Gaelic games times being changed to avoid clashing with Soccer game

Being pragmatic rather than dogmatic is to be praised. It's good to see a bit of flexibility in the GGA where once there would have been stubborness. We've all moved on from those days.

It's not just any soccer game either. It is THE premier soccer match of European (and arguably World) club soccer, involving 2 teams, one of which is probably the best supported sports team in this country bar none, the other which plays some of the best football seen in over 30 years.

As a footnote, you will notice that I responded to your thread in an adult manner by assuming that you want a proper debate. Lets not turn the whole summer into the usual bull that goes on as regards attendances etc.

That last sentence wasn't just aimed at you RF, although you are a hoor for winding people up at times (as well you know!)

The match is now changed to 14.30 and proper order........This is one of the biggest club games ever and I'm every sport lover will want to see it.

No i was being genuine db, fair and valid points made as usual from yourself !

HRI’s market research has told them that only 23% of the Irish population are interested in horse racing, which doesn’t compare well with the market share enjoyed by Gaelic games (50%), rugby (48%) and soccer (47%).

To be honest I don't believe it's 23% even. An interest in gambling does not meant an interest in racing. Outside of the festivals the crowds suggest no where even near a 23% figure.

I saw that report.......23% are interested in racing but a small % are regular racegoers.......the attendance at Irish sporting fixtures report had Rugby, Horse and Greyound racing @25%.....GAA had 63%......The Figures in your Fintan O'Toole piece had a figure of 60% and he goes on CSO figures..............So on figures Soccer is popular and people will want to see Man Utd and Barcelona.

Lads do you agree or not with the GAA moving to suit soccer though? It's yes or no answer, gant stop speaking in riddles !

Yes as per my earlier post......It's only a one off game so no harm done.

2:30pm throw up on a saturday is a joke, different thing if it was a backdoor qualifier, one of these counties fans may have only 2 games in the championship and one is being played at 2:30 on a saturday.

Pandering to other sports especially soccer won't go down well in a lot of gaelic football households !

This aint a two bit soccer match......Most GAA fans follow the premiership and the champions league.........the day of the auld die hard is gone.

I don't like your attitude gant it's very much 'if you can't beat it join it" but fair enough each to their own mate.

Sorry to dissapoint you.........you won't draw out a "them and us" slagging match out of me on this one.

Man Utd and Barcelona will serve up a cracker and I for one will be in the packed local pub to savour it and roll back down the following day to a classic served up by Tipperary and Cork...........counting the days.

Gant simple question just not annoy you this much, always has been a 'them and us' you are lieing to yourself if you think it does not exist, the people who brought in the ban are probably turning in their graves at this pandering.

Anyway mate don't want to fall out with you so if it does annoy you just ignore it and pretend i never asked it mate.

Cop on always welcomed from sporting organisations and forumites alike.

[;)]

hope the down -- armagh match gets changed also

Rocketfingers............did you choose not to tell us anti soccer GAA bigots that the FA CUP FINAL was changed to facilitate the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE final.

Not to mention the fact that the LOI changed their whole SEASON so as not to clash with the Premiership!

The local soccer leagues still run from September to May.

i think ye lads are missing the point .....football moving for football is ok its the same game ...each nation accepting that the premiership is the most powerfull....now in a country whose claim that gaa is THE only game in town ..when it comes to the GAA changing ITS times....well THATS different ...

C'mon lads it's a pointless arguement, if they feel attendance or viewing may be effected they are right to do so. Many people will want to view both events.

The English Greyhoud Derby Final has been put back 2 weeks to avoid a clash with the Champions League

The Irish Derby Final was moved forward a day a few years ago to avoid a clash with an Ireland game

The Hennessy Gold Cup at Leopardstown was moved a day to avoid a clash between Ireland v France in the 6 Nations at Croke Park

welcome back mate ...you heading down tonight ...?...i wont be there myself hopefully celebrating a rovers  victory......

Yeah i'll be there hopefully roaring Master Blaster and Deerfield Music home Master Blaster wins me a right amount if he can pull it off.

Had a beano at Wimbledon last night, 4 bets all won, Nambisco 2/1, Taylors Cruise 11/8 and them 2 doubled and Pennys Viking 6/1. Hopefully that form continues into tonight

can you put 100 on deerfield for me till next sat ...he ran a cracker last week melias did him twice .....draw will suit as well tks ....

sorry send that off to quick ment to add well done on wimb....thought master blaster was home and hosed last week ..think he needs to lead near line..good luck tonigt...

yeah no problem

tks sat ....

Either he's a bit screwy of the outside may have been a bit quicker due to conditions, sure if you're not in ye can't win. Afraid i can't wish ye good luck tonight im sure you understand

yeah no problem ....i honestly was counting my money turning in last week ...i think he needs someone to have a look between his ears tbh....

Workrider........times have changed and you have to adapt or be left behind.......that's my point.

The sooner Judas cooney is "removed" the better !

He still has a year left scooby.........

The Future is uncertain Gant and the end is always near !

You've already been left behind gant

As long as I'm not left behind tomorrow morning as I make my way across to Stamford Bridge to watch the soccer..............

I will be in the Athletic Grounds to see us tank Armagh on the Saturday night

Great to hear Stranworst !

The Northern folk were never going to bow down to soccer after all that's gone on up there......Fair play.

What do you mean what has gone on up there gant? The actual game of soccer/football never caused that !

Lots of GAA players-members   have been killed by British forces and their allys so they tend to be very proud of their GAA interests .....

I would say the loyalist element would mostly be associated with soccer in the North.........GAA fans from the North can come down to any part of the south to a match and sit or stand unsegregated.........The upcoming game between the the Republic and Northern Ireland......all fans coming from the North have to arrive by coach and ushered into the stadium and the same on the way out.......that's unheard of.

No it's not it happens a lot in derbies, there are religious differences and political differences between both set of fans that does not occur in the GAA. Remember it is Northern Irish fans who caused trouble the last time they were down and are only supported by loyalist followers our lads have never caused any bother. GAA fans and Northern Irish footballl fans would not mix well, you can hardly expect republic of Irish fans to mix well with them given the differences that exist? Rugby is different kettle a fish as far as i am concerned.

Well it probably proves the point how GAA people in the North view parts of the soccer set uup......not all soccer up North is like that.
It's bad enough some of the young lads have to declare for the Republic.........I don't think I will ever see the day when we have a 32 county soccer team.....The GAA and Rugby models work well.

GAA in the North is more than a game........it's an identity.

http://castroller.com/Podcasts/DocumentaryOnOne/2243989-DocArchive%20A%20Belfast%20Game

Fascinating and tragic documentary on GAA in the Belfast. Featuring the Ardoyne Kickhams 1969 U16 team and the huge number of them who died over the course of the troubles. If you have a spare half an hour it's very interesting.

Sport should never be blamed for society's greater ills.