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Galway Hurling thread

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Replying To CillTormoir:  "6000 in stadium yesterday, expect an increase on this Sunday. Cant see Kenny Parks capacity online but I think its around the 3000 mark but to answer your question, its back in the stadium, unfortunately."
Thought the pitch was in very rough condition and a lot of lads struggled to pick ball up first time. Grass looked long and patchy, very hard to make out thelines too. We're very far behind a lot of the top counties when it comes to having a top class plating surface, the difference between Pearse Satdium and Limerck, Thurles, Kilkenny etc is huge. Cork and Croke Park are obviously next level but still don't know why we can't have one up to the same standard as those other counties. Especially when we're a big county with teams and clubs competing at the highest level in every grade and code, Pearse Sadium or somewhere else in Galway should be one of the best in the country

Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 258 - 21/11/2022 14:37:52    2448327

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how can a pitch like athenry be only 3000 capacity, thats a bit harsh and strict, i remember years ago there would be possibly upto 15000 at games there, in the nhl in 1997 and county finals.

preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 21/11/2022 15:00:49    2448330

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Replying To preddan:  "how can a pitch like athenry be only 3000 capacity, thats a bit harsh and strict, i remember years ago there would be possibly upto 15000 at games there, in the nhl in 1997 and county finals."
15000 seems crazy for a pitch with a stand that small! Are you sure?

It is a great place to watch hurling games but I think more than a couple of thousand then you move it into salthill - even if im not a fan of the place.

tiobraid (Tipperary) - Posts: 4119 - 21/11/2022 15:34:28    2448337

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Any idea when the semi final will be

rallenmchugh (Galway) - Posts: 21 - 21/11/2022 15:48:18    2448343

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Replying To WanPintWin:  "Slaughtneil have to beat Dunloy first."
And Thomas's have to beat Loughrea

Jack L (None) - Posts: 3099 - 21/11/2022 18:40:53    2448361

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Replying To tiobraid:  "15000 seems crazy for a pitch with a stand that small! Are you sure?

It is a great place to watch hurling games but I think more than a couple of thousand then you move it into salthill - even if im not a fan of the place."
I was fairly sure there was games in the late 90s there was over definitely 10000 anyway,

preddan (Kildare) - Posts: 733 - 21/11/2022 18:44:16    2448362

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Official attendance of 2009 Co Semi Finals played in Kenny Park Athenry, Portumna v Gort and Loughrea v Mullagh
9,878.

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2192 - 21/11/2022 20:16:24    2448368

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Replying To preddan:  "I was fairly sure there was games in the late 90s there was over definitely 10000 anyway,"
I was at several big games in athenry that had at least 10,000 in attendance e.g sarsfields v carnmore castlegar v Blackrock galway v clare I could go on

minor77 (Galway) - Posts: 223 - 21/11/2022 20:22:06    2448369

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1994 Co Final played in Duggan Park Ballinasloe, Athenry v sarsfields 12,898.
1991 Co Final played in St. Brendans Park Loughrea, Kiltormer v Athenry 10,880.

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2192 - 21/11/2022 20:23:36    2448370

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Replying To preddan:  "I was fairly sure there was games in the late 90s there was over definitely 10000 anyway,"
Galway and Clare 96 or 97 I'd say

UtahBlaine (Galway) - Posts: 145 - 21/11/2022 21:47:20    2448377

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Replying To Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin:  "Thought the pitch was in very rough condition and a lot of lads struggled to pick ball up first time. Grass looked long and patchy, very hard to make out thelines too. We're very far behind a lot of the top counties when it comes to having a top class plating surface, the difference between Pearse Satdium and Limerck, Thurles, Kilkenny etc is huge. Cork and Croke Park are obviously next level but still don't know why we can't have one up to the same standard as those other counties. Especially when we're a big county with teams and clubs competing at the highest level in every grade and code, Pearse Sadium or somewhere else in Galway should be one of the best in the country"
Limerick has ben newly done and looked great for the County Final and last Sunday,, but was poor enough before that.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4316 - 22/11/2022 08:59:58    2448384

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "Limerick has ben newly done and looked great for the County Final and last Sunday,, but was poor enough before that."
there would be more at a Galway final than in Limerick last sunday
play it in Ballinasloe where the best games were always played

SixtiesKid (Galway) - Posts: 304 - 22/11/2022 09:26:15    2448385

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Replying To rallenmchugh:  "Any idea when the semi final will be"
Weekend December 17/18th.

