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If Monaghan Can Compete, Why Can't The More So Called Traditional Counties

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Replying To MesAmis:  "
Replying To Furlong1949:  "[quote=MesAmis:  "[quote=Furlong1949:  "[quote=MesAmis:  "[quote=Furlong1949:  "[quote=MesAmis:  "2 Lets say ur a Dub between 1996 and 2010. Dublin dont reach an All Ireland final..Say in that time ur rival Meath wins 5 Sams. Lets say tens of thousands of Meath people move to Cabra Castleknock Marino etc. In everyday life this those bother u. There children go to Dublin schools and play for Dublin clubs. U see more Meath jerseys in Cabra and see no Dublin jerseys. And those children support Meath want to play for Meath and and hate Dublin. How happy would you be with this development ?

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 477 - 24/08/2018 16:16:33


You'd have serious question marks over what Dublin GAA is doing so wrong that it can't attract people actually living in and from Dublin!

So in your analogy there is no one in Ashbourne/Ratoath/Dunboyne in Meath jerseys at the moment. C'mon man what rubbish.

Hyperbolic nonsense.

Meath GAA has gained thousands of new potential players over the last 20 years whose parents are from all over Ireland. It is and will be of a massive benefit to Meath GAA. This is the truth even if you, and a few others, cannot see what's plain and in front of your faces."
U still haven't answered my question. U did everything but answer the question. Yes or no.
If Dublin dont reach All Ireland final for next 20 years, stay in div 2 for next 20 years, dont even reach All Ireland semi final. Meath win 6 All Irelands. Thousands of Meath people move to Dublin play with Dublin clubs but support and want to play for Meath and hate Dublin. Would u be happy with development? Yes or no. Would see this development as a positive development for Dublin football ? Yes or no.
I would be grateful if u cud answer these questions. If u dont answer I will take that as u saying no this is not a positive development. But u wouldnt just admit this."
Dublin GAA has had years upon years of people coming into Dublin and bringing their kids to see their original county play be they successful or not. It has happened for decades upon decades and all those people coming to Dublin has been an advantage to Dublin GAA. Just like it is currently and will be an advantage to Meath GAA what is currently happening in Meath.

It continues to happen in Dublin. A neighbours child hasn't been out of his Limerick jersey all week! It's great to see him so interested in hurling and showing his passion for his mother's native county. My own 3 girls have Cork jerseys and it is great that they feel a connection to their mother's county. They're still Dubs though.

I don't see how Meath will become this massive exception where the Meath raised children of people from all over the country won't develop an affinity with their county but instead only support their parents counties. Some will grow up continually supporting only their parents county, I know a few Dublin born people that this has happened with that they will support their parents county over Dublin still but for the vast majority it is not the case.

I really don't see what makes Meath so different that Meath people (because that's who we're talking about here) will refuse to support and represent Meath. What makes Meath so supposedly different from the other 31 counties?

The odd few Dubs that will bring their kids back to Dublin for football/hurling doesn't change the fact that migration to Meath is a great thing for Meath GAA. How is load of extra potential footballers and hurlers a bad thing?"]Dublin and Meath r different counties, just because country folk came up to Dublin and their children supported and played for Dublin eg Brogan kerry, Sullivan kerry, McMenanim Donegal. Coz ,Its has worked for Dublin, doesnt necessarly it will be a sucess for Meath.

Yes Meath is different, it is unique. Every county has their own unique characteristics. And there is massive differences between Meath and Dublin. Dublin can take the hit, if thousands of parents kids from down the country support limerick or Galway, Dublin can take the hit , Meath cannot why?. Dublin have ten times the population , ten times the resources, ten times the finances, Dublin is the most powerful county in Irish society, Meath is an average midland county.

Meath unique characteristics are in the area we are situated, we come from a football mad area, but counties are starved of sucess for decades eg Cavan Kildare louth. Yet Meath were hugely sucessful. Meath r in the top 5 counties. Dublin Cork and Galway are in the top 5. No surprise there. All top three counties which are economic social cultural centre points, world famous counties. Kerry is another standout county , a world famous county. Meath is the odd one out. In Irish society Meath wouldnt make top 20 in terms of importance, impact on Irish society. Yet in football terms, we are top county in an area leaving Dublin to one side, starved of sucess. That is unique. We were involved in the most unequal rivalry in Irsh sport. Tipp v Kilkenny are similar size counties, Galway and Mayo have differences, but are similar enough. Meath and Dublin are not similar whatsoever. it was the most unequal rivalry in Irsih sport, yet for 90 years Meath went toe to toe with the capital, and for long periods Dublin couldnt beat strong Meath oppostion. The one thing Dublin could never handle was All Ireland winning Meath team. Our rivalry with Dublin is unique.

No county in football and only Tipp in hurling has as many rivals on its border. This means wherever u are in Meath you have a rival county on your doorsteps. These rivalries with Cavan, Louth, Kildare, Offaly, Westmeath and especially Dublin meant when Meath came out of the provience of leinster we were battle harden. Again soemthing unique to our county.

There has always being migration to Meath, there has always been a hatred towards Meath inside and outside county. No team in gaelic football in the past was more hated then Meath. Not Dublin no county is hated with the passion Meath has being. People can have a more affinity to Dublin. Dublin is our capital, people have a certain respect, gra for Dublin. That is something unique to Meath football, the hatred towards the county. You could meet a Tyrone or Mayo supporter even today and the venom towards Meath from them is a sight to behold.

