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Post by kerrygold on Feb 16, 2013 12:11:51 GMT
Cormac Byrne– 15 February 2013 GAA stars have reacted angrily to assertions made by former Irish athlete Jerry Kiernan that GAA players don’t train hard enough to receive grants.
Kiernan, who is a regular contributor to RTE’s athletics coverage, caused a major stir when he made the comments last night on Newstalk’s Off The Ball show.
It was announced yesterday that the Irish Sports Council and the GAA were renewing their agreement for the next two years meaning €900,000 will be made available for inter-county players to receive payments of around €400-per-year.
“I think that the GAA are the richest sporting organisation in the country and should be well able to look after themselves,” said Kiernan, who represented Ireland in the marathon at the 1984 Olympics.
“An athlete I coach, Joe Sweeney, training 120 mile-a-week for the last six months, ran a 30km road race in Holland last weekend and won the race. There was no mention of it on the national airwaves.
“We’re giving so much prominence to a sport that I feel doesn’t deserve it.”
Whatever about his feeling on the sport, Kiernan also called into question the commitment of GAA players.
“I don’t have a high opinion of their fitness or their commitment to fitness. I understand that it means an awful lot to people in the country and from an economic point of view when you’ve got thousands of people going to the games it means a lot to the country,” he added.
“If this money, and it’s only a small amount, wasn’t given to them, would it dilute the attendances at the championships? I don’t think so.”
I believe that the GAA people live in a cloistered world, don’t think beyond what they do and they tell themselves that they’re training hard.
“I always notice as well when they’re commenting on things they often talk about the sacrifices they make. You’ll never hear that among athletes, boxers, swimmers or people who do international running.”
“If there is a finite amount of money involved I would only give it to people who are competing internationally.”
A lot of the country’s inter-county stars took to social media networks to voice their disapproval of Kiernan’s beliefs.
“Maybe Jerry Kiernan should spend a week as an inter county GAA player, might change his views on whether we deserve our grants or not,” Kildare star Emmett Bolton tweeted.
Meath’s Seamus Kenny also on twitter, wrote: “Jerry Kiernan has managed to insult every GAA player in Ireland.”
Former Kerry midfielder Michael Quirke wrote: “Jerry Kiernan has some cheek criticising GAA player grant scheme. & even greater arrogance implying they don't train hard enough to earn it.”
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 16, 2013 12:12:58 GMT
I generally turn off the TV when Jerry comes on the box.
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Post by southward on Feb 16, 2013 12:29:40 GMT
Cormac Byrne– 15 February 2013 GAA stars have reacted angrily to assertions made by former Irish athlete Jerry Kiernan that GAA players don’t train hard enough to receive grants. Kiernan, who is a regular contributor to RTE’s athletics coverage, caused a major stir when he made the comments last night on Newstalk’s Off The Ball show. It was announced yesterday that the Irish Sports Council and the GAA were renewing their agreement for the next two years meaning €900,000 will be made available for inter-county players to receive payments of around €400-per-year. “I think that the GAA are the richest sporting organisation in the country and should be well able to look after themselves,” said Kiernan, who represented Ireland in the marathon at the 1984 Olympics. “An athlete I coach, Joe Sweeney, training 120 mile-a-week for the last six months, ran a 30km road race in Holland last weekend and won the race. There was no mention of it on the national airwaves.“We’re giving so much prominence to a sport that I feel doesn’t deserve it.” Whatever about his feeling on the sport, Kiernan also called into question the commitment of GAA players. “I don’t have a high opinion of their fitness or their commitment to fitness. I understand that it means an awful lot to people in the country and from an economic point of view when you’ve got thousands of people going to the games it means a lot to the country,” he added. “If this money, and it’s only a small amount, wasn’t given to them, would it dilute the attendances at the championships? I don’t think so.” I believe that the GAA people live in a cloistered world, don’t think beyond what they do and they tell themselves that they’re training hard. “I always notice as well when they’re commenting on things they often talk about the sacrifices they make. You’ll never hear that among athletes, boxers, swimmers or people who do international running.” “If there is a finite amount of money involved I would only give it to people who are competing internationally.” A lot of the country’s inter-county stars took to social media networks to voice their disapproval of Kiernan’s beliefs. “Maybe Jerry Kiernan should spend a week as an inter county GAA player, might change his views on whether we deserve our grants or not,” Kildare star Emmett Bolton tweeted. Meath’s Seamus Kenny also on twitter, wrote: “Jerry Kiernan has managed to insult every GAA player in Ireland.” Former Kerry midfielder Michael Quirke wrote: “Jerry Kiernan has some cheek criticising GAA player grant scheme. & even greater arrogance implying they don't train hard enough to earn it.” Any why should the taxpayer subvent Joe Sweeney, or anyone else, to run around in Holland ? Let's be honest, marathon runners, discus throwers, bobsleigh competitors et al are indulging their own hobbies, usually abroad, in sports that simply don't engage the general public. I'd suggest they don't really represent anyone except themselves. And good luck to them, but it's laughable to suggest that they alone are the worthy recepients of state monies.
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Post by glengael on Feb 17, 2013 17:50:05 GMT
“I always notice as well when they’re commenting on things they often talk about the sacrifices they make. You’ll never hear that among athletes, boxers, swimmers or people who do international running.”Really Gerry? Do you just turn on the radio and TV when you're on yourself ? I seem to recall hearing plenty in the media from our Professional athletes, boxers, swimmers and runners about the sacrifices that they make. But sure, why let the facts get in the way of a good quote.
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 18, 2013 23:53:25 GMT
The death has taken place of legendary broadcaster Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin at the age of 89.
