This would be amazing and simple if we could get it going for our Rugby team. . It would be very catchy!
The "Boom Boom Clap"

In terms of simplicity and loudness, the boom boom clap chant hits a 10 out of 10.
A leader hits a drum twice, then everyone claps. It's pretty straightforward; hear a boom and another boom, and then clap. The chant starts off incredibly slow — Boom.... Boom.... Clap — but then ramps up in speed as the drum beats get closer and closer together. The entire crowd with their hands in the air clapping on beat makes for an impressive sound and sight.

I don't see why other supporters not knowing it would make any difference. I've always thought the last four lines repeated would make a great chant:

But hark, a voice like thunder spake
The West’s awake, the West’s awake
Sing oh, Hurrah, let <insert team name> quake
We’ll watch till death for Erin’s sake

Don't get me wrong the West Awake is a powerful song but it's not an anthem for the fans to use, the supporters from the other teams don't recognize it, and many of the Connacht supporters had it forced on them in school (therefore leaving a bad memory).

I think the comments of that there was no atmosphere are unfounded, even the CONN-ACHT chant from the stands when we were under pressure got to me. I do feel however that we need something unique to rally the Connacht faithful.

How about the clan stand roaring "FRONT UP" and the main stand responding with "RISE UP".

Hi lads actually I think handing out copies of the words to the west's awake is a great idea, I remember learning it in school but have forgotten everything but the chorus , or even a selection of songs and let the crowds decide on what they want to sing

Even if we just learned the 1st and last verse it would be something.
Few enough people even know all the actual verses of "The Fields" (which are fairly simple) so trying to learn the 4 difficult, different verses of the "West" might be a challenge.

coming of the Ireland loss I'm not surprised

I don't like the song at the beginning it feels very "Munster" and I dont personally find it very inspiring/rousing. It'd be great to create our own style our own traditions etc... with the influx of new fans that will hopefully start to happen with we should be able to do something

It's a tough one to sing along to but I like the idea.

Anyone else think the atmosphere was a bit muted last night? Could just have been me but I thought it was a little quiet for such a big game

D'ya know what the Clan (including myself) should have done a long time ago?

Learn the bloody words to The West's Awake.

When all beside a vigil keep
The West’s asleep, the West’s asleep
Alas, and well may Erin weep
When Connacht lies in slumber deep
Their lakes and plains smile fair and free
‘Mid rocks their guardian chivalry
Sing oh, let man learn liberty
From crashing wind and lashing sea

That chainless wave and lovely land
Freedom and nationhood demand
Be sure the great God never planned
For slumbering slaves, a home so grand.
And long a brave and haughty race
Honoured and sentinelled the place
Sing oh, not even their sons’ disgrace
Can quite destroy their glory’s trace

For often in O’Connor’s van
To triumph dashed each Connacht clan
And fleet as deer, the Normans ran
Thro’ Cora Sliabh Pass and Ardrahan
And later times saw deeds as brave
And glory guards Clanricarde’s grave
Sing oh, they died their land to save
At Aughrim’s slopes and Shannon’s wave

And if, when all a vigil keep
The West’s asleep, the West’s asleep
Alas, and well may Erin weep
That Connacht lies in slumber deep
But hark, a voice like thunder spake
The West’s awake, the West’s awake
Sing oh, Hurrah, let England quake
We’ll watch till death for Erin’s sake

One thing that looks good, and adds to the atmosphere is flags.
I'd love if we could hang banners all along the front of the Clan Stand. I know they'd all need to be removed after each game for the dogs.
I'd happily help hanging them before games if the idea ever took off.

Those little green flags that get given out every now and again are very hit and miss. At big games, people are more willing to wave them (see our home debut in the HC), but at a lot of games they just get dumped on the ground.

One other thing that works in other sports, is to have a singing section. If a group of 20 or 30 people were all standing together*, and were all willing to start songs, or chants, then they usually kick off.
If someone is on their own, and tries, a lot of times nothing happens.

*Please note, I have the voice of a goblin

Sergio is a legend on the bodhran - saw him at the Fleadh up in Sligo - much better than he is at drop goals.

pinky wrote: Sounds good in theory, but unfortunately a cheap bodhran in the wrong hands is easily the most annoying sound we could inflict on ourselves ...

Or.... the greatest sound ever made. The music could go top of the charts and raise millions for Connacht.
Pinky, are you willing to destroy our chances of signing Dan Carter, Israel Folau and Sergio Parisse?

Sounds good in theory, but unfortunately a cheap bodhran in the wrong hands is easily the most annoying sound we could inflict on ourselves ...

Eagle wrote:

connemara man wrote: Who has bodhrans? A rumble rolling through the crowd at all times

i have often thought this would be a really unique and relevant thing for the crowd. Imagine the noise if most people turned up with one!! and you can still roar at the same time, they are not too big to bring and would generate huge interest from visiting fans and the media. i think it is a great idea, even though i have no idea how to play one!! The difficulty is in getting people to make the start. Also the children can use them and make as much noise as the adults, they might love it. well worth someone seriosly considering it, Connacht bodhrans could be made and sold, etc etc

Actually, that is a great idea. I'd be well up for bringing a bodhran. However, add me to the list of people who has never held a bodhran, never mind play one. Sure how difficult can it be.............

connemara man wrote: Who has bodhrans? A rumble rolling through the crowd at all times

i have often thought this would be a really unique and relevant thing for the crowd. Imagine the noise if most people turned up with one!! and you can still roar at the same time, they are not too big to bring and would generate huge interest from visiting fans and the media. i think it is a great idea, even though i have no idea how to play one!! The difficulty is in getting people to make the start. Also the children can use them and make as much noise as the adults, they might love it. well worth someone seriosly considering it, Connacht bodhrans could be made and sold, etc etc

Maybe get the lads from the bar out into the stands! Full Ceili going on like

Who has bodhrans? A rumble rolling through the crowd at all times