Start amalgamating counties and the club scene in those counties would then recieve more attention and loyalty as a sense of identity from gaa members, and the amalgamated county could possibly loose more support than the previous counties got on their own. Comparisons with Rugby are futile, the history, county borders and club clashes are a lot deeper in Gaa and shouldnt be underestimated.
Proffessional could only work financially if their were transfers and that would ruin the Gaa and i hope it never happens.
I agree the championship needs a restucture , but throwing money at players aint going to make it better or more interesting.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 14/11/2014 21:02:31    1672405

The inter county game could not sustain a professional setup. The inter provincial game could but it's hard to see a buy in for it. Ye'd be looking at the following:
Ulster
Munster
Connaught
North Dublin
South Dublin
North Leinster
South Leinster
London

As I say, it's hard to see a buy in for it but the inter provincial is the only route for some form professional or semi professional setup.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7888 - 15/11/2014 13:04:53    1672447

Professionalism is a non starter. The main strength of the GAA is the clubs and this would break the link between clubs and counties. Instead of looking at professionalism the GAA need to go the opposite way of stopping the intercounty championship leading to club games not being played till end of autumn start of winter. The GAA should suspend any county that disrupts club championships for month's while county is still in championship.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1361 - 15/11/2014 13:54:05    1672452

Totally against pay for play.
It would be far better imo to place strict limitations on the amount of intercounty training players do. This would free them up for club activity and reduce the massive workload that they are faced with.
If however we do continue down this road where players have to essentially sacrifice their social lives in order to play for their county I feel that the matter will come to ahead and they will demand recompense.
We dont have the money. End of story.

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 15/11/2014 16:11:45    1672471

Fair point in a RTÉ article today. The championship only really starts in August. Clubs would have to question the worth of May, June and July's action. The GPA itself only cares about inter county action.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7888 - 15/11/2014 18:01:20    1672502

15/11/2014 13:04:53 legendzxix
The inter county game could not sustain a professional setup. The inter provincial game could but it's hard to see a buy in for it. Ye'd be looking at the following:
Ulster, Munster, Connaught, North Dublin, South Dublin, North Leinster, South Leinster, London You think only Dublin could as a county be pro yet would need to be split in two yet you think London could have a team?
There is certainly potential for more professional teams than what you are implying?
15/11/2014 13:54:05 bdbuddah
Professionalism is a non starter. The main strength of the GAA is the clubs and this would break the link between clubs and counties. Instead of looking at professionalism the GAA need to go the opposite way of stopping the intercounty championship leading to club games not being played till end of autumn start of winter. The GAA should suspend any county that disrupts club championships for month's while county is still in championship. Why would professionalism break the link between clubs and counties? The players would still be playing with clubs if there was professionalism as they wouldn't have games every week for their county. The disruption to club championships because of a counties role in inter county is different issue to professionalism
15/11/2014 16:11:45 joncarter
Totally against pay for play.
It would be far better imo to place strict limitations on the amount of intercounty training players do. This would free them up for club activity and reduce the massive workload that they are faced with.
If however we do continue down this road where players have to essentially sacrifice their social lives in order to play for their county I feel that the matter will come to ahead and they will demand recompense.
We dont have the money. End of story.A restriction on training wouldn't free players up for more club games

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 15/11/2014 18:09:29    1672504

Lein top 7 natural counties with Rest of Lein team (8 teams)
Uls top 7 plus Rest of Uls (combining 2 counties) for 8 teams
Muns top 2 nat teams plus a Rest for 3 teams
Conn top 2 nat teams plus a Rest (3 teams)
NFL Div 3 'All Stars' and Div 4 'All Stars' (2 teams, 1 to Muns, 1 to Conn).

This makes the provs symmetric and the Rest teams are temporary.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2632 - 15/11/2014 18:27:02    1672510

Well ormondbannerman, I don't envisage professionalism. Musing on the topic though, I can only see it through an inter provincial league. In the sphere of this professional discussion, the capital could viably support 2 professional teams. It's arguable that the remaining Leinster counties could also support 2 professional teams. Ulster I suppose could support 2 as well. Connaught and Munster could only support 1 each. London was a wild inclusion in fairness. Ireland cannot support more than 8 professional teams. You'd get 14 regular league games from that and a play-off series. It would allow scope for a traditional inter-county championship remaining.

legendzxix (Kerry) - Posts: 7888 - 15/11/2014 18:29:50    1672512

Why wouldnt it ormond?

joncarter (Galway) - Posts: 2692 - 15/11/2014 18:31:46    1672514