Ó Ceallacháin retired in May 2011 after an illustrious career that spanned decades on RTÉ airwaves. He first broadcast on Radio Éireann in 1935 as part of the Scoil Colmchille school choir and took over the Sunday night GAA results show from his father, Seán Ó Ceallacháin, in 1948. His voice became a familiar staple to the sporting audience as a tie-in with Gaelic Games for over 60 years. Ó Ceallacháin achieved the longest career in radio sports broadcasting worldwide. He represented Dublin hurlers in the 1940s and 1950s and played in the 1948 All-Ireland hurling final, scoring a goal in Dublin's loss to Waterford. Former Dublin footballer Jimmy Keaveney paid tribute to Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin. He said: “He was a dyed-in-the-wool [GAA person], he was a great supporter. "He would always be there for a bit of advice or anything you want to get something done for your club or charity, Seán Óg would be the first one who would [do it], a real gentleman.” Current Clare manager and Kerry legend Mick O’Dwyer also hailed the ex-Dublin hurler. "He represented the voice of urban Dublin and rural Ireland," he said. “On a Sunday night, every GAA man would tune in to get the results of their club games all over the country. “If you wanted to know something about Gaelic Games, you just contacted Seán and he’d have the answer fairly quickly, he was a wonderful commentator.” Noel Curran, Director-General, RTÉ, said the broadcaster became "an essential part of sporting Sundays". "Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin was a legend in Sports broadcasting," he said. "On RTÉ Radio 1, he presented one of the longest-running sports results programmes in the world, having joined his father on air in 1948. "When he signed off on his last Gaelic Sports Results programme in 2011, it was a momentous moment not only in broadcasting but in the sporting life of the nation. "His passing will be acknowledged by the many thousands of listeners for whom Seán Óg's Sunday night broadcasts were an essential part of our sporting Sundays." Clare Duignan, MD RTÉ Radio, said Ó Ceallacháin had a unique place in Irish life: "Seán Óg first broadcast on Radio Éireann in 1935 as part of the Scoil Colmchille school choir and took over the Sunday night GAA results show from his father, Seán Ó Ceallacháin, in 1948. "His voice became not only a familiar staple to the general sporting audience, but synonymous with Gaelic Games for over 60 years. His was a unique voice, with a unique place in Irish life." "He represented the voice of urban Dublin and rural Ireland." - Mick O’Dwyer LISTEN: Seán Óg recalls the fall-out in 1955, when in the course of his commentary he named a player who had just been sent off. GAA president Liam Ó Néill has expressed his sympathies on behalf of the GAA saying that Ó Ceallacháin holds a "very special place in GAA hearts". Mr Ó Ceallacháin's colleagues in RTÉ Sport also paid tribute. Broadcaster Darren Frehill said that Seán Óg Ó Ceallacháin was "one of the great GAA voices." Adrian Eames said that his was "a voice that echoed through the ages. A lovely man and a real gentleman." RTÉ 2fm's Damien O'Meara stated that he had been "privileged to know and work with a legend but more so a kind and caring gentleman."
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 18, 2013 23:56:20 GMT
One of the great Gaa voices in the game. RIP
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Post by glengael on Feb 19, 2013 17:03:54 GMT
May he rest in peace.
In the not too distant past, before the internet and so-called "smart phones" and all that modern technology and indeed before the 1990's and the arrival of local radio, that 11 o'clock results programme was essential listening for me and I'm sure for so many outside their native county.
It was a joy to listen to all the names of the Clubs all over the country. Then when he began the Kerry results, it was time to pay extra attention. I can't recall him misprounouncing a Club name, no matter where it was and how seldom they made the headlines. ( A stark contrast to some of the present day sports presenters who struggle with difficult words like Croke Park.)
It was not until later in life that I learned of his distinguished playing career. They certainly don't make them like Sean Og anymore.
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Post by kerry97 on Feb 19, 2013 19:34:48 GMT
Cormac Byrne– 15 February 2013 GAA stars have reacted angrily to assertions made by former Irish athlete Jerry Kiernan that GAA players don’t train hard enough to receive grants. Kiernan, who is a regular contributor to RTE’s athletics coverage, caused a major stir when he made the comments last night on Newstalk’s Off The Ball show. It was announced yesterday that the Irish Sports Council and the GAA were renewing their agreement for the next two years meaning €900,000 will be made available for inter-county players to receive payments of around €400-per-year. “I think that the GAA are the richest sporting organisation in the country and should be well able to look after themselves,” said Kiernan, who represented Ireland in the marathon at the 1984 Olympics. “An athlete I coach, Joe Sweeney, training 120 mile-a-week for the last six months, ran a 30km road race in Holland last weekend and won the race. There was no mention of it on the national airwaves.“We’re giving so much prominence to a sport that I feel doesn’t deserve it.” Whatever about his feeling on the sport, Kiernan also called into question the commitment of GAA players. “I don’t have a high opinion of their fitness or their commitment to fitness. I understand that it means an awful lot to people in the country and from an economic point of view when you’ve got thousands of people going to the games it means a lot to the country,” he added. “If this money, and it’s only a small amount, wasn’t given to them, would it dilute the attendances at the championships? I don’t think so.” I believe that the GAA people live in a cloistered world, don’t think beyond what they do and they tell themselves that they’re training hard. “I always notice as well when they’re commenting on things they often talk about the sacrifices they make. You’ll never hear that among athletes, boxers, swimmers or people who do international running.” “If there is a finite amount of money involved I would only give it to people who are competing internationally.” A lot of the country’s inter-county stars took to social media networks to voice their disapproval of Kiernan’s beliefs. “Maybe Jerry Kiernan should spend a week as an inter county GAA player, might change his views on whether we deserve our grants or not,” Kildare star Emmett Bolton tweeted. Meath’s Seamus Kenny also on twitter, wrote: “Jerry Kiernan has managed to insult every GAA player in Ireland.” Former Kerry midfielder Michael Quirke wrote: “Jerry Kiernan has some cheek criticising GAA player grant scheme. & even greater arrogance implying they don't train hard enough to earn it.” Any why should the taxpayer subvent Joe Sweeney, or anyone else, to run around in Holland ? Let's be honest, marathon runners, discus throwers, bobsleigh competitors et al are indulging their own hobbies, usually abroad, in sports that simply don't engage the general public. I'd suggest they don't really represent anyone except themselves. And good luck to them, but it's laughable to suggest that they alone are the worthy recepients of state monies. Are GAA players worthy recipients of State monies , the state are looking to cut Carers allowance and are closing A&Es around the country. Does Emmet Bolton deserve his 400 euro, he is only more than likely involved in an individual pursuit of his own interests much the same as Joe Sweeney. Should we give grant aid to GAA players so they can play meaningless league games around the country as they are simply indulging in their own hobbies. Athletics doesn't engage with the general public ? Really , how many people ran the Dublin City Maraton last year , was it 14,000 people ? Wasn't that the largest sports event in Ireland last year in terms of participation. Finally I don't think Bolton or any of the Geezers Gym rats for that matter would last 1 week in Joe Sweeney's training programme. I'd say Joe Sweeney is as hard as nails. Bottom line your argument does not make any sense. What did you make of Ciaran O Lionairds performance on Saturday night at the Wannamaker mile? 3:52 wasn't to shabby.
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 19, 2013 20:13:45 GMT
Three Kildare players have withdrawn from the Kildare panel due to family commitments and demands of the modern intercounty game, in recent weeks, to raise their children, put food on the table and pay the bills. Garda James kavanagh and Gary "Chawky" White from the defense forces. Both public servants in secure employment, and Andrew mcLoughlin. This is food for thought for proponents of this high octane defensive game. It is not sustainable long term.
Secondly, ill informed opinion about Kieran McGeeney never ceases to amaze me. Gym rats is a terrible description for players who are playing for their county on a voluntary basis.
