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Post by givehimaball on Oct 18, 2016 18:55:00 GMT
Immediate ban on Kerry players talking to RnG needs to be put in place. 😉
Interesting that O'Connor is joining Geelong as they haven't renewed Padraig Lucey's (from the Legion in Killarney) contract. An article I read seemed to suggest it was more to do with a changing of who was in charge at the club as he had made what looked like reasonable enough progress. He played 33 games scoring 15 goald for them at reserve level and the article called it a surprise move given his development and the improvement in his all round game and did say another club might be interested in signing him.
There was a picture of him with the article and he looks to have matured physically/bulked up/out significantly. Could well be a serious addition to Legion if he comes home.
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Post by kerrygold on Oct 18, 2016 19:04:25 GMT
Is there an open top bus to exhibit the prize acquisition from Dingle to Farranfore via Listowel for export?
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Post by kerrybhoy06 on Oct 18, 2016 20:32:53 GMT
It's the dream of most young kids to become a professional sportsman and get paid to be an athlete who is adored by stadiums of people. This is the first step for him and I wish him the best of luck.
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Post by southward on Oct 18, 2016 20:47:52 GMT
It's the dream of most young kids to become a professional sportsman and get paid to be an athlete who is adored by stadiums of people. This is the first step for him and I wish him the best of luck. Can't disagree with that, Kerrybhoy. It's still a sickener for Kerry though, especially after Tommy. And it's the thoughts of who might be next that makes it worse.
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Post by kerrybhoy06 on Oct 18, 2016 21:43:51 GMT
It's the dream of most young kids to become a professional sportsman and get paid to be an athlete who is adored by stadiums of people. This is the first step for him and I wish him the best of luck. Can't disagree with that, Kerrybhoy. It's still a sickener for Kerry though, especially after Tommy. And it's the thoughts of who might be next that makes it worse. Look I understand that it's a loss to us but this guy is chasing a career so the very best of luck to him. I think it's safe to say that we'd all go for it too- i hope it works out for the lad and I've no doubt that we'll keep the show on the road here too
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fitz
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Post by fitz on Oct 18, 2016 23:31:17 GMT
Good for him and I hope it works out for him and at the very least he's able to empty all tanks trying.
There is the disappointment of Mark potentially lead a new generation of Kerry players to the top table to wrangle with the Dubs.
Is Kennelly or any other scout not sniffing around their dressing room? Cormac Costelloe, McCaffrey, Kilkenny, and John Small... Jimmy Keaveney, Brian Mullins 😃 Anyone else we can offload? 😃
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Oct 19, 2016 5:33:31 GMT
I suppose we'll have the usual excusing guff that if Mark didn't go we would surely have won X more All-Ireland's.
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Post by Mickmack on Oct 19, 2016 6:36:36 GMT
I suppose we'll have the usual excusing guff that if Mark didn't go we would surely have won X more All-Ireland's. Bang on. I mean if Gooch or Declan or Darragh had left for Oz at 18 it wouldnt have made a damn bit of difference to how many All Irelands Kerry won in the past 15 years. Similarly, if Ciaran Kilkenny had stAyed in OZ it wouldnt have mattered a bit to Dublin in 2015 or 2016. Anyone saying otherwise is talking guff.
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Post by Annascaultilidie on Oct 19, 2016 7:09:07 GMT
I suppose we'll have the usual excusing guff that if Mark didn't go we would surely have won X more All-Ireland's. Bang on. I mean if Gooch or Declan or Darragh had left for Oz at 18 it wouldnt have made a damn bit of difference to how many All Irelands Kerry won in the past 15 years. Similarly, if Ciaran Kilkenny had stAyed in OZ it wouldnt have mattered a bit to Dublin in 2015 or 2016. Anyone saying otherwise is talking guff. I'm not saying it won't make a material difference. I am saying it is a weak excuse. He's gone for now and that is the reality of the matter - no point harping on about it in five years time if we lose some games. What ifs and excuses are for losers. Kerry have to drive on without the lad. Comforting ourselves with "if only Tommy didn't go or Mark didn't go we would be too dogs" is a * attitude... not to mention the hypothetical nature of it all. Life isn't hypothetical.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Oct 19, 2016 8:27:47 GMT
Good luck to him and it would be interesting to hear what insight he had to Tommy's demise. We flagged this nonsense of Oz having access to GAA facilities and now the flood gates are open. It's a heart break to think of what might have been and it is sad when some of our own gain financially, then again that is what they do best and to the detriment of others.
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Post by kerrygold on Oct 19, 2016 8:37:34 GMT
When does it become epidemic and hugely detrimental to Kerry? When Kennelly has taken 2-3-4 of the best from the next crop?
Take Darragh, Seamus and Maurice out and there would not have been a bridge All-Ireland won in 1997 and the famine extended.
The consequences of O'Connor's move could spark a drain of our young players over the next few years and most likely be detrimental to Kerry's ability to compete in the next decade.
