Replying To ballydalane: "The GAA should copy (gulp) soccer. In soccer the players play for their clubs. For an international week, the international players go and play for their countries, and then come back to their clubs. Simple. No problem.
Why couldn't the GAA have a system where the players play and train for their clubs, but for the week or two before an intercounty fixture, the county players train and play for the county before returning to their clubs. Sure, county managers would be up in arms but to be blunt, feck them.
Make it a rule of the Association. All counties would have to abide with it so it wouldn't benefit some counties over others, all counties would be in the same boat. Punish any county breaking the rule with anything from forfeit of home advantage, expulsion from competitions, suspension of county managers, whatever it takes to get the message through. Fines aren't worth a damn. Maybe as a compromise allow county teams train once a week (but no more than that) during the "club periods" if it makes it easier to swallow.
Am I cracked? What would be so wrong with any of this?"
Brilliant. I suggested it above too. I agree. Feck the inter County management.
Another tick box excercise for the gaa, oh we looked into the matter we really need to do something about it etc etc and then ......... nothing, more empty promises, yes we looked into it says gaa hq etc etc
This is the same organization who this year crammed even more games into the calendar and then shortened the calendar itself and they're concerned about player welfare!!! Please spare me.
The road we are going down is inevitable, a complete separation between club and county where players are forced with the choice of playing with one but not both, each club almost being an academy for every county and where players will be incentivized to pick the county team which leads to ......??
This is the pathetic and annoying side of the GAA. - Players should be happy that they have been chosen to represent their counties. If they don't like the commitment and sacrifice then jack it in. - Someone will happily and very quickly replace you. - There are very few individual players that add to the enjoyment of games (maybe the likes of McManus) and are not easily replacable. - The game has actually got less enjoyable as demands, levels of training, strength and conditioning, etc have increased. - the demands are no more than athletes in other sports who operate at domestic amateur level at more cost than GAA players, e.g. running, cycling, boxing, etc
My view is that county teams should become, as suggested, simply representative by its nature with only a few months or so per year dedicated to training. Far easier to implement than made out.
It will also solve a lot of the problems re club fixtures and put the focus and principles of the GAA back where it should be - THE CLUBS.
It certainly wouldnt be any less enjoyable for the spectator.
Some of these players need to be called out on this too. They have an obvious major vested interest. Furthermore they also get major career and financial benefits from succeeding at the highest levels. Some are in jobs they would not otherwise be in, e.g. with banks.
Overall the players and GPA need to get out of their bubble. Futhermore, the CPA is a complete farce. It is essentially just the GPA. I.e. controlled by intercounty players past or present. PATHETIC!!
Addressing Managers 'Expenses' goes a long way to cutting out 30 hours a week of training demanded by players. No idea the 'expenses incurred' at inter county level but at club the costs that are bandied about are fairly substantial. Additionally couldn't agree more with the sentiment directed to the GPA, under their stewardship the commercial aspect to the GAA has been Energised, the demands on players increased and the club calendar been thrown into complete and utter disarray
At one level 31 hours a week sounds huge, but bear in mind that county players get decent free playing gear, food and generous travelling expenses. Many also get a chance to benefit from individual sponsorships. I don't think my own case is unusual (doing some underage coaching and admin roles within my club), but I reckon my GAA involvement this past week took at least 23 hours. It's a hobby and I love doing it, and there are people in my club giving giving more time than me, so I don't buy this idea that inter-county players are some sort of victimised martyrs!!
football first (None) - Posts: 1259 - 23/09/2018 22:10:03
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