People might get their eyes opened in Kerry over the next decade if preparation of the game is allowed to become unsustainable. I think we can kiss goodbye to 5 championships in a decade if this is allowed to happen. No defensive game plan will hold the tide over a prolonged period of time.
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Post by glengael on Feb 27, 2013 14:14:19 GMT
Duffy says congress will be called on to make some momentous decisions
SEÁN MORAN
Next month’s annual GAA congress will be called on to make “momentous decisions”, according to association director general Páraic Duffy speaking at the launch of his annual report in Croke Park yesterday.
He was referring to the motions tabled to give effect to the proposals of the Football Review Committee to improve the game as well as the blueprint for a new hurling championship, which will reduce the number of counties competing for the MacCarthy Cup while allowing all current participants to play for their place in the streamlined structure.
“The motion in front of delegates is the fruit of sustained reflection,” he says in his report about the hurling proposals, “and it clearly represents a long-term solution, as opposed to another short-term fix.
“I would hope that the proposals, if adopted, will bring about more competitive, streamlined and balanced hurling championships for all inter-county teams, regardless of their level. Most of all, I hope they will stand the test of time and prove to be a lasting and effective solution to the unique issues surrounding the competitive imbalance that exists among county teams at the various levels of our national game.”
Duffy’s report was, however, most trenchant when addressing the proposed reforms of the FRC. During media questioning he said that he was “absolutely supportive” of the proposals, which he described as “a serious attempt to make Gaelic football a better game”.
Reduce fouls
“They want to reduce extensive fouls in Gaelic football, they want to get rid of the so-called cynical fouling, they want to give the high catch a better chance, they want to engender respect for referees, they want to extend the advantage rule to make the game more fluid and enjoyable to watch and they also address the issue of more games for club players. I don’t see how anybody could oppose any of those things.”
He was critical of the tendency to prioritise flowing matches over the application of playing rules. “The last number of years, you have this clamour all the time to let the game run with the least number of fouls being a positive . . . That’s the mantra. But in many cases, that means letting the game run by ignoring fouls.
“There’s something wrong if that’s the way you want the game played – for referees to ignore a certain number of fouls so we’ve a nice, open game. If you do want the open game well let’s change the rules to ensure we have an open game. It’s a problem for a sport or a game if you’re relying on non-application or a deliberate misinterpretation of the rules.”
In relation to the general issue of discipline he vigorously defended the recently introduced restriction on the numbers allowed on the sideline during matches – a move that has caused unhappiness amongst some team managers and their selectors.
“I am more convinced than ever that we must now legislate for such a restriction and extend the regulations recently adopted by Central Council for its fixtures to all levels of the association. It is deeply frustrating that those involved in scuffles or brawls at games have absolutely no awareness of the damage they do to the GAA.
Undo the damage
“That sanctions are later imposed in accordance with our rules does nothing to undo the damage that has been done – the unflattering image of the association and its members has gained ground as a consequence of stupid and undisciplined behaviour.
“I would ask team managers, coaches and selectors to see the reduction in the number of people present on the sideline as a major initiative to improve discipline within the association, and to accept any perceived inconvenience that the new regulations may entail as a small price to pay towards the bigger prize of altering a culture that seriously damages our association
“Managers have to start asking what is good for the whole association and stop looking at the change in regulation and how it might affect them on a match-day basis. The effects are minimal. As I state (in the report), it’s the long-term attitude of the association towards discipline and trying to improve the culture as it currently exists . . .
“It’s the decision of Central Council, it was debated at two meetings. It was very clear at the last Central Council meeting that they wanted to do this and they believed it was in the interests of the association.”
Duffy said that he didn’t accept that restricting medical personnel on the sideline was a problem. “You’ve a choice of putting in one medical person, a physio or a doctor. I’ve been at six or seven intercounty games this year and there hasn’t been the slightest problem. In most games a physio or doctor has been sitting a few rows back from the sideline at the end of a row. He gets out of his seat, goes down to the pitch. I don’t see a problem.”
On International Rules
“The attendances this October, as well as the continued desire of our top players to commit to the game, will be instructive. The lack of a positive response from players or spectators in October will raise a serious doubt about the future of the competition.
“As for the AFL, there appears to be a desire on their behalf to maintain the series. However, the strength of the team that travels to Ireland in 2013 and the engagement of the Australian public with the 2014 series will ultimately determine whether the game has a future, or not.”
On verbal abuse
“In general terms, such behaviour goes profoundly against the spirit of sport; more specifically, it is fundamentally at odds with the principles of our Respect Initiative, which promotes the rights, dignity and worth of each person regardless of ability, age, cultural or ethnic origin, gender, sexual orientation, or religious belief.
“It would be convenient to convince oneself that ‘sledging’ is the norm in many sports and to accept that the aspiration of keeping our games free of such behaviour is idealistic and unachievable. Such responses will ill-serve the values and image of the GAA.”
On the impact of television on attendances
“We need to encourage people to attend our games rather than to watch them on television. In a recent ESPN poll of fans of NFL games in the US, 41 per cent said they would rather watch a game on television than in the stands.
“Jonathan Kraft, President of the New England Patriots, offered an interesting perspective at a recent technology summit: ‘If we want people to come to our stadium and find it worth the money, we have to figure out how we give an experience that’s different than the experience at home and give you all the comforts of home.’”
On score detection technology
“A significant development in 2013 will be in the introduction of Hawk-Eye score-detection technology for our major games at Croke Park, an innovation that will doubtless attract significant media and public attention. We’re very comfortable where we are in terms of the technology and all that but the motion hasn’t been passed at Congress.
“If the motion is passed wed expect it to be used for the first Championship game here officially. I think it’s the first weekend in June. All going well it’ll be used then.”
On the role of county secretaries
“The decision in 2007 to initiate the appointment of full-time county secretaries was intended not only to maintain high-quality administration . . . but also to underline a new commitment to financial and commercial management.
“These are worthy goals; however, it can be argued that the association did little to provide the new appointees with the necessary skills and training. The decision of Coiste Bainistí in 2012 that it will, in future, favour the appointment of administrators to work alongside voluntary county secretaries seems to reflect a disappointment that the full-time role has not developed as originally envisaged.”
On the responsibility of fixture makers
“It was disappointing to observe that a number of high-profile games in 2012 were fixed for venues that met none of the criteria for achieving maximum attendances. Venues with superior facilities, better seating and easier journeys for supporters were often not selected.
“CCC (Central Competition Control) committees have a responsibility at all levels to select venues that meet the criteria identified in the 2009 research (into the key factors that encourage and discourage attendances at our games). It is no longer good enough that venues are selected on account of politics or traditional practice.”
