With proper marketing Dublin games could swell GAA coffers
Two shades of blue dominated the lively commuter carriages meaning those punters wearing the green and red of Mayo or the red of Munster were spared the usual slagging in enemy territory as Dublin and Leinster supporters mingled and mocked each other in light-heartened tones.
Needless to say the terms ‘bogball’ and ‘egg-chasing’ were spread liberally along the length of the train.
Overall, over 70,000 people swept into the Aviva and Croke Park for the fares on offer either side of the Liffey and it would be interesting to show the DVDs of both to someone from Peru or Papua New Guinea and pick their brains. One game featured 36 scores. Five were goals, a currency common the world over regardless of the code. The other offered up one score of note, Brian O’Driscoll briefly igniting a dull evening in D4.
These were two games played between what are commonly regarded as the two best sides on the island in their respective codes – with apologies to those who would present a case for Ulster, Kerry, Cork or maybe Tyrone. Yet the standout memory of the night in Ballsbridge was referee Alain Rolland holding interminable discussions with a succession of players. It may well have been necessary but in terms of TV it’s about as exciting as Songs of Praise.
We could only imagine what our foreign friends might have made of it all given the absence of any South Pacific or South America players. But could you imagine the shock if it was explained to them rugby was the international sport played in front of 50,000-plus people while the scorefest with the round ball was an indigenous game relatively unknown beyond these shores? A crowd of ‘just’ 22,697 turned up at GAA HQ.
That the 31 other counties would dearly love such numbers is irrelevant. Dublin could and should attract far more people. They would, too, if they were marketed properly during the league, but the fact they can bring in the crowd they did despite a near-media and marketing blackout is proof of the potential.
News this week the GAA signed a TV deal with Sky Sports should worry the rugby fraternity given what Leinster and Munster offered up. This was supposed to be the highlight of the Pro12 season but how could it live up to that billing when the players on both sides hadn’t played together in those jerseys since the last round of European pool games? Pretty much all the Irish interpros are diluted by the absence of some of biggest stars and the paucity of interest and opposition provided by the three other countries in the competition is more worrying. Take for example that, with less than two months of the season to go, Leinster have yet to lose a game to Welsh sides. There are many damning stats with which to beat the regions but that is up there with them.
The Heineken Cup has painted over the shortcomings with what the players like to call their ‘bread and butter’ competition but it never ceases to amaze the crowds that file into the four provincial grounds to see second-string sides take on Newport Gwent Dragons or Zebre. League football and hurling doesn’t look at all unappetising in comparison and the controversial deal between the GAA and Sky may be evidence the native code is beginning to get its act together.
There is no guarantee Sky will provide that impetus.
True they revolutionised sports as diverse as football, cricket and darts but Rupert Murdoch’s lot have been covering rugby league’s RFL for donkey’s years and, not only has the quintessentially north of England game failed to expand its borders beyond isolated outposts in London and Catalonia, it has and is suffering in its traditional heartland.
Rugby here has been far more successful in spreading its gospel into areas previously evangelised by rival sports. Its structures have delivered success. Its players are among the best and most professional – the two are not always found in such proximity — in Europe. With such sustained interest in a European Cup saved from oblivion and a national team rediscovering its mojo you could be fooled into thinking that everything is hunky dory.
It’s not. Someday soon the GAA will realise it must venture out from the comforting cocoon of its summer extravaganzas and put some proper time, effort and money into colonising the winter and spring months for itself rather than allow rugby an uncontested stage. The Sky deal has raised the stakes. What happens next will be very interesting.
* Email: brendan.obrien@examiner.ie Twitter: @Rackob
