It'll be just as true then.
You sound like you fall back on excuses a lot.Not surprised.Keep the negativity coming, God knows you should have no trouble doing that.

Dubh_linn (Dublin) - Posts: 2312 - 13/02/2016 21:55:29    1825204

Dublin will always get the most from the GAA, but the current level of investment is going to be looked a,t as per the recent announcement

It's important to note that this grant goes on specific games development initiatives - developed and 50% funded by Dublin GAA

Not on the Dublin Senior footballers

I presume that any additional grants allocated by the GAA to counties will go on similar, and not spent on their senior football teams

Do you know if your county boards have such games development plans in place and do you have the necessary game administrators in place to put it to good use?

But before even contemplating that

Here's a dose of reality

When it becomes clear that Wicklow, Leitrim, Carlow etc etc .. are still not winning things, or even competing against the main stay counties

What then?

Everyone is convinced it's about money, if we had money, all would be great

Ignoring the many other factors that are at the core of the problem - i.e - A complete lack of investment in rural Ireland at government level for generations, resulting in a complete lack of adequate infrastructure to maintain a healthy young population, resulting in 10's of thousands of young people leaving every year. Rural migration to urban areas - in Ireland and beyond. Rural Ireland is losing the very thing that's the absolute essential, it's not money , it's People. Young talented boys and girls.

The predicted population growth for Dublin over the next 20 years is set to sore to 2 million - up to 30,000 people a year flooding into Dublin - most coming from.... rural Ireland.

Look it up.

And yet THAT is not even being spoken about!!

When it's proven that the very modest increases to counties has little to no impact - Because that's all that will be redistributed

What then?

The greatest risk to the future of the GAA is not Dublin, it's actually the ongoing slow death of rural Ireland.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20601 - 13/02/2016 21:56:28    1825205

Great post, jimbodub. The complete lack of attention by successive government to balanced regional development is the root cause of the increasing inequities. Dublin, in fairness, have responded to the situation by putting great coaching structures in place. Can the same be said for Meath, Kildare, Laois and Wicklow, though. These counties have also benefited from the influx of young people from the western half of the country, but what are their coaching structures like? Take Portlaoise, for example, a massive town with just one GAA club- surely this isn't making the most of the population growth there?

football first (None) - Posts: 1259 - 14/02/2016 09:45:44    1825218

I live in Dublin now. I've no children yet but when I do they'll likely play for Dublin clubs. They'll directly benefit from the money being pumped in.

I still think it's a load of bollocks.

It's very easy to have to have the best coaching structures when you're given the money to put them in place.

This part line you are taking that Dublin is where the money is best spent so it should continue to get a DISPROPORTIONATE amount is a pile of steaming horse manure. Imagine if governments acted in that way. Instead of redistributing wealth from the rich to the poor they went the opposite way. Dublin 1,2 and 4 are creating most wealth per person in the country lets invest all our resources in them f&ck the rest of you. That'd be ridiculous, you'd have rioting in the streets. In pretty much every modern economy the richest subsidise those less well off.

That's not the case in the GAA.

I think the money has been effective in getting more people playing the game in Dublin. But the same problems that existed in Dublin 15-20 years ago still exists in large population areas like Belfast, Derry City, Newry and Louth.

Why haven't the initiatives been rolled out to these areas? Why was the GAA's strategy a Dublin Growth strategy and not an Urban Ireland Growth strategy? Why has it taken 10 years for these questions to be asked? Why are Dublin seemingly going to be allowed to break the rules and have a non-Irish kit supplier? Why are Crike Park and Parnells GAA club allowed to host non-GAA sports but a club in Longford get fined for hosting a soccer school for the kids in the area?

The answer to all those questions begins with an M and ends in a Y and its starting to make me feel sick.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4241 - 14/02/2016 10:58:43    1825232

The GAA as an organisation has a goal of promoting Irish culture and society. To exploit EU legislation for money can jeopardise jobs in Ireland and in my opinion is completely contrary to the ethos of the GAA.

