seamo
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Post by seamo on Feb 18, 2015 23:14:32 GMT
Seamo ...I think Finuge86 took exception to Ardfert being labelled "deadwood". "...also this deadwood you talk about..." It's the bit before the "also" that he I take exception to . I don't mind anyone standing up for their club, Ardfert are perfectly entitled to be in the senior championship and who knows what they could end up doing. I have always supported Intermediate champs getting their chance at senior level, otherwise it would just be the townies championship!! lol
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Post by finuge86 on Feb 18, 2015 23:50:23 GMT
Seamo ...I think Finuge86 took exception to Ardfert being labelled "deadwood". "...also this deadwood you talk about..." It's the bit before the "also" that he I take exception to . I don't mind anyone standing up for their club, Ardfert are perfectly entitled to be in the senior championship and who knows what they could end up doing. I have always supported Intermediate champs getting their chance at senior level, otherwise it would just be the townies championship!! lol Ardfert is clearly not my club infact we wudnt b the best of buddies on the field with some heated battles through the years but at the same time it's hard not to respect them an like ourselves are the only team that make a really good stab at both codes!! Them winning the hurling 2013 intermediate football 2014 us intermediate football 2012 hurling 2014 with the greatest respect to other duel clubs ballyduff struggled to field in co league football last year I don't no of any crokes an stacks lads play both but I would say highly unlikely an possibly likewise with kenmare but as I said I don't no for sure!! And getting back to my point our lads are at the field 3/4 nights week every week for training balancing both codes an matches at the weekend and gettin branded as dead wood is hardly fair comment
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Post by Mickmack on Feb 19, 2015 0:19:05 GMT
Corofin players and management were quickly brought back to earth after Saturday's joy at defeating the reigning champions St Vincent's in the AIB All-Ireland Club football semi-final.
All it took was a trip to Portlaoise on Sunday by manager Stephen Rochford and his selectors Trevor Burke, Kevin O'Brien and Ger Keane to view the other semi-finalists, Austin Stacks of Kerry and Derry's Slaughtneil.
Stacks were the slight favourites going into the match, but the Kerry side, bidding for a return to the All-Ireland stage after an absence of 38 years, lost to the Ulster champions by a point - 1-14 to 2-10.
Burke, who played on the last - and only - Corofin side to win the All-Ireland title in 1998, was impressed.
"We were a bit excited on Saturday but we were brought back down to earth on Sunday when we went to Portlaoise," he said.
"We couldn't miss that opportunity to check out the opposition before an All-Ireland.
"Slaughtneil looked very impressive. They are a very good outfit."
Given their own challenge in facing up to St Vincent's, Corofin paid little attention to the participants in the second semi-final, but once they had carved out a 1-14 to 1-9 victory at Tullamore, all eyes turned to the Stacks v Slaughtneil game.
"What impressed the most was the heart that Slaughtneil showed. They had great heart and belief," said Burke.
"Mickey Moran, their manager, has done an excellent job, and their fitness was phenomenal. Even in the last few minutes they were going up and down the pitch as if it was the first few minutes.
"They showed great ability throughout the whole team. There didn't seem to be any weak links."
Corofin looked a cohesive, solid and mentally strong outfit against St Vincent's, so the stage is set for a terrific contest in the final on St Patrick's Day.
"Yes," agreed Burke. "These are very similar teams. We have two running teams, two strong midfields, good forwards, so it's going to be an intriguing battle in the final on the big open pitch in Croke Park."
Slaughtneil manager Moran is hugely experienced in preparing teams for big games, but Corofin have plenty of expertise in that area.
Rochford won an All-Ireland club title with Crossmolina, and his selectors know that scene well.
Burke played with Corofin in their '98 triumph, O'Brien was a sub on that team, and Keane was a selector.
Burke (41) holds the Galway record for winning county football championship medals. He has 11 in his collection, surpassing the great Sean Purcell by one, and has also won five Connacht titles with Corofin, as well as that precious All-Ireland club championship.
Burke also won two All Ireland Masters championships with Galway, the most recent being last November when the Tribesmen defeated Mayo in the final.
