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Is "Find Problems With Everything" Now The Norm In The Gaa?

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so clare v limerick was decided using a 65-metre free competion.....and there is a clamour from people like ger loughnane,anthony daly,etc to get it changed to a penalty shoot out.

if they change it to a penalty shoot out and a keeper gets the head taken off him by one of the 5 shots,the clamour will be "what was wrong with the 65-metre free competition".

and where were ger,anthony,etc to propose their idea to the hurling review committee?or better still,why don't they go on the committee?fair play to john keily,he just came out and said "sure it had to be decided somehow".
the gaa try to do something for the clubs,provide space in the calendar,and the armchair and paper scribes have lined up to say "sure it is unfair on inter county teams and managers".what about the unfairness on club players that the first 2 weeks will be lost in some counties?

players say "more games",ok give them 4 games in munster and leinster championships.cue clamour "the intensity of the games will be lost,teams will be done by july,etc"

and that is without even discussing black cards,etc.

it seems like people think the gaa make changes with a view to disimproving the game,rather than saying "well it might take some time to get used to,but give it a chance and it might make the game better".

it must be an absolute nightmare for the gaa,because no matter what change they try to make,there are people just waiting to crib and complain and moan about the change.

the various rule makers,competition makers,etc must feel,they just cant win.

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 21/03/2018 12:52:31    2086599

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Replying To perfect10:  "so clare v limerick was decided using a 65-metre free competion.....and there is a clamour from people like ger loughnane,anthony daly,etc to get it changed to a penalty shoot out.

if they change it to a penalty shoot out and a keeper gets the head taken off him by one of the 5 shots,the clamour will be "what was wrong with the 65-metre free competition".

and where were ger,anthony,etc to propose their idea to the hurling review committee?or better still,why don't they go on the committee?fair play to john keily,he just came out and said "sure it had to be decided somehow".
the gaa try to do something for the clubs,provide space in the calendar,and the armchair and paper scribes have lined up to say "sure it is unfair on inter county teams and managers".what about the unfairness on club players that the first 2 weeks will be lost in some counties?

players say "more games",ok give them 4 games in munster and leinster championships.cue clamour "the intensity of the games will be lost,teams will be done by july,etc"

and that is without even discussing black cards,etc.

it seems like people think the gaa make changes with a view to disimproving the game,rather than saying "well it might take some time to get used to,but give it a chance and it might make the game better".

it must be an absolute nightmare for the gaa,because no matter what change they try to make,there are people just waiting to crib and complain and moan about the change.

the various rule makers,competition makers,etc must feel,they just cant win."
The biggest problem with the GAA right now is that everyone knows what they're against but no one knows what they are for.

Everything is terrible and awful and getting worse by the hour, and players are leaving in their droves. Doom merchants proclaim the death of the association unless those in up there in Croke Park repent for their multitude of sins.

Club players are essentially being flogged to death on pitches the length and breath of the country and then being kept under lock and key in jail cells lest they sneak out for a bit of social interaction between games or training.

Whilst hyperbole rules, nothing will get done or changed.

Until someone makes coherent sense about what is needed to be done, nothing will be done.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13704 - 21/03/2018 13:59:37    2086624

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Has it not always?

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 21/03/2018 15:45:45    2086660

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You've described normality for anyone who's ever been involved with a club committee or training a team. Hell, maybe you described Ireland in general!

Humans are essentially selfish animals, and few will ever try to consider something that upsets them from the other side. I walked away from my club committee as I was fed up with busting my ass to get things done, only to hear a constant stream of complaints about little things here and there.

The other thing is that no matter what rule, structures or format you introduce, it will always affect some people in a different way to others. And when it affects someone negatively, you'll be sure to hear about it.

In my twenty or so years playing gaelic games, I have come across the most extraordinary bitterness engendered by often times small disputes. I think it stems from the tribalism of the GAA (which goes a long way towards sustaining the games and making them special) but which also can be a double-edged sword at times.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 21/03/2018 15:47:56    2086661

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Cant make everyone happy, its the aspects of all walk of life

PyatPree (Cork) - Posts: 376 - 21/03/2018 15:50:32    2086662

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It was never as bad as it is now, that is for sure.
Any attempt at change, no matter how well meaning, is being met with a "won't somebody think of the children" style reaction.
The problem is, by trying to placate everybody, you placate nobody.
But I agree overall, they say "smart people don't go on committees", and sure why would you when all you get is a barrage of abuse about any change, the same people who complain about the shoot-out would never go on the HDC or would be complaining if there was a replay.
I wonder would Ger Loughnane be criticising if Clare had won!

Pinkie (Wexford) - Posts: 4100 - 21/03/2018 15:51:28    2086663

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Replying To Pinkie:  "It was never as bad as it is now, that is for sure.
Any attempt at change, no matter how well meaning, is being met with a "won't somebody think of the children" style reaction.
The problem is, by trying to placate everybody, you placate nobody.
But I agree overall, they say "smart people don't go on committees", and sure why would you when all you get is a barrage of abuse about any change, the same people who complain about the shoot-out would never go on the HDC or would be complaining if there was a replay.
I wonder would Ger Loughnane be criticising if Clare had won!"
Good point on Loughnane, would he be complaining had they won?!

