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Will Rugby World Cup Harm Gaa.

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Personally I don't understand the IRFU's logic when it comes to promoting playing numbers.

I'll speak as a Cavan man. In GAA terms, we have virtually no hurling scene, and the county is football mad. But at county level, Cavan are also-rans with a slim to zero chance of even winning their province.

Now if the IRFU got its act together, they would come to places like Louth, Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Sligo, counties that haven't a hope of winning anything meaningful, and invest in youth structures. The youth would then be presented with a choice - play county football and win nothing, or play rugby and have a chance of being part of a successful international side.

The ground is ripe for rugby to come into traditional GAA areas and attract players, why the IRFU persist with the elitist schools approach is beyond me, a massive opportunity is being wasted.

Ned_Stormcrow (Cavan) - Posts: 1071 - 15/10/2023 13:01:47    2508439

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "Personally I don't understand the IRFU's logic when it comes to promoting playing numbers.

I'll speak as a Cavan man. In GAA terms, we have virtually no hurling scene, and the county is football mad. But at county level, Cavan are also-rans with a slim to zero chance of even winning their province.

Now if the IRFU got its act together, they would come to places like Louth, Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Sligo, counties that haven't a hope of winning anything meaningful, and invest in youth structures. The youth would then be presented with a choice - play county football and win nothing, or play rugby and have a chance of being part of a successful international side.

The ground is ripe for rugby to come into traditional GAA areas and attract players, why the IRFU persist with the elitist schools approach is beyond me, a massive opportunity is being wasted."
IRFU do invest in youth structures in plenty of those counties.
Take westmeath for example and sligo. Buccaneers in Athlone and Mullingar are very strong underage clubs with Buccs very strong at senior level as well.
Buccs have top class facilities as well. are closely linked with Athlone IT S WELL.

IRFU dont and havent been persisting with an elite schools approach.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3513 - 15/10/2023 14:16:51    2508449

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Come on now KillingFields, there's no issue whatsoever with Bainisteoir's paragraphs there. They're talking accurate sense eloquently, from top to bottom there. Perhaps you can't handle the truth?"
I simply asked to put in paragraphs to make the post easier to read.
i disagreed with parts of what he said but agreed with plenty in the post just i simply asked for him to put in more spacing in such a long thread to make it easier to read


Thats all.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3513 - 15/10/2023 14:18:35    2508450

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "Personally I don't understand the IRFU's logic when it comes to promoting playing numbers.

I'll speak as a Cavan man. In GAA terms, we have virtually no hurling scene, and the county is football mad. But at county level, Cavan are also-rans with a slim to zero chance of even winning their province.

Now if the IRFU got its act together, they would come to places like Louth, Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Sligo, counties that haven't a hope of winning anything meaningful, and invest in youth structures. The youth would then be presented with a choice - play county football and win nothing, or play rugby and have a chance of being part of a successful international side.

The ground is ripe for rugby to come into traditional GAA areas and attract players, why the IRFU persist with the elitist schools approach is beyond me, a massive opportunity is being wasted."
You could ask why hurling is not strong in Cavan for the same reasons why Rugby is not strong and you'd probably get similar reasons that have very little to do with winning anything. In all fairness there's rugby clubs in every one of the counties you have listed. Expanding beyond the traditional rugby strongholds is not as easy as one thinks. Investing in coaches on the ground is all very well and good but it would cost serious money to do and may not be very sustainable at a national level (funding) and / or without the required people on the ground offering their time and experience for free.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 846 - 15/10/2023 15:11:29    2508457

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "Personally I don't understand the IRFU's logic when it comes to promoting playing numbers.

I'll speak as a Cavan man. In GAA terms, we have virtually no hurling scene, and the county is football mad. But at county level, Cavan are also-rans with a slim to zero chance of even winning their province.

Now if the IRFU got its act together, they would come to places like Louth, Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Sligo, counties that haven't a hope of winning anything meaningful, and invest in youth structures. The youth would then be presented with a choice - play county football and win nothing, or play rugby and have a chance of being part of a successful international side.

The ground is ripe for rugby to come into traditional GAA areas and attract players, why the IRFU persist with the elitist schools approach is beyond me, a massive opportunity is being wasted."
I don't think they have the finances to go beyond what they're currently doing.

They have to keep 4 provincial teams and an International team on the go, as well as the women's equivalents. Which I believe they've ignored the last while to a certain extent.

Rugby has become very popular in terms of a spectator sport the last 20 years but its professionalism means that it is hard for it to make bigger inroads in terms of participation.