His clubmate Aidan Donnellan, won 10 Galway championships, and one in Limerick, but Burke just pips him in terms of Galway medals.
On St Patricks Day, Burke will most likely be the 'eye in the stand' for Corofin, but there's plenty of work to be done before the final.
"We'll get back to normality and have a look at the Vincent's match this week, and analyse and work on things that we feel we could improve on," he said.
"Training will be hard for the next few weeks, but it's not going to be crazy stuff. You're going to have to keep lads fresh at the same time."
Irish Independent
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Post by Mickmack on Feb 19, 2015 0:22:58 GMT
The football final on St Patricks day should be a great game all the same.
And the hurling could be Henry Shefflins last hurrah.
Worth going to I think
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Post by kerrygold on Feb 19, 2015 9:07:07 GMT
Good to see that people have a firm understanding of context. Odds varying from 8-13 (Crokes) to 66-1 (Ardfert & others) sums up where it all is at at senior county championship level in Kerry.
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Jigz84
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Post by Jigz84 on Feb 19, 2015 9:59:03 GMT
Good to see that people have a firm understanding of context. Odds varying from 8-13 (Crokes) to 66-1 (Ardfert & others) sums up where it all is at at senior county championship level in Kerry. Yup spot on. They also can't see there's a reason no Kerry side has won the Senior Club All-Ireland in 19 years. The County Championship is in need of an overhaul, far too many sides in it.
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fivenarow
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Post by fivenarow on Feb 19, 2015 10:33:06 GMT
Very good I suppose if they couldnt get the usual 40 on the sideline they had to try to accomodate them somewhere . In fairness to croke park, they have to draw the line somewhere in relation to safety etc.There was 3 other clubs in croke park on Saturday & I'd imagine some of their players kids / families were also refused entry so did they walk out too? Obviously an admim oversight by someone in Ardfert so they should have sucked it up, not made a song & dance about it, enjoyed the win & moved on. Jesus lads I sense a bit of hostility here perhaps even a bit of jealousy!! I say fair play to ardfert they represent themselves their parish an their county with absolute pride an passion an can play plenty of ball with it!! The three times they have been out of the county every single time they have delivered the goods not lik I do recall annascaul in 07/08 falling on their arses!! And gettin back to the dead wood comment as I have said here before if ardfert wer to concentrate solely on football they would b fine rattle a shot of teams!! They did get to club final in 2009 an got to co championship quater final 07 losing to eventual winners feale rangers!! Also this dead wood u talk about in my opinion only stacks crokes kor south an mid kerry if they pull 2gether are the only teams good enough to win the championship!! Fair enough u cud say legion pulled off a scalp of crokes last year but so did rathmore both beaten after rathmore comfortably enough b stacks legion by dingle who stacks made light work of every dog has it's day an basically what I'm gettin at none of the rest in my book are good enough neither will do anything in championship In future, if youre having a go maybe you'll have it off the instigator of the so called crime - I dont see any relevance to dead wood in either Annascauls or my post. I lost you at line 4 when you went off on a rant about annascaul in 07/08 & it just went down hill after that - it was a bit of banter & should be taken that way. I would have nothing but admiration & support for any of the Kerry clubs in the Munster & AI competitions. If you follow this forum it has been highlighted on more than one occasion in the past that when Ardfert & a few other teams play locally there seems to be a lot of people standing inside the wire on the sideline. I dont know what function some of these people have but it is a fact that they do exist as I've witnessed it myself on numerous occasions - once you get into the Munster & AI championship & start dealing with the Munster Council & Croke Park officials everyone inside the wire has to be accounted for. In relation to the kids not getting in to the function, we've all come across the guys in the high viz jackets who think they own the place once they put it on. My point was that Ardfert were one of four teams in Croke Park on Saturday so I doubt they were the only team denied access for people without passes & that Croke Park would have issued them with directives beforehand on how many passes etc they were to be given so someone somewhere in Ardfert got it wrong. Croke Park hold these functions every week so I'd imagine the guys at the door were part of the senior high viz brigade.IMO, not goig to the function is only drawing unnecessary attention to yourself, guys may never again get the chance to enjoy& experience an after match function in Croke park or maybe have a pint or meet with the opposing team. I doubt very much if the high viz guys on the door gave a care about whether they went in or not either so ultimately the people that lost out were the players / mentors that didnt experience a maybe once in a lifetime function.
