Your post is indeed a thought provoking one and I have come across ome of the problems you flag up. Yet, in reading your post, I get a nagging feeling that that your main motivation was, for some reason, to give the GAA a good kicking. Maybe I am completely wrong.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 06/04/2016 19:31:26    1842800

Very good post Steve from Fermanagh. I feel the same though its an addiction so can't give it up.

bennybunny (Cork) - Posts: 3917 - 06/04/2016 20:13:44    1842818

Ollie,

"My brother has not been at a GAA match since the Leinster final of 2010. After that day he lost faith."

I wouldn't blame him for that.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts:2774 - 06/04/2016 17:55:21 1842761

Yes Keeper I agree with this but someone out of the family has to follow the Wee County through thick and thin.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 06/04/2016 20:16:38    1842820

Your post is indeed a thought provoking one and I have come across ome of the problems you flag up. Yet, in reading your post, I get a nagging feeling that that your main motivation was, for some reason, to give the GAA a good kicking. Maybe I am completely wrong.
neverright (Roscommon) - Posts:180 - 06/04/2016 19:31:26

I have no interest in kicking the GAA, like I said, I am drifting away from it rather than wanting to influence it.

But all my points remain, the GAA currently has a rotten core. If I were a kid again I would be far better served turning to soccer or Rugby, sports that actually serve and protect their players. And damn sure I would have to think very carefully about steering any kids of mine towards the GAA. Play regular games of soccer in well structured competitions or send my son to get dragged around a field for a club that doesn't even promise regular games, the choice is obvious.

Steve (Fermanagh) - Posts: 293 - 06/04/2016 20:34:41    1842826

You're bang on Steve and I'm glad your message is coming from a county doing well and not in leinster as some people think mine is a laois problem but it runs far deeper than that

Malonemagic (Laois) - Posts: 766 - 06/04/2016 21:03:14    1842840

For all his faults Joe Brolly said that the introduction of the GPA and the SKY deal etc would bring elitism and ultimately disaffection and that's the way the GAA is going. I believe that those in full time posts in Croke Park are just happy so long as the ground is filled by Dublin, Kerry. Kilkenny a few times a year to pay staff salaries. I don't believe they can see the wood for the trees but it's obvious kids in places like Belfast and Derry are playing soccer as their No 1 sport, the GAA for most of them doesn't even register.
I looked at the Abbottstowm development and listened to nonsense being spotted by the GAA President and Chief Executive trying to pretend it's a 32 county facility. As if Leitrim, Sligo or Antrim have 1000's to travel down to use this! It's seen by most GAA folk as another Dublin facility solely for Dublin. The GAA is destroying itself but cannot see it.

Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9703 - 06/04/2016 21:53:01    1842864

Ollie,

"My brother has not been at a GAA match since the Leinster final of 2010. After that day he lost faith."

apart from games involving limerick i was never as upset after a game, than after that one - not even near

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 08/04/2016 12:13:38    1843413

Ollie,

"My brother has not been at a GAA match since the Leinster final of 2010. After that day he lost faith."

apart from games involving limerick i was never as upset after a game, than after that one - not even near

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts:250 - 08/04/2016 12:13:38 1843413

Janesbro yes it is still so surreal to this day what happened that day. It will be on the opening scene of Reeling in the Years 2010. Im gutted for Paddy Keenan. He would of been the first Louth captain in fifty three years to win the Leinster Championship. Following Louth through thick and thin and for that happened. But look at the end of the day you can either lose faith or just get on with it. Sure I have a day to look out in Croke Park on April 23rd and Louth got promoted at the first time of asking. Hopefully wee will have a good summer here in Louth.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 08/04/2016 12:26:29    1843423

I agree with many of these comments re the GAA.
However it could be said it is no different from Irish society in general where the leadership has lost touch with the rest of us.
It cant go on but its hard to know what happens next?
I dont think switching to rugby is a great idea either for youngsters, given the number of serious injuries in that sport nowadays and a leadership who are like a rabbit caught in the headlights.

BIG SACKS (Tyrone) - Posts: 1681 - 08/04/2016 12:29:17    1843426

apart from games involving limerick i was never as upset after a game, than after that one - not even near

I was never as upset after a game that I wasn't playing in tbh absolutely gutted a black day for the gaa

coopersleftfoot (Kerry) - Posts: 91 - 08/04/2016 12:32:21    1843429

BIG SACKS brace yourself for an Ormo onslaught. he probably has your post in bold writing as we speak ;-)

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 08/04/2016 13:30:34    1843450

BIG SACKS brace yourself for an Ormo onslaught. he probably has your post in bold writing as we speak ;-)

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 08/04/2016 13:30:41    1843451

He'll be on to you too SaffronDon for calling him Ormo!

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 08/04/2016 14:16:07    1843486

Big sacks - maybe they could play rugby and gaa

Ollie- i still find it surreal and horrible watching last 5 mins of 1994 final and thats 22 years on

janesboro (Limerick) - Posts: 1502 - 08/04/2016 14:19:44    1843489

we're all f***** now Whammo

SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 08/04/2016 14:29:50    1843500

Ollie...You were lucky that black september day in 1957...
Cork had the game won with Toots Kelleher and Eamonn Young starring.
Your old balladeer Dermot O' Brien played for Louth...scored with last kick of game.........(giving away my age now)
Seriously...you were unlucky a few years ago......travesty of justice....keep trying....

Rockies (Cork) - Posts: 947 - 09/04/2016 15:26:56    1843745

Rockies you need a bit of luck now and again. In 1950 Louth was very unlucky to be beaten by Mayo in the All Ireland final. Sure in 1957 captain marvel for Louth Dermot O Brien nearly did not get in to the match. He travelled to the game on his own. He was running late and the security guard would not let him until a few supporters recognised who he was and they told the guard to let him in. Even the stadium announcer at the time announced over the speaker would the Louth captain please go to the dressing room. The smallest county in Ireland beat the biggest county on a scoreline of 1-09 to 1-07. Both counties changed colour's because of the colour clash. Cork wore blue the Munster colours and Louth wore green the Leinster colours. 22nd September 1957 was Louths heaven.

OLLIE (Louth) - Posts: 12224 - 09/04/2016 18:13:18    1843779