Ireland to face Colombia - London, 29th May

**GavinZac** · 20/02/2008, 7:27 PM

Originally Posted by John2626

To be honest, don't understand why we need to play in London. Would rather just arrange an away match with some other nation in Europe. dont agree with a friendly abroad and trying to pass it off as a home match.

I don't even agree with staging an away game. What bloody harm would it do holding it in an Irish stadium? Loss of income for an unscheduled game? Loftus Road and the surrounding area are a dump.

**NeilMcD** · 20/02/2008, 7:51 PM

To me it should be an away game against a Balkan team if possible we need as much practice at playing away games as possible. I think we will learn very little by playing in London versus Columbia.

**cavan_fan** · 20/02/2008, 7:53 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

I don't even agree with staging an away game. What bloody harm would it do holding it in an Irish stadium? Loss of income for an unscheduled game? Loftus Road and the surrounding area are a dump.

I dont know if the same rules apply for friendlies and competitive games but there are non non GAA grounds in Ireland where you would be allowed host a competitive game

**GavinZac** · 20/02/2008, 9:55 PM

Originally Posted by cavan_fan

I dont know if the same rules apply for friendlies and competitive games but there are non non GAA grounds in Ireland where you would be allowed host a competitive game

Why would we not be allowed to host a competitive or friendly game in, say, Turner's Cross? Given that its hosted competitive Champions League and U21 games, and that some of the national stadiums in UEFA would be United Park-esque.

**NeilMcD** · 20/02/2008, 10:00 PM

I guess the reason they do not host a full senior international game at say Turners Cross is to do with the block booking system and ticketing. They would find it hard to deal with the ticketing. I am not saying this is right but that is the reason.

**amaccann** · 21/02/2008, 7:54 AM

What about staging it in Glasgow, or the Millennium Stadium? The Wales venue would at least make it much handier for Irish fans to simply nip over on the boat to the game.

**cavan_fan** · 21/02/2008, 8:48 AM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

Why would we not be allowed to host a competitive or friendly game in, say, Turner's Cross? Given that its hosted competitive Champions League and U21 games, and that some of the national stadiums in UEFA would be United Park-esque.

Just not sure of the rules, anyone know?

**NeilMcD** · 21/02/2008, 8:55 AM

Originally Posted by amaccann

What about staging it in Glasgow, or the Millennium Stadium? The Wales venue would at least make it much handier for Irish fans to simply nip over on the boat to the game.

Could you imagine what a **** atmosphere it would be in Cardiff if we had say 10,000 in an 80,000 all seater stadium, not to mention the costs etc and loss of money. Glasgow would make more sense.

Plus how is it more handier to nip across on a boat for a 3 hour journey followed by another 3 hour journesy the other side compared to a 1 hour flight to London and a 1 hour trip to the venue.

**amaccann** · 21/02/2008, 9:04 AM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

Could you imagine what a **** atmosphere it would be in Cardiff if we had say 10,000 in an 80,000 all seater stadium, not to mention the costs etc and loss of money. Glasgow would make more sense.

Plus how is it more handier to nip across on a boat for a 3 hour journey followed by another 3 hour journesy the other side compared to a 1 hour flight to London and a 1 hour trip to the venue.

True I guess, though what with the hype and excitement about Trap, you *might* get a fair few going to Cardiff. Maybe. Possibly. But yes, London probably makes the most sense.

**noby** · 21/02/2008, 9:08 AM

I would imagine the cost to rent Loftus Road (or wherever) for the day would be a a fair bit cheaper than Cardiff.

**ifk101** · 21/02/2008, 9:33 AM

If it's a "home" international I think the FAI should endeavour to have the game played in Ireland.

Surely the RDS is as good an option as Loftus Rd. for the game. Perhaps even Thomond Park could be used or one of the more suitable LOI grounds such as Turner's Cross. Considering that the FAI has rarely used venues outside of Dublin for senior home international (obvious practical reasons for this) why not take the opportunity now that they can. John Delaney has made it clear that the FAI's budget is in fine financial health so there no underlying financial need to have the game played outside of Ireland.

