GAA Fans Stunned By 'Pathetic' Attendance At Nowlan Park For Kilkenny V Galway

Kilkenny and Galway met in a heavyweight Leinster Senior Hurling Championship clash on Saturday but the attendance at Nowlan Park has prompted concern among viewers.

Two of Leinster's chief contenders played out a hard-fought battle in tough conditions in Kilkenny, however just 8,243 spectators attended the fixture.

It has been well documented for years now that the Munster SHC is the hottest ticket in town, the depth of talent and competitive entertainment making in the peak of GAA action for years now.

Attendance figures will be strong throughout the course of that competition, be it in Clare, Cork, Tipperary or elsewhere.

The same cannot be said for Leinster however, with it likely thay both Kilkenny and Galway meet again with the trophy up for grabs irrespective of the outcome of their round-robin fixture.

That has been reflected in the low turnout at Nowlan Park, something which was evidently clear from RTÉ's broadcast of the fixture on Saturday.

GAA fans took to social media to lament the lack of atmosphere at what is, in theory at least, one of hurling's biggest fixtures.

Only 10,000 in nowlan park for a Leinster hurling championship match is pathetic #leinsterchampionship

— Malachy Fox 🇺🇦🇵🇸 (@MalachyFox96) April 19, 2025

The crowd in Nowlan Park is so poor. It feels like it's a League game in there

— Buzz McDonnell (@feeahkra) April 19, 2025

An absolutely shocking turnout in Nowlan Park for a game between the 2 best teams in Leinster. Munster championship is pure box office. Can't wait for the games tomorrow

— Mark Caulfield (@CoachCaulfield) April 19, 2025

Kilkenny have 36 all Irelands but not a single fan. Embarrassing. Just over 8000 in nowlan park I’d hate to see Belfast next week.

— Charlie Doherty (@CDoherty60226) April 19, 2025

Underwhelming indeed.

Kilkenny did at least give those 8,000+ something to savor with a 3-24 to 0-21 win.

Goals from Adrian Mullen, Eoin Cody and Martin Keoghan put real daylight between the sides as Kilkenny's firepower proved too much for Micheal Donoghue's men.