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Replying To royaldunne: "Both have quite inexperienced sides out on Sunday. This match is very 50/50. Winners will do their division 2 hopes very good.
Meath by 2." Ha, one win and the Meath boys think they are contenders again. Short memories.
thehoops (Kildare) - Posts: 69 - 29/01/2019 16:27:48
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Replying To juicy: "Despite what alot of Meath people want to say about Meath being short players, we were not short players.
Lenihan has not been and will not be part of the panel at any stage this year. Reilly and O Sullivan are fit to start but decision has been made that they want to try having these players to finish games. Bar Harnan (who is fit but not comfortable at IC level yet after breaking his leg), Meath are at full strength currently with the players who have committed for the year" This is not opinion. This is not a believe. This is factual evidence . The reality of the situation. Again Meath like so many counties have seen large number players leaving and jionin panels every year..Thats what I am trying to say. Thats all.
This doesnt help team consistency or team development.
Fact A The ESRI published the most comprehensive study into player welfare last year. They found over 30% of inter county playere didnt return in following season in 2017.
Fact B The Irish Independent in a study also found over 30% inter county players didnt return to their respective panels in 2018.
Fact C McEntee brought in 10 new players into Meath panel recently. This is common for teams in div 2 3 and 4 yearly.
Fact D Meath had 8 players who started for Meath v Tipp on sunday who didnt start for Meath
v Tippearey in the corresponding league game last year.
Fact E 6 of the Meath players who started v Tippearey didnt play v Tyrone last year. In Meath final game of last season.
Fact F 5 of the Meath players who started v Tippearey werent on the Meath panel last year.
This is common for counties like Meath Down Cork Derry Armagh Offaly. John Maughan said recently he was shocked at the number of players turning down opportunity to play for Offaly. He said this wud never happen in Mayo. Kevin Walsh said recently 52 players turned dowm the chance to jion Galway panel in his first 18 months. Denis Connerton also said over 50 longford players didnt jion longford panels in his first 18 months also. Even Roscommon in div 1 have had allot of players not returning to panel recently.
That is life for teams in div 2 3 and 4. This is not an opinion or a set of beliefs. These r facts.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 29/01/2019 17:08:50
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Replying To thehoops: "Ha, one win and the Meath boys think they are contenders again. Short memories." A good Meath team will never worry about Kildare. And at the moment we might be a bit concerned which means the most of us consider we are a bit of the pace yet. So I wish I had Royaldunne's confidence.
MillerX (Meath) - Posts: 1066 - 29/01/2019 17:30:02
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Replying To Furlong1949: "This is not opinion. This is not a believe. This is factual evidence . The reality of the situation. Again Meath like so many counties have seen large number players leaving and jionin panels every year..Thats what I am trying to say. Thats all.
This doesnt help team consistency or team development.
Fact A The ESRI published the most comprehensive study into player welfare last year. They found over 30% of inter county playere didnt return in following season in 2017.
Fact B The Irish Independent in a study also found over 30% inter county players didnt return to their respective panels in 2018.
Fact C McEntee brought in 10 new players into Meath panel recently. This is common for teams in div 2 3 and 4 yearly.
Fact D Meath had 8 players who started for Meath v Tipp on sunday who didnt start for Meath
v Tippearey in the corresponding league game last year.
Fact E 6 of the Meath players who started v Tippearey didnt play v Tyrone last year. In Meath final game of last season.
Fact F 5 of the Meath players who started v Tippearey werent on the Meath panel last year.
This is common for counties like Meath Down Cork Derry Armagh Offaly. John Maughan said recently he was shocked at the number of players turning down opportunity to play for Offaly. He said this wud never happen in Mayo. Kevin Walsh said recently 52 players turned dowm the chance to jion Galway panel in his first 18 months. Denis Connerton also said over 50 longford players didnt jion longford panels in his first 18 months also. Even Roscommon in div 1 have had allot of players not returning to panel recently.
