Galway GAA has to raise its game to halt fall in crowds

The local GAA authorities need to seriously raise their game to counteract falling attendances for club senior hurling and football championship matches. Officials simply have to become more proactive or the turnstiles at grounds around the county will become increasingly rusty.

I never thought I’d see the day when the combined crowds at the Galway hurling and football finals would be only about 1,500 more than the attendance for Connacht’s recent European Champions Cup clash against Toulouse at the Sportsground. The College Road venue was packed with over 8,000 spectators and a significant proportion of them would have GAA backgrounds.

Sure, Connacht are currently enjoying unprecedented profile and success, and the atmosphere – especially under lights – at the Sportsground is a fulfilling experience, but the local GAA have been caught sleepwalking in the wake of the province’s burgeoning impact on the rugby fields. In an era where there is so much televised sport, punters are becoming far more selective in what games they attend.

Around two decades ago, all you would get at most Connacht matches – then confined to inter-pros and the odd friendly against a touring side – was a couple of hundred die-hards. With basic facilities at the Sportsground as well, it is almost impossible to contrast that reality to what the situation is now. Connacht are the best supported team in the county, unless the hurlers or footballers get to the concluding stages of the All-Ireland championship.

It hasn’t happened by accident. Obviously, rugby going professional forced Connacht to respond and they haven’t been found wanting. The Sportsground has been transformed and even when the province was struggling for on-field traction, their marketing and PR department ensured that the Westerners remained in the public eye.

Last season’s stunning Guinness Pro12 breakthrough has lifted Connacht to a different level across the board. Season tickets have gone through the roof and if the current trend continues, the team will soon outgrow their College Road venue unless there is a major redevelopment. The squad has travelled all over the province in promoting their brand and for training camps. Connacht have reached out to the sporting community and that inclusive approach has really paid off.

Naturally, people like to follow winning teams and though Connacht’s barnstorming displays will probably hit a bump in the road at some stage in the future, John Muldoon and his players are currently enjoying the kind of worship which the Galway hurlers and footballers must be envious of. Connacht have bucked the odds – on and off the field – and more luck to them.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.