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Player Opt Outs For 2020 Inter County Season

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I know much of the headlines goes on players heading off to the AFL, but no body seems to speaking about the flood of players leaving the county game for a better offer both allegedly financially and lifestyle wise in the USA in recent years. Its been an issue for most counties, up to and including Dublin in recent years. Its a real risk to the inter county game and seems to be happening in ever increasing numbers as this thread illustrates, i dont know exactly why all the lads mentioned are electing of the panel, but its seems a growing trend as does a lot said opting out players turning up to play in the USA in the summer months. You can only see this increasing with tier 2, interesting times ahead....... TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 19/11/2019 17:24:32 2250357 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "I know much of the headlines goes on players heading off to the AFL, but no body seems to speaking about the flood of players leaving the county game for a better offer both allegedly financially and lifestyle wise in the USA in recent years. Its been an issue for most counties, up to and including Dublin in recent years. Its a real risk to the inter county game and seems to be happening in ever increasing numbers as this thread illustrates, i dont know exactly why all the lads mentioned are electing of the panel, but its seems a growing trend as does a lot said opting out players turning up to play in the USA in the summer months. You can only see this increasing with tier 2, interesting times ahead......." " I dont know exactly why all the lads mentioned are electing of the panel " Training or gym or team meetings 5/6 nights a week. Every weekend taken up for training, games etc during summer (until your out), not allowed talk media, not allowed have a pint with your mates Yeh I cant see any reason myself DundalkGael (Louth) - Posts: 892 - 19/11/2019 19:07:55 2250382 Link
Mileage payments delayed don't know if ur playing on the Saturday or Sunday of the following week until the Monday meeting of the old farts schedule committee, sure why would anyone want to get away from this non paying commitment that unless ur a dub or from kerry have no chance of winning outright in forsee able future. OhtobeARossie (Roscommon) - Posts: 1764 - 19/11/2019 21:13:18 2250403 Link
Replying To TheUsername: "I know much of the headlines goes on players heading off to the AFL, but no body seems to speaking about the flood of players leaving the county game for a better offer both allegedly financially and lifestyle wise in the USA in recent years. Its been an issue for most counties, up to and including Dublin in recent years. Its a real risk to the inter county game and seems to be happening in ever increasing numbers as this thread illustrates, i dont know exactly why all the lads mentioned are electing of the panel, but its seems a growing trend as does a lot said opting out players turning up to play in the USA in the summer months. You can only see this increasing with tier 2, interesting times ahead......." Great money for a kick about jolly Tis a no brainer if you need a few quid 2-3 summers of that and you'd have a deposit for a house Good luck to them.. lucky gits jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 19/11/2019 21:42:15 2250410 Link
Replying To DundalkGael: "" I dont know exactly why all the lads mentioned are electing of the panel " Training or gym or team meetings 5/6 nights a week. Every weekend taken up for training, games etc during summer (until your out), not allowed talk media, not allowed have a pint with your mates Yeh I cant see any reason myself" I was more thinking there must be some who might have a different reason for opting out, a young family, someone belonging to them Ill, or might not be up to it due to bereavement or a mental heath issue or maybe just traveling and being young. I don't know all the lads mentioned reasons hence the disclaimer. Still think the majority will end up in the States on a pay for play basis and becoming and if not acknowledged is going to be a growing looming tower issue for the inter county game. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 19/11/2019 21:54:50 2250413 Link
Replying To OhtobeARossie: "Mileage payments delayed don't know if ur playing on the Saturday or Sunday of the following week until the Monday meeting of the old farts schedule committee, sure why would anyone want to get away from this non paying commitment that unless ur a dub or from kerry have no chance of winning outright in forsee able future." We've lost three All Ireland Winning players to the USA in recent summers. It's top to bottom. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 19/11/2019 21:57:04 2250414 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "Great money for a kick about jolly Tis a no brainer if you need a few quid 2-3 summers of that and you'd have a deposit for a house Good luck to them.. lucky gits" Apartment paid for in the centre of town for the summer, nights out and a good few bob for playing, before you factor in the "evening with ......... dinner" gigs, beats crowbarring your self on to the Luas and missing electric picnic! ;) TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 19/11/2019 22:07:12 2250417 Link