That is life for teams in div 2 3 and 4. This is not an opinion or a set of beliefs. These r facts." Just about every team in div 2 is missing players, Kildare Donegal and Tipp are missing players that are actually on their panel.. It happens every team, stop the constant whinging and just get on with it.
cuttothebone (Kildare) - Posts: 163 - 29/01/2019 18:19:30
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Replying To juicy: "Despite what alot of Meath people want to say about Meath being short players, we were not short players.
Lenihan has not been and will not be part of the panel at any stage this year. Reilly and O Sullivan are fit to start but decision has been made that they want to try having these players to finish games. Bar Harnan (who is fit but not comfortable at IC level yet after breaking his leg), Meath are at full strength currently with the players who have committed for the year" Sorry juicy both O'Sullivan and Reilly are returning from injury to say otherwise is factually incorrect. Harnan is also returning from as you said broken leg , Lenihan is gone traveling as is kennely (you didn't mention him) . Campion Devine Kane etc are all new players
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2019 19:29:23
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Replying To cuttothebone: "Just about every team in div 2 is missing players, Kildare Donegal and Tipp are missing players that are actually on their panel.. It happens every team, stop the constant whinging and just get on with it." That is exactly hos point !!!!
achara (Monaghan) - Posts: 562 - 29/01/2019 20:58:49
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Replying To cuttothebone: "Just about every team in div 2 is missing players, Kildare Donegal and Tipp are missing players that are actually on their panel.. It happens every team, stop the constant whinging and just get on with it." No one is whinging . I am just mentioning there is a player drain currently in gaelic football across the country. This is a fact. Its happening in Meath kildare Down Cork Offaly Derry, nearly 97% of teams outside top 5 or 6 teams r losing players in double figures every year. I can put up the numbers again for every county again if u want. But no whinging. Just talking and discussing what the ESRI described as a player drain.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 29/01/2019 21:07:00
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Replying To cuttothebone: "Just about every team in div 2 is missing players, Kildare Donegal and Tipp are missing players that are actually on their panel.. It happens every team, stop the constant whinging and just get on with it." Didn't see any whining, actually he is pointing out every county apart from a select few that haven't lost many players.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 29/01/2019 21:31:28
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Replying To Furlong1949: "This is not opinion. This is not a believe. This is factual evidence . The reality of the situation. Again Meath like so many counties have seen large number players leaving and jionin panels every year..Thats what I am trying to say. Thats all.
This doesnt help team consistency or team development.
Fact A The ESRI published the most comprehensive study into player welfare last year. They found over 30% of inter county playere didnt return in following season in 2017.
Fact B The Irish Independent in a study also found over 30% inter county players didnt return to their respective panels in 2018.
Fact C McEntee brought in 10 new players into Meath panel recently. This is common for teams in div 2 3 and 4 yearly.
Fact D Meath had 8 players who started for Meath v Tipp on sunday who didnt start for Meath
v Tippearey in the corresponding league game last year.
Fact E 6 of the Meath players who started v Tippearey didnt play v Tyrone last year. In Meath final game of last season.
Fact F 5 of the Meath players who started v Tippearey werent on the Meath panel last year.
This is common for counties like Meath Down Cork Derry Armagh Offaly. John Maughan said recently he was shocked at the number of players turning down opportunity to play for Offaly. He said this wud never happen in Mayo. Kevin Walsh said recently 52 players turned dowm the chance to jion Galway panel in his first 18 months. Denis Connerton also said over 50 longford players didnt jion longford panels in his first 18 months also. Even Roscommon in div 1 have had allot of players not returning to panel recently.
That is life for teams in div 2 3 and 4. This is not an opinion or a set of beliefs. These r facts." The only fact is Meath are not missing any players based on who has committed to this year. People/Players have the right not to commit to a panel should they not wish.
Players who have decided not to commit for the year cannot be considered a missing as they will not be available for selection at any time through the year.
To take last weekends game of Meath and Tipp any specifically look at the main forward position from last year i.e. Quinlivan was missing as he will be back in the team when available, Lenihan was not missing as he will play no part this year.
