Topics

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GAA Discussion / 'GAA Athletes for a No Vote'

« on: April 21, 2018, 08:17:08 PM »

Mickey Harte: voters must chose between ‘culture of death and culture of life’

A group of GAA figures launched the GAA Athletes for a No Vote campaign in Dublin on Saturday. Gaelic Athletes for Life said the Government’s proposals on abortion are not inclusive and “seek to exclude one group of people - the unborn - from society”.

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/social-affairs/mickey-harte-voters-must-chose-between-culture-of-death-and-culture-of-life-1.3469954

Haven't seen any promotional material yet but they should not be using the association's name at all in my opinion.
Doesn't sit well with me, regardless of which way people swing on this issue.
I wouldn't be happy if there was a 'GAA players for yes' campaign either.

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GAA Discussion / GAA announces games development funding will be distributed fairly

« on: April 01, 2018, 12:12:17 PM »

 

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GAA Discussion / Intercounty players & social media

« on: March 28, 2018, 03:59:24 PM »

Just curious, are they required to sign up to any sort of code of conduct?
Do the GPA police that sort of thing at all?
Just wondering, as technically anything they say is in a private capacity and they are not 'employed' per se by their county, even though you could argue they are in receipt of taxpayer funding.

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GAA Discussion / "GAA is losing ground big time" - McGeeney

« on: March 22, 2018, 10:27:08 AM »

KIERAN McGeeney says the GAA is in danger of getting “caught sleeping one of these days” by other sports stealing the limelight and wants the number of National League games doubled.

The Armagh boss, who captained his county to their one All-Ireland success in 2002, would like to see pre-season competitions abolished in favour of a double-round league with home and away games against each opposition.

With Ireland’s rugby team having won an historic Grand Slam on St Patrick’s weekend, an event which contributed to the attendance at the All-Ireland club finals being halved from its’ decade-long average of around 30,000, McGeeney fears that the GAA will lose out.

“I think the GAA is losing ground big time on rugby and other sports,” he said.

“There seems to be an agenda against inter-county teams this past three or four years for some unknown reason.

“There’s probably a very small percentage of players that don’t like it but it’s fair to say the majority of players love playing for their county.

“There seems to be an agenda about over-training and stuff like that. I hate to buck the trend but I can’t see the over-training. I think training has got better compared to what we did.

“We used to have pre-season in September to start in October, then another pre-season in January to start in February, and then another pre-season in May to start in June. The training’s much more enjoyable now, it’s all football orientated.

“We’ve shortened the league down to nine weeks. If anything, I’d love to see the pre-cup competitions going and just play the leagues home and away, have 14 games on the trot and then go into championship.

“I think that would be more reflective of an intermediate or senior championship then, when you’ve 14 games. Teams might be a wee bit more open to it then, when they’re getting 14 league games every year.”

He feels that giving counties more high-profile games would have a double impact, in terms of redressing the training-to-match ratio while also staving off public interest in other major sports.

The Mullaghbawn native believes having a 14-round League campaign would be achievable in the window between January and April, and that counties may be more receptive to the championship being both split-up and shortened if they had the guarantee of more games.

“If you’re still down to six or seven, plus one or two maybe in a championship, then why go for a second tier?

“If you’re playing 14 games, you’re able to try different things and try players, and it’s not lengthening the inter-county season.

“It could be done in the same amount of time, but you’re just replacing games that are already there. It cuts down the training load because you can’t train when you’re playing week in, week out, as we know this year.

“There’s no hard training, it’s small-sided games at the very most in between games, trying to keep boys ticking over.

“The biggest thing for me is it would raise the profile of the game. I think we’re going to get caught sleeping one of these days.

“I love rugby and soccer as much as the next person, but we have our own games to promote, and the more games we have of a higher quality, the better.

“I think if you’re going to do a [tiered] championship, you have to do a wee bit of groundwork before it. It’s not just a matter of ‘right, everybody into a ‘B’ championship’.

“Give teams more games, give fellas a chance to settle into a good season that won’t interfere with the club. That way you can shorten the championship and it would be over at the end of July, and the clubs are happy too.