I would advise any young player who is presented with the opportunity to head to the US for the summer to grab it with both hands. It is a summer that will live long in the memory. Leaving aside the football, it is an invaluable life experience that you simply won't get at home. Obviously we all want the very best for our counties. But you have to remember that the players are human beings with their own lives to lead. People trotting out the line, "Something will have to be done about it" would need to have a look at themselves. There is no contractual obligation tying down any player to remain. If a young man is offered an envelope full of dollars to play football for a summer in a nice climate under less pressure then good luck to him! Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 20/11/2019 09:46:15 2250452 Link
Replying To Lockjaw: "I would advise any young player who is presented with the opportunity to head to the US for the summer to grab it with both hands. It is a summer that will live long in the memory. Leaving aside the football, it is an invaluable life experience that you simply won't get at home. Obviously we all want the very best for our counties. But you have to remember that the players are human beings with their own lives to lead. People trotting out the line, "Something will have to be done about it" would need to have a look at themselves. There is no contractual obligation tying down any player to remain. If a young man is offered an envelope full of dollars to play football for a summer in a nice climate under less pressure then good luck to him!" The logic, value and wisdom of the decision i dont think any one is arguing with or being begrudging of it, its a no brainier for lads and good luck to them. That doesnt mean it doesn't have a general impact though and presents a challenge for clubs, counties and the domestic game, or a talent drain, its something that seems to be trending and growing each year. Im sure lads are coming back to clubs etc talking about their great summer and how much they made. I think were this differs from AFL is that its the same sport just this in a different country and there seems to be a lack acknowledgment of what is going on in general. To the best of my knowledge lads have to apply and be granted a transfer by the GAA to change to clubs to the USA, so i presume the governance is under auspicious of the GAA. If thats the case the GAA are turning a blind eye to an increasing trend. Id say if Corofin, were putting lads up in accommodation, paying them a good few bob and offering lads promotional opportunities the GAA would have an issue with it domestically, they dont when its done internationally though. Out of sight or whatever. I wouldn't begrudge lads a few bob, travel or whatever, in fact i wouldn't be opposed to players getting paid domestically. Doesn't mean this growing trend wont impact across the country and increasingly so oif this thread is anything to go by, my points are just acknowledging that and the disparity in governance by the GAA. TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 20/11/2019 10:24:02 2250458 Link
Replying To OGarmaile: "I take your point. I think Lee Brennan has plenty to offer us and hasn't been given a fair chance." Lee Brennan IMO was given a fair chance. Just don't think he's good enough. FrChewyLooey (Leitrim) - Posts: 123 - 20/11/2019 15:51:00 2250530 Link
Replying To OhtobeARossie: "Ciaran and diarmiuid murtagh for us. The strong will continue to get stronger and anyone outside top 2 will be restocking and battling against odds year after year." The only strong team is Dublin. Everyone eventually will become permanently weaker. Kerry will put up a fight and may pip one all Ireland over the next decade but the overall graph will still show the gap widening. You think there's a lot opting out now, wait until Dublin are going for 10 in a row and 20 in Leinster. And those that do play certainly won't be committing 100%. Players aren't that deluded. Jack_Goff (Meath) - Posts: 2920 - 20/11/2019 18:25:54 2250560 Link
Replying To gaelicgab: "Dara McVeety (Cavan) Kieran Martin (Westmeath) Gary Brennan (Clare) Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary) Any more?" This is utterly depressing to read. The only counties that dont seem to suffer badly with player dropout are Kerry/Dublin/Mayo Whatever hope the other counties have they need to keep their best players available. Thats Clare and Cavan missing their 2 best players then, both of those teams are screwed before a ball in kicked. Its hard to blame the players too, an awful lot going in for absolutely nothing back Pullhard1985 (USA) - Posts: 68 - 21/11/2019 08:46:07 2250612 Link
Replying To Pullhard1985: "This is utterly depressing to read. The only counties that dont seem to suffer badly with player dropout are Kerry/Dublin/Mayo Whatever hope the other counties have they need to keep their best players available. Thats Clare and Cavan missing their 2 best players then, both of those teams are screwed before a ball in kicked. Its hard to blame the players too, an awful lot going in for absolutely nothing back" We have 2 serious players playing in Oz also we had Tony Brosnan in the states last summer, Mark Griffin is opting out for 2020 as well. KingdomBoy1 (Kerry) - Posts: 14092 - 21/11/2019 10:17:54 2250630 Link