If that happens you'd have to reconsider how much time you invest in travelling around the country supporting Kerry teams.
This is the tip of the iceberg and will create a major conflict between retaining the amateur ethos of the game versus a semi-professional game in the near future.
We're losing the battle for the hearts and minds of our young players when the leading player such as O'Connor from an emerging golden generation of young players decides to look elsewhere.
This export places a dark cloud over the development of the centre of excellence at Currans and the brilliant success of the development squads over the past few years.
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Post by Mickmack on Oct 19, 2016 8:39:45 GMT
Bang on. I mean if Gooch or Declan or Darragh had left for Oz at 18 it wouldnt have made a damn bit of difference to how many All Irelands Kerry won in the past 15 years. Similarly, if Ciaran Kilkenny had stAyed in OZ it wouldnt have mattered a bit to Dublin in 2015 or 2016. Anyone saying otherwise is talking guff. I'm not saying it won't make a material difference. I am saying it is a weak excuse. He's gone for now and that is the reality of the matter - no point harping on about it in five years time if we lose some games. What ifs and excuses are for losers. Kerry have to drive on without the lad. Comforting ourselves with "if only Tommy didn't go or Mark didn't go we would be too dogs" is a * attitude... not to mention the hypothetical nature of it all. Life isn't hypothetical. Material differences do matter in sport as in life. It should be possible to make this point without being described as having a losers mentality.
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hugh20
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Post by hugh20 on Oct 19, 2016 10:46:37 GMT
Best of luck to Mark in his new challenge. He certainly comes across as a guy who could apply himself and have a good crack off it. He is extremely talented and I hope he achieves his goals.
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Post by buck02 on Oct 19, 2016 12:11:28 GMT
The narrative here suggests that if Tadhg Kennelly didnt exist that Mark O Connor wouldnt have gone to Australia to play professional sport.
There is a young fella from Camp who is the same age as David Clifford and would have been a more rated footballer than Clifford when they were u14. This young fella is now a professional footballer with Brighton and has played at various levels for Ireland. Who should we blame for losing this fella to soccer?
Best of luck to Mark. From a totally greedy point of view I hope he gets homesick and is back in the Green and Gold next year cos he wont fail from the lack of talent and application.
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peanuts
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Post by peanuts on Oct 19, 2016 12:36:40 GMT
It would have been very hard for O'Connor to turn down this opportunity as he may well think that he would regret it if he didn't take it up. I'm sure he has the attitude of 'Let's give it a try for a year and sure it if doesn't work out what harm, I can always come back to Kerry' That has been the case with plenty of players, including Ciaran Kilkenny, Kyle Coney and Michael Shields. That may well even be his intention ( just go for 1-2 year and then come home). But if he does well as Tadhg, Pearce Hanley and Zac Tuohy have done he may well end up staying there. We'll just have to wait & see. I wish him well regardless.
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Premier
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Post by Premier on Oct 19, 2016 14:20:48 GMT
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 14:41:05 GMT
At the end of the day it's the players decision whatever it is Soccer, Aussie Rules, etc. A lot of it depends on what hwe wants in life. It has more to do with just playing with Kerry. They want a new challenge something different. At 17,18, or 19 you want to travel and see different things it's hard to blame them for that. Hugh who is the young fella playing with Brighton?
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Post by deckyk on Oct 19, 2016 15:43:45 GMT
Best Of luck to Mark O Connor. An opportunity most young sports people would not turn down i think its fair to say. I read this morning that Ex Laois minor Zac Tuohy is on the way from Carlton to the same club O Connor is going to - Geelong.
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peanuts
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Post by peanuts on Oct 19, 2016 16:01:51 GMT
Hugh who is the young fella playing with Brighton? CAMP NOTES – 29TH JUNE 2015
TOP SPORTS ACCOLADE
Congratulations to Rian O Sullivan, Kerry and Ireland U/16 soccer star who was recently signed up to play with Brighton and Hove Albian Soccer Club. Rian’s Uncles, the Doyle brothers, Tommy (Kerry winning Captain 1986) and John are well known greats in club and county GAA of our time.
Tommy Doyle is a first cousin of Mark O'Connor's mother so that would mean Rian and Mark are 2nd cousins. As they say 'An ounce of breeding... (is worth a tonne of feeding).
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Post by Ballyfireside on Oct 19, 2016 21:32:54 GMT
It looks like we all wish him well and which is true sporting spirit, but that shouldn't prevent us from addressing it as an issue that threatens our chances of winning Sams. Tadhg was hailed in Listowel and that he then choose to retire in Australia was an indicator as he couldn't do it while based here. I've consistently heard through the grapevine that the recruiting is aggressive and the first thing candidates are told is to keep it to themselves to avoid being put under pressure locally. I don't have evidence that Tadhg is the only scout although he certainly has the highest profile, having made it there and being from Kerry, and also belonging to a prominent GAA fraternity.
