Like most, I've a lot more positives than negatives for Saturday. While the entertainment wasn't my own cup of tea, effort was put in and it did help atmosphere. Great to hear the choice of tunes beforehand too - it all helps - and more of the drummers please, especially during the games. The fireworks for the occasion worked brilliantly, and watching back on TV the flags were great as well (and I'm sure Mazda were pleased). Sportsground has never looked as well.

Disagree with positive comments on the PA girl - energy, yes, but research, no. I work in radio - that's not a difficult job and I didn't see the need for a change to be frank. During the game, it was simply poor.

In terms of facilities, things do need to be looked at but we have to realise that money spent on making the SG up to standard for 9,000 fans is money not being spent on coaching staff and players, and is also probably not wise given the amount of times that crowd will come through the gate.

That said, I do expect a crowd of 4,000+ on foot of last week, both in terms of recent performances (Quins away in particular) and the spectacle on TV. Those in the Branch who are responsible did us all proud the last day. We all agree, despite our quibbles, that it was a brilliant occasion and here's to many more.

I agree with both seapoint and benji. We need to get as many people through the gate as possible. we need to have full houses more regularly. Gate receipts are priority number one without a doubt. But the reason people were not coming back were facilities. There has been a huge improvement but little things can be altered which may be the finishing touches of the first stage. I think this is what Benji is getting at and things like the toilets would put people off.

If Eric knew that the things the fans were complaining about were the toilets.....I could only imagine the reaction.

Constructive criticism is always good though and are needed to be taken on board to improve the day out for first time visitors to bring them back.

I think there was always going to be issues with the Clan side. Its the place everyone wants to be. The atmosphere looked electric in it and people want to be part of that. How they police it to fill the back first i dont know but there will always be issues with a terrace and front being filled.

Probably a job for extra stewards, getting people to move a bit, they'd be able to see that better than arriving fans.

Do something with the barriers in the Clan Terrace, make a few more breaks in it some people can move around more freely..The clan terrace was apparently jammed at 5.30...prob wasnt just in places it looked like it was..

The only other thing but I think its a bit far fetched just yet for The Sportground but would be to break the Ground down into smaller blocks say for example make the Clan Terrace into 3 blocks...so at least then all the people arent just sqeezing into one section of it... Sell them like that on Ticketmaster!!

Right, I think we can agree that toilets are at least an issue. Let's note that and move on. There must be other issues from Saturday that people would like to mention.

I'll start again...

Closing college road. If the cops are closing the road it would be nice that they actually close it! I had to get out of the way of plenty of cars when getting to and leaving the sportsground.

I thought the drummers were great, would have liked to have had them getting the crowd going (although the lads in the clan terrace did a great job)

I think we can agree that it's vital to get them through the gate, that's the big challenge

Benji wrote: With most things that applies but not with toilets.
The Branch have the Toulouse game and maybe three others to catch fans and get them onboard that any time they can they will come to games.
Temporary toilets cost very little and would only be needed for some games

I don't think we'll agree on this. You obviously think it's more important to have toilets in place, me it's making sure as many people as possible could actually get into the ground in safety (complying with HSA regualtions) for this first ever fixture.

You're talking about people spending roughly two hours in the ground with limited toilet facilities, how on earth do they cope on say an airplane when there's a toilet for every 50 or so passengers for five and six hours..?

No matter where you go in the world (and I've been in a good many club and internationals rugby grounds across UK & Europe) you rarely find sufficient toilet facilities. It's not right in very established grounds but it still happens, but Connacht are playing catchup on a budget and actually with a limited amount of space.

They could take out a drinks or food stall to put in more temporary toilets and people would moan about waiting too long for the half time cuppa or pint or burger or whatever your having yourself.

Neither of us is wrong, just got different priorities for Connacht Rugby....

Toilets are always going to be a problem no matter where you go.

The announcer was great. Way more into it than the usual guy, hope we keep her!

The speakers on the main stand side were turned down an awful lot, could barely hear the music before kick off. They can't seem to get this right, it's either deafening or inaudible.

The flags were amazing. Sent shivers down my spine to see so much green.