It's like the disciplinary system. We all know it is joke how players get off through loopholes and technicalities. We all agree it is wrong, until it is one of our players! I've probably done it myself sure but it is frustrating.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13704 - 21/03/2018 16:04:55    2086672

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Sometimes the problem is to do with who is driving the change or where the idea for the change originated. Our new President says that his main aim is to have a two tier 'All-Ireland' c'ship in place by the end of his presidency, this despite practically all of the weaker counties being totally opposed to it. We had the same approach taken by P. Duffy regarding the 'Super 8' and TV rights.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 21/03/2018 16:47:36    2086691

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I think it was the Clare manager who said the game should have been replayed rather than settled with 65s because with the other quarter finals cancelled there was no rush to have the tie settled. Imagine the complaining about the money hungry GAA if that was agreed, never mind the stupidity of changing the rules of a competition the morning of the game. It's no wonder it's almost impossible to fill positions on club committees with the same lads doing 2 or 3 different jobs to try and keep the show on the road.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 22/03/2018 08:29:38    2086859

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Lot of it comes from ''hurling people''. But then again when are they ever happy with anything

why (Kildare) - Posts: 142 - 22/03/2018 12:26:13    2086927

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Replying To Soma:  "I think it was the Clare manager who said the game should have been replayed rather than settled with 65s because with the other quarter finals cancelled there was no rush to have the tie settled. Imagine the complaining about the money hungry GAA if that was agreed, never mind the stupidity of changing the rules of a competition the morning of the game. It's no wonder it's almost impossible to fill positions on club committees with the same lads doing 2 or 3 different jobs to try and keep the show on the road."
Totally agree, Soma.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 22/03/2018 14:21:50    2086973

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Replying To why:  "Lot of it comes from ''hurling people''. But then again when are they ever happy with anything"
Spoken like a true football man.

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4088 - 22/03/2018 14:23:12    2086974

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Replying To Soma:  "I think it was the Clare manager who said the game should have been replayed rather than settled with 65s because with the other quarter finals cancelled there was no rush to have the tie settled. Imagine the complaining about the money hungry GAA if that was agreed, never mind the stupidity of changing the rules of a competition the morning of the game. It's no wonder it's almost impossible to fill positions on club committees with the same lads doing 2 or 3 different jobs to try and keep the show on the road."
and that statement sums up what is wrong.sure should they decide on the day if they want a replay?

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 22/03/2018 14:35:04    2086983

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There are loads of examples to be fair. Lads complaining because games are called off just 6 hours before throw-in due to snow - I have been walking to the ground for a premier league soccer game over here when it was announced it was postponed due to the weather. Iv also had friends book tickets and flights for a premier league game only for it to be cancelled due to a fa cup replay. These things happen in sport despite everyone's best efforts.

Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 22/03/2018 15:21:17    2087003

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Good thread and very true. I thought the free taking was exciting and novel.

The giving out is non stop and the gaa are now being blamed for the snow.

Always been part of us but at times it's too much.

carlovia (None) - Posts: 1517 - 22/03/2018 19:20:10    2087084

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There will always be problems and that is life as we all have different opinions on many things. Too many rule changes resulting in all types of cards which makes the game more difficult to Ref. The game has become very difficult to watch-maybe if we went back to football it would become more interesting. Players having to train 6 nights a week for county (and also in some clubs) is a problem for amateur sport- this restricts the job development of young adults. And! more and more guys at the top getting larger and larger pay packets.

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 22/03/2018 19:43:58    2087095

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TBF Loughnane does think about what he writes and he may have a point re penalties. But the Clare mangement saying that a replay the following weekend could have worked seemed to lack any real thought . Would it have been fair to Galway and Wexford if they draw this weekend and ended on 65's? What would happen if Clare and Limerick ended in a draw again after a replay? Totally agree though that its impossible to please everyone or anyone sometimes in the GAA and its getting worse.

ZUL10 (Clare) - Posts: 693 - 22/03/2018 21:11:29    2087124

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Replying To keeper7:  "Spoken like a true football man."
Yes, and quite funny actually considering "football people" are the quintessence of unhappiness with their never- ending desire to tinker with the rules of football and carry it to a stage where they want to introduce football only rules into hurling!! (eg the black card rule). For the most part "hurling people are quite happy with their sport and the rules that apply to it but would be even happier if " football people" would just keep their meddling to football!

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1902 - 23/03/2018 02:26:13    2087156

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I think 65s and frees to settle a drawn game is exciting and a good test of skill and nerve. You can't have similar in soccer as the chances of scoring a goal from distance against an alert keeper would be low. So this allows GAA to showcase a skill. I'm all for it and agree the moaners need a custard pie in the face every time they start

essmac (Tyrone) - Posts: 1141 - 23/03/2018 07:07:55    2087161

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Replying To PoolSturgeon:  "Yes, and quite funny actually considering "football people" are the quintessence of unhappiness with their never- ending desire to tinker with the rules of football and carry it to a stage where they want to introduce football only rules into hurling!! (eg the black card rule). For the most part "hurling people are quite happy with their sport and the rules that apply to it but would be even happier if " football people" would just keep their meddling to football!"
There's a little bit of truth in both posts, IMO.

Yes, hurling people are generally happier with the state of their game, and you can see this in the night and day attitudes of hurling and football analysts. There is a lovely absence of negativity from the hurling lads that unfortunately is not replicated among football analysts.

HOWEVER: for all the pride that hurling people have in their game, there is also an insecurity there, probably grounded in the fact that football is (and probably always will be) the more popular game. Thus, there is always a bit of anxiety there that hurling won't get the prominence it deserves (or will decline in playing numbers), hence the outcry over the Super 8s and how they'd overshadow the hurling championship.

I've heard hurling people make comments about bursting every football in the parish etc. which you'd seldom hear the other way around.

DISCLAIMER: I play and enjoy both games.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 23/03/2018 09:08:55    2087171

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