GAA Games at Night

[Karina]

I am wondering how the rest of ye feel on this topic. i for one loved going to Kerry matches on Sunday afternoons, no matter how bad the weather was. But have to admit, the thought of watching a game at night in the freezing cold under flood lights in the likes of Austin Stacks park doesn't have to same appeal. I don't see the point. For instance the Kerry V offaly game that was played, if that game was played on a Sunday do ye think the GAA would have made more money out of it??

[milko]

they now prob have to have games at nite to fill the demand from the different tv stations.(setanta, rte and TG4) by havin them on at nite it gives them more games to sell to the stations.

[austinstacksabu]

The lights in Austin Stack park are not the mae west to be honest (as I mentioned in another thread).....especially in the railway corner - very poor. I've been to a few and on one level it works as it gets a younger crowd out who'll head out for the night afterwards. In time it will grow in popularity. They were at it two or three years in Donnybrook with the Leinster games before it really took off.

[Original KYFan]

I think it's a great idea, but agree with ASAbu that the lights in Tralee are not up to par. They need to add a few more posts to get it right.

I wonder how the players feel about them. I'd say it's nice to have a few Sundays to themselves.

[vman]

i agree its a good thing . i was at the first cork v kerry game at pairc ui rinn and i cant say that i wasnt impressed. definately brings a whole new atmosphere but i could see it bein ga bit akward for a fella that might have to drive two hours after a days work and fight into traffic near the park ....compared to the whole get up early and have the diiner early to have a clear run at the day mentality, of a sunday afternoon.it kinda brings a modern "european" feel to the game. horse* i know but thats the way it looks to me

[Karina]

Yea I suppose there is that whole going out on the lash after aspect to it. I still prefer my sunday matches though, making the hang sandwiches in the morn and the flask to tae!

[ashes04]

Ah Saturday night is much better. Wrap up against the cold woman!!

[moth]

I have no problems with the Saturday night games. The game on Friday night in Cork was a bit of a rush after work, but was enjoyable. The good thing about the night matches is that it frees up Sundays for the players, so that they might have a day with the family (suits the older players).

As for the lights in Stacks Park, I think that they are very good. I admit that the Cork lights did look that bit better, but against Offaly I was in the stand and I could see all of the pitch.

As most counties don't have light yet, we'll see more than our share of night matches this year. The danger may be that many supporter may opt for TG4 rather than Stack Park.

[Karina]

Well then from the GAA's point of view it might be more profitable to have matches during the day. Honestly if you had the choice between a lovely fire and watching the match on tele or Austin Stacks, where you can barely see the match and the stand has a whirlwind that would skin you, which would you pick???

[MrT]

tink its a good idea havin games under lights.dat way u can see a game on a sat nite for example and then stay at home on sunday watchin whatever game is on the tele

[kingdomkerry]

i like games on friday/saturday night. Its nice to head out on the beer after. If its cold wrap up.

[JOAN]

I think the issue here is that the Players love to play on a saturday evening. They then get a sunday off. I know that here in New York we are pushing hard to get game played on a saturday to gives the lads the sat night and sunday to themselves. Remember they are working 5-6 day a week also training 3 evening a week. Does not give them much time for anything else. We have to be fair to the players

[Catrionaosullivan]

I love saturday nite games, but friday nite is a different story.
I wud have loved 2 go 2 the Cork match and i was goin on a bus til it was cancled. So as no1 i knew was drivin i cud't go. and afrer school on a friday evenin i ha 2 watch a kerry cork match on tv. (not good)
But i da offaly nd dubin matches wer easy 2 go 2. nd there is a bus goin 2 the Mayo match on easter Sunday so I can go 2 dat 2. (Very handy)

[buck02]

Agree with Abu about the lights in the railway corner, tis like the balck hole of calcutta there. I reckon the Sat night games are a good idea but the Friday night games dont really lend themselves to away supporters. One things for sure though, they're here to stay.

[animal]

Last Saturday was my first experience under lights for a GAA match. I have to say it was excellent. The ground looked better at night. The atmosphere was very good and it wasn't anywhere near as cold as I had expected. They're a fine innovation for the league. As long as the two counties involved are happy to play at night long may it continue. I agree with the previous comments regarding Friday night games. That's just plain awkward for players and fans.

[ArthurG]

The sat night games are of much more benefit to Kerry than the Sunday ones especially if Kerry are playing at home.

In the past the travelling team to Kerry more often than not expected to get a hiding so they treated the whole weekend as a bonding session and went on the razz on the satuarday night around Killarney or Tralee, (remember Fermanagh last year). At least now they can come and give Kerry a competitive game on the Sat evening and go on the razz afterwards.

[austinstacksabu]

Jack O'Connor says he is getting sick of them - he was commenting on it after the game that Kerry haven't played competitively in daylight in the league yet (and only once, against Tipp since the All Ireland)........

[SF]

One bad thing about the night games is less matches for Fitzg Stadium-it will however get the Tyrone game on first Sunday in April.