Meath won 3 All Irelands before migration from the west. Its wasnt the reason for our sucess. If it was how come. kildare which also had massive migration from west of Ireland , there is a massive Galway popuation in kildare, how come kildare has reached 1 All Ireland senior final in 90 years and Meath reached 15 All Ireland senior finals. Some of the people who migrated from the west would live in Meath for 70 or 80 years and you would meet them and they would not only not follow Meath, but hate the county team with a passion. But mostly the children of migrates became involved with Meath clubs and they started to follow Meath and want to play for Meath eg O Malley Mayo, Coyle Donegal, O Rourke leitrim. It was benefiical to Meath.

The current situation seems not to be beneficial. At the moment it aint working, maybe that will change. But just because Dublin current team is an example of a positive migration . It doesnt mean it will work for Meath. Dublin is so big , it can take young people supporting other counties, supporting other sports. A population of 1 million is a massive plus, Dublin can take the hit. Meath might not be able. Meath has unique characterisrtics, the same way most countiel, dublin has , kerry has, down has , Galway has, Offaly has.

But the hatred towards Meath has always being there. And for many Dubs to see their offspring supporting the county of Mick lyons or Graham Gerathy, it is not going to happen. As they said in the 80s and 90s the Dubs hated REM , not the band, but REM, Rangers, England, Meath. I know 4 Dublin parents and their kids play with Meath clubs but are making sure they hate the Meath football county team. Meath has different characteristics , raises different emotions agmost different sections of the GAA community then . My experience so far, that there is an issue on the ground at the moment. And for Dublin supporters who live in Dublin to say there is not an issue, there is nothing to see here. They dont really know what is going on, they have a viewpoint based on a Dublin agenda. There is an issue on the ground, to say there is not, is just not factually incorrect , it is not the reality of the situation. We are not making this up. It is the reality of the situation on the ground in Meath GAA. Fact."]Correlation does not imply causation.

Just because Meath have declined since they've had massive migration into it does not mean the 2 things are in anyway linked.

Meath are no different to any other county in regards more players is a good thing. It always has been a good thing and will continue to be a good thing for all counties, the unique Meath being no different!"]Again its not working on the ground. You can say it is and will work . But your a Dub with a Dublin agenda who is not going to say anything bad about Dublin or Dublin supporters.

On the ground in reality, in real life, it is not benefitting Meath or kildare. You can the deny truth. Its your perogative. In terms of futture, I have serious doubts it will be a benefit. Just look at Wicklow, big popuation no Leinster title ever, limerick big population, no Munster title or All Ireland title in 120 years in football, and up to this year 1 hurling All Ireland in 90 years. Meath has different characteristics, I have already explained them above. All counties do. But our rivalry with Dublin is unique. There is nothing like it in Irish sport in terms on how unequal the rivalry was , the million plus capital v bogmen from midlands county of Meath. That rivalry is dead at the moment, the issues I talked about above will not help things. Meath v Dublin rivalry was and will always be essential to Meaths sucess as a football county. If you have many Meath youngsters in Meath clubs supporting and wanting to play for Dublin and hating Meath, I dont know how in gods name you could see that as a benefit to Meath. I have the interests of Meath football. No disrespect to u, but being Dub Im sure you would be very happy if Meath didnt score another single point in the football championship ever again ; You have a Dublin agenda , thats where ur coming from. And what you are saying is not reality. There is reality , young people in Meath club supporting Dublin and then there is your version , which is not reality. Its just another barrier , another dilemna, another issue that Meath need to deal with if we are to come roaring back. Its aint a help. its another hinderance."]So again you're sticking to the bonkers mantra that extra players in Meath clubs is a hindrance just because a few of their parents are from Dublin.

Extra people coming into a county have never been a hindrance to any other county ever.

You're looking for what is wrong in Meath football and you come up with a fallacy as old as time: "it's all the new people's fault!". "They're dilutung our uniqueness".

It's the logic of a child to be honest. Me being a Dub has nothing to do with it, I just see childish logic that makes no sense beyond excuse making and laying blame in the wrong place. I have no agenda except an agenda against people spouting absolute illogical rubbish.

Without Dublin people moving to Meath the county would still have had massive migration into it in the last 20 years. This is a point you continually failed to grasp seeing as your only problem seems to be with the Dubs moving in.

Migration to Meath is obviously great for Meath GAA. This is undeniable as its so plainly true. Just because it is yet to bare fruit doesn't make it untrue. And if it doesn't bare fruit or won't be because it was a bad thing it'll be because Meath GAA were incompetent. It's that simple that even the likes of you and Royaldunne will eventually understand so don't overly worry about not understanding it yet. You'll get there."]1 There is issues on the ground, tensions, problems , something u continue to ignore. People have issues and concerns, not everything is rosey in the garden. Instead of acknowledging reality you engage in petty insults.

Up and down the country comments like Meath and kildare should be doing better look at the population growth. You hear that from so many. People like ur self are jumping to conclusions that population growth = sucess. At this moment in time is the population growth helping Meath and kildare football at senior level. No. Is everything on the ground going well and there is no problems? No. You wouldn't acknowledge this because your Dub with Dublin agenda who couldnt care less about Meath football.

You say this population growth gurantees Meath future sucess. Well could you address all the below examples which have shown the opposite.

1 Wicklow. What about Wicklow? . Big population, migration of Dubs, strong club structures. How come Wicklow with big population, strong population growth. How come Wicklow have never won a leinster football title. How come with population growth that Wicklow are in the bottom 2 or 3 counties in the whole country.