**tetsujin1979** · 21/02/2008, 9:37 AM

Originally Posted by amaccann

What about staging it in Glasgow, or the Millennium Stadium? The Wales venue would at least make it much handier for Irish fans to simply nip over on the boat to the game.

Won't the Millenium Stadium be in use for the Heineken Cup final around that time?

**NeilMcD** · 21/02/2008, 9:43 AM

Originally Posted by ifk101

If it's a "home" international I think the FAI should endeavour to have the game played in Ireland.

Surely the RDS is as good an option as Loftus Rd. for the game. Perhaps even Thomond Park could be used or one of the more suitable LOI grounds such as Turner's Cross. Considering that the FAI has rarely used venues outside of Dublin for senior home international (obvious practical reasons for this) why not take the opportunity now that they can. John Delaney has made it clear that the FAI's budget is in fine financial health so there no underlying financial need to have the game played outside of Ireland.

I am guessing the reason is the one I have said above. It is a ticketing issue and it could create more bad feeling amongst block bookers if they could not go and it would break a promise that the FAI have to the block bookers. That is the reason for it.

**Superhoops** · 21/02/2008, 10:24 AM

Perhaps Columbia don't want to come to Ireland.

The are playing France on the following Tuesday in Paris and are probably using London as a 'hub' for gathering their players together, as several other teams have done in the past.

**lopez** · 21/02/2008, 1:16 PM

Originally Posted by greendeiseboy

Columbia - that should be great Crack

We should have played them at Coke Park! ... My coat again!

**GavinZac** · 21/02/2008, 11:20 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

I am guessing the reason is the one I have said above. It is a ticketing issue and it could create more bad feeling amongst block bookers if they could not go and it would break a promise that the FAI have to the block bookers. That is the reason for it.

In fairness, I'm sure they would get over 1 unscheduled friendly at a small ground being excluded from the block bookers scheme - after all, doesnt the block booker scheme punish people who fail to take tickets for a game? what about the block bookers who wont be able to make it to london? must they buy a ticket or risk dropping down the queue?

Its a pipe dream I guess, but I really can't imagine any other national association showing such a lack of dignity. Ah well, I suppose we'll have to wait for the Arkaga bowl whenever it shows up.

The Irish u21s used to love playing in Turners Cross because it was the one place they'd get a full, supportive crowd. By now Givens has run even that into the ground.

**NeilMcD** · 21/02/2008, 11:27 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

In fairness, I'm sure they would get over 1 unscheduled friendly at a small ground being excluded from the block bookers scheme - after all, doesnt the block booker scheme punish people who fail to take tickets for a game? what about the block bookers who wont be able to make it to london? must they buy a ticket or risk dropping down the queue?

Its a pipe dream I guess, but I really can't imagine any other national association showing such a lack of dignity. Ah well, I suppose we'll have to wait for the Arkaga bowl whenever it shows up.

The Irish u21s used to love playing in Turners Cross because it was the one place they'd get a full, supportive crowd. By now Givens has run even that into the ground.

You clearly dont know how the block booking works. It only applies to home games, so if there was a game in London, nobody would be punished for not going as it would not be classified as a home game. As long as you take tickets for home matches you stay on the list you are on. Also punish is a strong term, if somebody does not take a ticket, that ticket is then given to somebody who is prepared to take tickets for every match.

I know I would be ****ed off if I could not get a ticket for a game in Ireland. Also I am not sure if you are on the block booking list but if you are not, then you would not have much chance of getting a ticket anyway for the game in an Eircom League ground.

Also did we not play England in Turners Cross in November. We must have as I was there, unless I am going mad. Has Givens made comments since then that he does not want any games in Turners Cross, I must have missed that.

**GavinZac** · 21/02/2008, 11:37 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

You clearly dont know how the block booking works. It only applies to home games, so if there was a game in London, nobody would be punished for not going as it would not be classified as a home game.

