The branch did look into it.
It was going to cost around 40k.

Think how much pubs pay for rights to Sky Sports. The branch would have had to pay for the rights to show the final. It's different from an All Ireland which is on free to Air Rte.
I know Tg4 have rights as well, but Connacht needed to apply for rights to show it, and we're quoted some massive figure (40k is what I heard)

beatthedeck wrote: Just curious, there was no screen set up to watch the final in Galway ?

It being that the entire staff of the Connacht branch were in Edinburgh there was never going to be anything at the Sportsground. The city council did nothing as Eyre Square was unavailable because the grass might have got trampled in advance of the City of Culture 2020 judges' arrival (before you ask: I wish I was joking).

Just curious, there was no screen set up to watch the final in Galway ?

With nothing occuring at the SG, and the big screen in situ, you'd think that opening that up would make sense. The dog people would make more money from Bar receipts if they did this than they'd lose cancelling a nights racing....

They really should do something. I wouldn't hold my breath because the wheels don't seem to move too quickly in the council.

Don't know if it has been raised as an idea before but the car parking area in Woodquay in front of McSwiggans would be a good spot for it.
Plenty of bars around there for people to get a pint and there's no issue with grass. They would just have to close off the car park and the street from the night before.
Wouldn't be too much of an issue to close off those streets as long as the street directly in front of McSwiggans (going up by debenhams) was left open.

Any chance of Big Screen for the final ?

eezipc wrote:

mikey wrote:

Decadence wrote: Merging with existing big screen thread, I don't think anyone had suggested the sports ground as a venue, but if Eyre Sq is off limits it wouldn't be a bad alternative

I was in town this morning and did a quick recce' around Eyre Square.There are some barriers up around parts of the green area,probably to let grass recover.There was also some of the more permanent fixtures,the 2 legged variety, supping various cans.One can only hope that in the event of a final been shown on a big screen they'd go elsewhere;there could be a potential for a less than welcome group messing on the big day.At least in the Sportsgrounds access would be restricted.
There are a number of trees scattered in the Square which could be of annoyance for viewing,but it is the right "shape" for a screen at one end,unlike the Clan which is to wide end to end,unless there were two screens put up.But what ever happens and who ever decides to organise it,thought needs to be put into it now.But fear not,it'll be great craic and I can't wait.Up Connacht,God Bless Pat Lam and all the lads!.....
But of course we're not quiet there yet.....

I presume the council will hide the "two legged variety" when the City of Culture judges pop round to inspect the grass.

I'm not the most PC type,but in case any PC member out there gets upset with the "two legged variety" I want all to know that I am sure that Connacht Rugby,The Clan ,Galway Corpo and any other group that is linked to Galway, are " All Inclusive" ,welcoming and accepting of all,especially those who are not necessarily "main stream" ....etc etc etc etc

mikey wrote:

Decadence wrote: Merging with existing big screen thread, I don't think anyone had suggested the sports ground as a venue, but if Eyre Sq is off limits it wouldn't be a bad alternative

I was in town this morning and did a quick recce' around Eyre Square.There are some barriers up around parts of the green area,probably to let grass recover.There was also some of the more permanent fixtures,the 2 legged variety, supping various cans.One can only hope that in the event of a final been shown on a big screen they'd go elsewhere;there could be a potential for a less than welcome group messing on the big day.At least in the Sportsgrounds access would be restricted.
There are a number of trees scattered in the Square which could be of annoyance for viewing,but it is the right "shape" for a screen at one end,unlike the Clan which is to wide end to end,unless there were two screens put up.But what ever happens and who ever decides to organise it,thought needs to be put into it now.But fear not,it'll be great craic and I can't wait.Up Connacht,God Bless Pat Lam and all the lads!.....
But of course we're not quiet there yet.....

I presume the council will hide the "two legged variety" when the City of Culture judges pop round to inspect the grass.

Decadence wrote: Merging with existing big screen thread, I don't think anyone had suggested the sports ground as a venue, but if Eyre Sq is off limits it wouldn't be a bad alternative

I was in town this morning and did a quick recce' around Eyre Square.There are some barriers up around parts of the green area,probably to let grass recover.There was also some of the more permanent fixtures,the 2 legged variety, supping various cans.One can only hope that in the event of a final been shown on a big screen they'd go elsewhere;there could be a potential for a less than welcome group messing on the big day.At least in the Sportsgrounds access would be restricted.
There are a number of trees scattered in the Square which could be of annoyance for viewing,but it is the right "shape" for a screen at one end,unlike the Clan which is to wide end to end,unless there were two screens put up.But what ever happens and who ever decides to organise it,thought needs to be put into it now.But fear not,it'll be great craic and I can't wait.Up Connacht,God Bless Pat Lam and all the lads!.....
But of course we're not quiet there yet.....

Bars, food, toilet facilities and of course it would benefit the branch.

Merging with existing big screen thread, I don't think anyone had suggested the sports ground as a venue, but if Eyre Sq is off limits it wouldn't be a bad alternative

Excellent idea, I for one wouldn't mind even a small cover charge say €10-€15 even! That way there could be money spent on a proper AV setup for it. It might even be a small bit more revenue for the branch too.

Right lads and ladies.For many us wanting to travelling to the Final it is just going to be plain too costly,and as much as we would like, can't afford it.We'd like to be with fellow supporters in a buzzing atmosphere but sometimes the pub doesn't suit if you've kids.(my house is always buzzing but Herself wouldn't be happy if I was to invite you all over).So therefore we need to start planning for a decent sized screen in the Sportsgrounds in the event of us getting through.And a proper sized one where we can all see it and of course a good sound system.I guarantee it'd be a great way to watch the match.Anyone interested??

sea_point wrote:

swift4prez wrote: Crazy to think that the council is worrying about the grass being grown for July. 7 months after Xmas market. Crazy. Over half year without grass in our city centre park. That's enough said about Xmas market, I'd put it in Eyre square.

How many people would be expected? Would the car park at the ground be suitable. Sound from the ground and car park would be unreal

From a Health & Safety point of view it would never get off the ground.because you'd be bringing in another couple of thousand folk into the access/exit areas for the approved 7,800 in the Stadium.

swift4prez wrote: Crazy to think that the council is worrying about the grass being grown for July. 7 months after Xmas market. Crazy. Over half year without grass in our city centre park. That's enough said about Xmas market, I'd put it in Eyre square.

How many people would be expected? Would the car park at the ground be suitable. Sound from the ground and car park would be unreal

From a Health & Safety point of view it would never get off the ground.because you'd be bringing in another couple of thousand folk into the access/exit areas for the approved 7,800 in the Stadium.