THE Ladies Gaelic Football Association, and Championship sponsors TG4, are urging supporters of Ladies Gaelic Football – and potential new fans – to Turn Up at next Sunday’s Senior Championship semi-finals at Croke Park, or Turn On to watch the games on TG4.
The second game of the double header is a repeat of the 2018 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Final, which was played out in front of a record 50,141 attendance at Croke Park.
This year there has been a strong focus on building crowds throughout the season and not just on the day of the Finals.
Attendance at many matches only extends to the 100’s, hardly a fitting return for the equal effort and energy that the Women’s teams put into their preparation.
Dublin played its home match against Monaghan in the round-robin stage of the tournament at Parnell Park and it is Dublin fans that may make up the majority of the crowd on Sunday.
The Dublin Ladies Gaelic Football Association is encouraging clubs to push hard on getting teams and fans along on Sunday.
Last weekend’s semi-finals in the Liberty Insurance All Ireland Semi-Finals at the LIT Gaelic Grounds in Limerick drew a crowd of 4,368, a 25 per cent rise on last year and two great games that were also televised live on RTÉ.
This is the first time that Croke Park will host the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-finals, and there’s a cracking double-bill in store at the famous venue.
At 2pm, Connacht rivals Galway and Mayo will lock horns in the quest for a Final spot at Croke Park on Sunday, September 15, before Dublin, the reigning TG4 All-Ireland Senior Champions, battle it out with Lidl National League Division 1 holders Cork in what could prove to be the game of the season.
For those who can’t make it to the games on Sunday, the LGFA and TG4 are urging fans all over the country to Turn On TG4 and watch the matches LIVE on TV.
The call has gone out to pubs, clubs, restaurants, hotels, and those watching at home all over Ireland and abroad to Turn on TG4 and tune in to watch the games.
TG4’s coverage attracts a significant TV audience in Ireland and globally on the TG4 Player www.tg4.tv.
“I congratulate the LGFA for creating an historic first Croke Park showcase for this year’s semi-finals, which will give the players and teams a fitting stage for two matches that are certain to be very strongly contested,” said TG4 Director General Alan Esslemont.
“TG4 puts women’s sport at the heart of our programming strategy and we are delighted to support the #TurnUpTurnOn campaign.”
“Growing both crowds and viewers for Ladies Gaelic Football puts a spotlight on Ireland’s most popular women’s sport but also blazes a trail where we hope that other Irish female athletes can follow.”
“We are hugely enthused by the prospect of hosting our 2019 TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship semi-finals at Croke Park,” added Marie Hickey, President of the Ladies Gaelic Football Association.
“We had record attendance for the 2018 Finals and we’re hoping for another bumper crowd as Galway, Mayo, Dublin and Cork prepare for their semi-finals.”
“We would love to see a huge attendance next Sunday and we want as many people as possible to Turn Up at Croke Park.”
“However, if you can’t make it to the games, we would ask as many people as possible to Turn On TG4 and watch what should be two superb exhibitions of Ladies Gaelic Football.”
“I am delighted to announce this #TurnUpTurnOn campaign and I’m also urging people all over Ireland, and abroad, to send us your pictures and videos of you watching the games, and to use the #TurnUpTurnOn hashtag.”
Everybody who uses the #TurnUpTurnOn hashtag during the build-up to next Sunday’s games, and on matchday itself, will be entered into a draw to win tickets for the TG4 All-Ireland Senior Championship Finals on Sunday, September 15.
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