“We should be making more out of our players and giving them more high-profile games. I’d agree with what most of the experts would say – more games and less training,” said the Orchard boss.

http://www.irishnews.com/sport/gaafootball/2018/03/22/news/gaa-losing-ground-to-rugby-mcgeeney-1284609/

Is there any evidence to support the broader assertion that the GAA is losing 'market share' to rugby, or is it just more of the same thing we hear any time the rugby team do well?

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GAA Discussion / Incoming President favours a tiered championship structure

« on: March 14, 2018, 11:39:07 AM »

Horan favours a two-tier football championship


GAA President John Horan has revealed he hopes to see the introduction of a two-tiered football championship before his term expires.

In a wide-ranging interview in today's Herald, Aogán Ó Fearghail's successor outlined his ambitions for his presidency and they include the splitting of the football championship in two by 2021.

"I would have hopes that we would end up with a two-tiered senior football championship. That would be one of my ambitions.

"I think if we put it together properly, we may get engagement. I think the previous attempt to put together such a competition didn't come to fruition.

"So as part of that review in three years' time, I would hope that we will end up with a two-tiered competition."

http://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/282506

Thoughts on two tiers vs. three?
It's possible that two tiers may be more palatable to 'weaker' counties, but I think three tiers offers more scope for realistic & sustainable progression.
Still, it's a conversation that needs to happen sooner rather than later so i'm glad he's set his stall out this early.

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GAA Discussion / Ryle Nugent steps down as RTE Head of Sport

« on: February 26, 2018, 04:30:18 PM »

https://www.independent.ie/sport/ryle-nugent-announces-departure-from-rte-after-24-years-with-broadcaster-36644387.html

How will he be remembered from the GAA perspective?
I will mostly remember him as the RTE Head of Sport who lost all the sport.
He will be replaced internally.
Would Darragh Maloney be in the running?

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GAA Discussion / Paddy O'Rourke's comments on intercounty demands

« on: February 15, 2018, 09:02:56 PM »

Paddy O'Rourke Slates 'Head-Melting' Demands Of Inter-County Schedule

Offsetting potential gratification gained against effort exerted is becoming an increasingly important consideration for inter-county GAA players.

Is it feasible or sensible to put so much of one's life on hold for the pursuit of sporting ambition?

Although it is inaccurate to suggest that such effort is ultimately in vain if no provincial or All-Ireland title is forthcoming, with so few of those playing in inter-county football and hurling ever getting even a glimpse of what the Championship can offer, thoughts regarding 'what is this all for?' seem increasingly inevitable as the preparatory steps to even mediocrity continue to rise.

For Meath's Paddy O'Rourke, the decision to reclaim some semblance of normality has won out.

Speaking to AIB, O'Rourke determined that the hopelessness of Meath's chances for success going forward informed his decision to forego the months of training and committment that would nonetheless necessitate his first-hand role in a doomed pursuit:

The idea that I had to walk away from inter-county football was nagging at the back of my head in the months before we lost to Donegal last summer.

If we're honest in Meath, we're not getting any closer to where we want to go.

Winning Leinster again or challenging for an All-Ireland doesn't look realistic any time soon, and in fact it feels like it is farther away than ever.

Undoubtedly, the Meath goalkeeper will be criticised for his willingness to walk-away. Yet, with the demands rising, and progress reducing, O'Rourke struggles to see the point in remaining.

Having played in an All-Ireland semi-final in 2009, and lifting the Leinster title in 2010, the 28-year-old has seen nothing since that would encourage him to continue:

From 2011 to now, the commitment levels have gone through the roof but we've had nothing to show for it.

Our seasons have been over by early to mid-July. Last year we lost to Kildare, which suggests we've been slipping in the province, while Dublin are well out in front, and then this new Super 8 won't help any team outside the elite.

Despite his long run with the Meath team however, the Skryne club-man is incredibly pleased with his premature decision to depart, citing "the huge upside of not being tied down to the Meath schedule for at least five days per week."

No longer waking up "thinking about what I need to get through the next 16 or 17 hours", the conclusion that "this is not worth it" any longer was a brave decision in reality. As the now former Meath 'keeper testifies, "your head would be melted" with the work that goes into it.

Whether or not O'Rourke's decision will become more common among other inter-county players of his status is unclear, but a precedence has certainly been set.