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Post by givehimaball on Feb 27, 2013 17:36:30 GMT
Three Kildare players have withdrawn from the Kildare panel due to family commitments and demands of the modern intercounty game, in recent weeks, to raise their children, put food on the table and pay the bills. Garda James kavanagh and Gary "Chawky" White from the defense forces. Both public servants in secure employment, and Andrew mcLoughlin. This is food for thought for proponents of this high octane defensive game. It is not sustainable long term. Secondly, ill informed opinion about Kieran McGeeney never ceases to amaze me. Gym rats is a terrible description for players who are playing for their county on a voluntary basis. People might get their eyes opened in Kerry over the next decade if preparation of the game is allowed to become unsustainable. I think we can kiss goodbye to 5 championships in a decade if this is allowed to happen. No defensive game plan will hold the tide over a prolonged period of time. From what I heard Kavanagh withdrew due to personal issues with McGeeney. Expect him to be back next year when McGeeney departs. White had to withdraw as he's going on a tour of duty overseas starting in May.
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 27, 2013 21:48:25 GMT
Three Kildare players have withdrawn from the Kildare panel due to family commitments and demands of the modern intercounty game, in recent weeks, to raise their children, put food on the table and pay the bills. Garda James kavanagh and Gary "Chawky" White from the defense forces. Both public servants in secure employment, and Andrew mcLoughlin. This is food for thought for proponents of this high octane defensive game. It is not sustainable long term. Secondly, ill informed opinion about Kieran McGeeney never ceases to amaze me. Gym rats is a terrible description for players who are playing for their county on a voluntary basis. People might get their eyes opened in Kerry over the next decade if preparation of the game is allowed to become unsustainable. I think we can kiss goodbye to 5 championships in a decade if this is allowed to happen. No defensive game plan will hold the tide over a prolonged period of time. From what I heard Kavanagh withdrew due to personal issues with McGeeney. Expect him to be back next year when McGeeney departs. White had to withdraw as he's going on a tour of duty overseas starting in May. What does it require to split hairs? Big assumption to make regarding Kieran McGeeneys future with Kildare. I don't get the anti McGeeney feeling that is out there. I'm sure he isn't too bothered about it either.
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Post by givehimaball on Feb 28, 2013 12:52:11 GMT
From what I heard Kavanagh withdrew due to personal issues with McGeeney. Expect him to be back next year when McGeeney departs. White had to withdraw as he's going on a tour of duty overseas starting in May. What does it require to split hairs? Big assumption to make regarding Kieran McGeeneys future with Kildare. I don't get the anti McGeeney feeling that is out there. I'm sure he isn't too bothered about it either. Ha Didnt even think about the assumption. I was basically repeating the words of a Kildare man re Kavanagh and McGeeney. On Kavanagh the story put out in the press is generally regarded as PR Spin with the real reason being related to issues with McGeeney. Whens the last time you heard of a 27 year old retiring for a year? www.kildare-nationalist.ie/2013/01/10/gone-for-now-but-not-for-good/Basically McGeeney has been in Kildare six years at this stage and there is a general feeling that he will be moving on at the end of the year. I posted the reasons because I felt they offered a substantially different explanation than that were mentioned. On White the fact is that he is in the Army and heading off on a tour of duty abroad. Basically if he wasnt going abroad he would be playing for Kildare.
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 28, 2013 13:45:16 GMT
What does it require to split hairs? Big assumption to make regarding Kieran McGeeneys future with Kildare. I don't get the anti McGeeney feeling that is out there. I'm sure he isn't too bothered about it either. Ha Didnt even think about the assumption. I was basically repeating the words of a Kildare man re Kavanagh and McGeeney. On Kavanagh the story put out in the press is generally regarded as PR Spin with the real reason being related to issues with McGeeney. Whens the last time you heard of a 27 year old retiring for a year? www.kildare-nationalist.ie/2013/01/10/gone-for-now-but-not-for-good/Basically McGeeney has been in Kildare six years at this stage and there is a general feeling that he will be moving on at the end of the year. I posted the reasons because I felt they offered a substantially different explanation than that were mentioned. On White the fact is that he is in the Army and heading off on a tour of duty abroad. Basically if he wasnt going abroad he would be playing for Kildare. The situations of the players in question can just be as easily interpreted as football commitments getting in the way of young mens careers and family. Rather than the general consensus out there that everyone hates Kieran McGeeneys guts, which amounts to no more than lazy analysis based on ill-informed information.
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Post by glengael on Mar 5, 2013 10:24:06 GMT
I briefly tuned in to Terrace Talk last night, in Weeshie's absence, it was like the Rose of Tralee without the Roses. There was a guy on (didn't get his name before the signal went) and he was talking about the difference between the McGrath Cup and the National League. He said that Limerick were struggling in the League now. Well if 3 wins out of 3 is struggling, I'd take that anyday. I believe it is all change in the Sports Dept of Newstalk. Anyone have any insight on that?
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Post by Sons of Pitches on Mar 5, 2013 10:47:56 GMT
Disappointed to hear what's going on with Off the Ball. Listened in daily to the show thought they excelled on the Lance Armstrong story. Will be hard going to get the whole team another slot on a radio station.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Mar 5, 2013 10:57:51 GMT
I briefly tuned in to Terrace Talk last night, in Weeshie's absence, it was like the Rose of Tralee without the Roses. There was a guy on (didn't get his name before the signal went) and he was talking about the difference between the McGrath Cup and the National League. He said that Limerick were struggling in the League now. Well if 3 wins out of 3 is struggling, I'd take that anyday. I believe it is all change in the Sports Dept of Newstalk. Anyone have any insight on that? It is like when Take That split up: disaster!!
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Post by glengael on Mar 6, 2013 12:24:17 GMT
He crafted his pieces with the care of the poet he was
OBITUARY: There were many paradoxes about Paddy Downey’s life and career. At a time when national GAA correspondents numbered an elite few rather than, as they would become, a demographic, he weathered the rarefied distinction with courtesy and charm – even if capable of volcanic temper if provoked.
In a world of urgent deadlines and often disposable prose he agonised over and crafted his pieces with the care and attention of someone who also liked to write poetry.
Reared in the remoteness of rural Ireland in the 1930s and ’40s, he grew to play a prominent role in the dissemination of Gaelic games through a national newspaper at a time when that was effectively the sole means of mass-media communication.
Committed in his writings to celebrating Gaelic games and particularly hurling he nonetheless cultivated a wide range of interests and wrote on politics, the arts and was this newspaper’s radio critic for a spell in the 1970s.
He was particularly interested in the work of Patrick Kavanagh and plucked up the courage to speak to him on one occasion in Searson’s and although gruffly rebuffed, he went on to commission a piece from the irascible poet for the Gaelic Weekly in 1956.
