Rugby now more popular than football AND GAA?!

[ArdeeBhoy]

Only went to Armenia, whose distance and cost meant it was more one for the 'diehards'.

Slovakia didn't appeal (as for a long time it looked like the game would be in Bratislava) and neither do most of the other trips (Macedonia is a total kip, the 2nd. worst country I've been to in Europe;Moscow for personal security reasons;Andorra, only of interest if it gets played there, rather than Barcelona).
That said it doesn't mean would go to any, but financial issues are also a concern for many.....myself included.

However, credit to anyone who does go, know a few people going to most games.

[Kingdom]

I go to at least one away match in a campaign; two if practical. Going to Macedonia, and if we're still in with a shout then I'll be off to Andorra. Will see what happens re the Play off.

[pineapple stu]

I go to at least one away match in a campaign; two if practical[...] If we're still in with a shout then I'll be off to Armenia.

Will you be borrowing mypost's tardis for that one?

[Crosby87]

Ardee you sound like a 3 year old. Whaw I dont like this I dont like that. Moscow is perfectly safe, no difference in being aware than Dublin, London or NYC.
Dont be scared by what people tell you to try to scare you. Macedonia is fine. Why didnt you like it? Expected Paris? I understand the financial part but just to live your life scared like that? Why bother at all?
Going to places like Macedonia and Slovakia to watch Ireland are fun as hell.
2 Sundays ago in the New York Times, their respected travel writer wrote a long article about how he decided to go to countries and cities that for 20 years of writing he has avoided based on others negative comments. HE ended up liking some of them the best of anywhere he has ever been! And he's been everywhere.

[Kingdom]

Will you be borrowing mypost's tardis for that one?

Of course that should read Andorra.....it does now!

[gspain]

Our away crowds are well down in recent years imo.

[paul_oshea]

One thing that has always helped GAAs popularity is the fact that kids "heroes" can be seen walking through the town any day of the week or whatever, so they were accessible and seen locally. I think rugby has somewhat taken that route though with the likes of heaslip and kearney and the likes in niteclubs like krystal etc, and the limerick crowd going to local pubs and what not. I think if soccer can start to emulate that it will go a long way the likes of coleman, doyle, hunt, long going to their local GAA dinner dances for example or just supporting local events and what not goes a long way to this. Reconnecting with the people, if you want to call it that.

[Kingdom]

When the National football players go out and socialise they get lamped for doing so. There is no comparison amongst them. Reconnection has nothing to do with poor crowds at home or abroad.

[ArdeeBhoy]

Ardee you sound like a 3 year old. Whaw I dont like this I dont like that. Moscow is perfectly safe, no difference in being aware than Dublin, London or NYC.
Dont be scared by what people tell you to try to scare you. Macedonia is fine. Why didnt you like it? Expected Paris? I understand the financial part but just to live your life scared like that? Why bother at all?
Going to places like Macedonia and Slovakia to watch Ireland are fun as hell.
2 Sundays ago in the New York Times, their respected travel writer wrote a long article about how he decided to go to countries and cities that for 20 years of writing he has avoided based on others negative comments. HE ended up liking some of them the best of anywhere he has ever been! And he's been everywhere.

What are you on about???
Been to 30 countries in Europa. Including Macedonia and Slovakia to watch Ireland!
I think at this stage, I know what I'm talking about. Just

And Moscow, yeah know what you mean, but short of going in and out of there in a protective bubble, thanks but no thanks.
There are additional security issues for some people, I'm unlikely to risk.

[paul_oshea]

When the National football players go out and socialise they get lamped for doing so. There is no comparison amongst them. Reconnection has nothing to do with poor crowds at home or abroad.

Well I know keane has been out over here in the last few months to Irish places, and the places have been packed because he has been in there. And you would be surprised how many people have come out saying how sound he is and this and that. People who would normally give out about players. Do you think now they will still do that? No they wont.