Also they don't really need to make those inroads to be competitive Internationally as they've proved. It would be extremely difficult for Ireland to drop out of the top 8 teams in the world in rugby such is the lack of depth in the sport.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13718 - 15/10/2023 15:51:36    2508462

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "Personally I don't understand the IRFU's logic when it comes to promoting playing numbers.

I'll speak as a Cavan man. In GAA terms, we have virtually no hurling scene, and the county is football mad. But at county level, Cavan are also-rans with a slim to zero chance of even winning their province.

Now if the IRFU got its act together, they would come to places like Louth, Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Sligo, counties that haven't a hope of winning anything meaningful, and invest in youth structures. The youth would then be presented with a choice - play county football and win nothing, or play rugby and have a chance of being part of a successful international side.

The ground is ripe for rugby to come into traditional GAA areas and attract players, why the IRFU persist with the elitist schools approach is beyond me, a massive opportunity is being wasted."
Leinster spend quite a bit of time on the road visiting and coaching club teams in the province and doing a good job promoting the game. As far as I know the other provinces do something similar. There are inter pro competitions at u 18/19 for club players only so structures are in place to attract lads who show an interest. School rugby is the main stream and will remain so, however, big efforts are been made to get more club players into the proviintial system. My local club just got their new grounds and interest has outweighed expecations. Biggest problem for rugby is the worry of head injury and what that may lead to, but all contact sports will face that problem down the years and may find it near impossible to get insurance cover once claims start to roll in.

seadog54 (Meath) - Posts: 2151 - 15/10/2023 16:42:51    2508468

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Replying To KillingFields:  "IRFU do invest in youth structures in plenty of those counties.
Take westmeath for example and sligo. Buccaneers in Athlone and Mullingar are very strong underage clubs with Buccs very strong at senior level as well.
Buccs have top class facilities as well. are closely linked with Athlone IT S WELL.

IRFU dont and havent been persisting with an elite schools approach."
The stats say otherwise.

Around 7% of kids go to fee paying schools. Yet Ireland rugby squads persistently show 70% + of their members come from fee paying schools.

How does 7% become 70%? Bias and elitism.

Ned_Stormcrow (Cavan) - Posts: 1071 - 15/10/2023 17:38:14    2508479

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "Personally I don't understand the IRFU's logic when it comes to promoting playing numbers.

I'll speak as a Cavan man. In GAA terms, we have virtually no hurling scene, and the county is football mad. But at county level, Cavan are also-rans with a slim to zero chance of even winning their province.

Now if the IRFU got its act together, they would come to places like Louth, Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Sligo, counties that haven't a hope of winning anything meaningful, and invest in youth structures. The youth would then be presented with a choice - play county football and win nothing, or play rugby and have a chance of being part of a successful international side.

The ground is ripe for rugby to come into traditional GAA areas and attract players, why the IRFU persist with the elitist schools approach is beyond me, a massive opportunity is being wasted."
I know Cavan have won nothing for 100 years but we have an AIL team and Irish internationals and still won the Mcdonagh and Tailteann Cups in the last three years.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1462 - 15/10/2023 17:46:53    2508480

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "The stats say otherwise.

Around 7% of kids go to fee paying schools. Yet Ireland rugby squads persistently show 70% + of their members come from fee paying schools.

How does 7% become 70%? Bias and elitism."
In Dublin beyond a doubt. Long history of schools running a closed shop and even old clubs like Guinness which was founded by of the Dublin musical family the Potts in 1920s not being allowed affiliate at that time.

There were pubs up until not that long ago which would show racing when internationals were on the telly. Heartbeat of the nation my proletarian bottom.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2589 - 15/10/2023 18:13:15    2508493

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "Personally I don't understand the IRFU's logic when it comes to promoting playing numbers.

I'll speak as a Cavan man. In GAA terms, we have virtually no hurling scene, and the county is football mad. But at county level, Cavan are also-rans with a slim to zero chance of even winning their province.

Now if the IRFU got its act together, they would come to places like Louth, Longford, Cavan, Westmeath, Sligo, counties that haven't a hope of winning anything meaningful, and invest in youth structures. The youth would then be presented with a choice - play county football and win nothing, or play rugby and have a chance of being part of a successful international side.

The ground is ripe for rugby to come into traditional GAA areas and attract players, why the IRFU persist with the elitist schools approach is beyond me, a massive opportunity is being wasted."
The Rogby lads wouldn't be able to understand the occupants of those Counties.
They'll need to poshify their accents!

Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1450 - 15/10/2023 19:52:12    2508519

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Replying To BarneyGrant:  "In Dublin beyond a doubt. Long history of schools running a closed shop and even old clubs like Guinness which was founded by of the Dublin musical family the Potts in 1920s not being allowed affiliate at that time.