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Post by ansúilleabhánach on Feb 19, 2015 12:24:34 GMT
...just like Dean Rock is arguably the main who got Ballymun an All Ireland title. A certain Ros Comain club named after a lady wants a word with you...
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Post by Seoirse Ui Duic on Feb 19, 2015 12:31:27 GMT
...just like Dean Rock is arguably the main who got Ballymun an All Ireland title. A certain Ros Comain club named after a lady wants a word with you... oops yes. Well he got them close.
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Post by Mickmack on Feb 19, 2015 13:06:43 GMT
Good to see that people have a firm understanding of context. Odds varying from 8-13 (Crokes) to 66-1 (Ardfert & others) sums up where it all is at at senior county championship level in Kerry. Yup spot on. They also can't see there's a reason no Kerry side has won the Senior Club All-Ireland in 19 years. The County Championship is in need of an overhaul, far too many sides in it. Could you enlighten you me on the reason why Kerry haven't won the Senior Club All Ireland in 19 years. How would reducing the number of sides in the competition help. If you answer is to have more Divisional sides, how can that help since a divisional side arent allowed enter the club championship?
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Feb 19, 2015 13:08:11 GMT
Does it really matter that a Kerry side can't win the AIClubC?
Surely our championship structure allows Kerry to do well in the AIIntercountyC?
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Post by Mickmack on Feb 19, 2015 13:20:07 GMT
Does it really matter that a Kerry side can't win the AIClubC? Surely our championship structure allows Kerry to do well in the AIIntercountyC? that's a good point. But a different point.
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seamo
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Post by seamo on Feb 19, 2015 13:37:43 GMT
"...also this deadwood you talk about..." It's the bit before the "also" that he I take exception to . I don't mind anyone standing up for their club, Ardfert are perfectly entitled to be in the senior championship and who knows what they could end up doing. I have always supported Intermediate champs getting their chance at senior level, otherwise it would just be the townies championship!! lol Ardfert is clearly not my club infact we wudnt b the best of buddies on the field with some heated battles through the years but at the same time it's hard not to respect them an like ourselves are the only team that make a really good stab at both codes!! Them winning the hurling 2013 intermediate football 2014 us intermediate football 2012 hurling 2014 with the greatest respect to other duel clubs ballyduff struggled to field in co league football last year I don't no of any crokes an stacks lads play both but I would say highly unlikely an possibly likewise with kenmare but as I said I don't no for sure!! And getting back to my point our lads are at the field 3/4 nights week every week for training balancing both codes an matches at the weekend and gettin branded as dead wood is hardly fair comment So you do acknowledge that Ardfert have been given their praise here and that jealously/bitterness towards them isn't a common feeling here? Because that's what I had an issue with. Your right they shouldn't be labelled as deadwood, after their run of games and experience no team should be pleased about drawing them. And it was one poster who used that term in regard to them and others, and furthermore it was a poster who most of us were already in disagreement with so your initial comment was a little unfair painting us all with the one brush.
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fitz
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Post by fitz on Feb 19, 2015 14:09:10 GMT
Yup spot on. They also can't see there's a reason no Kerry side has won the Senior Club All-Ireland in 19 years. The County Championship is in need of an overhaul, far too many sides in it. Could you enlighten you me on the reason why Kerry haven't won the Senior Club All Ireland in 19 years. How would reducing the number of sides in the competition help. If you answer is to have more Divisional sides, how can that help since a divisional side arent allowed enter the club championship? I agree, the correlation between too many teams creating a structure handicapping a potential winning county team winning an AI club needs expansion. Is senior structure so different to Intermediate and Junior where structure is evidently fine?. A basic argument, but if a team really is good enough, they should be able to overcome each challenge. Admittedly being tested along the road is more beneficial than not. Crokes have had a fair crack, but have just come up short, and maybe there's nothing else needed as explanation?