2 Limerick. What about limerick. A great tradition , a great sports county. A big population. Migration from surrounding counties. How come Limerick with such population growth has not won Munster title or All Ireland football title in 120 years. How come up to this year limerick had only won 1 All Ireland hurling title when Offaly a county with a much smaller population won 4 titles, or Clare also won more then limerick in that same period.

3 What about Antrim?. Yes I know half the population dont support the game. But Derry Down Armagh and Tyrone have much less population growth and yet they have won 10 All Irelands since Antrim last won their last Ulster title. How come with growing big population Antrim havent won Ulster title for over 70 years. Why Antrim are one of the least sucessful counties in the country, with such big population ?

4 What about Kildare. Kildare has a big population. Migration from Dublin and west of Ireland for generations. A strong football county with strong club structures and great supporters.. The big population and migration hasnt guranteed sucess for kildare. How come kildare havent never won minor All Ireland title or nevet won national league div 1 title and not won All Ireland senior title in 90 years?. With such a growing population for decades, kildare only played in 1 All Ireland senior final in 90 years. In the 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s kildare had migration growing population a massive population, yet for 50 years kildare disappeared from the top of the football table.

5 And of course what about Dublin. You could say up to this decade with Dublins massive population. Dublin had a massive population . There was massive migration to Dublin in 1930s, Dublin won 0 All Irelands. There was migration and massive population in 40s and Dublin won 1 All Ireland in the 40s. Dublin had strong migration and massive pop in 50s and Dublin won 1 All Ireland in 50s . ( Kerry won 3)..In the 60s Dublin had massive population and big migration and Dublin won 1 All Ireland ( Down won 3). In the 80s Dublin had a massive population and huge migration and Dublin won 1 All Ireland ( Kerry won 5)..In 90s Dublin won 1 All Ireland..In 00s with Dublin population growing faster then ever before in 100 years. Dublin was undergoing massive migration how come Dublin didnt won All Ireland in 00s , kerry won 5.

How come with massive population and big migration Dublin didnt play in an All Ireland final for 16 years 96 to 2010, how come Dublin won 1 All Ireland in 26 years 1984 to 2010. And Dublin have won 1 minor All Ireland title in 35 years. Population didnt gurantee Dublin sucess for 90 years, why will it gurantee Meath and kildare in the future. When migration and massive population didnt guratee ur county sucess for 80 years, why will it guratee Meath or kildare. Does it not indicate, that population and migration doesnt gurantee sucess.

So when u say this population growth and migration will gurantee Meath and kildaes future sucess. Well what do you have to say about Wicklow, limerick , Antrim, kildare and Dublin 1930 to 2010. Surely the above examples are concrete examples that population growth gurantees nothing.

Meath is at a crossroads. We are either coming roaring back or follow the path similar to Cavan after 1950s. There is opportunities and obstacles. Do not underestimate Meaths ability to reinvent itself. We have always risen to the Dublin challenge and always knocked Dublin from their perch. But there is no gurantee this will continue. Meaths sucessful run could have come to an end. But to keep pushing this Dublin agenda that we are guranteed sucess, does not ring through when you look at Wicklow and other counties.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 25/08/2018 17:32:42    2136529

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Furlong, Wicklow have never won a Leinster . There has been no tradition of success.
Antrim haven't won an Ulster title since 1951. There has been no tradition of success.
Kildare have appeared in One All Ireland since 1935. They have won 2 Leinster titles since 1956. There has been very little tradition of success. That is beginning to change with their recent successes at minor and U21 level . Hopes are beginning to rise that this may translate in to senior success provided these talented young players are developed properly .
Dublin produced a blueprint for success and implemented it . Success didn't just materialise They worked very hard and very smartly on the ground and they have reaped the rewards of that work . They are now further developing their structures in order to achieve something that only Kerry up to now have achieved which is to perpetuate success at the highest level .
You are correct when you say that a large influx of people in to a county is no guarantee of success . There is never a guarantee of success . All you can do is work very hard and more importantly work efficiently, effectively and intelligently . If you do you have a much better chance of success . It is time you and royaldunne stopped articulating spurious reasons for Meath's current malaise . It's time you stopped feeling sorry for yourselves . It's time Meath started to work effectively, efficiently and intelligently . Then we may see a renaissance in Meath . If you feel the need to reply please remember that the eloquence of English results when there is a combination of clarity and brevity not longevity, so could please be brief and to the point .

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 25/08/2018 19:10:16    2136545

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What is happening here in this debate we r having. I have the interests of Meath football at heart, I want to see Meath return to the top table. I have genuine concerns. You see my points as slights or having a go at Dubs. You being a Dub are defensive and defending the Dubs to the end , which is ur right. But it means u r biased but also have a agenda. This debate is turning into Meath v Dublin. Your defensive and defending the Dubs but deep down couldnt care less if Meath ever won a match again. I have genuine worrys and concerns.

Again u say population growth gurantees sucess. Then u say if it doesn't its Meath GAA fault. For me the first part is wrong and the second part is very simplified way of looking at things.

When Dublin from 1930 to 2010 underachieved was it Dublin GAAs fault. With massive population, huge migration was it Dublin gaas fault that Dublin won 0 All Irelands in the 30s, 1 All Ireland in the 40s, 1 in the 50s, 1 in the 60s and 1 in the 80s, and 1 All Ireland in 25 years in 80s 90s and 00s..Was it Dublins GAA fault when Dublin population was growing faster then 100 years that Dublin didnt play in All Ireland final for 16 years in late 90s and 00s
The answer is very complicated. Not easy to answer. But what it proves without a doubt is population doesnt gurantee sucesss.

