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Donegal GAA thread - 1 Like(s)

Replying To Northwest90:  "Some interesting results in the SFC this weekend.
Downings unlucky not to get the victory v N Conaill.

Shaun Ward scored for Glenfin after being in America with Donegal Boston intermediates who are still in competition. I think that makes him ineligible by the terms of his sanction unless I'm incorrect? N Columba with fair grounds to appeal."
He's okay because he's over his 60 days - got his approval in early June. Good help for Glenfin having him back.

donegalgael-12 (National) - 10/08/2026 06:40:16

International Rules - 1 Like(s)
Most GAA players now start at 5/6 in their clubs. Its something similar in OZ.

So Kobe is starting at least 10 years behind his team mates on the skills of the oval ball.
Thats a lot of hours to put in to catch up - and most Irish lads never do.

So they end up being half backs (winning breaks and "tagging" the oppositions best players. Becoming "water carriers" in an inferior game (IMO).

It is a shame for GAA that we lose some of our very best footballers when they chose to be average water carriers on a professional team - unlikely to gain any money outside the sport - as sponsors don't really pay up to be associated with average players.

tirawleybaron (National) - 10/08/2026 08:48:17

Galway Hurling thread - 1 Like(s)

Replying To BigBàsMan:  "I agree with you there. They have to bridge that gap against ballygunner etc. they will have it all to do this year. I can see a few shocks along the way. Craughwell are building, clarinbridge are building but as the saying goes talent is not always enough. You need that bit of grit and doggedness. I would also say st Thomas' will have a bit say. I heard this year was the first year Thomas' had David burke for a league game. That's insane"
They are not a patch on St Thomas`s and have a long way to go to even be in the same breath as them or Potumna in the 2005 - 2015.

Eire89 (National) - 10/08/2026 09:01:56

Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)

Replying To yew_tree:  "Got knocked out last year with a last second kick v Donegal. I wouldn't say Mayo came from "nowhere"
If it's nowhere than a lot of teams are nowhere! Like a lot of things it's very as bad as it seems or as good on the other end. Mayo will need to evolve again next year and I think management know that."
Mayo were huge odds before a ball was kicked and then were hammered by Roscommon, nobody even the staunchest Mayo fans predicted what was too happen, sensational work by Andy Moran.

Got a bit of luck with the draw but who could say they didn't deserve it after all those years and certainly nothing lucky about the final, scoreline flatters Kerry.

TheBishop (National) - 10/08/2026 09:24:15

Anti GAA Agenda - 1 Like(s)

Replying To Kew:  "Seems English rugby league are targeting Irish summers as a new market. Leinster rugby will be hosting 2 rugby league games next year during GAA season. Interesting the are not going to Scotland or Wales they are targeting Ireland"
Weekend in Dublin vs weekend in Swansea or Aberdeen....?!

Seanfan (National) - 10/08/2026 11:06:53

Anti GAA Agenda - 1 Like(s)

Replying To Kew:  "Seems English rugby league are targeting Irish summers as a new market. Leinster rugby will be hosting 2 rugby league games next year during GAA season. Interesting the are not going to Scotland or Wales they are targeting Ireland"
What's this got to do with the 'Anti GAA' agenda?

Square_B (National) - 10/08/2026 11:32:23

"It's Worrying For Hurling!" - 1 Like(s)

Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Hurling needs to get back in the limelight or it will shrink, never mind develop. A problem its being fighting for 100 years.

Some easy solutions:
1. All hurling to be on free to air TV on Friday and Saturday evenings
2. Knock out provincials with a "super 8" All Ireland
3. Move hurling championship to have semis and finals in August - after football is over. Start leagues later too.
4, Change some playing rules:
(a) solo and go / hand back the ball - has been the biggest game changer in football, no reward for fowling now at all
(b) 2 points for a sideline cut over the bar
(c) indirect free for throw ball
(d) reduce size of goalkeeper hurl (no more "half door" hurls)
(e) 4 points for a goal (only at intercounty)
(f) Try out a 4/5 up rule - try to increase space for attackers
(g) Ban short puck out - all must cross 45/halfway/65 depending on age group/level
(h) ban the back pass to the keeper"
I'm not so sure on changing the rules, we have some great years with the same rules i don't think they are the problem. We shouldn't make knee jerk responses based on a year where the primary problem was down to lack of close games. Problem number one is the lack of crowds going to Leinster hurling matches. Kilkenny could be playing Galway in Nowlan Park or Salthill in the RR and you might have just over 8000 at it. Problem number two is the number of counties playing hurling and the relatively small number that can realistically compete for the All Ireland. More needs to be done to grow the game and help counties compete. We need the likes of Wexford, Offaly and Dublin challenge for an All Ireland. Changing the rules of hurling is insignificant in relation to these two problems.