Armaghball (Armagh) - Posts: 96 - 14/02/2016 11:00:31    1825233

Hardly surprising if one of the above brands mentioned wants to get involved, the Dublin GAA gear is nearly as commonly seen as top premiership soccer teams gear , it's a gold mine waiting to be tapped into, besides the Dubs jerseys have always been one of the best looking GAA jerseys in my opinion.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1916 - 14/02/2016 12:23:27    1825250

Dublin as long as they are winning and hitting the news every week mainly about financial gain is going to be galling for a lot of struggling counties in Leinster. Jersey deal is just another thing in a list of percieved advantages.
A feeling of what's the point creeps into weaker counties in Leinster and although they never were going to compete for Sam , the idea of a provincial title even becomes totally unrealistic. Laois, WestMeath can now only dream of making a Leinster final at best and only if they are are on the otherside of Dublin draw in Leinster. Whats happening is a snowball effect of decisions made about 10 years ago , people were put in place on the ground and Dublin invested heavily in underage structures , then a lot of former footballers were brought onboard , knock on effect is the Senior footballers winning . This is generating money for Dublin because of our size and potential in marketing , good business decisions are being made on the ground . The money we are recieving is being used to generate more money through marketing deals, because good personel were brought on board. Being the Capital with biggest fan base and playing in Croker never mattered before to anyone, Because at times it was a hinderance and we werent winning. But now it's killing Leinster . Which to me is the real issue.
But before the GAA start reigning Dublin in for showing initiative and being selfish in looking after themselves in getting the best deals available , we should understand that away from all these headline grabbing pieces about Dublins dominance, which also suits certain journos.
That most counties in Munster can only ever realistically dream of a Munster final appearance at best , also Cork have more clubs than Dublin and and really should be making these deals that Dublin are . Kerry are a GAA mad county who have always shown initiative and through very wealthy beneficiaries only have to worry about beating Dublin on the pitch , they don't have any financial issues.
The real Question is how to make Leinster competitive again, because the fall back of Kildare , Meath , Offaly , WestMeath counties who have previously beaten Dublin in Leinster makes anything Dublin do look exaggerated.
Remember in the race for Sam we are still only 1 of possibly 4 teams capable of winning it.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 14/02/2016 12:51:09    1825254

Football First said

Great post, jimbodub. The complete lack of attention by successive government to balanced regional development is the root cause of the increasing inequities.

---------

You're spot on Football First

It's a massive issue and it sits right at the core of this problem. The GAA mirrors these socioeconomic problems as the organisation is built on the same geographical structures and some counties are at a distinct disadvantage because there's been very little investment at Government level for decades...

The biggest problem as a result of this is that young people leave. The very life blood of any county and this has an increased impact on counties that already have smaller populations, they just can't afford to lose those young people and it's a never ending cycle, and unfortunately with the ongoing problems facing rural Ireland it's going to get worse and in this age of pure 100% information 24/7 it's never been so easy for young people to see all the options that are out there...

That's the biggest problem facing the GAA over the next number of decades

It's very obvious and especially on this site that many believe in some sort of quick fix. if only the GAA gave them an extra few quid...

Well I'm not so sure about that - far more substantial problems are in the mix here.

Problems that can't be solved by a sporting organisation.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20601 - 15/02/2016 10:03:15    1825390

There are socio economic issues which have distorted the population distribution in the country and I can accept some of the reasons for there being larger funding proportionally for larger counties, but anyone who tries to kid us and say the reason Dublin are trying to use EU law to get their way re the jerseys, is anything other than unashamed greed is having a laugh.

The best funded county, most populous, yadda, yadda, yadda still want to fly in the face of the ethos of the GAA to make a few bob. Make hay while the sun shines by all means but this is a dangerous step and if Dublin think the rulebook of the GAA doesn't apply to them then they'll have their monopoly and it will die a slow turgid death.

duckula20 (Antrim) - Posts: 175 - 15/02/2016 10:23:35    1825399

by the sounds of it there is three different companies all bidding for to make the jerseys.
two of the companies are irish companies so I dont see what all the hysteria is about here.
sure azzurri already took county jerseys from o neills with waterford and donegal.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 15/02/2016 10:27:52    1825402

jimbodub: Well said

On the topic of Jerseys/apparel/equipment etc while supporting Irish companies is a noble aspiration, if it is costing people/clubs money to support it, this pushes the cost of the game up. And were are these Irish companies producing their goods? surely not in the Far East?