Again is it soley Wicklow GAA fault that they have won 0 provicial titles ever and only won their first ever championship match in Croke Park 12 years ago. I would say its complicated and another example of how population doesnt gurantee sucess.

Limerick up to this year only won 1 All Ireland in 90 years. 120 years since they won Munster title in football. Is that soley Limerick GAA fault?. No.

Kildare massive migration and big population for 100 years. Yet no All Ireland and only 1 All-Ireland senior appearance in nearly 100 years. Again another example of how population and migration doesnt gurantee sucess.
Will you address Wicklow Antrim limericks kildare and Dublin 1930 to 2010.

The Meath v Dublin rivalry is essential to Meath sucess for 80 years or so. Meath players had obession of knocking Dubs from their perch. If future Meath players dont have that drive and goal we will not win All-Ireland for 50 or 60 years or less. Rivalry is very important. Brian Cody one of his main goals after growing up seen kilkenny teams unable to beat Tippearey for decades. Was to make sure kilkenny would beat Tippearey over and over again. He knew been sucessful in that rivalry with Tipp was essential for Kilkenny sucess. Take away Meath v Dublin rivalry. Means Meath become just another Leinster county losing yearly to Dublin.
On the ground there is issues and tensions. And there is no magic wand to sort it out. If Meath do return to the top table it will because we will produce another Sean Boylan or Fr Tully or another Paddy O Brien, Peter McDermont, Jack Quinn , Colm O Rourke and Trevor Giles. Some of the greatest GAA individuals of the last 80 years. It wouldnt becuse of population growth. Wicklow kildare and even the Dubs r examples of how u r guranteed nothing .

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 25/08/2018 19:29:32    2136546

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Replying To Furlong1949:  "What is happening here in this debate we r having. I have the interests of Meath football at heart, I want to see Meath return to the top table. I have genuine concerns. You see my points as slights or having a go at Dubs. You being a Dub are defensive and defending the Dubs to the end , which is ur right. But it means u r biased but also have a agenda. This debate is turning into Meath v Dublin. Your defensive and defending the Dubs but deep down couldnt care less if Meath ever won a match again. I have genuine worrys and concerns.

Again u say population growth gurantees sucess. Then u say if it doesn't its Meath GAA fault. For me the first part is wrong and the second part is very simplified way of looking at things.

When Dublin from 1930 to 2010 underachieved was it Dublin GAAs fault. With massive population, huge migration was it Dublin gaas fault that Dublin won 0 All Irelands in the 30s, 1 All Ireland in the 40s, 1 in the 50s, 1 in the 60s and 1 in the 80s, and 1 All Ireland in 25 years in 80s 90s and 00s..Was it Dublins GAA fault when Dublin population was growing faster then 100 years that Dublin didnt play in All Ireland final for 16 years in late 90s and 00s
The answer is very complicated. Not easy to answer. But what it proves without a doubt is population doesnt gurantee sucesss.

Again is it soley Wicklow GAA fault that they have won 0 provicial titles ever and only won their first ever championship match in Croke Park 12 years ago. I would say its complicated and another example of how population doesnt gurantee sucess.

Limerick up to this year only won 1 All Ireland in 90 years. 120 years since they won Munster title in football. Is that soley Limerick GAA fault?. No.

Kildare massive migration and big population for 100 years. Yet no All Ireland and only 1 All-Ireland senior appearance in nearly 100 years. Again another example of how population and migration doesnt gurantee sucess.
Will you address Wicklow Antrim limericks kildare and Dublin 1930 to 2010.

The Meath v Dublin rivalry is essential to Meath sucess for 80 years or so. Meath players had obession of knocking Dubs from their perch. If future Meath players dont have that drive and goal we will not win All-Ireland for 50 or 60 years or less. Rivalry is very important. Brian Cody one of his main goals after growing up seen kilkenny teams unable to beat Tippearey for decades. Was to make sure kilkenny would beat Tippearey over and over again. He knew been sucessful in that rivalry with Tipp was essential for Kilkenny sucess. Take away Meath v Dublin rivalry. Means Meath become just another Leinster county losing yearly to Dublin.
On the ground there is issues and tensions. And there is no magic wand to sort it out. If Meath do return to the top table it will because we will produce another Sean Boylan or Fr Tully or another Paddy O Brien, Peter McDermont, Jack Quinn , Colm O Rourke and Trevor Giles. Some of the greatest GAA individuals of the last 80 years. It wouldnt becuse of population growth. Wicklow kildare and even the Dubs r examples of how u r guranteed nothing ."
If Meath return to the top table it will be because they work efficiently, effectively and intelligently with their underage players in every club and school . There is no other way .

