Hi, really do not want to get discussion on a county basis. For once I want to be a sit on the fence guy. I have a young lad 14 this year and has struggled to get games on the under 14 team in our club at the end and really through the last Season. Now that is even on the B panel. Can he play the game well I would say yes Been his dad I would say that, but yes he can play read the game well judge movements etc.What is the problem well he is tiny physically is not matching those around him and the coach does not believe " he will make it" Coaches words the not mine and said to me at end of session in November near end of Season.I have been a life long gaa person have had young lad in the club since he was 4 and we both have been everything in the club well you know what I mean all jobs never say No last out lock up ect.He has played at all age levels and this is the first time he has faced this.


I have sat on executive level, have defended coaches and mentors and respected them when other lashed and I always looked for the good in others. Have read reports after reports heard about policy policy, policy well we have all read them, but the people who need to action them don't and I put myself up as one of them has been a past officer. I would not have the ability or skill to coach and would never put myself out as one. I stood aside from all club matters this year. To be honest my young guys heart is broken, why well the other night driving by club he asked about a transfer and how it could be done to a neighbour club that is actually in next county, I told him our club could block it but we look into it.I I said I would go anywhere as long as he was happy. He does not want to, I know that but as he say all he wants to do is play gaa. Not soccer not anything else, gaa,He has come out of the winter from playing basketball and reached all Ireland club to make that the coaches followed the guide lines laid down as to rotation etcs

I hear you all say stop living your dreams through young lad,it's not that I have stood up and fought hard for inclusion of everyone and others turned the other way and became DGI ( Don't get involved)a great Irish way .All I want is for a young boy lad young man to be happy to be doing something he loves and enjoys.

Last point my club sent out a tweet some weeks ago for under 17 game .It was simple saying all come along welcomed .They struggled to get a team out And your at 13 your told you will be told you will not make it .And where will all those 13 and 14 end up. So when your worrying about Meath football inter county recall at best there is at most only ever 30 players what about the other 300 who love and want to play the game but who coaches who have wild egos.

Who looks after those young lads needs.

I normally put my name to something but in this case to prevent my young lads id or club to be known I have chose not to id myself.But to all the detectives who read here it wont take to many hours to work out who this is.

niceguy69 (Meath) - Posts: 1 - 03/04/2014 14:26:05    1569967

Unfortunately many coaches (normally the father of one of the players) at under age are too concerned about winning rather than developing a player. Typically they are given a team and they judge their success on how well the team do in the competitions. Nobody tells them any different. In relation to your son who can say at that age (13/14) what type of adult footballer he will become.Obviously it is a big club you are involved in and with big clubs you lose a lot of potential talent due to this obsession with winning.It will take strong leadership from the top to change the way things work in a typical GAA club but it can be done.Before you give up have a chat with the chairman and ask his opinion on the situation.

Poormouth (Meath) - Posts: 204 - 03/04/2014 16:09:08    1570021

As said above, who knows what sort of an adult player is being turned off football here. I've seen kids get a growth spurt at 16-17 and turn into giants overnight. One of the biggest problems facing GAA is the calibre of person managing kids teams. We're not as bad as the soccer yet but it's getting there.
I'd also agree that you should talk to someone in the club. There should be a coaching officer in place who may be able to address your concerns. Having your kid leave the club to go elsewhere should be way down your list of options.

Greenfield (Meath) - Posts: 522 - 03/04/2014 16:46:13    1570043

By the time that team is minor half of the lads will have quit, taken up different sports or not be depended on to turn up every week. I bet they'll want this young lad then.