I have a fair idea actually, for someone who wouldnt really be in a position to attend games elsewhere. I was assuming it would be classified as a home game. If the FAI are arranging it, and the other team are going whereever the FAI say, and the FAI decide "lets play it in london", it would be a home game, as would the mooted games in liverpool have been had they gone ahead?
Would you feel entitled to tickets for such a game?

I know I would be ****ed off if I could not get a ticket for a game in Ireland. Also I am not sure if you are on the block booking list but if you are not, then you would not have much chance of getting a ticket anyway for the game in an Eircom League ground.

Why would you be ****ed off? If its a game added in at the last moment and its a gesture for the sake of pointing out that not every ground in the LoI is a kip (by then, TC will hopefully be the first all-seated, all-roofed soccer stadium on the island... including any national stadium), or a gesture to try to attract some non-Dublin centred support from people who rarely if ever get to see their national team... rather than evacuating to Shepards Bush because they're embarressed by their distinct lack of riches elsewhere, surely as an LoI supporter you wouldnt be too worried? Especially considering the pathetic sub-EL capacity attendences in previous London games.

Also did we not play England in Turners Cross in November. We must have as I was there, unless I am going mad.

Yeah, I was there too. In front of a small crowd, very few of whom actually paid in, and most of whom had little time for givens/Ireland. a fair whack of them were moronic celtic fans there to boo the English national anthem and little else.

**NeilMcD** · 21/02/2008, 11:43 PM

Originally Posted by GavinZac

I have a fair idea actually, for someone who wouldnt really be in a position to attend games elsewhere. I was assuming it would be classified as a home game. If the FAI are arranging it, and the other team are going whereever the FAI say, and the FAI decide "lets play it in london", it would be a home game, as would the mooted games in liverpool have been had they gone ahead?
Would you feel entitled to tickets for such a game?

Why would you be ****ed off? If its a game added in at the last moment and its a gesture for the sake of pointing out that not every ground in the LoI is a kip (by then, TC will hopefully be the first all-seated, all-roofed soccer stadium on the island... including any national stadium), or a gesture to try to attract some non-Dublin centred support from people who rarely if ever get to see their national team... rather than evacuating to Shepards Bush because they're embarressed by their distinct lack of riches elsewhere, surely as an LoI supporter you wouldnt be too worried? Especially considering the pathetic sub-EL capacity attendences in previous London games.

Yeah, I was there too. In front of a small crowd, very few of whom actually paid in, and most of whom had little time for givens/Ireland. a fair whack of them were moronic celtic fans there to boo the English national anthem and little else.

If we play in London it will not be classified as a home game and it will not be in the block booking scheme. I guarantee that.

Also if they were to play in any Eircom League ground I would like it to be in the home of Irish football and to be in Dalymount and for the FAI to pay Bohs the money for using the ground.

That way I could get to the game easy and I would almost certainly get a ticket as a block booker and as a member of Bohs.

However if the game was in Cork I would be ****ed off if I could not get a ticket for the game, simple as that. I want to go to the games and if I could not go because of lack of ticket I would be ****ed off.

**GavinZac** · 21/02/2008, 11:51 PM

Originally Posted by NeilMcD

If we play in London it will not be classified as a home game and it will not be in the block booking scheme. I guarantee that.

Also if they were to play in any Eircom League ground I would like it to be in the home of Irish football and to be in Dalymount and for the FAI to pay Bohs the money for using the ground.

That way I could get to the game easy and I would almost certainly get a ticket as a block booker and as a member of Bohs.

However if the game was in Cork I would be ****ed off if I could not get a ticket for the game, simple as that. I want to go to the games and if I could not go because of lack of ticket I would be ****ed off.

Dalymount is one of the kips I was referring to, half the stadium is unsightly and unusable and the "shed" wouldn't exactly be welcoming to first timers. The capacity is as limited as TC and if it were to be played in Dublin, surely the RDS would take priority, as it has in recent Cup finals?