swift4prez wrote: music before the teams was my only problem, hell it was loud and didnt think it was needed,

Seconded.

I was over the main stand side for the first time in ages (had little brother with me, and was able to do a swicheroo with someone with main stand tickets) and thought the athmosphere there was a bit lacking.

I must've just been missing the crowd and the craic over the Clan side.

They do seem to have it down to a fine art allright. No waiting for pints, grub etc. No major problems with kids running around (which I know had been an issue for some). Great to see!

i gotta say i loved last saturday, the game was good, buzz around town and the sportsground was flawless.

music before the teams was my only problem, hell it was loud and didnt think it was needed,

i went to the clan bar after, was fairly full when most people left the bar was as full as i've seen it this year.

the new lounge in the clan bar is a work of genius. benchs all the way around with tables and stools.
i was sat there with 5 others, all drinking, another group sitting across from up, about 8 in there group. when we were leaving there were people waiting to sit down. felt very happy there enjoying what i love most. my friends and connacht rugby, the sport i live.

i said this last year, re season ticket, if the free pints were no more, then to hand out €2 coupons discounts rather than having full price. little idea for next year alex

Hmmm... well I was going to add the url to the match section but I cannot figure out where it is anymore or who to turn it back on. Mike (web guy) is on holidays for a week or so but will get back on to him about it when he returns.

They can think of it as free Market Research...

Think everyone realises that the HEC has brought a huge opportunity to grow Connacht Rugby pretty quickly, and the trick will be maintaining it when there are plenty of other distractions.

Ground development is a major factor as is the perforamnce and results of the team. They need to show enough to keep people hooked and that means winning the games we should and being competitive in the games we probaly shouldn't...

Cheers Diom. I hope the branch will see that we've all had a great time and we're not here to bash, just note things to improve and make the next HEC matches even better. We've only three left, so let's make the most of it!

Good thread! I'll be forwarding the URL to the branch lads to go over it. Happy to see that everyone kept to positive criticism.

Regarding the announcer. I liked her, but she really needs a bit more prep time before her next gig. I wouldn't mind but even the most casual of rugby fans know how to pronounce those names!

I really hope the pazazz and fireworks were not only for Toulouse but for the other 2 remaining hec games also.
it sounds like the glaws game might he a busy one too!
announcer good looking but pain in the bum to listen to!!!

Connman wrote: Just something that was raised in another thread.."Opposition Players Safety and Respect"...A number of people have commented on how they seen the Toulouse players heckled by teenagers and -_-s after the Game on Saturday, I myself seen one incident where the Lads involved were not very respectful and were more or less trying to Piss the Toulouse Players off.. It would be awful for us to be finally sitting at the Top Table of European Rugby and then for us to pick up a Terrible reputation. Invading the pitch is one thing but pissing the Other teams players off are is not on!!

Stewards or something must intervene on such incidents, Other posters have stated that some Stewards on Saturday were teenagers??

Grass the Feckers up if you see any t*ssers misbehaving. Buying a ticket doesn't give them the right to behave like tw*ts....

Just something that was raised in another thread.."Opposition Players Safety and Respect"...A number of people have commented on how they seen the Toulouse players heckled by teenagers and -_-s after the Game on Saturday, I myself seen one incident where the Lads involved were not very respectful and were more or less trying to Piss the Toulouse Players off.. It would be awful for us to be finally sitting at the Top Table of European Rugby and then for us to pick up a Terrible reputation. Invading the pitch is one thing but pissing the Other teams players off are is not on!!

Stewards or something must intervene on such incidents, Other posters have stated that some Stewards on Saturday were teenagers??

although i wasnt there, it looked great on tv....we need to remember 10 years ago leinster playing in donnybrook for a fiver in and munster not filling the old thomand etc......it's a journey and it's started. it will take a lot of work and will take time.

the academy is wonderfully productive. we have a competitive A squad. and a reasonable home ground. these are wonderful building blocks for the future.

need to grow the season ticket holders and yes getting fans through the gate is number one.

I also think we will hold onto more players if we can stay in h cup for next year.

all very promising indeed.

Breifne wrote: I liked the PA girl. Just assuming she can improve with a little research. Thought her enthusiasm was fitting for the event, and I wouldn't mind if she had the job from here moving forward.

Yep I'd agree, and it's good to add a female voice to what traditionally would have been male roles at Sportsgrounds. Women come to games and spend their hard earned there too so it's good that theres some respresentation in the matchday mix.

Big occasion for her on Saturday, I wouldn't doubt there were more than a few nerves there, especially with the eyes of the Rugby World on the Sportsground and the President & Taoiseach, President IRFU all in attendence...

ummm, wrote: Well, Timbo, when you're president you can get your own back

Oh things will be different when I'm president, let me tell you! :evil:

Well, Timbo, when you're president you can get your own back

The toilets aren't just an issue when there is a huge crowd in the sportsground, which would be completely understandable, it's an issue when there is a very modest crowd there too. Even with crowds of 1400 last year it was an issue. People might think it a stupid thing to complain about but it's a pretty basic thing to try to improve, and if they don't then people will always be complaining about it and rightly so.

The announcer was enthusiastic but not very good, sounded like she was shouting way too often.

Overall though it was a great experience, great to see that type of crowd in the place. It was just a pity we couldn’t stay with them a bit better.

Oh, and another thing, I couldn’t sit where I normally sit because of Michael fecking D and co!

It's a learning experience for all of us, hopefully she'll realise a bit of research is needed for the next time. Not just French teams, there are plenty of players on the opposition teams from far flung corners. I think it's a nice mark of respect to get the names as bang on as possible.

But to be honest you should hear French commentators, they're just as bad.

Doogoo Let is Doug Howlett, Kenny Lee is Cian Healey (when they're not calling him Sanny Lee), Jimmy Sleep is Jamie Heaslip. DOC is Don Sha O Gallagan.

And don't get me started on Sky constantly referring to us as Con-awt.

I liked the PA girl. Just assuming she can improve with a little research. Thought her enthusiasm was fitting for the event, and I wouldn't mind if she had the job from here moving forward.