Supporters’ loyalty can never be taken for granted
SANGUINE is a word that fits former GAA president Peter Quinn.
It is over two decades since he gave an interview in the context of one of Ireland’s appearances at a major soccer tournament.
Euro 88 and Italia 90 terrified some constituencies in the GAA, who feared Ireland’s participation and the audiences their matches would draw, might have a catastrophic effect on attendances.
Quinn understood, though, that such events are relatively rare, that competing against them made little sense, and that normality would return eventually.
A similar level of common sense was in evidence in the words of Leinster Council chairman Jim Bolger, who said Championship matches fixed for the evening of May 26 could have their throw-in time adjusted.
This would reflect the enormous levels of interest in this country in Liverpool, with the Champions League final starting at 7.45pm that evening.
The Pro14 final was due to start at 6.30pm in Lansdowne Road, but with an Irish team likely to be involved, organisers are conscious of the sense it would make to change their kick-off time, too.
This is all very grown up. It recognises that sports fans are just that: interested in more than one code and more than one team.
They want to be entertained, and no sport can take their support for granted, or would dare to do so now.