If a player does not commit to a squad, you cannot be considering him as missing
juicy (Meath) - Posts: 399 - 30/01/2019 10:21:10
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Replying To royaldunne: "Sorry juicy both O'Sullivan and Reilly are returning from injury to say otherwise is factually incorrect. Harnan is also returning from as you said broken leg , Lenihan is gone traveling as is kennely (you didn't mention him) . Campion Devine Kane etc are all new players" O'Sullivan and Reilly have returned from Injury a long time now and are fully available for selection. They have not been selected to start by Andy Mc. That is the fact.
juicy (Meath) - Posts: 399 - 30/01/2019 10:32:07
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Replying To juicy: "O'Sullivan and Reilly have returned from Injury a long time now and are fully available for selection. They have not been selected to start by Andy Mc. That is the fact." Both have been said by Andy mcentee to be needing to up their fitness due to missing a lot of training due to injuries. I think that's why both haven't started (of course anyone could argue the toss on that) is cause neither have a full 70mins in them yet.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 30/01/2019 14:52:49
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Replying To juicy: "The only fact is Meath are not missing any players based on who has committed to this year. People/Players have the right not to commit to a panel should they not wish.
Players who have decided not to commit for the year cannot be considered a missing as they will not be available for selection at any time through the year.
To take last weekends game of Meath and Tipp any specifically look at the main forward position from last year i.e. Quinlivan was missing as he will be back in the team when available, Lenihan was not missing as he will play no part this year.
If a player does not commit to a squad, you cannot be considering him as missing" I am talking about something different altogether. There is a nationwide player drain. I am talking about about players not returning to the inter county panels year after year. I am talking about players who r non returnees. Here r the stats I am referring to.
Number of Players who failed to return for their counties league last year
Derry 19
Cork 18
Wexford 17
Offaly 16
Meath 16
Wicklow 15
Antrim 14
London 14
Louth 14
Leitrim 13
Westmeath 13
Sligo 13
Longford 12
Down 12
Roscommon 12
limerick 12
Kerry 11
Laois 11
Clare 10
Cavan 10
Galway 10
Armagh 10
Kildare 9
Only 3 counties in div 2 3 or 4 had low number with 7 Carlow Fermanagh and Tipp
Low numbers
Dublin 6
Mayo 6
Donegal 6
Monaghan 5
Tyrone 4
Of 1040 players who played in 2017 , 366 did not return for the 2018 league.
In last few weeks, John Maughan has talked about how shocked he is so many Offaly players turned down offer to join the Offaly panel or left Offaly panel. Wicklow manager said recently in 5 years in a row 15 players each year left the Wicklow senior panel. And last week the new Cavan manager Graham was talking about the massive turnover of players in Cavan again this year and every year and players leaving panel. Roscommon have had allot of non returnees this year. While Eddie Brennan in laois talked about last week how he was shocked at players turning his invitation to join the laois hurlibg panel or leaving Laois hurling panel. Its a problem in weaker hurling counties also. I can give u more facts and stats if u want , but I am referring to a national player drain. This is what ESRI ( a government study undertaken by academics) found out when they did a two year long study on nationwide player gaa welfare. They found there was a player drain. Thats what I am refeering. Thats my last word on the matter.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 30/01/2019 15:10:16
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Replying To Furlong1949: "I am talking about something different altogether. There is a nationwide player drain. I am talking about about players not returning to the inter county panels year after year. I am talking about players who r non returnees. Here r the stats I am referring to.
Number of Players who failed to return for their counties league last year
Derry 19
Cork 18
Wexford 17
Offaly 16
Meath 16
Wicklow 15
Antrim 14
London 14
Louth 14
Leitrim 13
Westmeath 13
Sligo 13
Longford 12
Down 12
Roscommon 12
limerick 12
Kerry 11
Laois 11
Clare 10
Cavan 10
Galway 10
Armagh 10
Kildare 9
Only 3 counties in div 2 3 or 4 had low number with 7 Carlow Fermanagh and Tipp
Low numbers
Dublin 6
Mayo 6
Donegal 6
Monaghan 5
Tyrone 4
Of 1040 players who played in 2017 , 366 did not return for the 2018 league.
