The Dubs, The Monies & The Prejudices - 5 Like(s)
Ah well, here we go again - the old chestnut of Dublin's finances. Jealousy and begrudgery is alive and well throughout the GAA. The structure of the Leinster GAA administration is made up by the elected delegates from the 12 counties of the province. If the other eleven counties wish to change the financial structure then they vote accordingly at Leinster Council Congress (AGM), but this will never happen - why? because the majority believe the status quo is fine. The various counties can shout and roar all they like but until the delegates from the counties are instructed by their county boards to act in a particular manner then nothing will change. The path to change must come from the bottom up - actually starting at club level. Likewise the GAA Central Council operates on the same basis so nothing will change there either. The power to change the level of finance dispersed to any county lies with the various representatives from the various counties and provinces. Those are the people who have decided to give the All-Ireland, League and Provincial winners the present level of monies based on their success. Dublin County Board are only a small part of this process. There are 31 other counties plus UK and USA Associations with the lion's share of the say. Population is something that is thrown up as an advantage to Dublin - Meath, Kildare, Louth and Wicklow have huge populations but they still can't procure 15/20 players to give Dublin a game in the Leinster Championship. Money may very will be a major issue, but it depends on how the money is spent. It was interesting to note that in an RTE Text article recently the writer suggested that even if the other counties received massive financial support would they still be the poor relations in the football sense. Dublin have spent their money wisely, investing in underage structures, coaching and facilities with proper qualified coaches appointed at various levels both in football and hurling. Dublin had long periods in the wilderness particularly in the 80's, 90's and Noughties - they went 16 years without an All-Ireland success until 2011. During that time there was plenty of money around, plenty of great players and great managers but until they put a plan in place no success was forthcoming. The plan worked, it brought success, more players, more money - so what - you reap what you sow!!! The opportunity is there for every county to get up of their arses and work, work, work for success. To win trophies in any sport nowadays there has to be an unbelievable commitment, in fact at times it takes a complete change of lifestyle by those involved. That is what Dublin have done for the past 8-9 years and it has paid off. It's up to the other counties to get their act together. Mayo, Tyrone, Donegal, Galway, the ever present Kerry and possibly Roscommon and Armagh are heading in the right direction. The rest have a lot to learn. Croke Park as a venue is another kernel of controversy. There has to be a National/Headquarters Stadium somewhere so no matter where it is, it will be construed by some as an advantage to the county in which it is located. If it was in Leitrim would it be an advantage to Leitrim football - possibly but I doubt it. Commercially it would be great for Carrick-on-Shannon. So geography plays its part - therefore it's not Dublin's fault that the main GAA stadium is located in their back yard, also the fact that huge crowds go there for Dubs games, notwithstanding this years low numbers but with the calibre of other counties playing there, what do you expect. The idea of moving Dublin out of Croke Park was resoundly defeated by DELEGATES at the GAA Congress this year. Some years back Leinster delegates voted 10 to 1 to keep Dublin in Croke Park - that's democracy. The vast majority of players at all grades always have a wish to play in Croke Park. Why deny them? Dublin could play in any part of Ireland and could possibly win the vast majority of their matches. As regards splitting Dublin in two - I figure the All -Ireland Final would be between the 'Two Dublins' - what then. To those who have a problem with the Dublin set up at the moment I would ask them to look at the bigger picture and consider what they can do to change the situation. Constantly giving out about Dublin is not going to change anything in the slightest. How about other counties getting their houses in order for a start.

CHESELDORMAY (National) - 29/06/2019 13:11:48

Longford Championship 2019 - 1 Like(s)

CHESELDORMAY (Longford) - 08/10/2019 11:42:14