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 25/08/2018 20:00:43    2136550

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Ill respond with a bias to to my own county...quite simply the only real support for football in cork is in west cork..personally im from the city and have played both gaeilic football and hurling and support both teams equally...the perception of supporting football brings a certain form of mocking from the hurling side of things down here..ill be honest my number 1 sport is hurling and that wont change..when i travel to football games be it ennis thurles or portlaois im met with "i wouldnt cross the road to watch them"...now infairness the current football team for us are really a laughing stock and i cant say much to defend them to be honest about things because ive criticised the attitude of this current team many times myself and at near the end of my tether with it...but i was met with the same in 2010 travelling the lenght and breath of the country supporting that particular team who won the all ireland...i play with a dual club whos attitude for football is "football is a game for poor hurlers" and ive no doubt that that is a mantra supported across many clubs across the county..ive no doubt cork football will be back in 5,10 or more years as is what seems the natural cycle of things..but in my experience when the hurlers are going well there is nothing quite like the hype and anticipation for each game whereas or footballers will be met with the same derision whether being beaten by tyrone by 17 points or winning an all ireland final..

pidge (Cork) - Posts: 543 - 25/08/2018 20:01:27    2136551

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Replying To Greengrass:  "Furlong, Wicklow have never won a Leinster . There has been no tradition of success.
Antrim haven't won an Ulster title since 1951. There has been no tradition of success.
Kildare have appeared in One All Ireland since 1935. They have won 2 Leinster titles since 1956. There has been very little tradition of success. That is beginning to change with their recent successes at minor and U21 level . Hopes are beginning to rise that this may translate in to senior success provided these talented young players are developed properly .
Dublin produced a blueprint for success and implemented it . Success didn't just materialise They worked very hard and very smartly on the ground and they have reaped the rewards of that work . They are now further developing their structures in order to achieve something that only Kerry up to now have achieved which is to perpetuate success at the highest level .
You are correct when you say that a large influx of people in to a county is no guarantee of success . There is never a guarantee of success . All you can do is work very hard and more importantly work efficiently, effectively and intelligently . If you do you have a much better chance of success . It is time you and royaldunne stopped articulating spurious reasons for Meath's current malaise . It's time you stopped feeling sorry for yourselves . It's time Meath started to work effectively, efficiently and intelligently . Then we may see a renaissance in Meath . If you feel the need to reply please remember that the eloquence of English results when there is a combination of clarity and brevity not longevity, so could please be brief and to the point ."
A few points

1 The Dublin chap above believes population growth gurantees sucesss. I disagree. You agree that population growth doesn't gurantee sucess. We agree on that.

2 I have never once said population has caused Meaths decline. Yesterday on this forum I gave 15 , yes 15 reasons why Meath have declined. And not one mention of the Dubs. I can give 40 reasons why Meath have declined and not one mention of population migration and Dubs in Meath. Its our own fault. Again this arguement of population growth has nothing, zero, zinch to do with Meaths decline. I have never said so. Ok.

3 What I have said over and over again, is currently there is an issue on the ground eg tensions. And going forward I believe it is an issue dilmena for Meath GAA. So again to clarify, it has not caused Meath decline. However in the future and present it is an issue. And it could be a more hinderance then help. As u agreed with my argument above, it doesnt gurantee sucess.

4 You said Antrim have no tradition. Antrim have a great tradition. In the first 70 years of Ulster football the most sucessful county in the 6 counties was Antrim by a metric mile. Antrim.and Cavan were first real Ulster football ariticrats. For the first 70 years of Ulster championship Antrim Monaghan and Cavan were the most sucessful Ulster counties.

By 1955 Donegal had 0 Ulster titles, Derry had 0 Ulster titles, Tyrone had 0 Ulster titles and Down also had never won an Ulster title. By 1955 Antrim had won 9 Ulster titles and Derry Down Donegal Tyrone and Fermanagh had 0 Ulster titles between them. How can u say Antrim have no football tradition. The first great team from 6 counties was not from Down or Tyrone but Antrim. In 1940s Antrim played kerry in the final. They were first team ever to play short possesion game. They are first great team from Ulster after Cavan. In that final only for disgraceful kerry rough tactics Antrim would have become champions. So Antrim have a great tradition. They are true Ulster football ariticrats.

2 Kildare also have a great tradition. In the first 50 years of the GAA after Kerry and Dublin Cavan the most sucessful football county was kildare. Kildare were early football ariticrats. Kildare won 4 All Irelands, 20 years before Meath had won their first, 50 years before Offaly won their first All-Ireland and kildare won 4 All-Irelands 70 years before Tyrone won their first.

Kildare team of 20s is one of the greatest teams ever to come from leinster. The kerry v kildare rivalry of the 20s is the first great football rivalry. kildare has a great tradition of football. They have more clubs then Meath and are in top 4 or 5 counties in Ireland in terms of player numbers and clubs.

Finally Meath are working intelligently and diligently. There is great work being done on the ground. We are current minor champions , a two in a row at that level and have beaten Dublin 4 times at minor level in 4 years. And we were the only team to beat All Ireland champions kildare in this years championship. We are currently in under 16 Reilly cup final ( a competition that includes north leinster and Ulster counties.) In next two or three years our minor teams are looking very strong. Dont worry about Meath. We dont feel sorry for ourselves. We will re group and in the future if Dublin are to be taken down in leinster more then likely it will be us. Its what we do best. Knocking the Dubs from their perch .

