Jane,

The closest and biggest rugby club to me in Belfast is based in South Belfast and is located just off the Malone Road. Now I don't know if you know Belfast but the Malone area wouldn't be claiming too much DLA if you catch my drift. I'll give them their dues tbf they seem to have a good relationship with St Brigids GAC who also hail from the Malone area. I would imagine it is a relationship that benefits both sides both off and on the pitch.
However, aside from that one club in Belfast there is no crossover anywhere else when it comes to GAA and rugby mixing. In Belfast it is a toffs and issue also a religious one to an extent. Im certainly not saying it applies across the board with the likes of Limerick as you have pointed out.
I must hold my hands up at this point and say I enjoy watching it, maybe not as much now as the games are more like arm wrestles but I would watch a good open game of rugby any day before soccer.
However, there is no getting away from the fact that there is a class issue in most parts of the country as others have stated and that both rte and definitely the bbc promote it more than other sports. The head of BBC sport is a rugby man and I believe the head of rte sport is a rugby man so how can you really argue that it doesn't get more air time than it warrants coupled with mediaman's stats.
In fact ice hockey, yeah that well known irish sport, gets more air time than hurling ffs when it comes to good oul auntie. Again that is catering for the middle class kids who go and watch them.

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 25/02/2016 12:56:42    1828070

extrajero -sorry to hear about both your plights mentioned- not happy to heaar them at all

re playing soccer in scholl seems more like the old anti-foreign sport attitude rate than elitism. Either way, I think it was an unfair policy too
RE no GAA in school -thats wrong just wrong-unless there was a practical reason not to e.g. cost (possibly overcome by linking with local GAA club,, but when the kids want to do -it should be encouraged

As for the rugby fraternity not allowing GAA on a public pitch- i think thats wrong too - BUT it sounds like a similar reaction that could be received should a rugby club seek to use the facilities of a GAA club (this would be wrong too all clubs should help each other -as we are basically involved in the same aim health,fitness enjoyment)

http://www.clontarfrugby.com/news/delighted-to-welcome-clontarf-gaa-to-make-use-of-our-new-all-weather-pitch/
click on this link great to see Clontarf RFC welcoming CLontarf GAA to use their all weather pitch - thats the cooperation between clubs i want to see

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 25/02/2016 12:57:51    1828071

Soma -firstly thank you for your praise of my coaching efforts - to be honest i get great enjoyment from coaching them both

in my day i did wonder the universities of dublin in my limerick jersey - the only jip i got was slaggin from tipp and clare fans (all good natured to be honest), the more slaggin i got the more i wore the jersey (unwashed for days at a time!! no wonder i was single for so long!!), great fun though. AS for 6 nations being a worldwide event -heres my response to extrajanero

as a die hard rugby fan (and gaa fan) who hails from an areas where the travails of munsters, shannon , garryowen et al are the be all and end all - even i would have to say my response to your 2 queries above are ...A none and B none.....their loss in my opinion !!
janesboro (Limerick) - Posts:219 - 22/02/2016 17:54:05  

I would prefer a 60 minute show , keep the existing GAA on TV and add to it, and my preference is more matches less talk (have same view re sunday game) , issue in my own gaa club where im coach (sorry Director of hurling!!) to under 6s re girls is getting numbers, no issue getting boys out. But girls take after their Mam's and they are a bit less likely to be interested. We are working on it though. But more exposure on TV would help. The GAA ladies and camogie associations need to be proactive on this. Something need to fill the void left by sports stadium!

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 25/02/2016 13:12:24    1828078

