No advantage to triple-headers at Croke Park
Obviously it won’t happen this year and may not happen for a long time to come, if ever. Of course, if right was right and the ruling of Central Council was observed, the Nicky Rackard Cup should be played before one semi-final and the Christy Ring Cup before the other one. That would ensure maximum coverage and a brilliant profile for the second and third tier counties.
But it’s not happening and this year the lower tier finals – Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher – were all played together in an empty Croke Park on a Saturday in early July. They were played in Croke Park alright, but in a stadium that can hold 82,500 spectators, the atmosphere was grim with barely a couple thousand present.
However, we did have a very attractive double bill on Sunday. Meath and Mayo in football was compelling in itself and Waterford playing Kilkenny in the All-Ireland hurling semi-final meant that you knew you’d be seeing some of the very best talent in the game in action in a do or die battle. Over 61,000 people turned up providing a great atmosphere. We also had a third game – the minor semi-final between Tipp and Kilkenny. But with that game staring at 12 o’clock only the partisans were going to be there for the Angelus.
Personally, I don’t see much advantage in playing triple bills in Croke Park. These minor games would attract a lot more attention and bigger attendances if played as stand alone games at neutral venues or even better still home or away, midweek. Look at how successful the U-21 hurling games are and when minor games are played midweek, as in replays occasionally, crowds of 5,000 plus have attended.
Obviously, other people think differently. It’s good for minor to play in Croke Park but as most of the minor semi-finals involve the most successful teams anyway, I don’t see the absolute necessity of playing them at Angelus time in Croke Park. At that hour of the day and with only a few hardy followers in attendance, there is little or no atmosphere. As the man from Caherciveen said “You’d have more atmosphere in a graveyard under lights.”
A good double bill in Croke Park is ideal. Because of the contrast in the speed of the games, it is always better to play a football game before a hurling game rather than the other way around.
If the hurling game is first, especially if it is a cracker, it’s very hard to adapt to the slower pace of a football game afterwards. Sunday last was a perfect fit. A football game at two, and a hurling game at four gave a good four hours entertainment.
It is too much to expect fans to turn up at noon for a third game. It also puts a great strain on gate men, stewards, Gardaí and officials. It is somewhat unfair on the minor players as well. Their talent and commitment deserves more attention but maybe the honour of just playing in Croke Park is more than ample compensation for these young men. It is a matter I would like to hear debated.