Im just making the point. There is many obstacles and issues to deal with before we go back up the football table. Its going to take hard work and there is no gurantee. Im just mentioning some issues currently on the ground thats all. I hope that clarifies things and I hope I pass this time the English grammar test for the louth professor above.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 25/08/2018 20:37:40    2136561

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Replying To Greengrass:  "If Meath return to the top table it will be because they work efficiently, effectively and intelligently with their underage players in every club and school . There is no other way ."
I dont disagree with u here. We are currently attempting to do that. There is a serious push at underage level in Meath. We are currently stronger then Dublin or kildare at the new minor grade. We were years behind and we have caught up at minor. We now need more sucess at under 20. U should see strong Meath teams at underage in next 2 to 3 years . But it is no gurantee of nothing. We have problems of players staying on board til senior. And so do other counties. Im just highlighting issues on the ground. Thats all. Nothing is guaranteed.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 25/08/2018 20:43:48    2136564

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Replying To pidge:  "Ill respond with a bias to to my own county...quite simply the only real support for football in cork is in west cork..personally im from the city and have played both gaeilic football and hurling and support both teams equally...the perception of supporting football brings a certain form of mocking from the hurling side of things down here..ill be honest my number 1 sport is hurling and that wont change..when i travel to football games be it ennis thurles or portlaois im met with "i wouldnt cross the road to watch them"...now infairness the current football team for us are really a laughing stock and i cant say much to defend them to be honest about things because ive criticised the attitude of this current team many times myself and at near the end of my tether with it...but i was met with the same in 2010 travelling the lenght and breath of the country supporting that particular team who won the all ireland...i play with a dual club whos attitude for football is "football is a game for poor hurlers" and ive no doubt that that is a mantra supported across many clubs across the county..ive no doubt cork football will be back in 5,10 or more years as is what seems the natural cycle of things..but in my experience when the hurlers are going well there is nothing quite like the hype and anticipation for each game whereas or footballers will be met with the same derision whether being beaten by tyrone by 17 points or winning an all ireland final.."
I think Cork made a serious mistake not making John Cleary manager. A sucessful under 21 manager. It made no sense whatsoever. If Cleary was made manager I believe Cork wouldn't be in div 2 now. Cork and Armagh are two teams that are underachieving with the current players they have. Both teams are a top class manager away from being a top team. I think Cork should go for outside manager now. An Ulster coach like Tony McEntee would be a good fit for Cork.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 25/08/2018 20:52:49    2136566

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Replying To yew_tree:  "Furlong - if you want to go down that road there is plenty of reading out there that shows families from the west who moved to Meath in many cases were made feel unwelcome and took many years before the locals accepted them..

Anyway that's the past and not the reason for Martha current woes...

An uncle of mine would be friendly with a well known ex Meath player and he claims Meath took their eye of the ball during their last glory spell..."
I agree. We did take our eye off the ball during the glory spell. We thought it would go on indefinitely. Its our own fault. I have said that over and over and over again. We were 10 years behind Dublin and 5 years behind kildare at underage. Like Cork hurlers who let Clare limerick and Waterford get a head start on them at underage. Cork hurlers have to play catch up. Meath r in the same boat. The same for us. I cannot keep saying the same things . I can give 30 reasons why Meath have declined and not one mention of Dublin. Simply put we took our eye of the ball. But once a sucessful county declines there is no gurantee they will return to the top table eg Cavan after 50s, Offaly after 80s.

lack of underage sucess, no div 1 football in years etc etc r all reasons for our decline. I am talking about current present issues on the ground. Another dilmena issue for Meath football. Thats all. I cannot make myself more clearer. But Im sure I will receive plenty of petty insults and downgrades rather then engaging in a grown up debate from certain quaters. Good robust debate is always interesting and enjoyable. Petty personal insults are not. I try always to talk football matters rather then engage in person insulting. Im not interested in that carry on at all.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 25/08/2018 23:37:14    2136580

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Antrim were not the most successful team in Ulster in the first 70 years that the Ulster championship was played . Cavan were . They won 35 of them . They also won 5 All Irelands . Antrim in that time won 9 Ulster titles . Six of those were won between 1908-13. That may constitute tradition but it is way too far back to have any impact on what happens today. Similarly with Kildare their major successes happened far too long ago to have any impact on what happens today . Meath won this years Leinster minor championship . They did not win last years . Dublin did . This years win for Meath represents the first steps on a long road back. The tensions on the ground you speak of are nothing more than a smoke screen. In order to succeed you need to put the work in at underage football.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 26/08/2018 11:24:16    2136595

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Replying To MesAmis:  "Ever been to Ballymadun (Rock's homeplace) Royaldunne?

Nice little townland in North County Dublin.

Stop into the Foxes' Pub for a pint and a watch of the All-Ireland Final maybe?"
The lack of a parish rule in Dublin is a factor to their success I think. The fact that Dean Rock for example plays with Ballymun Kickhams (over 20km from his homeplace in Ballymadun) and bypassing North Dublin clubs such as Fingal Ravens, Ballyboughal, St. Margaret's, St. Finian's, Fingallians and Garristown means that the best players end up at the best clubs playing senior football.

This generally doesn't happen in Meath. My view is that there are too many clubs in Meath and players in general are restricted to play for a club in the parish they grew up in. Every tiny crossroads seems to have a club in Meath which quite often leaves a talented player stuck playing Junior club football (sometimes Junior B) for his entire career.

This obviously isn't the only factor into Meath's demise or Dublin's success but just one view I think is interesting to bring up.

nmsmithy96 (Meath) - Posts: 108 - 26/08/2018 12:13:28    2136601

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Replying To nmsmithy96:  "The lack of a parish rule in Dublin is a factor to their success I think. The fact that Dean Rock for example plays with Ballymun Kickhams (over 20km from his homeplace in Ballymadun) and bypassing North Dublin clubs such as Fingal Ravens, Ballyboughal, St. Margaret's, St. Finian's, Fingallians and Garristown means that the best players end up at the best clubs playing senior football.