Royalmartyn (Meath) - Posts: 28 - 03/04/2014 18:44:26    1570103

niceguy69-unfortunality this sort of thing is all too prevalent and unfortunately the guy you are referring must be a pretty miserable coach or otherwise he would not have made such a comment (maybe he did not mean it and it is just ignorance on his behalf). Nobody should be told at u14 that they 'will not make it'. Its unfortunate that many coaches nowadays do not realise that the main job of any underage coach/manager is to develop the players that he has under his care and hopefully improve them as time moves them into older grades. Having considerable experience with most aspects of football I would also add that some of the best players at u14 end up not playing into adult and as one goes through life we all moves at different speed in everything we do into adult life and through our work life My advice to you is have a chat with a mature football person in the club and try to resolve. It is unfortunate that many coaches who have sons on teams are really only interest in themselves and results (and that happens unfortunately at county underage level as well-human nature being as it is) Of course a good coach/ manager is interested in results, however at underage good coaches/managers have the ability to realises that bringing all players along with you is exceptionally important to a club (adult football should be more result based)

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 04/04/2014 13:38:24    1570349

I feel for your son. From reading your post you are obviously well known within your club and surely if you're so passionate about your son playing, you should try and get a third team going for the weaker kids within you're club... Surely this could be a solution to the problem. You would need to talk to other clubs and see have they the same problems. !! Which I'm sure they have. But to do this it might mean you've to get of the fence you're sitting on.. I know you say you would do anything to have you're son playing.. How do you know your son would get anymore game time in another club ??

The managers of any of the clubs have to be doing something right if week in week out they're fielding 2 teams in this day and age !! Surely this is something you could put you're energy into and would be a hugh help to your club as well as other clubs with similar problems...

royaljackeen (Meath) - Posts: 37 - 04/04/2014 13:42:14    1570350

Nice guy , this is a cancer slowly crepping throughout clubs nationwide especially urban ones. The downside of this is no one wants to mentor these weaker kids who can be every bit as special and talented later on as kids mature differently which gives a greater satisfaction to mentors for developing them , examples being john mc Dermot, Brian Stafford , the brays all failed to play under age for meath .This situation has to be a major concern for the chairman and committee of every club and especially your club and one that they must address as it could result in loosing a lot of talent on and off the playing field, .Also committes dealing with issues like this one I believe that can make and break clubs, whereby a show of strength to endorse ELITISM is not part of under13/14 gaa games, but unfortunately this it is the narrow minded mentors within your club.As for going to another club do you honestly think it will be any different? The advise I would give you is to writer your concerns to your juvenile or senior committee and let us know what your reply is. Best of luck .

cilles man (Meath) - Posts: 142 - 06/04/2014 09:02:46    1570859

Adding to my previous comment , as you have served on committees during your child's involvement for the last number of years , and the fact you have accepted that coaching or mentoring teams is not your strong point. The club concerned should be dealing with this issue with a serious concern as it shows, you have the interest , you not a parent just dropping off their child acting as a baby sitting service , also you have paid your membership and they have a call of duty to provide football for all that pay . Have given up your valuable time to be involved in the running of the club it's shows the club officials up badly if they don't act accordingly as it's failing to provide what the association is all about, that's my view.

cilles man (Meath) - Posts: 142 - 06/04/2014 10:40:42    1570883

This discussion deserves and needs much more attention than the few very good contributions on here. I would not be very articulate but I want to stress that the win at all costs attitude at juvenile level is a poision in the GAA. I am involved at juvenile level in my club for just about 6 years and the father of a good footballer who should always be well able to be among the best in his age group. I am with a big club with good success within the juvenile ranks that is not been capped at senior level. I have changed my views on this issue in the last few years especially as I see all the time the evidence and having seen the consequences the long term harm it does to a club. Very few managers/mentors within my club would share my view, but when you see only 1 member of a team which won under 12, 14 & 15 leagues, who is only in his mid twenties, is the only left from that team still playing football with the club, questions must be asked. I know parents sometimes are biased in their views but I walked the sideline last week during a juvenile game and all the parents were very unhappy with how elitist the club had become and how unhappy their kids were. We will certainly lose more kids when we should be developing them and making sure they are enjoying playing football. Kids develop at different stages and your weak footballer today could be your star tomorrow and even if they don't it's still our duty to develop them to the best of their ability. I am not advocating doing away with trophies and agree the games should be competitive but win at all costs is doing so much damage.

madmeath (Meath) - Posts: 50 - 14/04/2014 18:14:51    1575136