In last few weeks, John Maughan has talked about how shocked he is so many Offaly players turned down offer to join the Offaly panel or left Offaly panel. Wicklow manager said recently in 5 years in a row 15 players each year left the Wicklow senior panel. And last week the new Cavan manager Graham was talking about the massive turnover of players in Cavan again this year and every year and players leaving panel. Roscommon have had allot of non returnees this year. While Eddie Brennan in laois talked about last week how he was shocked at players turning his invitation to join the laois hurlibg panel or leaving Laois hurling panel. Its a problem in weaker hurling counties also. I can give u more facts and stats if u want , but I am referring to a national player drain. This is what ESRI ( a government study undertaken by academics) found out when they did a two year long study on nationwide player gaa welfare. They found there was a player drain. Thats what I am refeering. Thats my last word on the matter." Again i say "so what"?? Do you think this is a new thing or what? Players have been joining and leaving panels since forever. Part and parcel of team management. Unless its a new thing in Meath or something i cant see your fascination or reason for going on and on about it.. Larry Tomkins, Shea Fahy, Niall Buckley, countless dozens of lads including Dermot Earley leaving for overseas duties, Cribben, Flynn, Brophy ect. to oz rules, Feeley x 2 to soccer.. And im only mentioning the cream of Kildare talent in my time.. And from a county with 1 of the highest employment rates in the country!
I bet its nothing compared to what the likes of Leitrim have lost over that time..
Time to get over it and get on with it.
cuttothebone (Kildare) - Posts: 163 - 30/01/2019 15:52:48
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While we haven't been hit too hard in Donegal with player withdrawals it is a worrying trend to see so many talented players opt out of inter county football due to the commitment involved. I do think we're approaching breaking point in so far as the demands required. A few things which would worry me would be:
- young players opting for college courses because they facilitate training and their county football aspirations. A county career is short, but a professional career is for the majority of your adult life. It's all well and good in your twenties when you're young and free of responsibilities but what happens when you're married and have kids? Stuck in a job that you never really wanted to do.
- Injuries. With the ridiculously lop sided training/games ratio I think it is no surprise to see the spike in injuries such as cruciate tears, dislocations etc. I think in the not too distant future we could have a generation of retired GAA players (club and county) who are living in discomfort owing to a decade of over-training and lack of proper rest and recovery.
- Unsustainable professionalism - the idea that the GAA at the top level could go professional has been mooted before but it's a pure fantasy. Quite simply there is no way it could be financially sustainable. And yet - in nearly every county in Ireland the top players are trying to lead a professional sportsman's lifestyle in conjunction with their actual profession. This is the crux of the problem as far as I can see. Are we too far down the road now to turn back?
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9151 - 30/01/2019 16:10:06
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Two statistics show how hard it is going to be for Meath on Saturday v Donegal.
Meath havent won their first two games in the league in 7 years since Banty was in charge. In 2012 Meath defeated Monaghan and Westmeath in their first two games. The last time Meath won their first two games. Meath always start poorly but usually finish strongly with a run of victories at the end of the league.
Star 2 Donegal are unbeaten in Ballybofey in their last 13 league games. That includes unbeaten v Dublin twice Kerry Mayo, all the best teams in the country.
The games that r very important for Meath r Armagh and Cork. Games Meath cud lose. But games Meath cud win. Meath need 6 from 8 points before they play kildare in Navan in week 5 . I always thought that game wud be a massive game. You would expect kildare by week 5 to be one of the frontrunners for promotion. By week 5 Meath cud need points to stay in the division or to get promoted. If Meath were to get 6 from 8 , that game in Navan cud be a massive promotion decider. Lots of football to be played and what is certain as the first week has shown teams will take points of each.other.