Its always been a very strong element of the GAA - community - and it has worked wonders, its why you always see huge homecomings for County teams upon success(bar kingdom and dublin not looking ay anyone ;p), it keeps them in the minds of the locals. And yes it does mean they get greater support.

[gspain]

Ardee you sound like a 3 year old. Whaw I dont like this I dont like that. Moscow is perfectly safe, no difference in being aware than Dublin, London or NYC.
Dont be scared by what people tell you to try to scare you. Macedonia is fine. Why didnt you like it? Expected Paris? I understand the financial part but just to live your life scared like that? Why bother at all?
Going to places like Macedonia and Slovakia to watch Ireland are fun as hell.
2 Sundays ago in the New York Times, their respected travel writer wrote a long article about how he decided to go to countries and cities that for 20 years of writing he has avoided based on others negative comments. HE ended up liking some of them the best of anywhere he has ever been! And he's been everywhere.

I didn't find Moscow to be as safe as Dublin, London et al. The local police supplement their income by either fining tourists for not having their passports or charging them to return their passports. Skinhead gangs attacked Irish fans in 2002. I'm still going but won't be wearing colours. Judging by the people I know it will be a really
small travelling contingent. Of our 6 in Yerevan I'm the only one going to Moscow.

My own experience of Skopje in 1999 was not good either and I'm unsure what to expect this time. I know there were problems in 97 too but I wasn't there. On balance I think it will be fine and do plan on wearing colours but am still a little concerned.

In general I'd accept your point because cities such as Yerevan, Tirana, Podgorica and Bursa were great to visit and much better than Paris. :-)

[gustavo]

Well I know keane has been out over here in the last few months to Irish places, and the places have been packed because he has been in there. And you would be surprised how many people have come out saying how sound he is and this and that. People who would normally give out about players. Do you think now they will still do that? No they wont.

Its always been a very strong element of the GAA - community - and it has worked wonders, its why you always see huge homecomings for County teams upon success(bar kingdom and dublin not looking ay anyone ;p), it keeps them in the minds of the locals. And yes it does mean they get greater support.

Sligo Rovers and I'm sure many other clubs have a very strong community presence so it exists for football too in this country

[Stuttgart88]

Stephen Ireland really likes Cork.

My mate in Wexford says he regularly sees Kevin Doyle, and he bumped into Stephen Hunt in Rosslare. I agree with what PO'S says to a large extent though, but it's back to the same point - it is totally unrealistic to expect our best players to be able to earn a living in Ireland.

[peadar1987]

Stephen Ireland really likes Cork.

My mate in Wexford says he regularly sees Kevin Doyle, and he bumped into Stephen Hunt in Rosslare. I agree with what PO'S says to a large extent though, but it's back to the same point - it is totally unrealistic to expect our best players to be able to earn a living in Ireland.

Maybe not our best players, but definitely some solid players, or players at either end of their careers, which would still attract interest. I'd say a lot more people would go to LOI games if they could see the stars of tomorrow, aged, 18-22, and some older heroes finishing off their careers. Imagine if Roy Keane had decided to finish his career with Cobh, instead of Celtic, for example. St. Colman's Park would have been packed to the rafters all season. Same for Robbie Keane, or Duffer, if they went to Shams, or Shay Given at Finn Harps. And then there's no reason why the league couldn't afford the same wages as a decent Scottish club like Hibs or Aberdeen, if it were better supported, and provide fringe players of the quality of a Stokes, or a Miller.

[Stuttgart88]

I guess it's a circular argument. Better players = better standard & profile = better supported = more revenue = better players....

However, I think it's a hell of a leap from where we are today to being able to support the likes of a Liam Miller financially. Even a Ronnie O'Brien.

I do think that it'd be great if the ex-internationals would see out their last year or two in the LOI, out of a sense of charity or duty almost, but it's probably naive.

[Charlie Darwin]

Realistically it would only happen with more money. I know there are a few Shamrock Rovers fans about (Keane, Dunne) but there's no way we could compete with Celtic for their affections. To be fair, lads like Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly have come back after short international careers.