No issue with the quality of some of the goods and their designs, it is at the end of the day the cost. Anyone who is in the business of buying equipment for instance will have shocking price differences. and you can't restrict the market to the point you have restrictive business practise and are inadvertently creating a monopoly.

With Kit it is different Waterford and Sligo have both switched to Azzurri and Kukri for example.

arock (Dublin) - Posts: 4898 - 15/02/2016 10:49:41    1825410

Cant blame them if the moneys there who wouldnt take it ,

Wrong. GAA is an amateur sport. Dublin get the most money from the gaa.....now they are getting more from adidas etc. Why not offset the money they get from adidas etc and minus it from the money they get from the GAA.then use that money and pump it into smaller countries.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts:34 - 13/02/2016 20:12:43 1825166

Give examples of other counties turning money or opportunities down ,? there are so many on here remind me of the fella who says if he won the lotto hed give half to charity , very easy to say until you have the winning ticket .
Dublin hurling has had investment yet we are no closer to winning an All Ireland in that code , so money doesn't buy success, to Hermit we are winning because we have exceptional players , money doesn't do any harm but without players your nowhere , sorry if you just cant stomach that

Damothedub (Dublin) - Posts: 5193 - 15/02/2016 11:04:01    1825417

jimbodub: Well said

On the topic of Jerseys/apparel/equipment etc while supporting Irish companies is a noble aspiration, if it is costing people/clubs money to support it, this pushes the cost of the game up. And were are these Irish companies producing their goods? surely not in the Far East?

No issue with the quality of some of the goods and their designs, it is at the end of the day the cost. Anyone who is in the business of buying equipment for instance will have shocking price differences. and you can't restrict the market to the point you have restrictive business practise and are inadvertently creating a monopoly.

With Kit it is different Waterford and Sligo have both switched to Azzurri and Kukri for example.

Ya know it will cost many Irish people their jobs/livelihood if foreign companies can make GAA kit? #justsayin

realman2 (Kildare) - Posts: 464 - 15/02/2016 11:19:30    1825423

Dublin hurling has had investment yet we are no closer to winning an All Ireland in that code ,

Well that's just a blatant lie, you got to an all ireland semi FFS and lost in one of the tightest games of hurling I've ever seen to a team that came within a puck of winning the final.

My god some of the things said on this forum....let's be clear... money has made Hurling in Dublin a real sport where it was barely a consideration before now.

realman2 (Kildare) - Posts: 464 - 15/02/2016 11:22:33    1825427

What do the Gaa get out of having Dublin in Croke Park for all home league games, and most championship? They give Dublin 1.46m..

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2763 - 15/02/2016 11:25:58    1825430

This is a real worrying development, the time is quickly approaching where this Dublin juggernaut will be unstoppable. The money that Dublin already have at their disposal gives them a great advantage, that's not their fault it must be said, the hierarchy of the GAA have created this unfairness and must now take action to address it. The Leinster football championship has become an embarrassing sideshow as other counties can not keep pace with Dublin due to less availability of coaches and up until this year having to face the Dubs unfairly in Croke Park every year where the Dubs could set their watches by the familiar routine they have there. Again not all the Dubs fault the Leinster Council have milked them for all their worth substituting competition fairness for euro signs, Colm O'Rourke rightly highlights in yesterday's Sindo the unfair decision to switch the upcoming Meath v Dublin U21 Leinster Championship game from Pairc Tailteann to Parnell Park all because the floodlights in Navan are out of commission and will be pending a decision on overall redevelopment, why not played at a weekend during daylight hours in Navan asks Colm? Why indeed? Such decisions give the impression the Dubs have the powers that be in their pocket, it's hard not to get the hump and cry foul when such decisions are made although as Colm also rightly states we in Meath must be getting soft if our powers that be so meekly allowed such an advantage to be passed up, I wonder how many pieces of silver was it worth. Whatever it was worth it was small change in comparison to the obscene financial beast that is Dublin GAA, Meath and Kildare for example despite their history, growing population, popularity of Gaelic games and continuing popularity and growth of soccer and rugby have seen nothing like the level of funding that Dublin get despite the fact that both counties are what an awful lot of Dubs now call home and where they and their offspring ply their football and hurling trade, it hasn't improved the financial lot of either county through available funding though nor their fortunes on the field. A lot of people have fears about where all this is going, it is not a chance to put another dig in at the Dubs as is perceived often on here and I see many Dubs have rolled into a ball and raised there prickles ala the hedgehog already on this subject, but their is a real concern that the Dubs may soon become in catchable financially and on the field of play, that can not be allowed to happen and the genuine Dubs fan will realise that and understand where the fear, concern is coming and feeling of unfairness is coming from