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Jigz84
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Post by Jigz84 on Feb 19, 2015 14:22:26 GMT
Yup spot on. They also can't see there's a reason no Kerry side has won the Senior Club All-Ireland in 19 years. The County Championship is in need of an overhaul, far too many sides in it. Could you enlighten you me on the reason why Kerry haven't won the Senior Club All Ireland in 19 years. How would reducing the number of sides in the competition help. If you answer is to have more Divisional sides, how can that help since a divisional side arent allowed enter the club championship? With pleasure, because they've flattered to deceive as to their true quality. Winning a poor County Championship and poorish Munster Championship has proven to be no real preparation when the gutchecks arrive in February. It's too easy for clubs to go out on their own in the County Championship. Look at Currow last year. Divisional teams should be helped to be as strong as possible. It provides better games and quality of opposition to the stronger club sides such as Crokes, who would then be better prepared once they reach the All-Ireland series. Strong Divisional sides are necessary IMO, always have been. Crokes waltzed through Kerry the last few years without any major struggle, it's not a coincidence it happened when the likes of East Kerry, Mid Kerry, South Kerry, West Kerry, Feale Rangers and St. Kieran's were all weakened at various stages. Goes without saying that Crokes were/are a very good side but I wonder how they'd fare against the likes of an East Kerry side including Rathmore. Anyway, just my opinion.
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Jigz84
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Post by Jigz84 on Feb 19, 2015 14:23:51 GMT
Does it really matter that a Kerry side can't win the AIClubC? Surely our championship structure allows Kerry to do well in the AIIntercountyC? Well did it really matter that our minors couldn't win one for 20 years?
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seamo
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Post by seamo on Feb 19, 2015 14:33:54 GMT
Could you enlighten you me on the reason why Kerry haven't won the Senior Club All Ireland in 19 years. How would reducing the number of sides in the competition help. If you answer is to have more Divisional sides, how can that help since a divisional side arent allowed enter the club championship? With pleasure, because they've flattered to deceive as to their true quality. Winning a poor County Championship and poorish Munster Championship has proven to be no real preparation when the gutchecks arrive in February. It's too easy for clubs to go out on their own in the County Championship. Look at Currow last year. Divisional teams should be helped to be as strong as possible. It provides better games and quality of opposition to the stronger club sides such as Crokes, who would then be better prepared once they reach the All-Ireland series. Strong Divisional sides are necessary IMO, always have been. Crokes waltzed through Kerry the last few years without any major struggle, it's not a coincidence it happened when the likes of East Kerry, Mid Kerry, South Kerry, West Kerry, Feale Rangers and St. Kieran's were all weakened at various stages. Goes without saying that Crokes were/are a very good side but I wonder how they'd fare against the likes of an East Kerry side including Rathmore. Anyway, just my opinion. What is Crokes true quality so? Kerry have won AI's without much challenge before the final. When South Kerry and Mid-Kerry were strong, Crokes still didn't win an AI. Kilmurry(former AI champs themselves) have given Crokes good tests down through the years and Crokes still didn't win an AI. Although our championship structure needs reform, it can't be blame for a lack of AI club success at senior level.