It is not inconceivable that, like O'Rourke, a number of footballers and hurlers may similarly consider that "losing so much of your life" to inter-county teams is scarcely worth a few Championship games a summer and no glory.

https://www.balls.ie/gaa/paddy-orourke-slates-head-melting-demands-inter-county-schedule-383369

Thoughts?
When you look at the increasing demands of intercounty football vs. the decreasing odds of success for most counties, I'm amazed so many of them are sticking it out.
Then again, it's mostly a game for students and teachers now.

8

GAA Discussion / Laochra Gael

« on: February 14, 2018, 09:42:33 AM »

Have to say, the new series looks brilliant.
Preview here.

https://twitter.com/Laochra_Gael/status/963705523152470016

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GAA Discussion / Pairc Tailteann to be made even better

« on: January 26, 2018, 09:34:25 PM »

https://www.thesun.ie/news/2091457/government-set-to-pump-e50-million-into-new-stadium-building-project-to-revitalise-some-of-irelands-oldest-sports-grounds/

The spiritual home of Leinster football will be upgraded to a 22,000 all-seater stadium.
Great news for football fans everywhere, except probably Kildare.

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GAA Discussion / Andy McEntee article

« on: June 05, 2017, 10:54:25 PM »

Keith Duggan's interview with Andy McEntee.
Very enjoyable read, regardless of your county allegiance.
http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/by-royal-appointment-andy-mcentee-trying-to-reverse-meath-s-slide-into-obscurity-1.3104110

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GAA Discussion / Are we mad?

« on: April 03, 2017, 10:43:57 AM »

And by 'we', I mean the GAA.
Yesterday was one of the most enjoyable days of action I can remember in a long time.
There was a huge sense of excitement & tension across all the divisions (well 1-3 anyway) as the games progressed and teams moved up or down in the table  relative to one another.
Added to this, we had great crowds showing up at grounds all over the country for hurling and football on a gorgeous Spring day.
I'm all for tradition, but it seems abundantly clear to me that the league is our premier competition in terms of quality & competitiveness.
Could it become the premier competition in the hearts & minds of the average GAA fan?
The answer to all our fixture woes, and the lack of competitiveness in the championship is staring us in the face.

I thought this picture of the Wexford lads stretching after the game pretty much summed up the whole day.




p.s. I'm not interested in rehashing loads of different 'alternative' structures for the championship.
The alternative is the league.
It's really that simple.

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GAA Discussion / Fair play to Roscommon.

« on: April 02, 2017, 05:09:32 PM »

Did not let petty local rivalry get in their way today.
Instead, they went all out to save their close neighbour's Division 1 status.
I salute them.
It was the manly thing to do.

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GAA Discussion / New President John Horan

« on: February 24, 2017, 09:27:34 PM »

What do we know about this fella?
I believe he's a Dub.
Still though, he deserves a chance.

14

GAA Discussion / Rule change on the way for kick-outs?

« on: January 13, 2017, 10:09:20 AM »

Restriction on kick-outs being looked at by GAA

Jarlath Burns, chair of the standing committee, says that an anomaly has arisen in that players in the corners are both outside the 20-metre line and 13 metres from the ball and the idea of requiring the kick-out to go forward is being considered.
‘Slip of hand’
“There is an argument that there is a slip of land on the field where it would be advisable to prohibit a player from receiving a kick-out if you wanted to make the ball go forward. When the rule on kick-outs was changed the rule wasn’t correspondingly changed that the ball had to go forward 20 metres.
“It has been discussed and might be worth looking at. It wouldn’t take a lot to change that but it might have a positive implication.”

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/restriction-on-kick-outs-being-looked-at-by-gaa-1.2935222#.WHiWV4lToVE.twitter

I suppose it's basically closing a 'loophole' that the wording of Rule 2.7 didn't allow for.

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GAA Discussion / Registration for Club Players Association

« on: January 10, 2017, 11:11:31 AM »

http://gaaclubplayers.com/
Registered yesterday and it took me about 30 seconds.
You don't have to register as a player either, as there are a number of options.
I'm curious to know if people object to this, or don't see any particular reason why they should register.
Seems a no-brainer to me, but that's only my opinion.
I doubt anyone who listened to Liam Griffin on Off The Ball last night would see this as anything other than a big step in the right direction.