Glass half full....we have grown again, up 38k on last year, 11 clubs with increases, and Derry growing, possibly getting closer to Dub clubs average net year, and all teams in top flight over a 2k average.
Glass half empty, the 38k increase , most of that is from 1 game, Bohs V Rovers in Aviva, probably 30k net. The other increases are marginal, offsetting some small falls, and the falling trend in Waterford and Galway would be a concern, only second season up. Rovers may have reached a current ceiling, 6k, and Pats growth seems to have slowed.
It certainly does seem without stadium improvements for Bohs, Shels and Pats we could only look at relatively minor growth for the near future.
Derry's increased capacity does give them potential if they're performing well, and had Cork got their pricing right they'd have likely seen a significantly higher attendance, but they'll be back to the First Division next year anyway.
There is perhaps scope for another 1 or 2 derbies a year at Landsdowne, although replicating last year's season opener needs to be done first before we get ahead of ourselves.
Hopefully the increased media presence this year from Virgin Media's TV coverage and News talk on the radio proves to be a catalyst to push things on further, particularly outside the capital.
I think a good few years of 'sold out' at the 3 Dub clubs mentioned isnt a bad thing. The Irish sporting public suffer badly with FOMO, waiting lists for season tickets grow and then at some stage can justify expansion. Myabe in some cases that has happened but its imo its better to have 4k sold out than 8k half empty. There is bound to be a sweet spot but Tolka's small incremental increases are good. If they could extend the 'new' stand behind the goal and sell it out, then look to rebuild the Ballybough end x years later for example. Im not sure how much an impact media coverage works unless it is good, creating credibility, that LoI is the place to be rather than token coverage of the past. Product on the pitch matters more.
[QUOTE=nigel-harps1954;2234548]Final table, pending filling in a few gaps of official figures:
Kerry v Athlone - 1st Aug
Treaty v Athlone - 19th Sept
UCD v Kerry - 19th Sept
Treaty v Bray - 10th Oct
Cobh v Dundalk - 17th Oct
Nigel, I'm also missing Wexford v Dundalk 5th Sep. Can't see a figure on LOI app or official website for it unless you have a different source?
Only Premier Division figure not yet published on the app or website is Waterford v Galway from the final weekend.
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