Tommy Martin: A big day out - Irish sport has embraced the event junkie
MAKING A BIG MACK MEAL OF IT: Connacht’s Mack Hansen with fans after the Connacht-Munster clash at MacHale Park. Pic: INPHO/James Crombie
There was a time, not too long ago, when calling Irish sports fans ‘event junkies’ was intended as a criticism. This was the time of post-Celtic Tiger shame, when our tendency to turn up in droves at big top jamboree days was seen as a sign of inherent moral weakness. It insinuated that we were at a fundamental level a nation of flibbertigibbets, not to be taken seriously.
The tag would get used to compare the masses supporting the Irish rugby team at World Cups with the thin crowds going to AIL matches. You’d have the ticket scramble for All-Ireland finals and wonder where they all were for National League games played in the icy squalls of February. When the Republic of Ireland qualified for a major tournament and brought with them a 25,000 strong stag party, many would be questioned as to their League of Ireland credentials.
