Aussies will not prove a big draw on Leeside
THE breaking news this week that Páirc Uí Chaoimh looks likely to host the opening test of this year’s International Rules series is unlikely to set the pulses racing on Leeside.
There is no great appetite for the real football in the first instance – Cork’s Allianz League attendance figures drew the kind of crowds this spring that could be only be matched by a Renua Ard Fheis – unless there is a live prospect of Kerry being barbecued for their viewing pleasure.
So it is rather hard to see much local foot traffic being lured by the prospect of Ireland and Australia battling it out for the pride of a nonexistent parish, while you would like to think the rest of the GAA nation would be a little more conscious of its carbon foot-print than to be burning diesel to get there.
You might think that if there is a low turn-out, Croke Park might finally throw their hat at an utterly failed concept but there is a far more powerful reason to bin it than growing public indifference.
It’s a total contradiction to provide a window for clubs in April, condense the intercounty Championship season and yet persist with this unloved concept which retains the potential to wreak chaos in the middle end of the business end of the season.
Of course, the initial plan driven by the AFL was to play the first test in the United States but a big enough pitch could not be found to play a full 15 on 15 game and the GAA would not countenance a scenario which would see a reduction in team sizes.
Seriously, they could play this thing as a five-a-side outside in the back car park in Páirc Uí Chaoimh, and it is hard to envisage anyone’s sensibilities would be assaulted.