Originally Posted by redobit
It absolutely is but, like Nesta, I'd have no issue with it as a Rovers supporter. We should be promoting the game anywhere it can get a bit of support. Make it a double header and get the yanks over for it. I'd greet them in a leprechaun suit if they filled Tallaght and went home with suitcases packed full of merchandise.
Ok maybe there's a way to do it without the leprechaun suit....
21 leagues and 25 cups.
It would be totally exploiting the Oirish types in the US. Are we at a stage where our domestic game should be promoted abroad when there is still a whole lot to do on the issue at home, probably not but maybe it is the sort of stuff we should be at least having a think about. It would deprive 1 large home gate for either club, would exclude fans who cant travel, cede home advantage and so on but the novelty aspect could actually grab some attention. Ive experienced the scoffing at the stereotype like names of the 2 clubs on an occasion in England when mentioned, followed by a 'have you a Lucky Charm FC too'. Im sure the authorities over Gaelic Park in New York would be more than happy to host such a game. Its as mad an idea as having Bob Marley away jerseys...
More realisticly the Dublin Derby could be penciled in as part of the St Patrick weekend fesitval stuff with maybe the possibility of double headers at the national stadium!?
Would any of the Dublin clubs give away home advantage for a league game in the Aviva, highly doubt it
Back in Pat Dolans day there was one year where it was floated that Pats play Shels in the US on Patrick’s day. Probably just some Dolan hype at the time (he was never averse to a bit of that.
The whole thing was linked to Pats new American investor, a former US football player (their version of football.) Seems to have got a bit of attention anyway, there’s a clip on Facebook with Ger O’Brien and the guy (Chad something I think) on some kind of daytime/breakfast TV show.
A nice distraction I think, but not much more than that.
Out for a spell, got neglected, lay on the bench unselected.
What was the attendance?
There are a load of obstacles for sure but as far as league promotion ideas its one possibility. All-Ireland club finals used to be a St Patricks Day tradition that got attendances far bigger than the clubs' communities involved. With proper planning/promotion and over time it could be something like Boxing Day fixtures in England or Scotland, do Linfield play Glentoran on the 26th of December each year? It would cede home advantage for clubs involved (rotated annually maybe) but if say 15k and that could be grown then maybe the clubs would consider it. Not saying its likely, just that its possible. Theres something of a precedence in rugby too where Leinster play Munster as big rivals in the Aviva rather then the RDS. Bohs could be more open to something if they could cash in on the extra gate income when or if Dalymount capacity is significantly smaller than demand. Other clubs could be involved over a weekend of a festival type thing. As said its floating the idea that LoI could become part of an international festival and we happen to have 2 teams that fit the bill name wise. Electric Picnic started as a niche alternative festival for people not fussed on the likes of Oxygen and is now one of the top events annually...maybe people would go to something thats not overcrowded streets and pubs...maybe we could find a way to play the FAI Cup final that weekend as part of an all island competition
I've said it before, and will say it again: St Patrick's Day should be derby day in the LOI.
Let it develop into the kind of event that 'Boxing Day' is in the Irish League. Have games KO at 3pm or 5pm, which still leaves plenty of time for a night out for those who value that. Build it up over time into one of the biggest matchdays in the league. Not every club has a natural derby opponent - but most do.
Derry v Sligo
Rovers v Bohs
Shels v Pats
Dundalk v Drogs
Galway v Waterford
That woujld be a good St Pats day this year.
Plus in First Division:
- Treaty v Cork.
- Kerry v Cobh.
- Longford v Athlone
- Bray v UCD.
- Harps v Wexford.
Towns where the LOI clubs have a big local presence (e.g Sligo, Harps, Cork, Derry) could make the game part of their official Paddy's Day events too.
That actually looks excelent as well for the first division....glad you put Harps at home , those feckers in the sunny south east have it to handy a trip up to the Artic is just waht they need
Unfortunately no way the cops in Dublin will go for that. They’ve enough hassle with all the drunks in town.
That traditional Harps v Wexford derby is a no brainer
This is true. Rovers vs Pats was on paddy’s day last year but I can’t see that and Shels vs Bohs being given the go ahead on the same day. It’s also worth pointing out that the Dublin derbies will pretty much all sell out this year regardless of team combinations so planning them for Paddy’s day just to pull in tourists wouldn’t work until ground capacities are bigger and clubs can’t fill them again like the pre Covid years, but as the crowds are now, it’d be a pointless exercise
Paaatrick's Agletic
Well as you're the only club from Connacht or Ulster in the FD, you don't exactly have much in terms of 'derby' choice.
In fact you're the only FD club in the entire northern half of the island.
Who said it was just to pull in tourists?
I may have read that between the lines myself. What’s the purpose of playing the games on paddy’s day then considering they’re sell out games regardless of the date?
Last edited by 2 Year Contract; 26/03/2024 at 11:50 PM.
Paaatrick's Agletic
It's to create a long-term marquee annual 'event' for Irish football, similar to what Boxing Day is for the IL. One with the potential to catch the public's attention, create a new tradition, and draw more occasional/new fans to our league.
In reality, we won't be playing to sell-out crowds forever.
Fair point about the guards but you could have one match at and another at 8 maybe. Also a fair point re matches will sell out anyway but it hasn't and won't always be like that
Fair enough, it’s not a bad idea for the future if the games weren’t selling out. As for the present moment it’s a non runner given the existing demand for tickets for the derbies
Paaatrick's Agletic
I understand the current reasoning but I disagree, you make hay when the sun shines! If we are afraid to try things in case it disrupts things as they are currently then we are going backwards. If the reasoning was its too expensive, FAI cant afford to subsidise the use of the Aviva in the near term then yeah there is no point in even thinking about it. But if it is thought a non runner because restricted capacities = sell out crowds then it old LoI thinking. I get that people would probably prefer 4 or 5k in a small ground than 15k in a 60k ground but if were talking about developing a brand, as EYG says, a tradition that is for the longer term, then peak interest is the time to try not chase the crowds when we cant get them to fill a stand. Ceding home advantage can be ironed out, imo the crowd rather than the venue is what creates the edge* and cup finals are an indication. I know Im focusing on games held in the national stadium short to medium term but potential of 30k+ stuff should warrant a discussion by the cubs and association. Maybe if all stadia were wp to scratch the same kind of festival of football could be incorporated in to a weekend in home stadia but in the mean time the focus would be say a double header in Landsdowne. Policing is an issue but as mentioned All Ireland club championship finals were managed, its also now a multi day festival so doesnt have to be parade day though ideally games would be the early evening to rty and catch those out and about who maybe dont want to wedged in to a pub but dont want to head home either. Its all hypotheticals anyway.
*I wasnt happy at all about Dundalk home European games in Tallaght (or the Aviva) but retrospectively the likes of a BATE Borisov game in Tallaght compared to sitting in a reduced capacity Oriel Park well i'd take Tallaght - until there is an approprately sized modern facility in Dundalk, hopefully New Oriel Park.
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