Folks, Adidas make GAA kits as it is. Just check out the GAA store. Loads of club merchandise from Adidas. It looks like we have rule for jerseys and not for other merchandise.
http://www.thegaastore.com/en/Club-Shops-Leinster/cc-9.aspx

donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 310 - 16/02/2016 16:54:35    1825861

Realman

is there a GAA rule that playing gear must be from an Irish owned company.?? Can someone please answer me that? Why was adidas pulled from kerry all them years ago? on what grounds?

And wouldn't believe a word about o'neills factories in Ireland. If you've ever ordered gear from a O'Neills rep you'll know the wait time is down to getting them shipped from Asia. Them factories in Ireland must be glorified offices as all the real manufacturing takes place elsewhere. It's the same orphan child in Asia making the Dublin jersey as the one up the road making the Man Utd jersey, GAA clubs should be under no illusion regarding O'Neills or be morally obliged to use their gear.

And why wouldn't Adidas or Puma be interested in producing club gear? I come from a small rural GAA club and we've forked out nearly 20 grand to o'neills last year between, balls, tracksuits, jerseys, training equipment etc. So do the maths, if every GAA club are forking that out to O'Neills annually it's a considerable sized market to tap into. Roughly 2500 gaa clubs throughout the country so that's roughly 5 million euros clubs are spending annually on gear. Who wouldn't want a slice of that?

A bit of quality competition in the market can only be good for the consumer.

begining (UK) - Posts: 300 - 16/02/2016 17:01:15    1825866

Yes there is such a GAA rule, kerry found a loophole in it in 1998 which the GAA closed the next year by making the costs for Adidas in producing the kit prohibitive, forget the exact detail beyond that.

Secondly you may believe that O'neill's don't manufacture in Ireland and their factories are just glorified offices but that doesn't make it true unless you have any evidence.

Knocking Irish companies from their monopoly will cost irish people their jobs. It's naive to think anything else.

Finally I doubt that Puma or Adidas have any interest in making kits for clubs despite your arguments. They get their profits from mass production, you can't mass produce club gaa jerseys because their isn't the demand for club jersies. Each club has their own coat of arms and colour scheme so that bumps up the costs as well.

I'd highly doubt any of the big global brand's business model would fit with these demands.

realman2 (Kildare) - Posts: 464 - 16/02/2016 17:20:08    1825873

Finally I doubt that Puma or Adidas have any interest in making kits for clubs despite your arguments. They get their profits from mass production, you can't mass produce club gaa jerseys because their isn't the demand for club jersies. Each club has their own coat of arms and colour scheme so that bumps up the costs as well.
I'd highly doubt any of the big global brand's business model would fit with these demands.
realman2 (Kildare) - Posts:262 - 16/02/2016 17:20:08 1825873

http://www.thegaastore.com/en/Club-Shops-Leinster/cc-9.aspx
There's that link again realman. Adidas already make leisure wear etc for the clubs, why wouldn't they want to make jerseys etc.
On one other point, why are these companies, Adidas, Nike, Puma etc not allowed make jerseys but are allowed supply all the footwear for every single player in the country?

donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 310 - 16/02/2016 17:39:15    1825880

Hermit:

I can see your point but all I can say is that it's actually going to be looked at - as per the GAA announcement - so that's a positive in terms of the point you're making

Kerry GAA is incredibly well funded compared to your population size - building a centre of Excellence worth close to €6 million is an example of that

You spent close to €1miilion on your senior footballer's last year - that's not bad man!!

So I wouldn't necessarily feel very sorry for a cash rich county like Kerry, you're doing just fine and you'll be back in no time.

There are counties far more hard pressed compared to Kerry.

Now

If there is a short fall of investment then Dublin CB needs to look at alternative funding

Instead of funding 50% of the current initiatives in place - perhaps over the coming years Dublin GAA will need to fund 70-75%

That's something I reckon they could pull off, but it'll take more dedicated revenue and you can see why they might be looking for additional revenue streams such as this jersey deal - It's a very competitive market and there's many other alternatives on a far grander scale to compete against in Dublin.

So if additional revenue is needed and the current level of games development in Dublin continues - then these deals need to be considered.

In terms of the overall argument

It also has to be understood that there are far bigger issues at play here, as I have pointed out enough at this stage.. and many have agreed with it, because they see there are in fact far bigger national issues that directly link into this argument and greatly magnify the imbalance seen across the GAA

The GAA mirrors the same problems seen across Ireland - and as many will agree - Ireland isn't a very fair place.

Posters can ignore that if they so wish, but to do so is foolish - there is a far bigger problem at play and that will become far more pronounced in time.

