Celtic nations

Celtic Nations - Scotland(Blue), Ireland (Green) Wales (red)

   Here is a map of the Celtic nations. Scotland is 78,387 km2 which makes it the largest of the 3 nations. Scotlands population is about 5.222 Million which also is the largest of the three..

The Republic of Ireland's size is slightly smaller than Scotland's at 70,273. Ireland's  population is also slightly smaller than Scotland's at 4.588 Million est.

Northern Ireland size is 13,843km2 and the population in this Celtic area is about 1.799 Million......so if Northern Ireland was combined with Republic of Ireland ....to indicate Ireland (the Green of the map) Ireland would be the largest of the 3 , both in size and population.

Wales (red) is only 20,779km 2 but the population is 3 Million. Wales is the red area on the map.

   Each of these Celtic nations has one huge city. Scotland has Glasgow, Ireland has Dublin, Wales has Cardiff and I do not want to forget Northern Ireland's Belfast.

I am hoping each federation can work with the others and find a way to get this huge sporting event to this area. The Celtic area would invite 24 nations and their fans to celebrate this great event in these major cities. This would be a huge economic boon for the cities mentioned and each country as a whole.
  The 24 nations would bring their rabbid hans to celebrate this huge event.

These countries do not have to build, the so called "white elephant", a new 50k stadium and have it site there after the tournamnet is over. These countries already have the stadiums thanks to the GAA and Rugby stadiums.

Boost to Irish football

This is a picture of a new mini pitch in Dublin that the youth can play and have competitions. Pitches like this one and getting the yount involved is the key to develope the game and try to get market share back to the League of Ireland.



 There is a big difference in interest in Irish sports. According to wikipedia Galic football is more that twice as "interest" as soccer. Soccer use to be the number one sport however over time interest has wained. The best players migrated overseas particularry England. TV (skysport) broadcast the Premiership games which have the best teams and the best players in the World. (IMHO). The stadiums in Ireland are old and beat up. Just like MLS the league is trying to improve the stadiums to make the game more appealing to attend. This has been a difficult task to not only compete against Galic football, Hurling but also the Premier League.
        Ireland just hosted the EUFA Europa League final. This final brought a lot of attention to the game in Ireland. The is a huge boost to the game. The FAI was active to get the kids involved in a grass roots game that was staged the same day as the final. The FAI is taking a page out of Galic football success by establishing a grass roots organization. This will take years to delvelope so patience and due delligence is the key. Good for FAI for their approach. Emediate results will not be felt but the long out look for the League of Ireland is trying to establish a foundation it badly needs.

FAI grass roots approach to grow game....