But that game v kildare will be fascinating to see have Meath closed the gap with kildare. In 2017 kildare defeated very comprehensivly in both game in a very impressive manner. Feehily dominated midfield and Niall kelly ran riot on the 40. Meath seemed to have improved at midfield and the half back line and backs in general have improved. It probaly Meaths strongest line of the field now. Meath have had a shakey full back line and problems in the half back line for years all the way back to the early 00s. This year there seems to be an improvement.
kildare will be favourites . Deservedly so. But it just will be interesting to see have Meath closed the gap . That game in Navan cud be a cracker and I think will be important game for both teams. Looking forward to it already. You cannot beat when the league is back. And Meath v kildare has been a really good rivalry for the the last ten years. Some great games. And I think both teams have upped their game at underage at response to Dublins sucess. I have a feeling u will see many more great games between both counties. It has become leinsters best rivalry. Meath v Dublin and Kildare v Dublin at the moment are mute rivalries. Meath and kildare has swung from one team beating the other for a few years then the other being more sucessful rivalry . In last 6 championship games Meath have won 3 and kildare have won 3.
2007 to 2010 Meath are ahead of kildare and for time in 2010 ahead of Dublin
2010 to 2012 Kildare have upperhand v Meath as McGeeney goes under a run of games of victories over Meath in league and championship.
2012 to 2014 Meath get the upperhand with kildare with 2 championship victories
2015 to 2016 Westmeath beat both and deserve the title second best team in leinster
2017 to 2019 Kildare have the upperhand with two victories in 2017 in very impressive fashion for kildare.
2019 to 2020s ???
So it will be interesting to see how both team fare in the coming year. Kildare did win a great under 20 All Ireland last year beating the Dubs kerry and Mayo. In my view one of the best underage All-Irelands won by any team in leinster by beating Dublin kerry and Mayo. Kildare need to build a team around that under 20 team. If u look anytime a team in leinster won around that grade it led to senior sucess
Dublin won 5 All Ireland Under 21 Titles since early 00s . Dublin have won many senior titles after.
Laois won Under 21 All Ireland in 90s. They went on to win a leinster senior title after in 03.
Westmeath won Under 21 All Ireland in 90s. They also went onto senior leinster title in 04.
Meath won Under 21 All Ireland in 1993. They went on to many All Ireland and leinster titles after in 96 99 01.
So it looks good for kildare. Managers like Glen Ryan and Davy Burke look impressive and I believe there is two leinster titles in kildare , kildare r good enough to win 2 leinster titles in next 5 to 6 years and push for Sam. But they have to go to war with Dublin in leinster like the kildare team of late 90s and Meath and Offaly teams did in 70s 80s and 90s.
There record in backdoor is really good but they need to improve in leinster. Reach leinster finals and get closer snd closer to Dublin each year. They have the raw talent they just need the belief .
Meath have also improved underge but now need sucess and under 20 grade. At minor r strong beating Dublin 4 times in 4 years at minor. I think both counties have upped their game massively at underage and even in last few months underage work has improved and increased on the ground for both counties. My gut feeling is u will see more frequency of good underage teams in both counties in coming year. But counties have upped their game at underage in response to Dublin. That is a positive for both counties. But both need to tap into new population growth in both counties. Both have failed so far. But need to tap into this area in the future.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 30/01/2019 16:33:48
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Replying To cuttothebone: "Again i say "so what"?? Do you think this is a new thing or what? Players have been joining and leaving panels since forever. Part and parcel of team management. Unless its a new thing in Meath or something i cant see your fascination or reason for going on and on about it.. Larry Tomkins, Shea Fahy, Niall Buckley, countless dozens of lads including Dermot Earley leaving for overseas duties, Cribben, Flynn, Brophy ect. to oz rules, Feeley x 2 to soccer.. And im only mentioning the cream of Kildare talent in my time.. And from a county with 1 of the highest employment rates in the country!
I bet its nothing compared to what the likes of Leitrim have lost over that time..
