Are these actually covered under the block booking? (As in, do I have to go as a block booker?)
Will probably go anyway, but just checking.
I wonder what crowd and at what average ticket price is required to cover the operating costs of hosting a game at the Aviva?
I mean, what sort of crowd is a Wednesday night fixture of Wales vs Scotland going to attract in terms of local neutrals or travelling support? Id be surprised if they got close to 10k for such a game, probably nearer 5k.
Anyone have any insight in terms of the running costs or indeed the TV income etc... coming from the tournament?
I thought you were off the drink Ronnie?
"No, I drink to help me mind my own business....can I get you one? (c) Ronnie Drew
I don't want to go any further down that road, if you don't mind, but Ardee Bhoy was not referring to that team (ROI), but rather one selected by a single Irish Association at some stage in the future.
Whilst geographically-speaking the ROI may have "representatives from all of the island", the FAI still only chooses players from 80% of the population of the island.
By contrast, the IFA seeks to select players from 100% of the population of Northern Ireland.
And we are the ones who get labelled "bigots"...
Thanks for your concern, but I'll take my chances where I am.
The FAI doesn't chose players born in NI. NI born players chose the FAI - there is a difference. I can assure you that anyone born in NI willing and good enough to play for the FAI will be welcomed with open arms - there's nothing to suggest otherwise. However it's up to the individual player to make his desire to play for the FAI known.
Sweet Christ, can we not go down this road again?
Fine, but I was making reference to the fact that a United Ireland does exist, if not in actual name yet.
"Whilst geographically-speaking the ROI may have "representatives from all of the island", the FAI still only chooses players from 80% of the population of the island.
By contrast, the IFA seeks to select players from 100% of the population of Northern Ireland.
And we are the ones who get labelled "bigots"..."
Whatever about your labels, the FAI can certainly not be labelled bigots, anyone born in Ireland can play for the FAI team. The FAI does not only choose eligible players from certain communities. They would be more than happy to select players from the full pool available in the six counties. We are all Irish at the end of the day.
Said the blasphemer to the bishop.....
Originally all games were to be a minimum of €40, which is the price factored into the 'season ticket' for Irish fans.
Block-bookers would be expected to show up, but unsure of the hit they're expected to take. Hopefully less than the €40.
Nothing to do with the FAI's money-grabbing, just that a nonsensical tournament during an economic depression should be €10-20 max. And then we might see a crowd?
Other posters have more eloquently answered the initial points!!!
As for the other tongue-in-cheek comment, collective amnesia aside, don't forget the North gets the size of the entire Irish bailout every 15 years or so, at current levels.
At the rate of just under £10k per head annually, for this particular colonial theme park!
The point is EG, unless Ireland are very good & the North very bad, only around 20-30% of those eligible will probably ever declare for a full Irish team. Though one day a nominal 'unionist' or of 'hard-line ' Prod heritage will, which is when it becomes interesting....
Be fair, the Brits are never likely to exclude Ealing in any subsidy?? Unless there's a breakaway state led by Southall....Thanks for your concern, but I'l take my chances where I am.
Amen to that - all "debates" on this site with NI fans are just elaborate games of Tic-Tac-Toe - a futile excercise and a waste of time and energy (for both sides of the "debate" I hasten to add).
This tournament may not exactly set the pulse racing, but it would be a welcome departure if football related issues could take centre stage on a football forum.
Quoting years at random since 1975
Given the history of the island and its cultural associations, to wish or expect sport, as with other social aspects, to be detached from that history is Utopian in the extreme.
But to not have every single thread which comes within an arse's roar of the topic go down the tube because of the same old arguments is tedious in the extreme.
Hey, history is tedious now??
Was ever thus and ever will be.
Maybe come back in two hundred years when we're all dead....
If you don't like the thread, then hey, don't read it!!!
But the whole point is part of the reason the competition exists, is because of an, er, religious and political divide!!!
Like I said, History.
Who cares why it exists? People want to discuss the football without the tiny minority dragging the thread off into religion.
Hmm, people don't care why their country, or adjoining areas exist??
And then just play sports against them without any regard to that???
Local rivalries will always exist. The heightened historical influence just spices it up a bit.
We could give AB and EG their own thread...
DID YOU NOTICE A SIGN OUTSIDE MY HOUSE...?
And your point??
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