This really is an Urban v Rural divide issue and the frustration's seen IMO is a direct reflection of the level of frustration felt by many people outside of Dublin, not just at the GAA but also at a national political level. I think that actually greatly amplifies this issue

If posters think that receiving a modest boost will make things more competitive - some people are going to be very disappointed. I guarantee it.

The disadvantages at play here far outweigh a few extra quid

What then? What's next to blame.... where is this all leading

Some actually expect Dublin to hand over revenue generated by itself, some demand Dublin to be split. Let's be honest here - The GAA would be in a far worse financial state without Dublin GAA, and all this talk of handing over revenue or splitting Dublin could possibly only go damage it. Would that then negatively impact the positives that a strong performing Dublin brings into the GAA that goes onto benefit everyone?

Would the same sponsors be attached if interest for GAA in Dublin drops?

Would the same TV rights money be as lucrative if viewing figures drop off?

Will Dublin fans bother going to watch East Dublin - would rivals be bothered watching their county beat East Dublin?

I can tell you know that the vast portion of Dublin fans wouldn't be interested in such and they wouldn't bother sending their kids to play GAA if that was the end goal

Would that then just nullify the supposed benefits of all of the above?

I'll leave that for all of you to decide.

All the noise we hear about is what Dublin gets BUT what about the many millions that it generates - through various revenue streams

Listen for now at least the GAA is going to look at the funding issue and will more than likely cut the current level of investment

But when that comes into affect? I have no idea.... but I think it will eventually happen but I also think it will have little to no impact

Again.. what then?

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20601 - 16/02/2016 17:42:59    1825882

Finally I doubt that Puma or Adidas have any interest in making kits for clubs despite your arguments. They get their profits from mass production, you can't mass produce club gaa jerseys because their isn't the demand for club jersies. Each club has their own coat of arms and colour scheme so that bumps up the costs as well.
I'd highly doubt any of the big global brand's business model would fit with these demands.
realman2 (Kildare) - Posts:262 - 16/02/2016 17:20:08 1825873

http://www.thegaastore.com/en/Club-Shops-Leinster/cc-9.aspx
There's that link again realman. Adidas already make leisure wear etc for the clubs, why wouldn't they want to make jerseys etc.
On one other point, why are these companies, Adidas, Nike, Puma etc not allowed make jerseys but are allowed supply all the footwear for every single player in the country?

No sponsors on that club gear is there? Wonder would they be prepared to make it with the sponsors' logo and numbers on the back and a one or two off goalkeepers jersey.

realman2 (Kildare) - Posts: 464 - 16/02/2016 17:45:30    1825883

Realman2 and TheMaster.....

I'll gladly wear whatever they tell me to...... for a few quid!!!!

Ps....How much money did Kildare spend on their Senior set up during McGeeneys time!? Weren't Kildare trying to lure players to play for Kildare? Seems like the money is there in Kildare already. You should stop worrying about Dublin, Kildares finances need to be scrutinised.

And Mayo, where do you start? I can't, it's too easy at this stage!

As I said in an earlier post nobody has a scooby about the awarding of funding except the GAA. Don't be getting ratty with me. I don't have every fact and figure about the GAA and their grant system. I don't know WHY Dublin got the funding. But I'll tell you something, you two bozo's haven't a clue why either. As I said, Dublin have applied for funding, and my educated guess based on my experience of awarding grants etc. in another field, is that Dublins plans and applications were found to be worthy of investment. If you don't buy a ticket you can't win the lotto.

And I'll tell you both another thing, you both know NOTHING about Dublin GAA or administration of a large structured organisation like the Dublin County Board.

Look both of you love your county, and want them to win, but stop trying to play hero and be the voice of the afflicted. Mayo and Kildare are well capable of acquiring funding from elsewhere to match Dublin or Kerry's funding. We get it, you dislike Dublin. That's fine. But stop with the moaning lads. Dublin will not win ten All Ireland's in a row. Kildare beat the Dubs at Minor and Tipp beat them in the 21's. I'd go to most minor and 21's football and hurling games. Dublin are beatable at those levels, and although good minors don't necessarily turn into good seniors, I'd hold off on the Mystic Master predictions and Realman ravings about the future. Dublin could easily have lost in Navan against Kildare in the 21's. One of two decent forwards were the difference, and it was a small difference. And Dublin have invested heavily in the small ball......none of their potential conquerors realistically invest monies into hurling. Look at the teams you think might knock Dublin off their perch, all would invest heavily in football over hurling.