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Jigz84
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Post by Jigz84 on Feb 19, 2015 14:41:20 GMT
With pleasure, because they've flattered to deceive as to their true quality. Winning a poor County Championship and poorish Munster Championship has proven to be no real preparation when the gutchecks arrive in February. It's too easy for clubs to go out on their own in the County Championship. Look at Currow last year. Divisional teams should be helped to be as strong as possible. It provides better games and quality of opposition to the stronger club sides such as Crokes, who would then be better prepared once they reach the All-Ireland series. Strong Divisional sides are necessary IMO, always have been. Crokes waltzed through Kerry the last few years without any major struggle, it's not a coincidence it happened when the likes of East Kerry, Mid Kerry, South Kerry, West Kerry, Feale Rangers and St. Kieran's were all weakened at various stages. Goes without saying that Crokes were/are a very good side but I wonder how they'd fare against the likes of an East Kerry side including Rathmore. Anyway, just my opinion. What is Crokes true quality so? Kerry have won AI's without much challenge before the final. When South Kerry and Mid-Kerry were strong, Crokes still didn't win an AI. Kilmurry(former AI champs themselves) have given Crokes good tests down through the years and Crokes still didn't win an AI. Although our championship structure needs reform, it can't be blame for a lack of AI club success at senior level. Their true quality is obvious, good enough to win a poor County Championship and not good enough to win an All-Ireland, you're usually a good man for stating the obvious so you'll appreciate that response Crokes couldn't even win a County Championship when South Kerry and Mid Kerry were strong or at full tilt! Regarding Kilmurray, they won 2 Munsters but don't think they won the All-Ireland, I'm open to correction on that. So what is to blame then?
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Feb 19, 2015 15:04:03 GMT
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keane
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Post by keane on Feb 19, 2015 15:07:37 GMT
Agree that clubs opting in and out of divisional sides seemingly on a whim is a practice that ought to be looked at.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Feb 19, 2015 15:13:16 GMT
Agree that clubs opting in and out of divisional sides seemingly on a whim is a practice that ought to be looked at. I don't think there is enough movement between the grades. For example, Glenbeigh still in Junior and, say, Lispole still in Novice. On the flipside you have teams just surviving in Senior or Intermediate. More movement would help (although there would still be 'smaller teams' in the SC --- there are smaller teams in EVERY competition) I think it is very difficult to deny a club a chance at Senior while the iron is hot but maybe clubs should be given an option to stay at Intermediate if that is the realistic thing to do (I know Annascaul did in 2008 (not sure how)). Obviously this wouldn't work at Novice/Junior or you might have one crowd trying to stay in that grade until they win an AI (actually of course this could happen at I'mediate also).
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Post by Mickmack on Feb 19, 2015 16:36:37 GMT
Could you enlighten you me on the reason why Kerry haven't won the Senior Club All Ireland in 19 years. How would reducing the number of sides in the competition help. If you answer is to have more Divisional sides, how can that help since a divisional side arent allowed enter the club championship? With pleasure, because they've flattered to deceive as to their true quality. Winning a poor County Championship and poorish Munster Championship has proven to be no real preparation when the gutchecks arrive in February. It's too easy for clubs to go out on their own in the County Championship. Look at Currow last year. Divisional teams should be helped to be as strong as possible. It provides better games and quality of opposition to the stronger club sides such as Crokes, who would then be better prepared once they reach the All-Ireland series. Strong Divisional sides are necessary IMO, always have been. Crokes waltzed through Kerry the last few years without any major struggle, it's not a coincidence it happened when the likes of East Kerry, Mid Kerry, South Kerry, West Kerry, Feale Rangers and St. Kieran's were all weakened at various stages. Goes without saying that Crokes were/are a very good side but I wonder how they'd fare against the likes of an East Kerry side including Rathmore. Anyway, just my opinion. thanks for your reply. However where is the evidence that strong divisional teams with mean that some club will go all the way. How come other counties with no divisional teams have tiny clubs that fare much better than Kerry clubs. If your theory is correct why haven't Kerry clubs fared better when we had strong divisional teams. Where is the evidence. I cant see it. I suspect the opposite is in fact the case. I see no reason why Listowel, Castleisland and Caherciveen cant win a county title on their own. Can you? They have a pick about ten times the size of Corofin, Slaghtneill or St Brigids in Roscommon.
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seamus
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Post by seamus on Feb 19, 2015 17:07:20 GMT
Mickmack, There is no obvious answer to your question but a lot of smaller factors that may be playing a part.
The culture of Senior Club All Irelands is not in the county. Crokes, by their own admission, never seemed to manage the time correctly from winning Munster in late November to the All Ireland semi final in February. They were always under or over cooked. But Kerry are masters at priming a senior team for a September assault.