Kavanagh’s letters
The transaction is mentioned in one of Kavanagh’s letters to his brother Peter, but sadly from Paddy Downey’s point of view the identity of the commissioning editor remains unrevealed.
From Toormore in west Cork, he was a strapping youngster, more than six feet tall at the age of 14, interested in many sports and with ambitions of a military career, but his life changed irrevocably in the summer of 1944 when he was struck down by polio.
His pastimes became by necessity more sedentary and formal education became impractical but days, weeks and months in hospital gave him a love of reading, which ranged from newspapers and periodicals to books of all sorts.
The broadness of his self-taught curriculum helped make him the writer he became but the career path to journalism stretched throughout the 1950s after his arrival in Dublin at the start of the decade. A position secured through the Polio Fellowship correcting crosswords for the Sunday Independent supplemented his primary income, earned as an estate agent.
“I managed to sell two houses,” he later said about his initial career direction.
Pangs of envy
A decade spent writing about Gaelic games began with a position in the Gaelic Sportsman and passed through other publications, culminating in an appointment to The Sunday Review, this newspaper’s short-lived venture into Sunday publishing.
Earlier in the decade his health took another knock when he contracted TB and spent over a year convalescing. By that time he had established relationships and friendships within the games and on an occasion which must send pangs of envy through all modern practitioners, he was visited in the Richmond Hospital on the morning of the 1953 All-Ireland by the Cork hurling maestro Christy Ring.
His move across the house to The Irish Times was partly inspired by representations to management about the declining volume of GAA coverage, as the paper’s original correspondent PD Mehigan, writing as Pat O, was now in his 80s and unsupported by any new appointment to share the burden. Paddy Downey became synonymous with this newspaper’s improved coverage, his style of writing and enthusiasm helping to bring the games to audiences that wouldn’t have been traditionally receptive. In this respect he played a major role in Douglas Gageby’s project of bringing The Irish Times into the mainstream of national life.
Touring celebrities
From the 1960s he and his colleagues from the other national newspapers travelled the country like touring celebrities, meeting the locals and socialising after matches as they called into various hostelries from where reports could be telephoned back to the waiting copytakers.
One of the most famous yarns dates from 1981 when feeling unwell and having been warned by a local doctor in Thurles that he should go to hospital immediately after the match, a Munster hurling championship encounter in which Clare surprised Cork.
Having been checked out, he was told to rest but insisted on gathering together his notes and going to work. “I was anxious to do the report because Clare had beaten Cork,” he recalled, “a thing they hadn’t done for ages. By good chance on the ward that I was in there was a reception area with a phone.
“They wheeled out my bed beside the reception desk and I phoned my report from the bed. It was the most peculiar, I suppose the most bizarre thing that ever happened to me.”
On his retirement in September 1994, the famous Galway footballer and writer Jack Mahon wrote a letter to this newspaper in which he paid tribute, describing Paddy Downey as follows: “A brilliant writer, he was always kind to players though never afraid to criticise the GAA if he saw fit.”
He is survived by his wife Catríona and children Margaret, Pádraig and John.
Doyen of Irish sports journalists Woe betide the naive sub who approached him for that first All-Ireland draft “Most people rightly remember Paddy Downey for his exceptional GAA writing, but he also possessed a wonderful speaking voice and it’s a pity that more of his recollections about particular games and controversies were not recorded in that rich voice of his.
His beautiful reports on hurling and football down through the years earned him a special place in the annals of this newspaper and the GAA. Those reports were more than often carved out oblivious to deadlines. The only visible concession to anxiety over late copy would be more frequent puffs of smoke from his pipe.
But woe betide the naive sub-editor who approached on the night of an All-Ireland final looking for the first draft of his report. That’s a mistake a sub-editor wouldn’t make twice.”
– Malachy Logan, The Irish Times sports editor since 1988 .
“The greatest memory I have of Paddy was his courage in adversity. His early education was intermittent due to developing polio as a child, which meant he always walked with a limp. Then he survived TB, then he beat cancer. And Paddy didn’t live all his life on health foods!”
– Danny Lynch, GAA PRO (1988-2008). “A tall man with an enormous presence, he was widely respected in sport in general. He once applied for the editorship of The Irish Times on these terms: “On the basis that everyone is entitled to buy a ticket for the sweepstakes, I am applying for the job of editor ...” There were many people, and they weren’t all involved in sport, who believed The Irish Times could have made worse calls than that.
Incidentally, Paddy loved The Irish Times with a passion, and he loved the GAA too, but he also loved cricket. I think he got that from his mother who was from Kilkenny. He was a close friend of Christy Ring, who once visited him in hospital on the morning of an All-Ireland final.
– Peter Byrne, former soccer correspondent for The Irish Times .
“The quality of copy he produced was incredible and what he overcame to produce it put him above all of us. It was a privilege to know him.”
– Edmund van Esbeck, former rugby correspondent for The Irish Times .
“His reporting of matches was always very fair, very incisive, particularly in relation to hurling. He had a great feel for the game.”
– Jimmy Barry Murphy, Cork hurling manager.
“He was one of nature’s gentlemen. A pleasure to deal with, he was renowned for not identifying players who were having a poor game, which showed a great generosity of spirit.”
– Tony Hanahoe, former Dublin footballer and manager .
“For me Paddy Downey was the doyen of Irish sports journalists, irrespective of the sport. More than most, he understood the GAA’s ethos, both the good and the bad in it.”
– Peter Quinn, GAA president (1991-94).
“Paddy was the guy who influenced us all and made us want to be GAA sports writers. We all wanted to be him but weren’t able to be him. He just had that culture and that style and that intellect that made him unique. He could paint beautiful pictures. Particularly of hurling matches.”
– Donal Keenan, Gaelic games journalist.
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Post by glengael on Mar 11, 2013 14:39:04 GMT
On a lighter note, can any of our younger contributors explain to me the reason for the current outbreak of beards/ semi-beards amongst some of our GAA fraternity? In the past few weeks alone I've noticed Killian Young, Aidan O'Shea, Seanie Johnson even Kieran McGeeney going in for this look and I wonder what the appeal is? In my book, its not as if the beard adds anything to their appearance, if anything it detracts from it.
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Post by An Tarbh Rua on Mar 11, 2013 15:50:18 GMT
On a lighter note, can any of our younger contributors explain to me the reason for the current outbreak of beards/ semi-beards amongst some of our GAA fraternity? In the past few weeks alone I've noticed Killian Young, Aidan O'Shea, Seanie Johnson even Kieran McGeeney going in for this look and I wonder what the appeal is? In my book, its not as if the beard adds anything to their appearance, if anything it detracts from it. All to do with the price of shaving. Blades and shaving have got very expensive. Plus you will save nearly a day a year by not shaving!!!
