Bit of a strange one this week. 'Demoted' said one Sunday newspaper. MNS is 'demoted' to the midnight hour because of Euro 2008.
Actually, making way for Italy versus Holland is nothing to be too ashamed of, if we're all to be honest. Yes, it's a bit of an inconvenience, particularly for our younger viewers who may not be able to stay up until midnight on a school night, but the programme is available on the RTÉ website at www.rte.ie/mns. However, if you're reading this you probably already know that.
The same writer who described this week's change of transmission time as a demotion, also spoke about the handful of viewers the programme has. Last week's show had 86,000 viewers, which is more than will attend any sporting event here this summer.
Would the same writer talk about a 'handful' of people turning up at Croke Park to watch this year's All-Ireland final? I think not. However, after much positive comment about the programme in the broadcast and print media, I suppose it's inevitable that somebody should start taking a few pot shots at us.
Incidentally, we've been really encouraged by the amount of hits the mns website is receiving, and it's so heartening to get emails from viewers as far afield as Buffalo, New York, Texas, Los Angeles, Australia, and many, many places in-between as well. How strange it must be to be sitting in Buenos Aires watching Bohs, or Caracas watching Cork. I never cease to be amazed by the wonders of modern technology.
After the programme last night Pat Morley told us a great story about Damien Richardson and an egg sandwich. The next time the two of them are on the show together we'll get Pat to share the yarn with you all. It was very funny. I think Morley is still trying to come to terms with the fact that we haven't yet featured any of his golden moments from days of yore in the Raiders Of The Lost Archive segment.
He was quick to remind me of his goals in Europe against the likes of Galatasaray and Rangers, and the fact that he regularly scored against Shamrock Rovers too! To be honest, it was so long ago I'd forgotten about that, but if he says it's true, I'd better believe him.
One of the things that struck me as I watched the highlights of the games this week is how far we have to go with facilities at many of the grounds. Jackman Park in Limerick was not a great advertisement for eircom League soccer. Non-league venues are non-league venues, and it's very hard to dress up a field with a barrier around it to make it look like a football stadium, but the ground in Limerick just didn't make for great TV, especially when you take into account that our programme came on after two live matches in Euro 2008 (albeit with CSI in between, and nobody or nothing would move CSI from its 10pm slot in the schedule).
The stadia at the Euros may not be the biggest, but they are full, which from a TV perspective its very important, and they're also very colourful. Fans are now wearing their country colours much more than they used to, and it makes for a very impressive spectacle. I noticed at Páirc Uí Chaoimh last Sunday that it was the exact same between Cork and Tipp. You could identify every section of the ground as being populated by Cork or Tipperary fans because they were big blocks of red and blue, and in some cases they inter-mingled, which is always nice to see.
The point I'm making is that if the league is trying to coax the so-called 'barstoolers' out of the comfort of the pub or their front room to go to support their local team, venues like that in Limerick will make it a struggle to achieve that goal. I don't mean to be down on Limerick. I know several people have made great efforts at the club to try to tap in to the sports mad population in the city, but it's an uphill battle when you're competing with rugby, Gaelic football and hurling.
It strikes me that the city is easily big enough to support a successful soccer team. I know Eoin Hand still has very fond memories of his time there, but the modern customer wants comfort, a nice seat, clean toilets, somewhere to buy a drink and something to eat. Not having been to Jackman Park, I'm not sure whether those facilities are available, but I'd be concerned that the casual viewer won't have been particularly impressed.
Overall, I was disappointed with the size of the crowds for last weekend's FAI Cup third round matches. There were a lot of empty seats on our screens on Monday night, but I'd be hopeful that as the rounds progress bigger teams will come face-to-face and that will attract better attendances. The reality is, that with money getting tighter and petrol prices seemingly on a sharp upward spiral, people's disposable income is in shorter supply. It's a fight to get bums on seats, and clubs need to be pro-active in terms of offering punters attractive options.
I noticed on the St Pat's website that they have a new ten-match ticket deal. It seems like a hugely sensible sales pitch and I hope it's rewarded. With the club going well, getting tickets for ten home matches at a reduced rate is a good offer. It will also help the club's cashflow, if there are a number of takers. I'm hopeful that as the season heads towards its climax, the crowds will continue to increase.
Finally, congratulations to Drogheda United fro receiving full planning permission for their new stadium near the M1 motorway toll booths. United Park is quaint but a bit ramshackle, and I can't wait until the new stadium is ready for operation for season 2010. Best of luck to all concerned.