Junior and Intermediate clubs in Kerry are far stronger than the rest of Ireland. The recent exploits in Croker prove this. There is little or no transferring of players from small junior clubs to large senior clubs in Kerry which is commonplace in other counties - especially Dublin. Kilmacud, Brigids, Oliver Plunketts are like the United Nations. The larger clubs in Kerry are not getting stronger by acquiring players. You could argue if Stacks had 2-3 more strong players from Na Gaeil or Mitchels it may have been enough.
The obvious issue of Kerry being the biggest blackspot for unemployment in Ireland for young males. There is nothing keeping them here at all AND they are outside commuting distance to urban centres. The teams you mentioned - Marys, Listowel and Castleisland all have 5-7 key players abroad.
The fact that the county team is so strong does not help as club football is Kerry disappears for 5 months of the year and the county championship turns into a 6 week psychotic sprint in October. Not ideal for physical and skill preparation of top footballers. Most teams stop training from June to August apart from a once a week kickaround. I suspect St Brigids and Corofin are in a nice programme at that stage.
You could argue that there are now way too many clubs in Kerry relative to the population. How many clubs are there within a 15 mile radius of Caherciveen. How many 18-30 year old makes are in that catchment area. For several years 4 teams in South Kerry have amalgamated to form a minor team yet all field their own senior team. Unsustainable.
Apart from all that the biggest factor is that the appetite may not be there to strive for excellance. Winning an Intermediate, getting a couple of Kerry seniors and minors on winning teams sounds much more achievable and quite rewarding. Interesting debate
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Feb 19, 2015 17:22:27 GMT
The obvious issue of Kerry being the biggest blackspot for unemployment in Ireland for young males. Where did you pull this out of?
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Post by classicfc on Feb 19, 2015 17:47:56 GMT
Contributors here are constantly criticising the standard of our County Championship but it is in fact of a higher standard than most others around the country. Crossmaglen, St Brigids, Corofin etc are all multiple winners of weaker championships and have landed the ultimate prize also. Therefore the Kerry Champions playing nothing until the All Ireland Semi Final argument doesn't add up. Almost every year for the last 20 or so the Kerry Senior Team has managed to reach at least an All Ireland Semi Final Spot and understandably the County Board has facilitated this progress with regards club fixtures. This success has unfortunately eaten into ambitious Kerry clubs collective preparation time whereas the St Brigids and Crossmaglens of this world would have the collective wheels in motion far earlier. With regards the Kerry Senior Championship I think it is fairly obvious that many of the players from ambitious Junior and Internediate Clubs direct their efforts towards reaching Croker with their clubs. As a result the strength of Divisional sides has been on the wane and many still seem to be looking at Divisional sides through rose tinted glasses. No county in Ireland plays more games at Adult Club level than Kerry and our club players possess wonderful kick passing and point taking skills. If many of the critics of the Senior Championship here were to witness some of what passes for Senior Championship football in other counties they would have their eyes opened for them! Granted the Kerry Senior Championship isn't perfect but it isn't to blame for the lack of an All Ireland Title since 1996.