Was a bit surprised to see Eddie Rockets there. Surely we should be supporting local businesses?

Good to see the Elverys van back on the main stand side, they're losing out on a lot of business by only being on the Clan side.

Could we get green versions of the TRY signs that were handed out at the first Rabo match?

All in all a great production by Connacht Rugby. Made me very proud to be a season ticket holder.

With most things that applies but not with toilets.
The Branch have the Toulouse game and maybe three others to catch fans and get them onboard that any time they can they will come to games.
Temporary toilets cost very little and would only be needed for some games

Benji wrote: They want to sell more beer then they have to have the facilities. Money Money Money ding ding ding everybody happy

Agreed but you have to make it to spend it in this climate, not the other way around...

They want to sell more beer then they have to have the facilities. Money Money Money ding ding ding everybody happy

Benji wrote: Come on Seapoint things have moved on since Thomand park 78 thank god. The Connacht ladies like to sit down while going to the toilet.
112,000 people say they were in Thomand that day and one toilet doesnt bare thinking about. Im glad you dont work for the H.S.E.
Only taking the piss

But some habits haven't, like filling up with Beer before before and during the game and then waiting until the halftime break and expecting a free toilet....

Come on Seapoint things have moved on since Thomand park 78 thank god. The Connacht ladies like to sit down while going to the toilet.
112,000 people say they were in Thomand that day and one toilet doesnt bare thinking about. Im glad you dont work for the H.S.E.
Only taking the piss

_nobody_ wrote: Sea_point - Is it a case of build it and they will come? I know of plenty of areas that put up portaloo urinals on busy streets at weekends. These take 8 men todo their business. A few of these could be a short term solution? They are not the most attractive place but you get in out and are relieved. It would prevent people from doing it in public view

There's a finite pot of money and this was the biggest club match in the history of Connacht Rugby, I was in Thomond back in 1978 for the AB's game and I've never heard one mention of the fact that there was one set of toilets for best part of 10,000 people (and yes I know it was 30 odd years ago, I was a kid back then thanks.. ), but you can be sure if they or we on Saturday had limited capcity you would have heard tons about it...

My group at the match:

1 season ticket holder
1 regular attendee
2 occasional attendees
1 very occasional attendee
2 lads who were last at the Sportsground for a Bish game in 1991
1 firsttimer

All except myself (Clan Terrace) were in the Bohermore end. They were pleasantly surprised with the view and all enjoyed the occasion.

Queues for beer and toilets at Clan side were short before the game. Half time is a write-off at the best of stadia, stayed where I was, queues were again reasonable at fulltime.

Assuming the obvious answer (buy out the lease from the white elephant that is Bord na gCon and build a new stadium) won't be on the cards for at least another few years/few thousand supporters, there are a few little things that can be done:

(1) Mobile drinks sellers. Used to see these guys last year selling (plastic) longneck bottles (of Bulmers I think) from chiller-backpacks. Positon a couple of these guys either end of the Clan terrace and another couple opposite each of the central entrances and you'll double the drinks takings.

(2) Recorded this and watched it at home yesterday. The main cameras were mounted much higher on the main stand than is usual, and this higher angle, allied to the greening up of the Clan Terrace, made the ground look excellent. It also eliminated the potentially dangerous blocking up of the main entry to the stand with scaffolding. This higher camera angle should be retained for Rabo games.

(3) The new stadium announcer was clear and enthusiastic. At the start of the match a few people passed favourable comment on her, unfortunately a seeming lack of research on her part led to her struggling embarrassingly with the substitutes.

(4) The crowd seemed quiet and more nervous than the players at the start. That one's up to us to sort out

Overall the whole stadium setup for a big match, compared with, say, Toulon 18 months ago, has come on hugely.

I know sea point as I said Leinster had buckets of cash growing every year. As a thread people understand the position Connacht is in with the lack of cash and a not too flexible home ground.
Most of the suggestions are correct and some are for the long term but lack of toilets isnt acceptable when looking to attract people and kids. I'm sure some people were waiting 15-20 mins under the main stand.
Pissing against hedges and walls isn't the way to go.
It's not easy cater for the big crowd but I'm sure it's a learning curve we could gladly all stay on