There were pubs up until not that long ago which would show racing when internationals were on the telly. Heartbeat of the nation my proletarian bottom."
More like heartache of the nation.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1751 - 15/10/2023 20:03:57    2508526

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Replying To KillingFields:  "IRFU do invest in youth structures in plenty of those counties.
Take westmeath for example and sligo. Buccaneers in Athlone and Mullingar are very strong underage clubs with Buccs very strong at senior level as well.
Buccs have top class facilities as well. are closely linked with Athlone IT S WELL.

IRFU dont and havent been persisting with an elite schools approach."
Buccs are a really, really well established club and have been since I was playing as a teenager. Rugby is making zero imprint anywhere. Same clubs, same schools, same areas. The odd new one pops up but very little. Same in the schools, hardly any of them play it.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 7908 - 15/10/2023 20:37:21    2508534

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Replying To Ned_Stormcrow:  "The stats say otherwise.

Around 7% of kids go to fee paying schools. Yet Ireland rugby squads persistently show 70% + of their members come from fee paying schools.

How does 7% become 70%? Bias and elitism."
That those schools dominate numbers coming through in some prov9nces doesn't equate to the irfu having an elite schools approach.
Very d9fferent things and simply not true

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3513 - 15/10/2023 20:55:03    2508537

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Replying To KillingFields:  "That those schools dominate numbers coming through in some prov9nces doesn't equate to the irfu having an elite schools approach.
Very d9fferent things and simply not true"
Rugby is a popular game in Limerick city because of its history. Whereas hurling is and GAA is relatively recent? Thanks in no small way to an exile Dub, Noel Drimgol0e in Na Piarsiagh!. Same is not true of anywhere else outside of Protestant parts of Ulster,

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2589 - 15/10/2023 21:35:31    2508542

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I've enjoyed the rugby world cup.
The players are showing alot of emotion and commitment which I love, without the disgusting sledging and off the ball sniping that is as far as I'm concerned is an embarrassment to the GAA.

In interviews the players seem like actual human beings too, unlike Gaa players who like their soccer counterparts are increasingly resembling soulless joyless automatons,that's not a criticism of the players tho as they're probably barred from showing emotion and personality in interviews by some spoofer of a manager trying to convince people he's a serious operator.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1732 - 15/10/2023 21:39:30    2508543

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Replying To KillingFields:  "That those schools dominate numbers coming through in some prov9nces doesn't equate to the irfu having an elite schools approach.
Very d9fferent things and simply not true"
A statistic isn't true?

Ned_Stormcrow (Cavan) - Posts: 1071 - 15/10/2023 21:48:16    2508545

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Replying To Galway9801:  "I've enjoyed the rugby world cup.
The players are showing alot of emotion and commitment which I love, without the disgusting sledging and off the ball sniping that is as far as I'm concerned is an embarrassment to the GAA.

In interviews the players seem like actual human beings too, unlike Gaa players who like their soccer counterparts are increasingly resembling soulless joyless automatons,that's not a criticism of the players tho as they're probably barred from showing emotion and personality in interviews by some spoofer of a manager trying to convince people he's a serious operator."
I have to admit we have had 1 or 2 great games like Ireland v NZ or France v SA but overall its a joke with 50, 60,70,80 point wallopings the norm.If Irish supporters hadnt such high hope they could see beyond the hype.

jobber (Westmeath) - Posts: 1462 - 15/10/2023 23:20:27    2508554

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11,645 at the Cork county hurling final today between Sarsfields and Midleton, which Sars won.A far cry from the 30K that attended finals in 1970's. Record attendance was 1955 when close to 40K attended.It clashed with France/South Africa rugby game, but declining attendances at GAA games are a problem.

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 217 - 15/10/2023 23:37:57    2508557

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I'd say Tom Smith was delighted with SA getting so much joy from the long high ball tonight. Two tries fell straight in their bucket, off the French failing lamentably under a couple of garryowens. Not a word from the panel about a French sh**show under the high ball . No, twas epic stuff apparently. Hurley even grandiosely called it 'the beautiful game' during the HT analysis.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3477 - 16/10/2023 00:36:08    2508561

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Don't understand this animosity towards rugby. Do rugby supporters demonstrate similar dislike to GAA? I don't think so! Probably because they are performing with a fine team in an international arena,and in a sport that's thriving, whilst GAA supporters still whine about demographics and where they went to school . I enjoy watching all sports and glad that rugby is one of them. Whether Keith Earls is from Moyross or Timbuktu has no relevance to me, as long as he plays well!

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 217 - 16/10/2023 01:39:21    2508563

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