Janesboro firstly fair play to you on your coaching of hurling and rugby, such volunteerism in Ireland is something you do not get in many other countries and should be recognised as something for the country to be proud of.
However to suggest that the school I mentioned is the only one in Ireland where gaelic games is prohibited, either explicitly or implicitly, is naiive in the extreme. Spend a while walking around the universities of Dublin in your Limerick jersey and listen to the number of references you will hear to 'bogball' and 'stickball'. Walk around anywhere in Ireland in your Munster jersey and no notice will be taken.
I like that when anyone who would like to see gaelic games get some extra exposure on RTE makes a point you immediately demand sources, but Ormo posts a link to viewership figures in the UK for a single day of the 6nations as proof of it being a major world sporting event and you let it pass without comment!
As for ideas on how to get a fairer balance on RTE of gaelic games coverage I would suggest it is time that camogie and ladies football had their own dedicated 30 minute show on during the summer which could have highlights, previews and interviews with what are some of Irelands finest female athletes, many of them bright ladies who could be a role-model for young girls. It is in the nations interest to get more young girls in particular involved in sport and to keep them involved - there is either a camogie or ladies football club in almost every corner of Ireland so why not promote the games and those who have reached the very top? If needs be, sacrifice the mens preview show to accommodate it in the schedule, though I would suggest there is ample opportunity to show it without having to do this.
Soma (UK) - Posts:1310 - 25/02/2016 12:47:29Which school is GAA prohibited in as most of the big rugby schools play some amount of gaa and there is a Dublin rugby schools gaa championship
Quit with the calling me ormo. You cant come from anywhere high and mighty about my posting style when you call me by that name.

Jane, The closest and biggest rugby club to me in Belfast is based in South Belfast and is located just off the Malone Road. Now I don't know if you know Belfast but the Malone area wouldn't be claiming too much DLA if you catch my drift. I'll give them their dues tbf they seem to have a good relationship with St Brigids GAC who also hail from the Malone area. I would imagine it is a relationship that benefits both sides both off and on the pitch.
However, aside from that one club in Belfast there is no crossover anywhere else when it comes to GAA and rugby mixing. In Belfast it is a toffs and issue also a religious one to an extent. Im certainly not saying it applies across the board with the likes of Limerick as you have pointed out.
I must hold my hands up at this point and say I enjoy watching it, maybe not as much now as the games are more like arm wrestles but I would watch a good open game of rugby any day before soccer. However, there is no getting away from the fact that there is a class issue in most parts of the country as others have stated and that both rte and definitely the bbc promote it more than other sports. The head of BBC sport is a rugby man and I believe the head of rte sport is a rugby man so how can you really argue that it doesn't get more air time than it warrants coupled with mediaman's stats.
In fact ice hockey, yeah that well known irish sport, gets more air time than hurling ffs when it comes to good oul auntie. Again that is catering for the middle class kids who go and watch them.
bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts:1122 - 25/02/2016 12:56:42Is rugby really a "toffs" sport in Belfast as not my experience of games in the city in variety of clubs. Religion is a role but "toffs" no.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 25/02/2016 17:09:51    1828185

Janesboro firstly fair play to you on your coaching of hurling and rugby, such volunteerism in Ireland is something you do not get in many other countries and should be recognised as something for the country to be proud of.
However to suggest that the school I mentioned is the only one in Ireland where gaelic games is prohibited, either explicitly or implicitly, is naiive in the extreme. Spend a while walking around the universities of Dublin in your Limerick jersey and listen to the number of references you will hear to 'bogball' and 'stickball'. Walk around anywhere in Ireland in your Munster jersey and no notice will be taken.
I like that when anyone who would like to see gaelic games get some extra exposure on RTE makes a point you immediately demand sources, but Ormo posts a link to viewership figures in the UK for a single day of the 6nations as proof of it being a major world sporting event and you let it pass without comment!
As for ideas on how to get a fairer balance on RTE of gaelic games coverage I would suggest it is time that camogie and ladies football had their own dedicated 30 minute show on during the summer which could have highlights, previews and interviews with what are some of Irelands finest female athletes, many of them bright ladies who could be a role-model for young girls. It is in the nations interest to get more young girls in particular involved in sport and to keep them involved - there is either a camogie or ladies football club in almost every corner of Ireland so why not promote the games and those who have reached the very top? If needs be, sacrifice the mens preview show to accommodate it in the schedule, though I would suggest there is ample opportunity to show it without having to do this.
Soma (UK) - Posts:1310 - 25/02/2016 12:47:29Which school is GAA prohibited in as most of the big rugby schools play some amount of gaa and there is a Dublin rugby schools gaa championship
Quit with the calling me ormo. You cant come from anywhere high and mighty about my posting style when you call me by that name.