[SwanVsDalton]

David Kelly's brief pre-retirement sojourn at the Brandywell is still fondly remembered by City heads everywhere. Helped us to the FAI Cup and, even at his age, was clearly a class above in his touch and awareness. Was also, simply, a really, really gracious guy.

They can earn a living in Ireland, if they're willing to take a massive pay cut and actually live here. It remains to be seen whether the likes of the biggest players - Robbie, Duffer, Shay etc - would be willing to do either. Also it would be more likely to happen if these guys had much of an affinity with the LOI, and I don't think that's true of most Irish internationals either (perhaps another debating point for the pyramidisation of Irish football and the Junior leagues).

But it remains true these players can make a living if they think the benefits are worth the pay cut - and I think it's the middling players, perhaps those who've gone backwards, who could have the most to gain. These guys should be looking at Colin Doyle, Paddy McCourt and, in particular, Keith Fahey to see the benefits of a return to LOI.

These players shouldn't see it as a lesser league only fit for lesser players or over-the-hill jobbers - they should see it as fiercely competitive, physical and a showcase for a genuine talent. If that happened then maybe it could happen more often.

[DannyInvincible]

One thing that has always helped GAAs popularity is the fact that kids "heroes" can be seen walking through the town any day of the week or whatever, so they were accessible and seen locally. I think rugby has somewhat taken that route though with the likes of heaslip and kearney and the likes in niteclubs like krystal etc, and the limerick crowd going to local pubs and what not. I think if soccer can start to emulate that it will go a long way the likes of coleman, doyle, hunt, long going to their local GAA dinner dances for example or just supporting local events and what not goes a long way to this. Reconnecting with the people, if you want to call it that.

You could argue that League of Ireland clubs are fairly well rooted in their respective local communities but that hasn't really given rise to any substantial widespread popularity relative to, say, the local county GAA sides or the provincial rugby team or whatever. If Irish people wanted a local connection with their footballers, surely they'd attend League of Ireland games in their droves.

[peadar1987]

David Kelly's brief pre-retirement sojourn at the Brandywell is still fondly remembered by City heads everywhere. Helped us to the FAI Cup and, even at his age, was clearly a class above in his touch and awareness. Was also, simply, a really, really gracious guy.

They can earn a living in Ireland, if they're willing to take a massive pay cut and actually live here. It remains to be seen whether the likes of the biggest players - Robbie, Duffer, Shay etc - would be willing to do either. Also it would be more likely to happen if these guys had much of an affinity with the LOI, and I don't think that's true of most Irish internationals either (perhaps another debating point for the pyramidisation of Irish football and the Junior leagues).

But it remains true these players can make a living if they think the benefits are worth the pay cut - and I think it's the middling players, perhaps those who've gone backwards, who could have the most to gain. These guys should be looking at Colin Doyle, Paddy McCourt and, in particular, Keith Fahey to see the benefits of a return to LOI.

These players shouldn't see it as a lesser league only fit for lesser players or over-the-hill jobbers - they should see it as fiercely competitive, physical and a showcase for a genuine talent. If that happened then maybe it could happen more often.

I've always said that the LOI should look to loan players from the UK to try and raise its profile. If 10,000 people turn up to watch Liverpool reserves play a friendly, maybe they'll turn up when one of their young stars is getting some competitive game time. The whole thing is a circular process though. Raise interest >> get crowds up >> more money >> reinvest >> raise interest... The problem is that most LOI clubs have tended to self-destruct before they can get through one cycle of this.

[DannyInvincible]

Stephen Ireland really likes Cork.

My mate in Wexford says he regularly sees Kevin Doyle, and he bumped into Stephen Hunt in Rosslare. I agree with what PO'S says to a large extent though, but it's back to the same point - it is totally unrealistic to expect our best players to be able to earn a living in Ireland.

Andy Reid is doing his bit too for the Irish contingent in Manchester. According to a friend who works in Mulligan's Irish pub, he can be seen there regularly guzzling down the Guinnesses.