Attendances 2023

**EatYerGreens** · 14/02/2023, 1:09 AM

Originally Posted by EalingGreen

They're in the Championship (2nd tier) but mid-table, so not going to get promoted this season (or relegated).

The promotion race is currently between 3 provincial sides, Loughgall, Annagh Utd (both Co.Armagh) and Warrenpoint Tn, top going up automatically and second into a P&R play-off with the 11th team in the Prem:
https://www.nifootballleague.com/cha...023/standings/

With Portadown seemingly certain to get relegated automatically, the relegation play-off spot is looking like Dungannon or Newry, but could conceivably be Glenavon or Carrick should either suffer a slump to the end of the season:
https://www.nifootballleague.com/pre...023/standings/

Whatever happens, it won't help attendances for next season, but nor should it do too much harm either, I suspect.

I'd guess it'll dent the overall IL average for next season, and could even be its first decline in a while (Covid excepting). Though as the downturn would be spread across 12 teams, a lift at others should equalise it out.

Portadown are having a terrible season, yet still get over 1,000 at their games currently. Which is fairly impressive for a team who've only won once out of 26 league attempts, and have essentially been relegated for months now.

Whichever of Annagh, Loughall and Warrenpoint come up will be lucky to get even half of that average next season. I've been to all 3 and the crowds were poor (Warrenpoint crowd comprised largely of away fans, plus a local youth team. Annagh's crowd was really bad, though it was winter last season). Warrenpoint's average crowd in the top tier last season was only 450.

Conversely - if the LOI PD can shake off UCD at the end of this year and replace them with either Galway or Waterford, then our average for the following year should see a healthy increase

**culloty82** · 14/02/2023, 1:59 PM

St Pat's vs Derry is sold out:

**EalingGreen** · 14/02/2023, 3:08 PM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Portadown are having a terrible season, yet still get over 1,000 at their games currently. Which is fairly impressive for a team who've only won once out of 26 league attempts, and have essentially been relegated for months now.

I'd say it's very impressive for any team with 6 points out of a possible 78!

I had assumed that their current average of 1,025 was disproportionately boosted by visits of the Big Two and Glenavon, but not so much, really i.e. Glens 1,443 & 1,112, Linfield 1,550 & 1,364 and Glenavon 1,227*. Take those out and their average over the other 7 homes is still just under 800:
https://www.irishleaguesupporters.co...thomeaway=home

Which just shows the potential in the town if only the club were to be run properly, both on and off the pitch (a huge "if only", it has to be said!).

* - For the reverse fixture at Mourneview on Boxing Day, the crowd was 2,527 - by far Glenavon's biggest of the season. (Their seasonal average incl that game is still only a very disappointing 934.)

**nr637** · 14/02/2023, 3:18 PM

Any official attendance for the Derry v Shams, President Cup final other than the official capacity figure of 3,900 that is always produced?

By the way did Derry have that proposed away temporary stand available or is that planned for the home leagues or not!

**EatYerGreens** · 14/02/2023, 4:41 PM

Originally Posted by nr637

Any official attendance for the Derry v Shams, President Cup final other than the official capacity figure of 3,900 that is always produced?

By the way did Derry have that proposed away temporary stand available or is that planned for the home leagues or not!

Derry never publish attendance figures sure.

It was posted previously that that new stand won't be happening until next year.

**Bunny Kelly** · 14/02/2023, 5:35 PM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

It's easy to sell out your first ever senior match - particularly in a fairly small stadium. It' basically an historical event on Friday, with quite a lot of local media attention behind it too.

Let's see if they're still selling games out when they host Wexford in October before jumping to conclusions.

Whats the capacity that they sold out?

**culloty82** · 14/02/2023, 6:11 PM

1,150.

**nr637** · 15/02/2023, 8:40 AM

Looking at the highlights of Glentoran 3 v Linfield 0 at the Oval last night (14/02/2023), I'd reckon between 4-5,000. Anyone known the official attendance or is better at estimating the crowd size knowing the Oval ground layout capacity?

**EatYerGreens** · 15/02/2023, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by nr637

Looking at the highlights of Glentoran 3 v Linfield 0 at the Oval last night (14/02/2023), I'd reckon between 4-5,000. Anyone known the official attendance or is better at estimating the crowd size knowing the Oval ground layout capacity?

I think it holds approx 6,500 ?

Neither side sold out their ticket allocation apparently. And there was trouble at the game from Linfield fans too, who are already om a yellow card after previous incidents thos season. Will be interesting to see how the IFA responds to that now.

**Martinho II** · 15/02/2023, 9:16 PM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

I think it holds approx 6,500 ?

Neither side sold out their ticket allocation apparently. And there was trouble at the game from Linfield fans too, who are already om a yellow card after previous incidents thos season. Will be interesting to see how the IFA responds to that now.

Yeah seen the highlights on BBC NI news this evening shocking from the Linfield fans.

**culloty82** · 16/02/2023, 7:24 AM

Interestingly, the Irish Examiner claim a slight increase in capacity to 1,400 in their article about Kerry, but that's the first time I've ever seen that figure:

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/...medium=twitter

Also in an Irish Sun article, so with two ssources, would appear to be official:

https://www.thesun.ie/sport/football...ue-of-ireland/

**nigel-harps1954** · 16/02/2023, 9:49 AM

Presumably that extra standing area down the touchline that was added later on.

**nigel-harps1954** · 16/02/2023, 5:48 PM

Cork v Bohs announced as sold out tomorrow.

**EatYerGreens** · 17/02/2023, 4:19 PM

Originally Posted by nigel-harps1954

Cork v Bohs announced as sold out tomorrow.

Impressive given it's on TV.

What's the capacity of TC these days - 7,500+ ?

**Asterix** · 17/02/2023, 4:31 PM

Originally Posted by EatYerGreens

Impressive given it's on TV.

What's the capacity of TC these days - 7,500+ ?

Think its about 6900

**joey B** · 17/02/2023, 4:49 PM

Sligo Rovers v Shamrock Rovers sold out tomorrow night aswell…

**TonyD** · 17/02/2023, 5:02 PM

Lots of sold out games announced it seems. Great to see.

**nigel-harps1954** · 17/02/2023, 5:25 PM

Providing this rain f*cks off in the next hour or so, should be a bumper crowd in Finn Park. Expecting over 2,000, as well as about 50-60 away tickets sold. Rain could hold off a few though, but either way, it's good to be back.