Replying To Kerry15: "There seems to be a lot this year and nearly all of them are one of their counties' best players. That's very disappointing. Hopefully Daniel Flynn and Odhran Mac Niallas will be back this year." We'll know about MacNillias in the next week or so. Bonner said this at the recent new jersey launch. It's obviously something Odhran is giving plenty of thought over as he has met with the Donegal management a few times over the last few weeks. It would be a massive boost to the county if he comes back and I think he could well push Donegal onto be genuine all ireland contenders. My gut feeling is that he's not going to come back and if that is the choice he makes then it has to be respected but he is one of those players that I think the whole GAA community would like to see back playing at the top level. Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 21/11/2019 11:03:41 2250637 Link
Replying To Cloon12: "Daniel Flynn is back" Great to hear. Love watching him play Mobot (Donegal) - Posts: 459 - 21/11/2019 11:04:12 2250638 Link
Replying To Pullhard1985: "This is utterly depressing to read. The only counties that dont seem to suffer badly with player dropout are Kerry/Dublin/Mayo Whatever hope the other counties have they need to keep their best players available. Thats Clare and Cavan missing their 2 best players then, both of those teams are screwed before a ball in kicked. Its hard to blame the players too, an awful lot going in for absolutely nothing back" I know this will be judged badly because of my place of birth. But let's be honest here There was little chance anyway of these players having any major success regardless of how much they committed. Cavan the most likely to possibly sneak something worthwhile but players from these counties (for the large majority of their GAA history) especially in football were very unlikely to win major honours, Cavan of course being the exception but major success' are largely confined to the past. As an example given the player profile above. Kerry rule Munster football and any footballer from Clare, Tipp, Limerick, Waterford never really stood a chance and historically never did apart from the very odd exception. They are hurling counties and it's more likely to see their footballers not willing to commit. The difference now though is that to stand the same sort of chance (largely very little) said players have to commit so much more compared to previous generations and on top of this said players can now access pay for play in the US. That's a massive incentive that previous players did not have access too I can see why they want to walk It's a very different scene now and expectations on players are perhas a wee bit dated and very unrealistic given the fact that their counties were never high achievers in the first place. They never stood much of a chance, given the commitment levels now required to stand the same level of chance it's perfectly understandable to see players wanting to achieve something from said commitment. There's quite a bit of profit to be had in the states or in Oz and a better laugh to be had. In certain ways it's never been a better time for players. Some really impressive options open to them now. If you're good enough to play inter county and enjoy a profile you have every chance of individually achieving substantial benefits from playing football abroad. It's actually a far more realistic target. jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 21/11/2019 11:14:26 2250639 Link
Replying To Mobot: "We'll know about MacNillias in the next week or so. Bonner said this at the recent new jersey launch. It's obviously something Odhran is giving plenty of thought over as he has met with the Donegal management a few times over the last few weeks. It would be a massive boost to the county if he comes back and I think he could well push Donegal onto be genuine all ireland contenders. My gut feeling is that he's not going to come back and if that is the choice he makes then it has to be respected but he is one of those players that I think the whole GAA community would like to see back playing at the top level." Yeah it would be fantastic to see Odhran back in a Donegal jersey. We're not too badly off in the forward ranks as we are, but Odhran brings bit of X-factor to things. He is a superb fielder of a ball, can see passes that few others can and as we all know has a wand of a left foot. I'm like you however in that my hunch is he won't be back. I see he's playing a bit of soccer for Gweedore Celtic and no doubt Gaoth Dobhair will feel they can strongly challenge for Donegal and Ulster club in 2020. His final decision should be respected but as Donegal fans, and simply football fans in general it will be disappointing not to see his class on display on a national level. We can but hope. Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9132 - 21/11/2019 11:39:35 2250645 Link
Another advantage Dublin have... gahfan (Wexford) - Posts: 636 - 21/11/2019 12:17:08 2250653 Link
Replying To gahfan: "Another advantage Dublin have..." Dublin lost a number of players but can absorb the loss better given the quality of squad It's an advantage all top teams have over counties with less chance of success. but like life there's always someone on top Once you have a competition based on geographical boundaries this will and always had been the case What's changed is the commitment levels to enjoy the same disadvantage That and pay for play expanding in the US now available to inter county player's jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 21/11/2019 12:26:10 2250657 Link
Half the down team seen to be away for the season and if kilcoo win ulster then that's another handful not about for the league. No chance of promotion now. Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 704 - 21/11/2019 12:57:00 2250666 Link