Jane, The closest and biggest rugby club to me in Belfast is based in South Belfast and is located just off the Malone Road. Now I don't know if you know Belfast but the Malone area wouldn't be claiming too much DLA if you catch my drift. I'll give them their dues tbf they seem to have a good relationship with St Brigids GAC who also hail from the Malone area. I would imagine it is a relationship that benefits both sides both off and on the pitch.
However, aside from that one club in Belfast there is no crossover anywhere else when it comes to GAA and rugby mixing. In Belfast it is a toffs and issue also a religious one to an extent. Im certainly not saying it applies across the board with the likes of Limerick as you have pointed out.
I must hold my hands up at this point and say I enjoy watching it, maybe not as much now as the games are more like arm wrestles but I would watch a good open game of rugby any day before soccer. However, there is no getting away from the fact that there is a class issue in most parts of the country as others have stated and that both rte and definitely the bbc promote it more than other sports. The head of BBC sport is a rugby man and I believe the head of rte sport is a rugby man so how can you really argue that it doesn't get more air time than it warrants coupled with mediaman's stats.
In fact ice hockey, yeah that well known irish sport, gets more air time than hurling ffs when it comes to good oul auntie. Again that is catering for the middle class kids who go and watch them.
bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts:1122 - 25/02/2016 12:56:42Is rugby really a "toffs" sport in Belfast as not my experience of games in the city in variety of clubs. Religion is a role but "toffs" no.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 25/02/2016 17:09:51    1828186

BBC Sport website got more traffic during a 6 Nations than during the London 2012 Olympics....

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts:10923 - 25/02/2016 10:52:09

Quote from linked article...
The BBC Sport website also recorded its highest ever traffic, with 8.22 million unique UK browsers, beating the previous online record of 8.03 million during the London Olympics in 2012.

That's UK traffic, not major international traffic, so again doesn't back up your claims that the 6nations is a major world sporting event. It does kind of back up my opinion that the 6nations is a major regional event though, so thanks for that! :)

extranjero (Wexford) - Posts: 375 - 25/02/2016 20:41:35    1828251

another day gone by and not one single suggestion or bit of proactivity to help GAA coverage, its all anti rugby anti rte etc etc

in regard to womens sports.... double headers play, camogie final prior to all ireland semi or all ireland under 21 final, maybe as part of triple header even

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts:220 - 25/02/2016 09:43:44

For me, a problem in the GAA that needs a proactive solution is the mess that is the fixtures calendar, especially for club players, if the GAA want to promote the game a bit better. A centralised calendar, with set weekends for football, hurling and club fixtures (and when it's a designated club weekend, force county boards to play club championship games, no matter who they're playing the next week!). A better structure could be easier to promote the games.
And as regards the camogie final as an undercard match for hurling finals/semifinals, that in turn would mean the undercard junior camogie matches normally played at the camogie final would lose exposure, so it's a potential double edged sword. And don't forget Christy Ring,etc., finals, they deserve a better spot aswell!

extranjero (Wexford) - Posts: 375 - 25/02/2016 21:02:05    1828257

The thing about the Olympics is.......it's a huge event but it's actually full of sports that people mostly don't give a s**t about. Name me a judo man, or someone who plays volleyball, handball, shooting, whatever. The Olympics is the ultimate event junkie showpiece. Everyone wants to be involved while it's happening but no one cares about most of those sports in the intervening 4 year break.

So of course rugby beats the Olympics in terms of internet traffic.

MedwayIrish (Wexford) - Posts: 2324 - 25/02/2016 21:08:19    1828262

By the way Extranjero, whereabouts are you based in Wexford out of interest? My lot are scattered all over but mainly in the western part, between New Ross and Enniscorthy. Well, between Clonroche and Rathnure to be more specific, although the uncle I get on best with is just down the road from Glynn GAA which is where I stayed when I was last over.

MedwayIrish (Wexford) - Posts: 2324 - 25/02/2016 21:10:59    1828264

Quote from linked article...
The BBC Sport website also recorded its highest ever traffic, with 8.22 million unique UK browsers, beating the previous online record of 8.03 million during the London Olympics in 2012.

That's UK traffic, not major international traffic, so again doesn't back up your claims that the 6nations is a major world sporting event. It does kind of back up my opinion that the 6nations is a major regional event though, so thanks for that! :)

extranjero (Wexford) - Posts:48 - 25/02/2016 20:41:35 3.1 million downloads worldwide of the 6nations app https://www.accenture.com/gb-en/company-rbs-six-nations.aspx
I could post dozens more links of similar but I just don't ...