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Post by buck02 on Mar 14, 2013 18:46:39 GMT
PADDY HEANEY: Kerry must add power to talent to rediscover route to success
Thursday, March 14, 2013 By Paddy Heaney
When Donegal beat Kerry in last year’s All-Ireland Championship quarter-final, Jim McGuinness’s reaction at the final whistle said it all. Normally fairly stoic in victory, McGuinness refused to contain his emotions as he jumped and punched the air. The Donegal manager’s response was entirely understandable. Kerry, as we know, have been the benchmark. All-Ireland winners in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009, they were also beaten finalists in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011. They’ve been our September perennials. Always there. And if not the winners, then the winners had to beat them.
When Kerry trimmed Donegal in last year’s league, McGuinness knew he had encountered the side that could stop him from delivering an All-Ireland title. A year later and the landscape has changed. Last Sunday, Donegal whipped the Kingdom, 1-12 to 0-6.
Excuses about Kerry fielding an experimental team should be ignored. Their starting line-up included 10 of the side which lost to Donegal in last year’s quarter-final.
Instead, the result confirmed what has been widely predicted. Kerry are on the wane. Bottom of Division 1, and without a win after four games, relegation is a distinct possibility.
While Kerry’s stable of quality footballers should enable them to produce a last stand in this year’s championship, the forecast beyond 2013 looks bleak.
The grim fact is that Kerry’s best players are past their peak and the new recruits are out of their depth. It needs to be stressed the newcomers to this Kerry side shouldn’t be held responsible.
Observers at the game in Ballybofey noted Kerry’s ‘newbies’ were pushed out of the way. They couldn’t compete with Donegal’s power.
But how could they? They are totally ill-equipped for the physical challenge facing them. While most counties during the past decade set up strength and conditioning programmes for underage squads, Kerry were an exception. They did nothing.
Content to enjoy the victories of their senior squad, they ignored their underage structures. This was partly out of negligence but also a bit of snobbery. In the Kingdom, there is a fundamental belief in the innate superiority of the Kerry footballer. Ultimately, they believe the skills of the Kerry footballer will triumph ‘uber alles’.
In Kerry, they believe that weightlifting is okay if you are from somewhere like Kildare. They think boys pumping iron is just plain wrong. They should be kicking a ball.
While there is much to admire in this philosophy, it is proving to be ill-founded. Tipperary have three strength and conditioning coaches who work solely with their football squads.
Tipperary have won the last two Munster MFC titles. They won the All-Ireland minor title in 2011. Kerry haven’t done that since 1994. But it’s not just Tipperary who have realised strength and conditioning training is no longer the preserve of senior players. Cavan hired professional consultants who designed and supervised the programmes for their underage squads and won the last two Ulster U21 Championships.
Apart from giving minors and U21s a slight advantage at that level, the real benefit of a sustained programme of strength and conditioning training is that players come into senior football properly prepared.
When they do eventually reach that grade, they’ve already developed a solid base. In short, they’re not cannon fodder. They’ll certainly not be bullied the same way as the Kerry players were in Ballybofey. However, if Kerry are going to hire a raft of new coaches and claw themselves out of the hole they are slipping into, the county board is going to face some major decisions.
In the past, Kerry have ploughed money into their football squads. Most Kerry players will freely admit they were well looked after. Look at the evidence. Name the last player who voluntarily left the Kerry senior squad. But treating players with such deference comes at cost. Just two years ago, Kerry’s expenditure on their teams was nearly double Tyrone’s.
Tyrone aren’t being skinflints. They just don’t channel all their income in one direction. A fortnight ago, the Tyrone senior squad had their first training session at Garvaghey, the county’s new £6.7m (€7.7m) training and administrative headquarters.
Located on a 48-acre site, the complex includes five pitches, a full-sized 3G pitch and 10 changing rooms. Garvaghey will now become the hub of Tyrone GAA, the HQ for all squads from U15 to senior.
Kerry has no such centre of excellence. While these facilities aren’t a necessity, they’re certainly a huge help, particularly when training underage squads. Of course, Kerry will argue that northern projects such as Garvaghey receive significant funding from the British exchequer. That case is sometimes overstated.
The Tyrone board coughed up 48% of the total cost — that equates to a figure of nearly £3.25m (€3.7m). Kerry fans might note that a sizeable chunk of the cash came from the Club Tyrone supporters who contributed £500 per year, and the 250 Garvaghey patrons who pledged £5,000 over five years. GAA funding from Croke Park (24% and the Ulster Council (5%) accounted for 29%. Government grants amounted to just 23%. Subtract the money allocated from the public purse, and Tyrone and the GAA funding still totalled a massive £5,159,000 (€5.938m).
Of course, the Dublin senior footballers don’t need to develop a centre of excellence. They can train at Parnell Park, and they have the use of the ultra-modern gym at Dublin City University. Dublin also has a population of more than one million people.
Meanwhile, rural depopulation has become a huge concern in Kerry. A recent South Kerry minor final featured six different clubs. In order to field a team, one side was an amalgamation of Valentia Island, Sneem, Skellig Rangers and Derrynane. The other side was an amalgamation of St Mary’s, Cahirciveen and Renard.
In previous decades, Kerry have experienced slumps, but they didn’t need to put a lot of thinking into how they would renew themselves.
Generally speaking, they just relied on the good women of Kerry to produce another crop of great footballers.
This strategy has worked a treat. In 1997, Maurice Fitzgerald ended 11 years of austerity all on his own. The success of the last decade stemmed largely from glittering talent.
But there was also warning signs during the noughties. Before the climax to each year’s Championship, RTÉ pundit Colm O’Rourke used to say: “The team with the best players wins the All-Ireland final.”
But after watching a Kerry side laden with brilliant players lose four finals, the penny eventually dropped with Colm. Last year he said: “The best team wins the All-Ireland final.”
Nowadays, it’s about teams and that poses a major problem for Kerry, a county that has specialised in producing footballers of the highest calibre. But the answer to Kerry’s pending decline is not to be found in a maternity ward. Football is no longer just about talent. It’s about strength. About underage structures. About tactical systems. This means a new kind of famine is heading to Kerry. And they’ll need to start thinking differently if they ever want it to end.