Deal with facts guys, many of the things you rant and moan about aren't controlled by Dublin. Dublin have their house in order. That's where to start. The GAA can help Leitrim and Carlow out, because Mayo and Kildare haven't done much for any smaller county. Nor should they, but instead of throwing money at counties give them structure and funding to match their needs as they go along. Taking money off Dublin is fine, it will create huge problems down the line for the GAA if you think of population rise etc. in the future. Pushing the problem down the road will make it more expensive. But if it means smaller counties get more competitive fine.

All that said, it still won't unearth decent forwards next year for Mayo, and O'Neil is gonna need time with Kildare (he's a good coach), and will make them competitive.

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 16/02/2016 17:50:06    1825885

No sponsors alright realman, not sure if they don't do them or are not allowed to do them. My point is, that if they are willing to do small stuff like club leisurewear, of course they would be willing to County jerseys and leisurewear.

donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 310 - 16/02/2016 17:52:07    1825887

Spot on Jimbo......

Sadly some people will never be able register what the real problems are.

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 16/02/2016 18:20:20    1825897

If the GAA are looking at the funding that Dublin gets as many want then Dublin are rightly looking beyond that and preparing for what funding they may loose by talking to sponsors that will cover the shortfall. The likes of Kerry and Kilkenny and more recently under JmcG Donegal generated a lot of additional funding off their own bat and reaped the rewards.However, it may well not be an option for several counties and these are where any extra money should be targeted with monitoring in place to check what it is being spent on and penalties if misused. Put coaches in place and give them what they need to bring on the games but I believe this will only get you so far and the traditional counties on balance will still win more than they loose.Its the nature of sport that their will always be those that tend to remain near the top end of their respective sport because they are traditionally stronger and better equipped to maintain their position.Some fall away for a while but generally return.

SLLY (Dublin) - Posts: 463 - 16/02/2016 18:47:34    1825906

Yes we are all bozo's and we haven't a scooby, what an enlightened forum we have here........

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 16/02/2016 19:19:47    1825919

Jimbo,

I'm not particularly worried about Kerry's ability to compete with Dublin, we will always be there or there abouts and hopefully have the structures in place to ensure that.

My point is more abstract: County X should be treated the same as County Y, Z, W, F etc.

County X should be given Central funding in proportion to the criteria set out, be it population size, participation rates, clubs numbers whatever.

So if County Y has a population of 100,000 and 30 GAA clubs it should get the same as County Z which has 100,000 people and 30 clubs.

If County X has 1.5 million people and 300 clubs it should get more, that's only logical. Yet it should not get the majority of funding.

However if County X has a commercial sponsorship deal which is worth twenty times that of County Y, than County X's central funding should be curtailed to an appropriate amooung tand redsitruved to County's Y and Z as County X can afford to fund the development of the GAA locally through

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 16/02/2016 19:25:28    1825924

Sorry posted that last point before I had typed it properly:

Jimbo,

I'm not particularly worried about Kerry's ability to compete with Dublin, we will always be there or there abouts and hopefully have the structures in place to ensure that.

My point is more abstract: County X should be treated the same as County Y, Z, W, F etc.

County X should be given Central funding in proportion to the criteria set out, be it population size, participation rates, clubs numbers whatever.

So if County Y has a population of 100,000 and 30 GAA clubs it should get the same as County Z which has 100,000 people and 30 clubs.

If County X has 1.5 million people and 300 clubs it should get more, that's only logical. Yet it should not get the majority of funding.

However if County X has a commercial sponsorship deal which is worth twenty times that of County Y, than County X's central funding should be curtailed to an appropriate amount and redistributed to County's Y as County X can afford to fund the development of the GAA locally through their better commercial opportunities.

Anyway, I've made my point its up to Croke Park to ensure all these issues are looked at but I have my doubts that the top brass in there are concerned with anything other than more revenue.

TheHermit (Kerry) - Posts: 6354 - 16/02/2016 19:31:06    1825927

The voracious, greedy Genie is out of the bottle and there's no stopping it. Dublin have become like Daniel Day Lewis's character in There Will Be Blood. An arrogant, unemotional, out of control monster that devours and destroys everything and anyone around him until he realises he is on his own.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9706 - 16/02/2016 19:31:09    1825928

Richieq

"Jay the Jackass"

It wasn't you that said it, but that wasn't very enlightened. You didn't get on and defend me. Maybe it's because I don't agree with what some people on here are saying.

Anybody who thinks that cutting Dublins funding is going to help weaker counties is sadly mistaken. Jimbo has given a detailed explanation on the real problems facing the GAA but people seem to disagree with him based on anecdotes and fairytales, and allegiance to their own counties.

There are a number of bozo's who talk about Dublin on here. They give their opinions as fact. Nonsense. They know zero about Dublin Football and Hurling, nothing about the clubs, nothing about coaching and planning in Dublin, and nothing about how the money is spent.