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Post by inforthebreaks on Feb 19, 2015 17:49:38 GMT
You could argue that there are now way too many clubs in Kerry relative to the population. How many clubs are there within a 15 mile radius of Caherciveen. How many 18-30 year old makes are in that catchment area. For several years 4 teams in South Kerry have amalgamated to form a minor team yet all field their own senior team. Unsustainable. Just to clarify this. That amalgamation only lasted one (possibly two?) years and two of those clubs have now joined forces at senior level - Sneem/Derrynane. But your point about the lack of young men in this area is very true. Its frightening. The iveragh peninsula, along with north west mayo are by far the worst spots in Ireland in terms of rural depopulation. This is the single biggest threat to the GAA, and other aspects of life, in South Kerry. The South Kerry under 16 final last year was played at 11 a side, the south kerry junior championship in 2015 will allow clubs b teams, at adult level, field 11 a side if necessary. It's only going to get worse in the coming years
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2015 17:57:14 GMT
Agree that clubs opting in and out of divisional sides seemingly on a whim is a practice that ought to be looked at. Always thought the Intermediate winners should be given the option of either staying with their Divisional side for the County Championship and play in the Senior Club Championship or else go it alone and play in both Senior Club and County Championships,
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seamo
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Post by seamo on Feb 19, 2015 18:34:05 GMT
What is Crokes true quality so? Kerry have won AI's without much challenge before the final. When South Kerry and Mid-Kerry were strong, Crokes still didn't win an AI. Kilmurry(former AI champs themselves) have given Crokes good tests down through the years and Crokes still didn't win an AI. Although our championship structure needs reform, it can't be blame for a lack of AI club success at senior level. Their true quality is obvious, good enough to win a poor County Championship and not good enough to win an All-Ireland, you're usually a good man for stating the obvious so you'll appreciate that response Crokes couldn't even win a County Championship when South Kerry and Mid Kerry were strong or at full tilt! Regarding Kilmurray, they won 2 Munsters but don't think they won the All-Ireland, I'm open to correction on that. So what is to blame then? Kilmurry lost in the final one year, my bad. Wait....your now saying that Crokes true quality is "...not good enough to win an All-Ireland"...yet at the same time saying that our county championship is to blame for their failure to win one!!!! Am I the only one to see the contradiction in that? Regards to SK and MK, that just reaffirms my point. When the county championship was tough to win, Crokes still didn't get the job done. 2006 Crokes represented Kerry in the AI series but SK were county champions, surely Crokes should have won the AI having been given such a tough test in Kerry that they even lost a game! lol I stand corrected in this but did Cross always have it tough in Armagh when they were winning AI's? They won like ~15 in a row...and did they keep a clean sheet in a game a few years ago during a championship game?
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Post by kerrybhoy06 on Feb 19, 2015 18:42:59 GMT
Agree that clubs opting in and out of divisional sides seemingly on a whim is a practice that ought to be looked at. Always thought the Intermediate winners should be given the option of either staying with their Divisional side for the County Championship and play in the Senior Club Championship or else go it alone and play in both Senior Club and County Championships, They have the option
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seamo
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Post by seamo on Feb 19, 2015 18:43:49 GMT
Mickmack, There is no obvious answer to your question but a lot of smaller factors that may be playing a part. The culture of Senior Club All Irelands is not in the county. Crokes, by their own admission, never seemed to manage the time correctly from winning Munster in late November to the All Ireland semi final in February. They were always under or over cooked. But Kerry are masters at priming a senior team for a September assault. Junior and Intermediate clubs in Kerry are far stronger than the rest of Ireland. The recent exploits in Croker prove this. There is little or no transferring of players from small junior clubs to large senior clubs in Kerry which is commonplace in other counties - especially Dublin. Kilmacud, Brigids, Oliver Plunketts are like the United Nations. The larger clubs in Kerry are not getting stronger by acquiring players. You could argue if Stacks had 2-3 more strong players from Na Gaeil or Mitchels it may have been enough. The obvious issue of Kerry being the biggest blackspot for unemployment in Ireland for young males. There is nothing keeping them here at all AND they are outside commuting distance to urban centres. The teams you mentioned - Marys, Listowel and Castleisland all have 5-7 key players abroad. The fact that the county team is so strong does not help as club football is Kerry disappears for 5 months of the year and the county championship turns into a 6 week psychotic sprint in October. Not ideal for physical and skill preparation of top footballers. Most teams stop training from June to August apart from a once a week kickaround. I suspect St Brigids and Corofin are in a nice programme at that stage. You could argue that there are now way too many clubs in Kerry relative to the population. How many clubs are there within a 15 mile radius of Caherciveen. How many 18-30 year old makes are in that catchment area. For several years 4 teams in South Kerry have amalgamated to form a minor team yet all field their own senior team. Unsustainable. Apart from all that the biggest factor is that the appetite may not be there to strive for excellance. Winning an Intermediate, getting a couple of Kerry seniors and minors on winning teams sounds much more achievable and quite rewarding. Interesting debate Great post...........especially the analogy about Dublin clubs and the United Nations..........but :-XI can't help but then mention Crokes poaching Alan O Sullivan!!!!! lol
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