It’s almost 3pm on a Saturday afternoon. A taxi stops at traffic lights on Pembroke Road while Ireland fans who attended the event at Lansdowne Road make their way towards town. The passengers in the taxi seem to be teenage boys from the south of the country. They are rowdy and busy mocking the event that had just taken place. One of them sticks his head out of the rolled-down window and shouts, “That’s not sport!” His comment about the women’s game draws laughter from his friends and puzzled glances from the crowd. It’s an odd moment, considering the importance of the day for the growth of the national team.
In recent months, the team has realized that increased visibility comes with scrutiny. However, this is part of the growth process. They may not win everyone over, but they are developing their own audience. The record crowd of nearly 36,000 people, with a considerable percentage from the U-18 bracket, represents a five-fold increase compared to their previous big days in Tallaght. The players are becoming well-known, and the crowd buzzes with excitement when players like Katie McCabe and Denise O’Sullivan make their moves.
Previously, it was suggested that the team is better off staying in Tallaght, as it offers a sense of home advantage with nearly full houses. Some players shared similar sentiments, like McCabe. However, this week, McCabe’s tone changed as the rumored attendance figures led her to believe that playing at the Aviva Stadium for the Nations League meeting with Northern Ireland could be a worthwhile experience.
And it was indeed a success. While there were a few shaky moments in the beginning, the Irish team looked comfortable and at home in the second half, despite playing against a weak opponent. This game made a strong case for making the Aviva Stadium a regular venue for the team. However, certain considerations need to be taken into account. There was a long build-up to this game, including ticket distribution to certain clubs. The Saturday 1pm kick-off time was also an anomaly.
Moving to the Aviva Stadium permanently would require confidence that the same level of turnout could be achieved for midweek evening games, with school the next day. This would naturally exclude a portion of the crowd who attended on Saturdays and put pressure on the after-work crowd to show up. While there is prestige in playing at a national stadium, the Aviva Stadium can feel soulless when only half-empty. Several players from Saturday’s squad have experienced this in FAI Cup finals.
Moving the showpiece to Tallaght as a standalone game has revitalized it, especially with more Women’s Premier Division sides being part of established clubs. Building a consistent fanbase for these club games would be a bigger achievement than creating buzz around a few international games each year. However, there is a sense that the senior team is starting to outgrow Tallaght, even with the completion of the North Stand. Although the women’s team hasn’t consistently filled the existing stands, logistics play a role in that. Tallaght isn’t the most easily accessible venue, especially during rush-hour traffic.
Games in the city center offer more potential and a higher ceiling for growth. It provides a national stage for a team that has become a part of the national sporting discussion.
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