SOLD OUT
Two words, not very often seen at League of Ireland grounds in recent years. However, on three occasions this season, Shamrock Rovers have had to turn away disappointed supporters, who've been unable to gain access to the Tallaght Stadium on a matchday, such was the demand for tickets.
Once was for the glamour friendly against Real Madrid. The second time was for a league match against Derry City before the second stand was completed, so the capacity was restricted to 3,300 souls.
Significantly, the third time the 'Sold Out' signs were on display was last weekend for the Dublin derby match against St Patrick's Athletic. This time 5,481 fans were present, and plenty more who'd like to have been there, had to make do with TG4's coverage of the game.
How good it is, to be able to report on a success story, and something of a shining beacon in what has often been a dark and depressing season for so many clubs.
Surely now, the question for the other clubs to ask is, what is it that Shamrock Rovers are doing that we are not to get the crowds flocking to the games, and spending money not only on tickets for the games, but also in the shop buying club merchandise, and on the other ancillary aspects to the matchday experience such as match programmes, hamburgers, and so on?
Where once there was one van selling burgers and chips at Tallaght Stadium, there are now five fast food outlets around the ground, and an ice cream van for good measure. It's an indication of the kind of demand on match nights.
People will say that I am a Shamrock Rovers supporter and that I go on about them, but the reality is that I'm simply pointing out that there is a success story happening within the league, and if Shamrock Rovers are doing it, then it would seem like a model to follow for the other clubs.
The game against St Pat's was far from a thriller. Having said that, my nephew Shane, who was attending his first game of the season, said he'd love to come back for more. Part of that is what I'd call the matchday experience. The atmosphere that's unique to the league.
The supporters' flags, and Ultras' fireworks (although they might end up landing the club with a fine from the authorities!) created a very exciting atmosphere in Tallaght last Friday and I'm sure the pictures looked impressive on TG4. It's something that will bring supporters back to games, even if the quality of the game isn't brilliant.
I'm looking at the fixture list for the next series of league matches, and the one that stands out for me is the match at Dalymount between Bohemians and Dundalk. There's certainly no love lost between these two this season, but that edge adds to the intrigue of the tie. Bohemians, after two defeats on the spin, need as much support as they can muster for the game. Dundalk generally bring a good travelling support, and it's set up for a really exciting night. The bigger the crowd, the more exciting it will be for all concerned, and the better it will look on TV too.
What can Bohs do to put extra bums on seats for this game? Maybe it's too late now, but what about a special deal of €40 to see each of their last four home games. How about the Ryanair model of €20 for the four games. In the short-term they might argue that they'd get more money if they charged the full rate, but in the longer term, if the atmosphere is great and Pat Fenlon's side win the league, will some of those new-found fans take out season tickets for next season, or at least go to some of the games next term? It's about finding new fans, and getting them to come for the first time is three quarters of the battle.
Cork City have a huge match against Sligo Rovers in two weeks' time, and whatever about the feelings of some supporters towards Tom Coughlan, now is surely the time to rally around the team and at least make sure they qualify for Europe.
City scored four for the first time this season in the league against Galway United, and if they could do likewise against Sligo it would create a nice bit of momentum. Of course, Paul Cook might have something to day about that.
Galway play St Pat's the same weekend and it's a very important game for both sides. With the GAA season coming to an end, it's time for the people of Galway to get back behind Ian Foster's side. From where I'm sitting it looks like the crowds have severely diminished at Terryland over the course of the season. Why is that? Is it because they're mid-table-ish and a few points clear of relegation?
I think it's up to the club promotion officers to come up with imaginative schemes to get punters into the grounds, and the clubs need to invest a little in promotion too. Posters advertising the matches cost money but if it gets the club's name out there, and if some people come to the games as a result, the posters will pay for themselves. It's the classic - you've got to speculate to accumulate - line.
The reaction to Monday night's show has been very good so far, it's just a pity that the cameras weren't still rolling when Johnny McDonnell gave Damien a demonstration of what dancing to a ska tune is like. I think Rico's more of a Fred Astaire man, while Johnny would give Buster Bloodvessel a good run for his money.
Dave Barry, who has a handy number in Cork as a Right Said Fred lookalike, will surely give us a blast of Deeply Dippy before the end of season. If that doesn't get us challenging the Late Late Show in the audience figure charts, I don't know what will.
Certainly the closeness of the contest at the top, and bottom, of the league is going to lead to lots of good games and plenty of excitement before season's end. I hope we'll be able to convey that in the coming weeks on MNS and in our soon to return live match coverage too.
