I know that the commitment of inter county players is a big topic as the moment after Kieran Bergins interview and I do think he was right, playing for your county does absolutely take over your life, from the time spent training gym/pitch, your diet, your relationships, it definitely is a huge commitment and I don't think weaker counties appreciate the effort put in by their county players, I know here in Wicklow our county players are totally unappreciated and it's totally unfair because they put in just as much effort as the likes of Dublin and Mayo but they get nothing back except for the pride of playing for the county, there's no big match days, sponsored cars or holidays just a tracksuit and the honor of playing for the county.

From November our county teams are training, in the rain, the wind and muck, the poorest weather conditions while we are all sitting at home in our nice warm houses, even last night the Wicklow hurlers went to Meath and had to turn around and come straight back as the match was called off, some of them are doing exams, others left work early and that's totally unfair, it was unfair to expect lads to travel in that distant in last nights weather and it was unfair to expect lads to be leaving work early for nothing, a decision should definitely being made earlier. The players went to all that effort to get to that challenge match yet come the league I'd say theyed be doing well if there was 100 supporters at their matches, totally unfair I think.

Our footballers are the same, always being criticized for the poor results, already after 2 games, people are asking questions about John Evans abilities, Wicklow people seem to think that managers can work miracles and change things over night, nothing about the effort the team are putting in to try and improve things, like I'm sure they don't enjoy training 5 times a week to go and lose every match. My point is that county teams efforts in Wicklow are totally under appreciated

what is the support/appreciation like for county teams in other weaker counties

WW9 (Wicklow) - Posts: 109 - 17/01/2018 23:27:50    2069008

I think the efforts of our inter-county hurlers and footballers are well appreciated - but then I mix and am generally speaking to people who have been at some stage of their life put in similar effort to their chosen sport - so I guess there is an understanding of whats required.

You will always get the fools who just give out, as if the County team owns them personally.

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 18/01/2018 09:27:50    2069027

Right, can someone explain what's the difference between a Centre of Excellence and a Conclave of Bishops? Apart from the price tag? Very confusing all these terms to us simple Glens folk.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 18/01/2018 10:32:30    2069040

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 18/01/2018 11:41:32    2069054