Rugby now more popular than football AND GAA?!

**Stuttgart88** · 11/10/2010, 1:02 PM

Originally Posted by paul_oshea

where are you been theres only a couple today.

is that actually a sentence?

**Polster** · 11/10/2010, 1:08 PM

Are you travelling O Shea or watching it here?

**paul_oshea** · 11/10/2010, 1:21 PM

watching it here but im down in the 'wharf tomorrow so im getting worried about getting back in time to watch it. im thinking i might head to mornington crescent to watch it....the sheephaven.

Are you around PG, in the well? If i thought i'd get back in time id head down, but cant guarantee it.

**elroy** · 11/10/2010, 1:47 PM

Originally Posted by Jinxy

For a lad that isn't 'anti' any sport you never miss an opportunity to have a go at the GAA.
Surely you're not so naive that you don't realise there is a large anti-soccer element amongst the rugby fraternity?
I know plenty of rugby afficionados that happily refer to soccer as 'chavball'.
These are the same lads that were turning their nose up at having to cross the river to watch international rugby in Croke Park.
Look at any of the rugby forums.
They can't wait till the day the IRFU are freed from the shackles binding them to the FAI and irish soccer.

When have I had a go at the gaa??? I may have my criticisms of them, but to say I have a go is without reason.

What I have posted above is true. From (numerous) personal experiences at both playing and attending gaa matches, I have seen plenty of over the top negative/bitter comments about football and foreign games. Genuinely, it is actually scary how intense such comments can be. For example, how often on a football tv/radio show do you hear the pundits/contributors proclaiming how great the sport is compared to gaa??? Never i suggest. I can name at least 4 instances in various (popular) programmes in this years championship alone. Forgive me but I hate such attitudes, everyone to their own sport, why the need to bring down another with general negative comments. Feel free to criticise if it is valid. Any critical comments I have ever made about the gaa or rugby I believe come under this category. Please bring me up on them if and when they are not.

And of course I am not naive or stupid enough to suggest that in rugby and football circles, they are not factions who do not speak too highly of the other. There is little doubt that many of the rugby crowd view the FAI as a nuisance. And in a sense, I can see their point of view.

**jbyrne** · 11/10/2010, 1:54 PM

Originally Posted by Jinxy

They can't wait till the day the IRFU are freed from the shackles binding them to the FAI and irish soccer.

what shackles? the IRFU and FAI have enjoyed an excellent relationship since the 70s

**Stuttgart88** · 11/10/2010, 2:04 PM

Tom Humphries drew a lot of criticism in the Irish Times letters page about his Ryder Cup (being just a load of marketing baloney) comments. One reader disgreed strongly, offering criticism of GAA and football which he says Humphries champions instead. I was tempted to point out in response that Humphries is equally dismissive of football.

**Jinxy** · 11/10/2010, 5:15 PM

How is Humphries dismissive of football?

**Jinxy** · 11/10/2010, 5:18 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

what shackles? the IRFU and FAI have enjoyed an excellent relationship since the 70s

The IRFU is the senior partner in that relationship.
There has been quite a bit of scorn in rugby circles in relation to the sales, or lack thereof, of Vantage Club tickets.

**jbyrne** · 11/10/2010, 5:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jinxy

The IRFU is the senior partner in that relationship.
There has been quite a bit of scorn in rugby circles in relation to the sales, or lack thereof, of Vantage Club tickets.

how on earth does this in any way "shackle" the IRFU??

**legendz** · 11/10/2010, 6:07 PM

The obsession with football across the water is mad alright. When you look at rugby, you don't see that big an interest in the Aviva Premiership. The FAI/LoI aren't doing much to address things though are they. Man United after all were welcomed to the Aviva!

**Gather round** · 11/10/2010, 7:49 PM

Originally Posted by legendz

The obsession with football across the water is mad alright. When you look at rugby, you don't see that big an interest in the Aviva Premiership

Some of the English media (particularly the Conservative-supporting Telegraph papers) give disproportionate coverage to rugby union, which both reflects and encourages its reputation as a sport for the affluent.

**paul_oshea** · 11/10/2010, 8:17 PM

GR he is talking about irish interest here i think.

**Jinxy** · 11/10/2010, 8:46 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

how on earth does this in any way "shackle" the IRFU??

It doesn't but the perception amongst a lot of rugby folk is that the FAI are getting a sweet deal at far less expense.

**irishultra** · 11/10/2010, 10:55 PM

becoz the aviva premierships is terrible. anyone ever seen the defence :O interest in the magners league isnt even that big in ireland tbh.

**tetsujin1979** · 11/10/2010, 10:59 PM

Originally Posted by irishultra

becoz the aviva premierships is terrible. anyone ever seen the defence :O interest in the magners league isnt even that big in ireland tbh.

It's pretty big, attendances for Munster and Leinster regularly top 15,000 each. The recent game between the two sides at the Aviva stadium set a new attendance record for the competition - 50,645

**jbyrne** · 12/10/2010, 7:39 AM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

how on earth does this in any way "shackle" the IRFU??

Originally Posted by Jinxy

It doesn't but the perception amongst a lot of rugby folk is that the FAI are getting a sweet deal at far less expense.

but you said this earlier...

Originally Posted by Jinxy

They can't wait till the day the IRFU are freed from the shackles binding them to the FAI and irish soccer.

the IRFU would never have afforded the stadium on their own and the government would not have given such a grant as they did to the IRFU on their own. rugby has always looked down on football but they have benefited greatly from renting their stadium over the years and with the funding of the new one.

**bennocelt** · 12/10/2010, 11:36 AM

Originally Posted by Jinxy

How is Humphries dismissive of football?

Well know for it in fact, read any of his books, etc
He is a major gah head

**Stuttgart88** · 12/10/2010, 12:55 PM

Jinxy, he wrote a piece a few years back "50 reasons why GAA is better than football" and followed up after we lost at home to France with a really dismissive piece about Irish football and its supporters ("We're not going to South Africa and nobody will care"). He's categorically a GAA man first and foremost, Bennocelt is fully correct.

**legendz** · 12/10/2010, 12:56 PM

Rugby's elitism is the reason for the split in the sport and the creation of Rugby League. There always will be a touch of elitism with Rugby Union, just the way it is. If people have a problem with it but like rugby, they could take up rugby league!
Whatever people think about soccer, it is the global game. None of the other football codes have created it's amount of interest.
I was in Cork at the weekend, it's crazy a city like that can't generate more interest in their local team. Maybe with the right ownership moving forward the club will develop.

**Jinxy** · 12/10/2010, 1:05 PM

Originally Posted by jbyrne

the IRFU would never have afforded the stadium on their own and the government would not have given such a grant as they did to the IRFU on their own. rugby has always looked down on football but they have benefited greatly from renting their stadium over the years and with the funding of the new one.

Then why are you arguing with me?