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martym
Senior Member
Posts: 254
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Post by martym on Mar 14, 2013 20:59:18 GMT
PADDY HEANEY: Kerry must add power to talent to rediscover route to success Thursday, March 14, 2013 By Paddy Heaney When Donegal beat Kerry in last year’s All-Ireland Championship quarter-final, Jim McGuinness’s reaction at the final whistle said it all. Normally fairly stoic in victory, McGuinness refused to contain his emotions as he jumped and punched the air. The Donegal manager’s response was entirely understandable. Kerry, as we know, have been the benchmark. All-Ireland winners in 2000, 2004, 2006, 2007 and 2009, they were also beaten finalists in 2002, 2005, 2008 and 2011. They’ve been our September perennials. Always there. And if not the winners, then the winners had to beat them. When Kerry trimmed Donegal in last year’s league, McGuinness knew he had encountered the side that could stop him from delivering an All-Ireland title. A year later and the landscape has changed. Last Sunday, Donegal whipped the Kingdom, 1-12 to 0-6. Excuses about Kerry fielding an experimental team should be ignored. Their starting line-up included 10 of the side which lost to Donegal in last year’s quarter-final. Instead, the result confirmed what has been widely predicted. Kerry are on the wane. Bottom of Division 1, and without a win after four games, relegation is a distinct possibility. While Kerry’s stable of quality footballers should enable them to produce a last stand in this year’s championship, the forecast beyond 2013 looks bleak. The grim fact is that Kerry’s best players are past their peak and the new recruits are out of their depth. It needs to be stressed the newcomers to this Kerry side shouldn’t be held responsible. Observers at the game in Ballybofey noted Kerry’s ‘newbies’ were pushed out of the way. They couldn’t compete with Donegal’s power. But how could they? They are totally ill-equipped for the physical challenge facing them. While most counties during the past decade set up strength and conditioning programmes for underage squads, Kerry were an exception. They did nothing. Content to enjoy the victories of their senior squad, they ignored their underage structures. This was partly out of negligence but also a bit of snobbery. In the Kingdom, there is a fundamental belief in the innate superiority of the Kerry footballer. Ultimately, they believe the skills of the Kerry footballer will triumph ‘uber alles’. In Kerry, they believe that weightlifting is okay if you are from somewhere like Kildare. They think boys pumping iron is just plain wrong. They should be kicking a ball. While there is much to admire in this philosophy, it is proving to be ill-founded. Tipperary have three strength and conditioning coaches who work solely with their football squads. Tipperary have won the last two Munster MFC titles. They won the All-Ireland minor title in 2011. Kerry haven’t done that since 1994. But it’s not just Tipperary who have realised strength and conditioning training is no longer the preserve of senior players. Cavan hired professional consultants who designed and supervised the programmes for their underage squads and won the last two Ulster U21 Championships. Apart from giving minors and U21s a slight advantage at that level, the real benefit of a sustained programme of strength and conditioning training is that players come into senior football properly prepared. When they do eventually reach that grade, they’ve already developed a solid base. In short, they’re not cannon fodder. They’ll certainly not be bullied the same way as the Kerry players were in Ballybofey. However, if Kerry are going to hire a raft of new coaches and claw themselves out of the hole they are slipping into, the county board is going to face some major decisions. In the past, Kerry have ploughed money into their football squads. Most Kerry players will freely admit they were well looked after. Look at the evidence. Name the last player who voluntarily left the Kerry senior squad. But treating players with such deference comes at cost. Just two years ago, Kerry’s expenditure on their teams was nearly double Tyrone’s. Tyrone aren’t being skinflints. They just don’t channel all their income in one direction. A fortnight ago, the Tyrone senior squad had their first training session at Garvaghey, the county’s new £6.7m (€7.7m) training and administrative headquarters. Located on a 48-acre site, the complex includes five pitches, a full-sized 3G pitch and 10 changing rooms. Garvaghey will now become the hub of Tyrone GAA, the HQ for all squads from U15 to senior. Kerry has no such centre of excellence. While these facilities aren’t a necessity, they’re certainly a huge help, particularly when training underage squads. Of course, Kerry will argue that northern projects such as Garvaghey receive significant funding from the British exchequer. That case is sometimes overstated. The Tyrone board coughed up 48% of the total cost — that equates to a figure of nearly £3.25m (€3.7m). Kerry fans might note that a sizeable chunk of the cash came from the Club Tyrone supporters who contributed £500 per year, and the 250 Garvaghey patrons who pledged £5,000 over five years. GAA funding from Croke Park (24% and the Ulster Council (5%) accounted for 29%. Government grants amounted to just 23%. Subtract the money allocated from the public purse, and Tyrone and the GAA funding still totalled a massive £5,159,000 (€5.938m). Of course, the Dublin senior footballers don’t need to develop a centre of excellence. They can train at Parnell Park, and they have the use of the ultra-modern gym at Dublin City University. Dublin also has a population of more than one million people. Meanwhile, rural depopulation has become a huge concern in Kerry. A recent South Kerry minor final featured six different clubs. In order to field a team, one side was an amalgamation of Valentia Island, Sneem, Skellig Rangers and Derrynane. The other side was an amalgamation of St Mary’s, Cahirciveen and Renard. In previous decades, Kerry have experienced slumps, but they didn’t need to put a lot of thinking into how they would renew themselves. Generally speaking, they just relied on the good women of Kerry to produce another crop of great footballers. This strategy has worked a treat. In 1997, Maurice Fitzgerald ended 11 years of austerity all on his own. The success of the last decade stemmed largely from glittering talent. But there was also warning signs during the noughties. Before the climax to each year’s Championship, RTÉ pundit Colm O’Rourke used to say: “The team with the best players wins the All-Ireland final.” But after watching a Kerry side laden with brilliant players lose four finals, the penny eventually dropped with Colm. Last year he said: “The best team wins the All-Ireland final.” Nowadays, it’s about teams and that poses a major problem for Kerry, a county that has specialised in producing footballers of the highest calibre. But the answer to Kerry’s pending decline is not to be found in a maternity ward. Football is no longer just about talent. It’s about strength. About underage structures. About tactical systems. This means a new kind of famine is heading to Kerry. And they’ll need to start thinking differently if they ever want it to end. Paddy may we be right with regards weights . Where will this lead to?
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Post by kerrygold on Mar 14, 2013 21:55:23 GMT
There isn't a whole pile of substance in that article once you peel back the hyper-babble. What was it Joe Lennon said about Kerry football in the early '70s?
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 14, 2013 22:37:09 GMT
Usual stuff from Heaney, an Ulster side has re-invented the wheel. Sure we were living in the dark ages, there was no such thing as "team" or "conditioning" before, nor weights.
And the teams with the best players do win most times, just that the definition of what the "best" player is might need a bit of adjustment from soloing and scoring nice points. Then again, back as far as I can remember, no matter how good you were, you had to be physical enough, and this lazy idea that Kerry weren't physical enough has long become an old wives' tale.
As I said elsewhere, it's about players and coaches being willing and able to adjust to get the best performances. And it's also about the team that has enough players who have the killer instinct and the nerve to go with it.