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 25/02/2016 21:24:04    1828270

The viewing figures for 2015 show the huge commercial importance to RTE of football and hurling. Of the 7 most watched sporting events on RTE in 2015 4 were under the auspices of the GAA (3 football and 1 hurling).

1. The All-Ireland Football Final watched by 881,600 (market share 60.28%)
2. Ireland v Bosnia soccer watched by 793,400 (market share 40.20%)
3. Ireland v Poland soccer watched by 772,100 (market share 41.03%)
4. Ireland v England Rugby Union watched by 760,300 (market share 53.33%)
5. The All-Ireland Hurling Final watched by 741,900 (market share 60.44%)
6. The All-Ireland Football Semi-Final watched by 682,600 (market share 61.19%)
7. The All-Ireland Football Semi-Final Replay watched by 679,100 (market share 60.74%)

On the basis of these figures RTE stands to accrue much more revenue from hurling and football than other sports. Which makes their decision to promote the other main sports more than football and hurling all the more bizarre or as this thread suggests 'unfair'.

mediaman (Antrim) - Posts: 355 - 25/02/2016 21:46:10    1828279

The thought that poor Ormo is trawling the Internet in the desperate hope of finding something that suggests anymore than a handful of countries have any interest in the 6nations is amusing - how many websites do you need to look at before you get to that latest site? In the last 2 seasons the gaa championships have been watched on subscription in approximately 100 countries, I suppose we now must call that a major world sporting event as well.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 25/02/2016 21:54:43    1828284

The viewing figures for 2015 show the huge commercial importance to RTE of football and hurling. Of the 7 most watched sporting events on RTE in 2015 4 were under the auspices of the GAA (3 football and 1 hurling).

1. The All-Ireland Football Final watched by 881,600 (market share 60.28%)
2. Ireland v Bosnia soccer watched by 793,400 (market share 40.20%)
3. Ireland v Poland soccer watched by 772,100 (market share 41.03%)
4. Ireland v England Rugby Union watched by 760,300 (market share 53.33%)
5. The All-Ireland Hurling Final watched by 741,900 (market share 60.44%)
6. The All-Ireland Football Semi-Final watched by 682,600 (market share 61.19%)
7. The All-Ireland Football Semi-Final Replay watched by 679,100 (market share 60.74%)

On the basis of these figures RTE stands to accrue much more revenue from hurling and football than other sports. Which makes their decision to promote the other main sports more than football and hurling all the more bizarre or as this thread suggests 'unfair'.

mediaman (Antrim) - Posts:291 - 25/02/2016 21:46:10 1828279


Ok can I first state I am broadly in favour of what you're looking to achieve. Whilst I like all sports I am primarily a GAA fan and would love there to be more GAA coverage.

I'm not saying that the GAA doesn't deserve more TV exposure but the methods you are using to determine that it does are very flawed. You can't quote viewership figures for the top games and use that as a measure of how much revenue RTE stand to gain.

Revenue is added at the margins. RTE show roughly 40 live games a season. To see if RTE should add more GAA you need to look at how much the 40th most watched game is drawing. Compare that to the least most watched soccer game shown and the least most watched rugby game.

Throughout this thread you have been highlighting the current lack of GAA coverage, but it is the off-season. You then quote average attendance figures only for the championship and measure them against the average attendance of the LOI, but the championship is well covered already so you have to look at whether the National League or club championships on their own deserve more attention, they can't piggy back off the championship. The same interest level for the All-Ireland is not there for club championship in the same way that the interest in the Pro12 is not the same as the six nations and the interest in the LOI is not the same as that of the Irish soccer team. You shouldn't be cherry-picking stats to suit your argument.

That would not hold any water if you were to go further with this and start presenting people with your findings.

This is intended as constructive criticism. As I say I like what you're attempting to do.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4512 - 26/02/2016 09:36:42    1828305

3.1 million downloads worldwide of the 6nations app https://www.accenture.com/gb-en/company-rbs-six-nations.aspx
I could post dozens more links of similar but I just don't ...

