Tullamore is the finesht, but I dont like that big open area at the back of the town end, its very unseemly looking.
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Jesus thatâs a massive crowd for an U17 game. Great to see, and particularly given the counties involved.
I wonder was there any photo taken from a similar angle in the second half when the Leix crowd ran out the gates and abandoned their young lads?
Who did this mate?
Thereâs so much to be said for those kind of games on in Portlaoise or similar size stadium than a quarter empty Croker. It worked to an extent in Croker for offaly roscommon last year, but those are huge fanbases and the GAA got away with it. Much better option having it in a packed out 20k or so place. If itâs sold out early and some people miss out then so be it.
The narrative of players wanting to play in Croker is a myth surely too. Who would want to play in a soulless Croker over a packed, cauldron of a place
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Great post. There have been a few All Ireland minor replays over the years that attracted great crowds in provincal grounds.
Dublin/Laois in Carlow 03 and Roscommon/Kerry in Ennis in 06
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Not a final but didnât Tipp and Cork have a hum dinger of a minor replay in a packed Pairc Ui Rinn around 2017
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Yeah 2017 is right. Massive crowd. 8k IIRC
The club final replay between Cuala and NAP that year also got a good crowd and atmosphere in Portlaoise.
Croke Park should be for games that are guaranteed to sell north of 60k. Anything under that and youâd notice the life being sucked out of it.
Club scene and underage level, you have Mayo Cork u21 up the country a few years ago, Ballygunner and Borris in PUR, etc. Even take Kildare and Dubs in Newbridge this year. It was a hostile cauldron of a place.
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While I agree with your point, the GAA doesnât have another stadium that can deal with crowds of 45k+. So thatâs a cut-off by default.
All Ireland semis tend to get 50k minimum, but the two recent replays (Kerry vs Mayo in 2014, Galway vs Clare in 2018) that were played beyond The Pale looked like great occasions.
Poor crowd in Portlaoise by comparison with the hurling decider earlier this week. Dublin look comfortable enough
Dubs run out easy winners, 2-10 to 0-7
Minor hurling:
Galway 0-14 : Clare 0-6 ht
Finished 0-25 to 0-9. Clare play Laois for the chance of a q-final spot next, I wouldnât be overly hopeful
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I thought Clare looked good in the Munster final. Were a bit unlucky not to win it. Maybe some dirty diesel in the tank today.
Cork had a v average minor side this yr, and thats being diplomatic and Clare didnât exactly bury them.
Just passing through Thurles there and the chopper with The Great Man on board has landed
Joe Canning?
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Never thought Iâd see the day when Kilkenny would play a sweeperâŚbut there he is #12 Peter McDonald.
Very generous umpire - weâll take it.