This generally doesn't happen in Meath. My view is that there are too many clubs in Meath and players in general are restricted to play for a club in the parish they grew up in. Every tiny crossroads seems to have a club in Meath which quite often leaves a talented player stuck playing Junior club football (sometimes Junior B) for his entire career.

This obviously isn't the only factor into Meath's demise or Dublin's success but just one view I think is interesting to bring up."
Interesting point about Meath club football. Maybe they should look at the structure that Kerry have in place for their Senior Championships? In Kerry no matter how small your club you'll get a crack at the Senior Championship if you're good enough through the Divisional teams. The likes of Declan O'Sullivan came through at a small junior club in South Kerry I believe.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 26/08/2018 12:26:26    2136604

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Replying To Greengrass:  "Antrim were not the most successful team in Ulster in the first 70 years that the Ulster championship was played . Cavan were . They won 35 of them . They also won 5 All Irelands . Antrim in that time won 9 Ulster titles . Six of those were won between 1908-13. That may constitute tradition but it is way too far back to have any impact on what happens today. Similarly with Kildare their major successes happened far too long ago to have any impact on what happens today . Meath won this years Leinster minor championship . They did not win last years . Dublin did . This years win for Meath represents the first steps on a long road back. The tensions on the ground you speak of are nothing more than a smoke screen. In order to succeed you need to put the work in at underage football."
I never once said Antrim were the most sucessful team. Never once. I said in the early days of Ulster football , Cavan Monaghan and Antrim were the most sucessful counties. It was a while back, but the fact is the most sucessful football county in the six counties up to the 1960s was Antrim. They do have a long tradition. The first great team from the 6 counties was the 1946 Antrim team who should have won the 6 counties first All-Ireland in 1946. They were the first team to play a short possesion game. Antrim were unplayable.

kerry decided to playrough tactics that day v Antrim that were so bad that 10 other counties after that match made complaints to the GAA about kerry. Kerry players admitted afterwards they felt they had no other choice but to foul the Antrim players, for if they just played football Antrim would have won. kerry actually did the very same thing to the Boy wonder Murphy v laois in All Ireland semi final in 30s and also v larry Stanley and kildare in a final in 20s.

Anyway Antrim do have a football tradition. And why the GAA dont look at a county like Antrim and see its potential, I dont understand. For it is not good enough to allow Antrim football to stay yearly in div 4. The state of Casement park is a very sad state of affairs. The GAA should do more for Antrim GAA. A strong Antrim , bringing the Sam Maguire back to Belfast should be a goal for the GAA.

Kildares sucess is a bit further back, but to this day kildares greatest player is not Johnny Doyle or Glen Ryan or Tompkins but Larry Stanley. The kildare team of the 20s is still loved in kildare. One of the main reasons kildare is a football mad county is because of the legacy, is because of larry Stanleys two in a row All Ireland winning kildare team. Kildares football tradition is because of that great team, one of the greatest teams ever to come from leinster.

And while its a while back u, as a louth man knows how a teams from decades ago can be loved respected and create a football tradition. The louth All Ireland 1957 team is still talked about admired and respected in louth. And louth football tradition goes back to that great team. Modern louth football is built on the team of 57.

Meath have won two minors in a row at leinster at the new grade level. We won leinster minor title ( under 17) this year 2018. And we won first inaugural leinster minor ( under 17) last year 2017. Dublin won the traditional minor under 18 last year. We won the first under 17 minor leinster championship last year. So at the new minor grade level at under 17 , that is two in a row. Thats what I meant. We did win those titles.

Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 26/08/2018 17:46:00    2136662

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Replying To Furlong1949:  "I never once said Antrim were the most sucessful team. Never once. I said in the early days of Ulster football , Cavan Monaghan and Antrim were the most sucessful counties. It was a while back, but the fact is the most sucessful football county in the six counties up to the 1960s was Antrim. They do have a long tradition. The first great team from the 6 counties was the 1946 Antrim team who should have won the 6 counties first All-Ireland in 1946. They were the first team to play a short possesion game. Antrim were unplayable.

kerry decided to playrough tactics that day v Antrim that were so bad that 10 other counties after that match made complaints to the GAA about kerry. Kerry players admitted afterwards they felt they had no other choice but to foul the Antrim players, for if they just played football Antrim would have won. kerry actually did the very same thing to the Boy wonder Murphy v laois in All Ireland semi final in 30s and also v larry Stanley and kildare in a final in 20s.

Anyway Antrim do have a football tradition. And why the GAA dont look at a county like Antrim and see its potential, I dont understand. For it is not good enough to allow Antrim football to stay yearly in div 4. The state of Casement park is a very sad state of affairs. The GAA should do more for Antrim GAA. A strong Antrim , bringing the Sam Maguire back to Belfast should be a goal for the GAA.

Kildares sucess is a bit further back, but to this day kildares greatest player is not Johnny Doyle or Glen Ryan or Tompkins but Larry Stanley. The kildare team of the 20s is still loved in kildare. One of the main reasons kildare is a football mad county is because of the legacy, is because of larry Stanleys two in a row All Ireland winning kildare team. Kildares football tradition is because of that great team, one of the greatest teams ever to come from leinster.

And while its a while back u, as a louth man knows how a teams from decades ago can be loved respected and create a football tradition. The louth All Ireland 1957 team is still talked about admired and respected in louth. And louth football tradition goes back to that great team. Modern louth football is built on the team of 57.