CillTormoir (Galway) - Posts: 485 - 22/11/2022 10:01:23    2448390

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What a pity the replay isnt in Kenny Park, the home of hurling in Galway.

What a game last Sunday. I do think Thomass will edge it in the replay though. Although I would hope Loughrea put it up to them again. Its a very good Loughrea team. Definitely in the top 2 in the county.

clare_sparrow (Galway) - Posts: 425 - 22/11/2022 11:00:23    2448396

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Replying To SixtiesKid:  "there would be more at a Galway final than in Limerick last sunday
play it in Ballinasloe where the best games were always played"
What is the capacity for Duggan Park? Great venue, but not ideal standing on the wet/soft ground the far side. Would love to see it get some TLC and host a lot more Galway games at all grades! Would be a great neutral venue for other counties/tournaments too!

GalwaysFinest (Galway) - Posts: 190 - 22/11/2022 12:49:42    2448408

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Of the current pitches in Galway which one would be worth putting a few old quid in as far as room for expansion, location, etc. I assume Pearce Stadium is not the answer so where is the better/best choice? I recall Ballindereen having a great pitch but that's probably not realistic.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2113 - 22/11/2022 12:50:38    2448409

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Replying To Trump2020:  "Of the current pitches in Galway which one would be worth putting a few old quid in as far as room for expansion, location, etc. I assume Pearce Stadium is not the answer so where is the better/best choice? I recall Ballindereen having a great pitch but that's probably not realistic."
Ballindereen is a decent pitch for this time of the year. They hosted a good few club games in 2021 but the grass was long and the lines very hard to make out. However, in other years, it was a great venue, ideal for club games. Gort the same. The issue with these places is parking facilities etc. Kilbeacanty another great pitch, a lovely stand etc but dont have the parking facilities either. Ballinasloe is the obvious choice for investment. Motorway, parking, in a town with places to eat/drink/stay, already has floodlights. Would be great for the town if they hosted these games.

GalwaysFinest (Galway) - Posts: 190 - 22/11/2022 15:41:35    2448441

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Duggan Park Ballinasloe is the place. Old Town with big wide streets and a easy access motorway unlike Medieval Athenry town with narrow one-way streets. The Fair Green could be bought and smothered in concrete for a mega carpark. Obviously they would have to renvote the old stand and terraces...
13,000 was the old capacity but that was literally shoulder to shoulder packed!! Like the '94 Co. Final when Athenry bate sarsfields!!!!

katser (Galway) - Posts: 2192 - 22/11/2022 16:04:47    2448443

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Replying To Trump2020:  "Of the current pitches in Galway which one would be worth putting a few old quid in as far as room for expansion, location, etc. I assume Pearce Stadium is not the answer so where is the better/best choice? I recall Ballindereen having a great pitch but that's probably not realistic."
Pearse stadium is the only answer. Invest more in the playing surface, which is not actually in bad condition considering the amount of rain we have had over the last few weeks. There will be floodlights installed within the next two years so I can't see any investment going anywhere else

hurlingfan90 (Galway) - Posts: 18 - 22/11/2022 16:20:05    2448444

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Replying To GalwaysFinest:  "Ballindereen is a decent pitch for this time of the year. They hosted a good few club games in 2021 but the grass was long and the lines very hard to make out. However, in other years, it was a great venue, ideal for club games. Gort the same. The issue with these places is parking facilities etc. Kilbeacanty another great pitch, a lovely stand etc but dont have the parking facilities either. Ballinasloe is the obvious choice for investment. Motorway, parking, in a town with places to eat/drink/stay, already has floodlights. Would be great for the town if they hosted these games."
Ballinasloe would be a good choice, has a lot going for it. Don't think Athenry would be a bad choice either. Ballinasloe probably needs a serious amount of investment, the dressing rooms, Stands and facilities are probably up to 1990s standards, a few million is probably needed to bring it up Tullamore, Gaelic Grounds, Nowlan Park level. No one to blame but galway gaa being 15 years behind most big counties with our facilities.

Throughthemidfieldhewasstormin (Wexford) - Posts: 258 - 22/11/2022 16:24:39    2448445

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