Where have all the Tipp fans gone?

As disappointing as the campaigns for the Tipperary senior hurlers and footballers have been in the 2019 Allianz Leagues were, a similar concern is the drop off in supporters going to watch them play.

Just over 3,500 turned up for the hurlers league quarter final against Dublin two weeks ago, a disappointing crowd, some of which could be put down to the bitter day but mainly because “it was only Dublin” a sense of entitlement that seems to be affecting Tipperary hurling which is hard to shake off.

Just 1,403 spectators paid into Semple Stadium for last Sunday’s football relegation double-header. Football will always be the second game in the county and that won’t change, but for a game of such importance for the men and women, and a fine day too, surely it could have attracted a bigger crowd.

It was the first ever men’s and ladies football league double-header at Semple Stadium, one promoted locally where in an ever increasing era of equality some might have expected bigger crowd in for the ladies game in particular but it never materialised.

It’s at times of difficulty where supporters are needed most but over the last couple of years it has been concerning at how our inter-county teams are being deserted in such large numbers when they need backing the most.

Last summer in Thurles for both “home” Munster hurling championship games, we were outnumbered by Clare and Cork, and it happened again last Sunday in Thurles where those loud Clare cheers were that little edge that gave the Banner than little boost in added time.

Tipperary aren’t immune to the bandwagon effect when a team does well but for a county that loves its hurling, it doesn’t take a lot to keep spectators at home it seems. Mayo haven’t won as much as Tipperary over the years but look at the large numbers they bring to every football league and championship game, despite all the heart-ache they have endured.

 

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