fan hibernates for most of the year and appears for a big day out in the summer.

We're sliding inexorably towards interacting with football in the way we interact with a film, or a computer game, or any other "entertainment option" and that certainly ain't my bag. Its like the anti-Bill Shankly.

You're right that the patriotic bit is secondary, but ultimately shopping for a football team ain't any better.

Last night is a prime example of why football is dying for many fans. If all that bothers you, you're probably in the wrong forum.

**Dodge** · 05/08/2010, 10:21 AM

Originally Posted by Murfinator

Especially strange accusations coming from a site that are notoriously anti-GAA

Websites don't have feelings, or opinions. People do. And there are more GAA fans on this site than people who hate the games

**Macy** · 05/08/2010, 10:30 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

And there are more GAA fans on this site than people who hate the games

And for most it's the double standards of the media, and the GAA itself more than the actual games, anyway.

**Duggie** · 05/08/2010, 10:37 AM

another aspect was the gap in physical strength in the two teams. united players were way stronger than us. surely this is something we should work on.

**Straightstory** · 05/08/2010, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by Dodge

And there are more GAA fans on this site than people who hate the games

Are there really? I'm on the wrong forum, so. I thought this was a safe refuge from the ugliness and brutishness of all things GAA.
Better get out of here...

**Duggie** · 05/08/2010, 10:47 AM

Originally Posted by Straightstory

Are there really? I'm on the wrong forum, so. I thought this was a safe refuge from the ugliness and brutishness of all things GAA.
Better get out of here...

im a GAA fan..its fine to be both u know.

**Dodge** · 05/08/2010, 10:52 AM

Originally Posted by Duggie

im a GAA fan..its fine to be both u know.

YOu can be both, or you can see the games for the mediocrity they are adn the GAA for the slimeballs they are.

Thats the point, its your choice.

**marinobohs** · 05/08/2010, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by OneRedArmy

Just because its true doesn't mean we all have to like it or subscribe to it.

Each to their own, but I reserve the right to view many of the knuckledraggers who attended last night's farce with derision and contempt. This isn't an Irish phenomena, the "no al calcio moderno" movement, Supporters Direct in the UK and many other bodies are all against the commoditisation and big corporate influence that is turning football into a high cost lifestyle entertainment "activity" and ultimately ruining the beautiful game.

Eventus Junkius Hibernus isn't unique but as a nation we seem to have a particular problem with committing to being a "supporter" and a gra for the big day out. Its evident in many other sports. 15 years ago an interpro rugby match would've got 1,000 fans, yet if you listen to many Munster fans they were born in a red shirt......at the same time 15 years ago 5,000 people were watching Irish superleague basketball games.....now its a man and his dog, the average GAA fan hibernates for most of the year and appears for a big day out in the summer.

We're sliding inexorably towards interacting with football in the way we interact with a film, or a computer game, or any other "entertainment option" and that certainly ain't my bag. Its like the anti-Bill Shankly.

You're right that the patriotic bit is secondary, but ultimately shopping for a football team ain't any better.

Last night is a prime example of why football is dying for many fans. If all that bothers you, you're probably in the wrong forum.

Great post ORA, sums it up pretty well. I dont "hate" the barstool morons (Jesus H, D 4 was full of them yesterday) but do hate the frustration that football here is decaying while so called football fans spend their hard earned cash on replica man u/ Liverpool /celtic etc merchandise. if a fraction of that money was spent on LOI products (or God forbid even going to a game) our League will be in such a better state.
Yes, it freedom of choice and yes, I have no right to "judge" anyone but I can promise I will shame any halfwit I meet over the weekend that tells me he cheered on man ure against a team representing Irish football

Give me shams/bohs Sunday anytime - real clubs, real fans, real football.