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 15/02/2016 11:52:45    1825443

Well said Richeq, I think you are expressing the growing concerns of a sizable amount of GAA supporters over the last 2-3 years.

This isn't about sour grapes because Dublin are winning a few All Ireland's (whatever some Dublin posters seem to think) the issue is much more serious.

As I said, the GAA has engineered a situation where one county has a huge advantage over every other and because of the financial clout of Dublin the GAA are now acquiescing to their requests at every turn.

We are always told that the GAA is democratic to the point of being over democratic, but it is increasingly clear in how Dublin are treated that the GAA spurns democracy for the dollar. From personnel experience of those at the very top in the GAA, its obvious to me that money is all Croke Park are interested in.

The time has come at Congress for the other 31 counties to say enough is enough and force the GAA's leadership to distribute development funding on an equitable basis, to insist that Dublin teams play away games in the Championship to force them to abide by the same bye laws as regards sponsors and jersey manufactures as everybody else.

There can't be one law for one county and another for everyone else just because they are successful.

Either we are all treated the same or Gaelic games are done for at an inter-county level.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 15/02/2016 12:28:50    1825460

Give examples of other counties turning money or opportunities down ,? there are so many on here remind me of the fella who says if he won the lotto he'd give half to charity , very easy to say until you have the winning ticket .

Damo no harm but that is crap, where do the exceptional players come from, the underage structures, these structures are run by paid coaches etc and many, many volunteers, and since we have found out that central council are bankrolling the coaches your exceptional players are products of a GAA scheme as well as the volunteers blood sweat and tears. As long as some posters continue this soccer mentality of my team above all else we're on a shaky path.

How long before Dublin try to sell their own TV rights to games, before they have their own TV channel (cue comments re RTE but not my intention), if they enact EU legislation to try and feather their own nests it is not a case of having the winning lottery ticket its a case of playing in your own lottery and telling everyone else where to go.

This is reminiscent of the english rugby union trying to sell rights to the 6 nations which they did not own many moons ago, they thought they were bigger than the competition until the other teams told them where to go. What is more appealing to Dublin fans a competition where they watch their own team(s) in their own stadia and the rest of us play our own championship or a more equitable championship.

Dublin may have the biggest pool of resource but they'd do well to recognise they're nothing without the rest of us.

duckula20 (Antrim) - Posts: 175 - 15/02/2016 12:38:35    1825465

Isnt if part of the GAA rules that only irish based sports manafacturers can be used? The likes of Azurri and the old Gaelic Gear kits for example (i still have one old Gaelic Gear Wexford jersey that has more pink in it than Purple) are Irish based companies.

If Dublin are pushing ahead with this they must have already got clearance or are confident that they will get permission. IT will be interesting to see what happens. The GAA are quite sticky with strictly applying rules and not so strictly when it suits them.

tearintom (Wexford) - Posts: 1353 - 15/02/2016 12:48:27    1825467

I sincerely hope they do change to another supplier . O'Neills have been getting it too easy in the past .

Finsceal (None) - Posts: 559 - 15/02/2016 13:16:21    1825484