Time to get over it and get on with it." Players didnt leave Meath Cork Down Armagh Derry or other counties 10 or 15 years ago. Players didnt turn down to play for the above counties 10 or 15 years ago. Players did turn down counties in a few cases. Yes it did happen. But it does seem to have gone up a serious level recently. The fact is over 30% of players are not returning to inter county game in the following year . Thats a serious amount of players. Counties like Down Meath Armagh Roscommon Derry kildare Cavan Offaly all strong football areas are losing nearly a third of their panel every year . How is that not a negative development. Is that not a serious development? What happens if we see the number go up to 40 or 50% of players leaving panels yearly. What happens if Mayo Monaghan start to decline and they also lose players. Cud u have situation where only 2 or 3 teams r not losing players eg kerry Dublin Tyrone. Is the inter county game sustainable then . Say in rugby leinster Munster and Ulster were losing 15 players yearly . I think in any sport it wud be seen as a very high worrying number.
The fact is over 30% are leaving panels yearly. That is a high number and if it increases , it is unsustainable for counties in the future. Ask any Armagh Derry Cork Down Offaly Roscommon Meath Offaly supporter r players leaving and turning down invitations to jion panels in high numbers. They will answer, Yes. Ask any Down Cork Derry Armagh Meath and many other counties supporters was this happening 10 or 15 years ago. Their answer wud be No.
It is no coincidence that players r leaving panels at high levels while their counties r having their worst period / worst decade in generations.
1 Meaths are at their lowest , had worst decade since 1920s. ( First decade not in div 1 and not to reach All Ireland final since 20s. Record defeats to Dublin. First time loses to Tyrone Armagh and Westmeath. Meath were more sucessful in 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s and 00s then this decade )
2 Kildare also have had their worst period ^ worst decade since 1920s ( Only 1980s was a worse decade for kildare then recent one). (.Kildare have reached 1 leinster final in ten year had record defeats to Dublin and kerry. Kildare were more sucessful in 90s 70s 60s 50s 40s and 30s then this decade).
3 Galway have high numbers leaving this is also Galways worst decade since 1920s. ( If Galway dont reach an All Ireland final next year it wud be first decade since foundation of Irish state in 1920s , they have reached a final. Galway were more sucessful in 20s 30s 40s 50s 60s 70s 80s 90s and 00s then this decade ).
4 This Offaly and Downs worst decade since 1950s.
( This is first decade Offaly have not reached leinster final since 1950s. Down are currently in div 3. This is lowest Down have been since they arrived on inter county team in 60s)
5 Derry and Armagh worst period and decade since 1960s. ( Derry r in div 4 , this is Derry worst decade since 1960s. Armagh won Ulster titles in 70s 80s 90s and 00s. Armagh havent won Ulster championship match in four years this is Armaghs lowest since 60s and 3 of last 5 years in div 3 )
6 Cork havent been as low as they r now since 1950s. ( Cork have never in any year in the last 50 being outside top 5 or 6 teams in the country. Cork r not in top ten teams in the country at the moment and were nearly relegated to div 3 last year )
Thats a serous amount of strong football counties r losing high numbers of players and r having worst period in generations. That is a negative development.
Stats r about players leaving r from
1 The ESRI published a report last year which showed over 30% of players are leaving panels in 2017.
2 The Irish Independent did a similar study last year and found the same result, over 30% of players r leaving yearly in 2018 .
Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 30/01/2019 17:24:11
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Replying To Lockjaw: "While we haven't been hit too hard in Donegal with player withdrawals it is a worrying trend to see so many talented players opt out of inter county football due to the commitment involved. I do think we're approaching breaking point in so far as the demands required. A few things which would worry me would be:
- young players opting for college courses because they facilitate training and their county football aspirations. A county career is short, but a professional career is for the majority of your adult life. It's all well and good in your twenties when you're young and free of responsibilities but what happens when you're married and have kids? Stuck in a job that you never really wanted to do.