As you alluded earlier Richieq, Jimbo knows very little about Meath........

But you aren't enlightened enough to accept you know very little about Dublin football. And when the likes of Jim and others try help you with lengthy and well explained reasons why your view of Dublin GAA is factually incorrect, you just throw in cliché's. Read up on things. Don't bring a stick to a gunfight. If you are gonna challenge people's comments, base them on some facts.

Again......why was Dublin given that funding? Answer I don't know. You lads don't either. Ask the GAA. But Dublin applied for it and got it. If the Dublin county board don't get as much funding next time, fine. But they are entitled to source funding elsewhere as is every other county. Look after your own house.

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 16/02/2016 19:52:15    1825938

Ulsterman.....you are like John Nash in "A Beautiful Mind"

You possess a good brain, but the voices in your head and make believe world make it hard for you to separate the real and abstract world.

Everybody is out to get you.......just read the Southern media!!!!!

JayP (Dublin) - Posts: 1772 - 16/02/2016 19:58:54    1825940

Ha

Dubs just signed a new 3 year deal with Nike

Oh no wait...

Sorry O'Neills... always get them two confused

O'Neills it is...

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20601 - 16/02/2016 20:48:30    1825958

@Jayp

I'm glad Dublin are doing well. Part of their success is due to more players playing our games in the capital.

No-one on this thread is blaming Dublin for getting the most funds and for taking them and to be fair to Dublin it appears they've made great use of them.

People are blaming the GAA for what has gone on. The fact that no one knows how these funds are getting distributed is part of the problem. There's a lack of transparency in how the associations money is being used and it'd be great to have more information as to why Dublin are getting so much funds.

My inference from the articles I've read coming from the top brass is that there was a strategy put in place to increase numbers playing in the capital. Part of this strategy was to invest in human capital in coaches, administrators and coordinators. It seems to be successful which is good. I have a problem with there being no,plan in place to roll out similar initiatives in the rest of the country. The problems Dublin had are present in densely populated areas such as Derry City, West Belfast, Newry and Louth. It appears the GAA have been short-sighted in that they are now tied down to continuing the funding to Dublin as they can't just remove people from their jobs. Dublin were probably the most in need of development money 10-15 years ago, that's not really the case now and The GAA deserve criticism as it appears they are unable to divert the money away from Dublin.

As for the kit supplier change. Yes it hasn't happened yet. So surely this is the correct time to voice dissent before it has happened, it's a bit too late after.

I'd be unhappy if Dublin were to get a foreign manufacturer. It is against the current rules of the game. If Dublin want to effect a change in that rule they should go through the proper channels and put a motion before congress. I think it'd be in bad faith for them to force the rule through by using EU law.

That's my opinion, I think I'd have the same opinion in the unlikely scenario that Antrim had the opportunity to do the same thing.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4241 - 16/02/2016 21:02:02    1825961

As you alluded earlier Richieq, Jimbo knows very little about Meath........

Perhaps you should read up on things because I alluded no such thing about Jimbo and as I have repeatedly stated I do not apportion blame to Dublin for the funding issue, it is a GAA problem that can only be solved by the GAA and time has past that other county boards need to become more forceful on the issue.

Richieq (Meath) - Posts: 3734 - 17/02/2016 09:31:57    1826005

Richie

I know as much about Meath GAA as most would do outside the county and certainly your own knowledge of Dublin GAA looks a bit ropey

So tell me

What's currently wrong with Meath?

Are you happy with your underage structures and the work being done there over the last 10-20 years

More recently

Why can't you get out of Div 2?

Why did you drop into Div 3?

I see you made €200,000 profit so well you're doing a lot better than most in that regard

So you monetary and population advantages over most other counties - and have a solid sponsor in place

Yet counties with smaller populations and probably a similar amount of spend are winning AI titles and are outperforming GAA

so perhaps like most people on this site my knowledge of Meath GAA is limited but surely it's only logical to suggest that you have greatly failed over the 00's and continue that into this decade - would I be write in saying that Kildare have had more underage success and Longford aren't too far behind Meath in that category now over that time period.

So something has gone very wrong - I have seen many a Meath poster on this site complain about the Meath CB

In your opinion tell me what's wrong with Meath GAA at present - I have Meath lads responding to me thinking their the s*hit for making a profit - is that a measurement of success these days in Meath?

Please educate me to the problems within Meath that could be better and why is Meath GAA underperforming so badly at the minute

It's easy to say I don't have a clue without you actually helping to inform me

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20601 - 17/02/2016 11:12:27    1826034