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts:10936 - 25/02/2016 21:24:04


Quote from link;
"Over the past four years users from over 150 countries have downloaded and updated the app more than 3.1 million times."

Downloaded and updated. Seems to suggest that of the 3.1million, everytime the software is updated, and someone who has the app. applies the update, they count it as another user. So, if we take the conservative view that the app updates just once a year, that means that someone who downloaded the app only once 4years ago, is actually being attributed to 4 or more downloads.

Also, the 3.1million is based over a four year stretch. So let's do a little math.

3100000/4years=775000 average downloads and updates per year.

Divide that 775000 by 150 countries and you arrive at an average of 5166.66 downloads and updates per country per year.

Not exactly a huge number, especially when you have to consider the download and update figures for the UK, Ireland, France and Italy are likely much higher, and which in turn would significantly lower the average in the other countries.

Basically, there's a lack of adequate information, eg. numbers of downloads and updates separated on a yearly basis, and how many downloads and updates by individual country, or even continent or region, that could provide us with relevant statistical data to evaluate one aspect of 6nations/rugby's global appeal.
In other words, the statistic is ambiguous, and therefore, again, largely irrelevant.

extranjero (Wexford) - Posts: 375 - 26/02/2016 09:44:15    1828307

Is rugby really a "toffs" sport in Belfast as not my experience of games in the city in variety of clubs. Religion is a role but "toffs" no.

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts:10936 - 25/02/2016 17:09:51 1828186

Yes it is!

Ive already stated there are no rugby clubs that in west and north belfast- predominantly working class areas

There is one that im aware of in East Belfast - predominantly working class with leafy suburbs further out

There are maybe 3 or 4 based in south Belfast - predominantly middle and upper class areas with the odd working class area

Im sure you'll tell me different though oracle because you visit Belfast a couple of times a year and of course because you say it, then it must be true !

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 26/02/2016 10:38:47    1828323

@MedwayIrish,
I know what you mean about olympics. At times it appears we're a nation who love to be on the bandwagon, be it soccer in the 80's and 90's, rugby in the last 15 years, cricket in the previous decade, or whenever a county in GAA gets on a good run, watch the people turn up in their droves!
And I'm a New Ross district man, but I'm not naming the club because I've seen a few other Wexican attitudes to it on this site, and I don't want that discrimination! :)

extranjero (Wexford) - Posts: 375 - 26/02/2016 11:32:13    1828353

Bumpernut

In fairness man what would you know about Belfast in comparison from someone from Clare or Tipp?

Now I on the other hand was in Belfast last summer for a few days so I know all you say is untrue about rugby in our second city! Lads playing rugby all around the council estates and council flats as far as the eye could see. Sure it's the same down here in Dublin in working class areas. You can barely move for the young fellas in Leinster shirts!

Rugby really is the people's game in Belfast and Dublin....;)

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13795 - 26/02/2016 14:07:21    1828417

I think the bias comes more from the type of coverage rather than the amount. Not just the negative slant of the stories but look at some of the photos related to articles on RTE or the Indo etc. They will nearly always show two guys squaring up to each other, or pulling and dragging when its a GAA photo.

As to the Global importance of rugby etc. that is put forward. Remember this is marketing, professional sport is a business so you have to look behind the figures to the moeny. Lived in Asia and rugby is NON-EXISTENT. I now life in France, in rugby country (south-west) but up to 2 years ago lived for 10+ years in Paris. The 6 Nations....few if anyone watches it...unless it is a 21h00 kickoff. So even in France rugby struggles to get into the top 10 sports. Basketball, tennis, handball etc are all ahead of it.

I like rugby but it will never replace the GAA. Why? It is a business and the clubs are NOT important it is only the professional teams that count.

Because they are Professional they will do everything and anything the media want, it is all part of the sales process. Whereas the GAA have this 'uck'em attitude. Hence the rugby get better coverage.

Problem is GAA people believe the negative bullshit in the papers.

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 26/02/2016 14:23:03    1828425

He lives in his own wee bubble mesamis

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 26/02/2016 14:59:22    1828445

He lives in his own wee bubble mesamis

bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts:1128 - 26/02/2016 14:59:22

It's probably a nice bubble though.

You know, filled with the right sort of people.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13795 - 26/02/2016 15:16:07    1828454