- Injuries. With the ridiculously lop sided training/games ratio I think it is no surprise to see the spike in injuries such as cruciate tears, dislocations etc. I think in the not too distant future we could have a generation of retired GAA players (club and county) who are living in discomfort owing to a decade of over-training and lack of proper rest and recovery.
- Unsustainable professionalism - the idea that the GAA at the top level could go professional has been mooted before but it's a pure fantasy. Quite simply there is no way it could be financially sustainable. And yet - in nearly every county in Ireland the top players are trying to lead a professional sportsman's lifestyle in conjunction with their actual profession. This is the crux of the problem as far as I can see. Are we too far down the road now to turn back?" That is an excellent anyalsis of the situation. Very insightful.
Furlong1949 (Meath) - Posts: 1067 - 30/01/2019 17:33:21
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Replying To Lockjaw: "While we haven't been hit too hard in Donegal with player withdrawals it is a worrying trend to see so many talented players opt out of inter county football due to the commitment involved. I do think we're approaching breaking point in so far as the demands required. A few things which would worry me would be:
- young players opting for college courses because they facilitate training and their county football aspirations. A county career is short, but a professional career is for the majority of your adult life. It's all well and good in your twenties when you're young and free of responsibilities but what happens when you're married and have kids? Stuck in a job that you never really wanted to do.
- Injuries. With the ridiculously lop sided training/games ratio I think it is no surprise to see the spike in injuries such as cruciate tears, dislocations etc. I think in the not too distant future we could have a generation of retired GAA players (club and county) who are living in discomfort owing to a decade of over-training and lack of proper rest and recovery.
- Unsustainable professionalism - the idea that the GAA at the top level could go professional has been mooted before but it's a pure fantasy. Quite simply there is no way it could be financially sustainable. And yet - in nearly every county in Ireland the top players are trying to lead a professional sportsman's lifestyle in conjunction with their actual profession. This is the crux of the problem as far as I can see. Are we too far down the road now to turn back?" Good assessment there. Yourself and furlong really are a joy to read. Yes I enjoy the banter and bluster (god knows I create a lot of it myself at times) but there is nothing more refreshing than reading a well thought out accurate, non biasesd analysis. Fair play.
royaldunne (Meath) - Posts: 19449 - 30/01/2019 21:02:02
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Excellent stuff Furlong including the stats regarding player drop offs and the respective Donegal and Meath statistics. In relation to Tipp been far from full strength I admit I was going on something I had read in one of the threads without checking out the line up. But in saying that Quinlivan is a huge player for them to be without but like I said still a good win for Meath. Nice to read that u rate Donegal so highly especially in relation to maybe winning an All Ireland in the not too distant future. I have big believe in the players there and the young lads coming through and there is more to come. I don't think our underage talent have really produced what they are capable of outside of Ulster (with last years U-20's and 2015 minors not even reaching a provincial final) for different reasons. Hopefully as seniors they can make up for lost opportunities with their underage set ups. Saying that I am pretty optimistic that either a U-17 squad or U-20 squad can make the breakthrough at national level in the next few years. Especially at U-20 level maybe not this year but the following 2-3 years. There is a very good U-17 team there this year but there are serious questions over the management set up who were reappointed much to the bemusement of most supporters.
panamasam (Australia) - Posts: 2782 - 30/01/2019 21:05:31
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Replying To Furlong1949: "That is an excellent anyalsis of the situation. Very insightful." Show me the reports of 10-15 years ago of players leaving so we can compare.. Of course there arent any so we dont know.. Of course players were not leaving the likes of Armagh and Cork 10 yrs ago because they were top teams back then but they were leaving other less successful teams as they always do.
You are also forgetting that that 30% are not gone for good, the vast majority just take a year out or in some cases fall out with manager and are back in when his tenure is up.. You know full well when McEntee quits in the summer many of the former Meath players will make themselves available again if a quality manager is put in place. Jason Ryans appointment and Geezers treatment lead to a similar situation in Kildare..
cuttothebone (Kildare) - Posts: 163 - 30/01/2019 21:41:09
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