As an amateur sport that relies on voluntary effort, this will wreak further havoc on development squads and is discouraging to mentors who give it there all while others profit from the best fruits of their labour. In one sense the better fellas are prepared the more of them that will fly. What's worse is that there isn't a single thing that can be done about it, only to wish young lads well in whatever path they take. The loss of Tommy Walsh is hard to take, a man who could have been an all time great. In a way you would have given Tommy a better chance than Tadhg yet look at how it turned out!
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 19, 2016 23:13:35 GMT
An all time great wow slow down. Tommy Walsh had one good for Kerry that's it. He left. Tadhg Kennelly played 3 years for the Kerry minors and was by far a better athlete and player. He was a much bigger loss to Kerry. Mark O'Connor is by far a better fielder and athlete than Tommy was. an all time great crazy talk.
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Post by Ballyfireside on Oct 20, 2016 4:24:33 GMT
An all time great wow slow down. Tommy Walsh had one good for Kerry that's it. He left. Tadhg Kennelly played 3 years for the Kerry minors and was by far a better athlete and player. He was a much bigger loss to Kerry. Mark O'Connor is by far a better fielder and athlete than Tommy was. an all time great crazy talk. To me Tommy was destined for greatness, he had everything, how would you rate Mark v Tadhg then?
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Oct 20, 2016 12:40:35 GMT
That's a good question. In my opinion Mark O'Connor is probably the best fielder i have seen. I saw Tommy at the same age and he would not put a patch on him so he is well ahead of him there. Tadhg has great ball skills and good speed even at 16 years old he didn't look out of place. I think he would definitely have been on the Kerry seniors by 2001 2002 era. Would he have made a difference against Armagh? maybe. Against Tyrone? I dunno that was a very good Tyrone team. I do know he would have made Kerry better in 2005 and 2008 when we were close to them. So as far as a Fielder I would rate Mark better for sure. As a forward Tadhg for sure. We will probably never know who would have been a better Kerry footballer. I think they both would have been great.
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Post by kerrygold on Oct 21, 2016 8:39:21 GMT
The narrative here suggests that if Tadhg Kennelly didnt exist that Mark O Connor wouldnt have gone to Australia to play professional sport. There is a young fella from Camp who is the same age as David Clifford and would have been a more rated footballer than Clifford when they were u14. This young fella is now a professional footballer with Brighton and has played at various levels for Ireland. Who should we blame for losing this fella to soccer? Best of luck to Mark. From a totally greedy point of view I hope he gets homesick and is back in the Green and Gold next year cos he wont fail from the lack of talent and application. There's a distinction that should be made here. Players like Shane Long, Mick Galway, Tomas O'Leary, Rob Kearney, Kevin Moran etc and the player mentioned above all excelled at a second sport. Mark O'Connor and Tommy Walsh are essentially Gaelic football players who excelled in their sport and are poached to see if they can just even play in another sport. Why not just go up the road to the Munster rugby academy to see if they can take up a new professional sport? All the above mentioned players still get to represent their own at Munster, Leinster and Ireland and give some payback to the communities that nurtured them along the underage grades.
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Post by kerrygold on Oct 21, 2016 8:42:24 GMT
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Post by onlykerry on Oct 21, 2016 9:10:39 GMT
GAA should look at this as part of their discussions over the compromise rules series. Amateur soccer clubs get compensation if their players sign pro-contracts.
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Post by buck02 on Oct 21, 2016 9:18:18 GMT
GAA should look at this as part of their discussions over the compromise rules series. Amateur soccer clubs get compensation if their players sign pro-contracts. Should the Kerry county board compensate clubs who only have the player they nurtured and developed for maybe 3 or 4 games a season cos he is in with the Kerry seniors?
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Post by kerrygold on Oct 21, 2016 9:21:32 GMT
GAA should look at this as part of their discussions over the compromise rules series. Amateur soccer clubs get compensation if their players sign pro-contracts. A 100k donation to a local community charity would be more appropriate than paying the club a sales fee. Does anyone know what is the financial gain for Kennelly with these acquisitions, initial fee or one that matures if the player moves up the grades?
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Post by kerrygold on Oct 21, 2016 9:24:07 GMT
GAA should look at this as part of their discussions over the compromise rules series. Amateur soccer clubs get compensation if their players sign pro-contracts. Should the Kerry county board compensate clubs who only have the player they nurtured and developed for maybe 3 or 4 games a season cos he is in with the Kerry seniors? Depends on what credence one places on the county league. County players play all club championship games. County league is county league at the end of the day. The Lada of the club scene.
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Post by buck02 on Oct 21, 2016 9:27:22 GMT
Should the Kerry county board compensate clubs who only have the player they nurtured and developed for maybe 3 or 4 games a season cos he is in with the Kerry seniors? Depends on what credence one places on the county league. County players play all club championship games. County league is county league at the end of the day. The Lada of the club scene. Theres thousands of players in the county that would totally disagree with you. I know county league isnt glamorous for most of the people that frequent here but I wouldnt pay much credence to that.
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