I have been supporting laois footballers for over thirty years through good times and bad . I have been a season ticket holder since the scheme was introduced and attend virtually every league and championship game home and away , as well as O Byrne Cup . But for the first time in my life I feel like I've had enough . This is not the result of Laois being relegated to Division 3 . I've watched worse Laois teams play far worse football . This year we scored 1.22 in an excellent game v Derry . No it is an accumulation of factors which have left me completely disillusioned .I know I am not alone in this judging by support at Laois matches and I think it's a problem not just in Laois but right across Leinster . I will try to sum up a few of my grievances . On Sunday I watched Laois s most talented player , and indeed one of the best in ireland , Evan O Carroll ( a senior since the age of 17) being sent off for two pathetic yellow cards , with absolutely no application of common sense . To expect a player like that to put his life on hold training , only to be dismissed from competition on the whim of an over officious linesman is maddening . To then expect him and his team mates to wait 7 weeks for another competitive game is bizarre . For that competition to be one where the team has zero chance of winning and in fact zero chance of even being competitive is cruel . There are constituencies in Dublin as big as laois ! That is not a dig at Dublin who are joy to watch and a remarkable team .but putting laois or wick low on the same pitch as them is akin to a blood sport . To hold that game in a hurling county venue just to accommodate fans who never attend league games is a moneymaking farce . And finally for those who still haven't had enough , to deprive elderly fans like my dad the chance to watch it by putting it on a pay per view channel , is heartless .as the heading says I've had enough . Thank God for the premier league .

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 768 - 05/04/2016 19:06:40    1842285

Sorry to hear that malone,I must admit i understand most of your grievances.I'm not against Sky and pay-per-view but the rest i cant argue with.

cuederocket (Dublin) - Posts: 5084 - 05/04/2016 19:14:17    1842289

Malonemagic (Laois)
And finally for those who still haven't had enough , to deprive elderly fans like my dad the chance to watch it by putting it on a pay per view channel , is heartless .as the heading says I've had enough . Thank God for the premier league.

I'm not trying to be funny, but if the alternative is the Premier league, would you not need a Sky Sports subscription for that as well?

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 05/04/2016 19:36:25    1842300

I feel your pain with regards some of the sending off's this year in the league, definitely a lot of soft yellow cards handed out and black cards.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 05/04/2016 19:51:16    1842306

Malone, I sympathise fully & don't blame you one bit.

I don't know how involved you are with your local club but in recent years I have spent many's a pleasurable evening watching the Kilcar senior, reserve, U21 & minor teams. Our local secondary Colaiste na Carraige have also given much joy winning an Ulster title this year.

In short malone, there is more to the GAA than county football!!

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 05/04/2016 19:55:42    1842309

you'll need a sky sports and a bt sports subscription before you thank God for the PL

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2396 - 05/04/2016 19:56:22    1842310

I have been saying for a while now that apathy is setting in amongst many fans and nowhere more affected than Leinster. You had a competitive Championship there at one time but it's now like elections in China, it's the same outcome every year with Dublin winning it; interest is waning and fans are bored. The GAA think a successful Dublin = a successful and happy GAA but Croke Park has become detached from the rest of the country. Not only is apathy setting in but anger and a real sense of unfairness is taking root as well. I think Dublin should forego central funding for the next 5 years with monies redirected around the other counties. Let Dublin raise, and keep, their own advertising, sponsorship etc but the one sided and myopic focus on Dublin should cease.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9719 - 05/04/2016 19:56:25    1842311

I would agree with most of your sentiments.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 05/04/2016 20:07:00    1842321

Just to clarify I don't have sky . I was referring to a proper highlights show called match of the day . But even if I did my elderly dad certainly doesn't

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 768 - 05/04/2016 20:11:45    1842323

Muckrosshead im glad you mentioned that because my main interest in gaa terms now is coaching school teams and running school leagues . In Laois underage schools we have 8 or 9 divisions to cater for different sized schools and give every player a shot at success . Imagine that logic .

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 768 - 05/04/2016 20:22:41    1842325

I feel your pain Malonemagic. I always thought that Laois have had some great players and even now the likes of Done Kingston and Ross Munelay would grace any team. Last year's champiobship drawn game against Kidare was a great game. With the right management team I feel Laois coud be a force again, such a shame to see them struggling.

Some of the yellow and black cards habded out this year's in the league is ridiculous. As usual they hand out loads of cards in the league and then calm down in the championship. Are they trying to take the tackle out of the game?

As for Sky TV well that is just not right. All big games should be free to air in Ireland. Sky can still show them in the UK. It's all about the money but they won't admit it.

Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1882 - 05/04/2016 20:30:39    1842327

Ulsterman (Antrim)
I think Dublin should forego central funding for the next 5 years with monies redirected around the other counties

So, don't fund the county where one fifth of the entire island's population (and most of our media) lives, for 5 years? That doesn't sound wise...

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 05/04/2016 20:32:03    1842329

Thing is,its the same for every county..

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 05/04/2016 20:39:08    1842331

Thank god for the premier league? Feck that rubbish, paint drying springs to mind!!

KerryKillers (Dublin) - Posts: 711 - 05/04/2016 20:39:34    1842333

Green Gold

When were Laois ever a force? Have the won one Leinster title in their history?

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 05/04/2016 20:40:15    1842334

Agree with some of what you say but not the sky bit but likewise gutted after drop down. the way it is going with so many players in the their own half can see a county team going through match with out scoring. can see a day that at county level could be a scoreless draw at the way so teams play

madbull (Westmeath) - Posts: 195 - 05/04/2016 20:46:41    1842337

Malone, I sympathise fully & don't blame you one bit.

I don't know how involved you are with your local club but in recent years I have spent many's a pleasurable evening watching the Kilcar senior, reserve, U21 & minor teams. Our local secondary Colaiste na Carraige have also given much joy winning an Ulster title this year.

In short malone, there is more to the GAA than county football!!

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts:3871 - 05/04/2016 19:55:42 1842309

Excellent post.

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 05/04/2016 20:53:29    1842342

Ulsterman (Antrim)
I think Dublin should forego central funding for the next 5 years with monies redirected around the other counties

So, don't fund the county where one fifth of the entire island's population (and most of our media) lives, for 5 years? That doesn't sound wise...

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts:1381 - 05/04/2016 20:32:03 1842329

The problem with Leinster football won't be resolved by punishing Dublin. Even if Dublin pull out of gaelic football for the next five years the problem remains the same in Leinster. 2 teams in division 2, 4 in div 3 and 4 in div 4. No matter what money or advantages Dublin have it cannot be blamed for Westmeath being relegated 3 years in a row, or counties like Meath and Kildare being so far of the pace at senior level, especially considering how competitive underage football is in the province.

AHP (Dublin) - Posts: 323 - 05/04/2016 20:54:44    1842346

Ulsterman (Antrim)
I think Dublin should forego central funding for the next 5 years with monies redirected around the other counties

So, don't fund the county where one fifth of the entire island's population (and most of our media) lives, for 5 years? That doesn't sound wise...

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts:1381 - 05/04/2016 20:32:03 1842329

Why does it matter where the media live??

The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2088 - 05/04/2016 20:54:48    1842347

Folks please don't hijack this thread and turn it into an anti- Dublin one . That is not the intention . Dublin aren't the problem. It's forcing laois to compete against them every year that is one of my issues .

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 768 - 05/04/2016 20:59:38    1842349