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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: 753 - 05/04/2016 19:06:40 1842285 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
Malonemagic (Laois) Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 05/04/2016 19:36:25 1842300 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
Malone, I sympathise fully & don't blame you one bit. MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5028 - 05/04/2016 19:55:42 1842309 Link 0 |
you'll need a sky sports and a bt sports subscription before you thank God for the PL SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 05/04/2016 19:56:22 1842310 Link 0 |
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: 9688 - 05/04/2016 19:56:25 1842311 Link 0 |
I would agree with most of your sentiments. gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 05/04/2016 20:07:00 1842321 Link 0 |
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: 753 - 05/04/2016 20:11:45 1842323 Link 0 |
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: 753 - 05/04/2016 20:22:41 1842325 Link 0 |
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. Green_Gold (Donegal) - Posts: 1870 - 05/04/2016 20:30:39 1842327 Link 0 |
Ulsterman (Antrim) Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 05/04/2016 20:32:03 1842329 Link 0 |
Thing is,its the same for every county.. ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 05/04/2016 20:39:08 1842331 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
Green Gold ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 05/04/2016 20:40:15 1842334 Link 0 |
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 Link 0 |
Malone, I sympathise fully & don't blame you one bit. The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2087 - 05/04/2016 20:53:29 1842342 Link 0 |
Ulsterman (Antrim) AHP (Dublin) - Posts: 323 - 05/04/2016 20:54:44 1842346 Link 0 |
Ulsterman (Antrim) The_Fridge (Tyrone) - Posts: 2087 - 05/04/2016 20:54:48 1842347 Link 0 |
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: 753 - 05/04/2016 20:59:38 1842349 Link 0 |