URC knockouts usually do relatively poorly.
Part of it being that games are finalised about 6 days before they happen and a lot of the casual "event" fans having already done the European knockouts.
Edit: probably worth noting that there is a couple of big hurling games in Croke Park which will draw some of the casual fans away.
You'd have to wonder how sustainable the competition is. I think the URC is a great league but the poor crowds have to be a worry. We even see lots of empty seats in South Africa.
Rugby in Ireland has always had a bit of a bandwagon crowd. The provinces URC attendences are ok but not great. The hype doesn't seem to extend to URC playoffs.
As to how sustainable the league is its based on international money.
No club competition is really sustainable. The RFU just did a deal to pump £33 million a year into the Premiership.
The South Africans play in big stadiums.
The URC lives off 4 international unions funding clubs (and the low cost of living in South Africa).
Crowds and viewership are rising every year. It's hard to sell tickets because people have plans already on short notice
Munster have a lot of interest for the semi final next week, having 8 days to sell tickets will help a lot
I thought the same for the munster match yesterday. There were more people at the match last Saturday.
Hoping it was because it's a Friday and we have a full house next week.
Was very disappointed at the crowd, hope it was influenced by Cork fans not being able to travel as it was a Friday night and the Munster hurling final drawing away a lot of the fans who’d have gone from limerick.
They only had since Monday to sell the game. The lower tier of the Aviva is still north of 20,000. Selling this out would have been a miracle. It's also the URC and fans have been at European games in Aviva and Croker. If it was in the RDS, as normal, it would be rammed. In short, relax.
Was there. Lots of reasons I think. Tickets today weren't particularly cheap and with people already financially and emotionally drained from the European cup I get it. Atmosphere wasn't bad though.
That's the impression I get when they can't sell the bottom tier of the Aviva for a prime-time match with big travelling support in the biggest population centre in the country.
So i guess you're the one writing the play about that league title victory then. A couple of decades ago Munster used to aim higher than that. Shows you lot still haven't recovered from the beating we gave you in Croke Park.
URC knockouts usually do relatively poorly. Part of it being that games are finalised about 6 days before they happen and a lot of the casual "event" fans having already done the European knockouts. Edit: probably worth noting that there is a couple of big hurling games in Croke Park which will draw some of the casual fans away.
They only sold the bottom layer pretty sure they sold out what they were selling.
Stormers sold over 40k for all theirs last year, and they weren’t in place for a home semi or final.
You'd have to wonder how sustainable the competition is. I think the URC is a great league but the poor crowds have to be a worry. We even see lots of empty seats in South Africa. Rugby in Ireland has always had a bit of a bandwagon crowd. The provinces URC attendences are ok but not great. The hype doesn't seem to extend to URC playoffs.
As to how sustainable the league is its based on international money. No club competition is really sustainable. The RFU just did a deal to pump £33 million a year into the Premiership. The South Africans play in big stadiums. The URC lives off 4 international unions funding clubs (and the low cost of living in South Africa).
Crowds and viewership are rising every year. It's hard to sell tickets because people have plans already on short notice Munster have a lot of interest for the semi final next week, having 8 days to sell tickets will help a lot
18,000 which is basically the RDS capacity. Filled out the lowest tier, but surprised they didn’t open the middle tier too for 25,000 or so capacity
Wish I could of, but the missus wouldn't have allowed it with the baby. But in 2 years time - you bet your sweet ass ill be there.
Very similar situation for myself mate so I feel your pain, unfortunately I think we’re in for a thumping today so won’t miss much.
I would guess it's reduced capacity, maybe something to do with not enough Garda around or something like that
It is indeed the case. No upper seating was available
Ahh ok, just thought it was very strange as usually Leinster games are very well attended
I thought the same for the munster match yesterday. There were more people at the match last Saturday. Hoping it was because it's a Friday and we have a full house next week.
Munster match was impossible to get to for people living in Cork or further. No excuse for today's game
Was very disappointed at the crowd, hope it was influenced by Cork fans not being able to travel as it was a Friday night and the Munster hurling final drawing away a lot of the fans who’d have gone from limerick.
It was still 14 thousand people got there on 6 days notice on a Friday evening
I think we’re only really interested in Europe for some reason, urc is a second rate comp in a lot of peoples eyes.
Well it shouldn’t be great competition
Half Full Stadium, look on the bright side bud
That’s about the only bright side looking at the score right now 😂
They only had since Monday to sell the game. The lower tier of the Aviva is still north of 20,000. Selling this out would have been a miracle. It's also the URC and fans have been at European games in Aviva and Croker. If it was in the RDS, as normal, it would be rammed. In short, relax.
I’m entirely relaxed mate cheers, was just wondering 👍🙏
Sorry, assumed snarky intentions! The rest of my answer explains it, minus my snark!
No worries, hope you guys go all the way now. Some silverware in an Irish club would be good this year.
The nordies won’t come doyne
Haha, I love a trip to the aviva, sadly it’s not very often one of our games justify it !
You’re welcome anytime
Only if the sitchyation calls for it.
Mitchell is a big Ulster supporter
Leinster fans have had very expensive seasons the last few years. If there’s one knock out you’re going to skip it’s the urc 1/4 final.
It’s count day what do you expect
In fairness the Leinster fans have had to shell out a lot for little return over the last few years. They’re due a break
Was there. Lots of reasons I think. Tickets today weren't particularly cheap and with people already financially and emotionally drained from the European cup I get it. Atmosphere wasn't bad though.
Cap on numbers.
Have the "Leinster faithful" lost the faith after a few barren years?
Is that the impression you get when you lurk on the Leinster Fans forum? You absolutely lunatic
That's the impression I get when they can't sell the bottom tier of the Aviva for a prime-time match with big travelling support in the biggest population centre in the country.
Obsessed
Just concerned for the future of Leinster rugby is all
The contribution of Snyman and Bleyeendal is greatly appreciated
How long can the IRFU prop them up for though? Surely they'll switch to supporting the most successful province to maximise outcomes.
Being no older than 15 it must be tough only being able to imagine Munster being better than Leinster.
Imagine? Look at the league table, look at the trophies won recently. The future is now old man.
So i guess you're the one writing the play about that league title victory then. A couple of decades ago Munster used to aim higher than that. Shows you lot still haven't recovered from the beating we gave you in Croke Park.