1. All hurling to be on free to air TV on Friday and Saturday evenings
All intercounty Hurling needs to be on free to air or put all the games on a GAA channel and charge a flat affordable fee for it that is available on TV. The GAA promotes volunteerism, community and inclusion and putting games behind a paywall only available online seems to contradict their own values.

2. Knock out provincials with a "super 8" All Ireland
Munster hurling is the jewel in the GAA crown. No other provincial championship in hurling or football comes anyway close in terms of games, crowds, colour, tradition and atmosphere. People talk about Ulster football but its about half the size in terms of attendance. Munster championship 2025 average attendance is 29,900 and Ulster football is around 15,000. You lose or dilute Munster you could lose it all. More important to fix Leinster and get crowds going to these matches.

3. Move hurling championship to have semis and finals in August - after football is over. Start leagues later too.
Would love to see the final at least in August regardless of what football is doing. Round robin should start in May and not April.

4, Change some playing rules:
(a) solo and go / hand back the ball - has been the biggest game changer in football, no reward for fouling now at all.
Could be worth trialing. Putting the spare hand in on the tackle to interrupt the player just enough then removing it again probably needs to be tidied up.

(b) 2 points for a sideline cut over the bar.
I'd leave this alone as it could slow down the play as you'd be bringing over your specialist who would have to go through the motions each time before cutting it over. It would just become a bit mundane over time.

(c) indirect free for throw ball
I'd leave the rule alone just enforce it i.e. there should be clear seperation, if there isn't its a free,

(d) reduce size of goalkeeper hurl (no more "half door" hurls)
Fine the way it is imo

(e) 4 points for a goal (only at intercounty)
I would leave this alone as well. You don't want to make the variance between a point and a goal too large. 3 is the perfect middle ground imo.

(f) Try out a 4/5 up rule - try to increase space for attackers
I wouldn't change this either. Hurling teams should be free to exploit space as they see it. Rules would limit this freedom.

(g) Ban short puck out - all must cross 45/halfway/65 depending on age group/level
Wouldn't do this either. If you are a corner back who is comfortable on the ball, why should a rule be put in place that suddenly bans you from looking for the ball. Freedom of choice and variation in play should be encouraged rather than discouraged imo.

(h) ban the back pass to the keeper
I'd leave this alone too. As a coach of young kids its very difficult enough already to find someone to go in goal, saying the keeper now can't get involved in the play would make it harder. Also it is a positive aspect of the game when the keeper gets involved like Billy Nolan does for Waterford for example. Why would you want to change it?

Fitzy01 (National) - 10/08/2026 12:00:57

"It's Worrying For Hurling!" - 1 Like(s)
I know it was famous for people being baffled about what was even going on, but the time travel trick from the film Tenet seems to be the answer to hurling's problems.

We keep the championship as is, but start it in late July and play it backwards, with the provincial finals in late May and the All Ireland final in April.

That way everyone is happy; the games all have meaning, the championship is completed in a reasonable timeframe, and everyone gets to experience the magical June&July hurling even if they lose every game.

Technically you'd already know who has won before the championship even started, but we'll live with that.

CastleBravo (National) - 10/08/2026 14:31:49

Donegal GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Hi lads, in case anyone missed it and is wondering, I'm away for the next week or so. So there won't be any scores totted up for last weekend's games just yet.

I'll post this weekend's fixtures later in the week. Then when I'm home, I'll do the scores for both weeks and a leaderboard.

Yiamas!

Lockjaw (National) - 10/08/2026 16:06:04