I know it's sacrilege to invoke the 'other code' here but could counties with less resources possibly emulate the achievements of
a club that started the season as 5000/1 outsiders ? Could something similar happen in the GAA. I know Leicester do have some backing but it's a drop in the ocean compared to top clubs. Could we see a well drilled Louth or Clare winning Sam??

avonali (Dublin) - Posts: 1974 - 05/05/2016 11:05:08    1852204

I don't think we need look at the ladyball sport for inspiration when you can look back at what Donegal achieved.

KerryKillers (Dublin) - Posts: 711 - 05/05/2016 11:43:21    1852231

Can't see the comparison there KK... the Donegal team were a bunch of underachievers when Jim McG took over, not a crowd of no hopers. They had lots of talent, had won the league, in 09 I think, so just needed direction and belief. Leicester's success is a thank you from Richard III! If only Mayo could find someone worth reburying, to counteract the curse!

Pericles (Mayo) - Posts: 2521 - 05/05/2016 12:57:57    1852266

How many of the Leicester team came through the youth ranks or are from the Leicester area.?
They are from all over the world. Maybe Leicester bought shrewdly but they still bought in their team so don't see how a GAA team could follow their template

Jack_Sparrow (Westmeath) - Posts: 1016 - 05/05/2016 13:23:53    1852287

Don't think Donegal's success is in any way comparable. It's a big county with a fairly sizeable population and is to all intents and purposes a one Gaelic code county.

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1903 - 05/05/2016 13:35:14    1852294

Donegal had good players, and as far as I can see Leicester have good players also, a good manager got the very best out of them both.

Donegal were no hopers when McGuinness took over as I recall, anyway I'd be more inclined to look at what could be achieved by looking at other counties within our own sport as they are completely different sports playing wise and administratively.

Just an opinion.

KerryKillers (Dublin) - Posts: 711 - 05/05/2016 14:23:57    1852316

Better teams look at the likes of Minaghan and Roscommon. Smaller counties who put in the hard graft underage and are seeing more success now.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9135 - 05/05/2016 14:40:51    1852319