Meath have won two minors in a row at leinster at the new grade level. We won leinster minor title ( under 17) this year 2018. And we won first inaugural leinster minor ( under 17) last year 2017. Dublin won the traditional minor under 18 last year. We won the first under 17 minor leinster championship last year. So at the new minor grade level at under 17 , that is two in a row. Thats what I meant. We did win those titles."
I stand corrected furlong on both the issue of Antrim being the most successful 6 county team up to 1960 and Meath winning both U17 titles . I'm well aware of the history of the counties you refer to including my own . They have tradition as do all counties but their eras of success are too far back to impact on today's generation of players . History begins with yesterday . Hard work which is effective and intelligent is the cornerstone of success . Meath have made a fine start with those two U17 titles .

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 26/08/2018 18:36:25    2136667

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I haven't read through this entire thread so excuse me if I go over points already made.

It's important the we put our recent rise into some context.

In 2002 we were the worst team in the country pretty much. We got absolutely destroyed by Fermanagh in Ulster on a day when one of the Gallagher brothers scored more than the whole Monaghan team. I still think that was the lowest ebb. We went into the qualifiers and got beat by Louth in another shocking performance.

The rise we've had hasn't happened overnight. We had key milestones over the last 16 years since that defeat.

2003 beat reigning All Ireland champions Armagh
2005 Div 2 Champions
2007 Ulster Runners Up - almost beat Kerry in Q/F
2010 Ulster Runners Up
2013 Ulster Champions and Div 3 Champions
2014 Ulster Runners Up and Div 2 Champions
2015 Ulster Champions
2018 All Ireland S/F

Also alot of underage success in that time too.

We got relegated to Div 3 after Banty left with the county board making a very poor management choice. Right now we are at a peak. Meath or Cork are perhaps in a trough. Dublin weren't always brilliant. Kilkenny have gone back a little. Teams have peaks and troughs Every team does in every sport. Look at Man United now or AC Milan. Golden State Warriors were rubbish for years. The All Blacks won their first World Cup in 1987 and didn't win another until 2011 on home soil. There are countless examples.

There are certain counties that I think are important to the GAA and we need them to be competitive - Meath, Cork, Derry, Down for example. Galway were bang average there for along time but now they've stepped up which is great. Kildare are in that category too perhaps.

This won't last forever for Monaghan and it won't for the likes of Meath or Cork either

Adler (Monaghan) - Posts: 754 - 27/08/2018 01:01:04    2136710

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Replying To Greengrass:  "Antrim were not the most successful team in Ulster in the first 70 years that the Ulster championship was played . Cavan were . They won 35 of them . They also won 5 All Irelands . Antrim in that time won 9 Ulster titles . Six of those were won between 1908-13. That may constitute tradition but it is way too far back to have any impact on what happens today. Similarly with Kildare their major successes happened far too long ago to have any impact on what happens today . Meath won this years Leinster minor championship . They did not win last years . Dublin did . This years win for Meath represents the first steps on a long road back. The tensions on the ground you speak of are nothing more than a smoke screen. In order to succeed you need to put the work in at underage football."
Ehh ?? we have won BOTH the u17 (new minor) grade 2018 and 2017.

royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 27/08/2018 09:57:05    2136742

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Replying To royaldunne:  "Ehh ?? we have won BOTH the u17 (new minor) grade 2018 and 2017."
That was clarified above royaldunne.

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 27/08/2018 13:24:40    2136767

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Replying To waynoI:  "It's over a week now since Monaghan lost their semi final by a whisker against Tyrone, but they where really good this year and have been consistently playing division 1 football, competing for Ulsters (and winning some) and getting to the last 8 minimum of the championship for a few years with a mix of youth and experience, while they haven't yet been good enough to get to a decider this is as close they are going to get without getting there and all this with a tiny population, and only 50 clubs in comparison to corks 259 (granted a lot of them are hurling clubs), my point being though, considering population, amount of clubs, pick to choose from, how can Monaghan consistently compete among the best teams ? For me, and admittedly I'm not an expert, but it comes down to what I argued before, attitude. The reason counties outside of the big two Dublin and Kerry have been consistent down the years is cause they have an absolutely ferocious mentality that can only be lauded, players who are hungry, and even if they do feel there are imbalances there don't moan about it, they just get the head down and work hard, cause hard work thrumps all and rather than feeling sorry for themselves.

I struggle to see what Meaths excuse is. What corks excuse for their pathetic showing this summer is."
Good points..Just one more point.. Monaghan may have around 50 clubs, but only 9 of them are senior.. iTS UNREAL HOW THEY ARE DOING IT. But i fear i will end soon

derekm58 (Monaghan) - Posts: 24 - 03/09/2018 15:26:20    2138846

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Replying To Dubsfan28:  "Why should we ask that question on a thread about Monaghan?"
Nowhere near 50 clubs. What is the point of this comment? Clearly you are not even from Monaghan.

seanfinn (Monaghan) - Posts: 360 - 03/09/2018 15:46:13    2138855

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Replying To seanfinn:  "Nowhere near 50 clubs. What is the point of this comment? Clearly you are not even from Monaghan."
no hes not.. i am, and there is a lot of clubs in monaghan maybe not 50, but hes not from here and it was a decent guess id say!.. only 9 or 10 senior clubs though and out of those 9 or 10 theres only about 3 capabale of winning a county championship

derekm58 (Monaghan) - Posts: 24 - 04/09/2018 09:49:58    2139056

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