McGill: Six Nations timing won’t hinder GAA gates

The GAA aren’t concerned about attendances at Sunday’s inter-county games being impacted by the Six Nations clash of France and Ireland.

Nine Allianz Football League games and the M Donnelly Interprovincial hurling final will be underway as the rescheduled international game kicks off in Paris at 3pm.

GAA director of games administration and player welfare Feargal McGill said the crowds that turned up for Kerry v Armagh and Mayo v Dublin on the evening of the original France v Ireland fixture on February 11 gives them cause for optimism.

“The two games that were scheduled for when Ireland and France were due to play earlier this month attracted 10,000 in Castlebar and 6,000 in Tralee. The rugby game on Sunday might have some effect but the impact can be overplayed. People have interests in several sports in the modern world and a GAA fan can’t be seen as just a GAA fan, but I think this can be overplayed. Having said that, there are certain occasions like World Cups and European Championships that can have an effect on crowds at GAA games.”

McGill is uncertain about what impact the Republic of Ireland soccer team’s involvement in the European Championships will have on GAA fixtures, even though they have only one weekend fixture and it’s an evening one.

“It’s an entertainment business and any alternative to what we’re offering has the potential to affect our crowds.”