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Post by MrRasherstoyou on Mar 14, 2013 22:42:18 GMT
On a lighter note, can any of our younger contributors explain to me the reason for the current outbreak of beards/ semi-beards amongst some of our GAA fraternity? In the past few weeks alone I've noticed Killian Young, Aidan O'Shea, Seanie Johnson even Kieran McGeeney going in for this look and I wonder what the appeal is? In my book, its not as if the beard adds anything to their appearance, if anything it detracts from it. Guru Geeser needed his to complete the image.
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Post by An Bradán on Mar 14, 2013 23:29:03 GMT
Paddy Heaney is absolutely spot on. Physical conditioning is vitally important as are the provision of top class facilities and medical/scientific back up. There was a time when Kerry were trendsetters with collective training. Even look at Micko's time for cripessake...23 evenings in a row training...it's snobbery pure and simple. We're way behind with arrogance and ignorance in equal measure. We will pay a hard price for sitting on our laurels.
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Post by glengael on Mar 16, 2013 13:01:31 GMT
On a lighter note, can any of our younger contributors explain to me the reason for the current outbreak of beards/ semi-beards amongst some of our GAA fraternity? In the past few weeks alone I've noticed Killian Young, Aidan O'Shea, Seanie Johnson even Kieran McGeeney going in for this look and I wonder what the appeal is? In my book, its not as if the beard adds anything to their appearance, if anything it detracts from it. Guru Geeser needed his to complete the image. Do bearded Gurus have a huge record of success in the GAA Rashers ? Hard to imagine Heffo or Micko eschewing the Gillette in the lead up to a big match back in the day! In much the same way as its hard to imagine them patrolling the sideline with an earphone gadget in their ears.
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falveyb2k
Fanatical Member
"The way this man played today, if there was a flood he'd walk on water. Jack O Shea"
Posts: 1,920
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Post by falveyb2k on Mar 17, 2013 2:21:43 GMT
In relation to Heaney, how many underage titles have Donegal won in the last few years? Also, how would paddy Heaney know what's being done at underage in Kerry? Tyrone have won lots of underage titles in the last ten years but haven't won as many seniors as Kerry.
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Post by southward on Mar 17, 2013 9:58:30 GMT
No football team excites as much comment or criticism as the eternal strugglers from Kilkenny and the news that just one player showed up for minor trials will provoke further hand-wringing about the state of the big ball game throughout Noreside.
The constantly bleak standard of Gaelic football in Kilkenny is a GAA puzzle which never ends. Nothing sums up the unspoken friction between hurling Gaels and football Gaels as the varying standards of both games in the county. Kilkenny football has become a metaphor for awfulness. Sometimes it is worth checking the score of league games just to wince and it was the succession of terrible defeats which led to withdrawal of the senior team from the league.
The apparent readiness of the county board to allow its Gaelic football culture to remain in a comically miserable state infuriates many Gaels who interpret it as a reflection of their lack of interest in football in general. Football Gaels can be very sensitive about the sense that hurling Gaels believe their game to be superior.
Kilkenny can make the perfectly reasonable response that they don’t go about lamenting and criticising the state of hurling in those many counties where Gaelic football is the ‘first’ game. And it is an unassailable point: there is a common sense that while hurling will flourish where hurling always has, there is a duty to improve the standard of Gaelic football right through across the island. In Kilkenny that isn’t happening and if the poignant image of just one lad showing up for county trials is a yardstick, then it isn’t going to change any decade soon.
Supreme stylists Technically, there isn’t any reason why Kilkenny men can’t be good at football. There is no reason why the balletic grace and sinew with which black and amber teams play hurling should turn to clumsiness as soon as they attempt to kick a football around the place. Wasn’t DJ Carey, one of the supreme stylists and goal poachers of modern hurling, known to moonlight as a footballer every so often?
It isn’t too hard to imagine that if the current Kilkenny hurling team had been practicing football rather the stick game since boyhood they could make a formidable team. Brian Cody has the look of a big, uncompromising full back full stop – in hurling or football. And let’s imagine that Cody steps away from managing Kilkenny next year. And just say he is approached to give “a dig out” to the Gaelic football side of the house and he makes improving the game his pet project? There is probably no doubt that such a figure who generates such monumental respect would be able to influence youngsters on the joys of taking up ice hockey if he wanted.
Maybe some other former hurling greats who were handy at football could come out and give clinics and sell the idea those games can complement each other.
But the problem is that they don’t. The dual player has now become a romanticised figure of the past. Trying to play both games at the elite level is deeply stressful for the player trying to keep managers in both codes happy. And both sports exert different demands on the body.
Declan Browne, whose decision to play football in Tipperary when he could have been potentially winning All-Ireland medals with the hurlers seems almost heroic in retrospect, has said a game of football left him far more battered than a game of hurling. The relentless attrition in football is draining. Hurling, for all its fierce, close combat, rewards elusiveness and speed of foot. Browne was one of the very rare instances where a player made the conscious decision to play for the weaker team in his county. He just loved playing football and he was a joy to watch.
But how do you persuade most youngsters to opt for football in a county where hurling is the first and last? In some football counties, kids do opt to play hurling instead. Some just prefer the game. Many Kilkenny hurlers embark on quiet winter missions into the heart of football country in Ulster where clubs are trying to promote the game. Many decline any kind of payment for their time and effort. The same is true of other well known hurling people.
Still saved Maybe if Colm Cooper or Bernard Brogan are invited to host coaching sessions in Nowlan Park and there is a concerted effort to revive the game it can still be saved there?
But it could be that Kilkenny is an exception. The hurling teams Cody has fielded for the last 15 years have rightly been lauded as a sporting phenomenon.
And it is when Cody begins to riff on what hurling means to him that you begin to get a glimpse into how much the game captures his mind. It is little short of an obsession. And Cody is just one of thousands of like-minded souls in Kilkenny. They are fascinated by the game of hurling in that county in a way which has left little or no room for the sister sport.
Kilkenny is a small county; maybe at some subconscious level they fear the example of neighbouring Offaly.
The Faithful County is one of the most remarkable GAA counties, managing to win All-Irelands in both codes despite its small population. Both Gaelic football and hurling flourish in the county. But for the past decade they have been struggling to tread water in the Leinster divisions and are always up against it now when competing against a superpower like Dublin football or . . . .Kilkenny hurling.
If it is true Kilkenny clubs are discouraging youngsters from showing up for football trials,there is a problem. And maybe the thought of a 17-year-old who wants to wear the county shirt and kick ball for his county standing alone in a changing room will move the county to make a decisionon what to do about football. But something must give: it would be better to reject football altogether than leave it in its present pitiful state.
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Post by glengael on Mar 17, 2013 18:02:08 GMT
Well done to St.Brigids and St. Thomas's on their All Ireland Club wins today. 2 good matches and very worthy winners. For all of them it must be special but I'd imagine for the likes of Frankie Dolan, Shane Curran and others, it must be really special.
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