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Leitrim GAA thread - 5 Like(s)
Lads..For the benefit of people of all ages who visit hoganstand for info about games, teams, happenings, and yes some banter, lets us take into consideration all of the users on this platform and try and avoid whatever personal gripes/views we have and not inflame a throw away comment that snowballs into a needless and pointless tit for tat argument that 99%of readers dont want to see. Banter is great but lets keep it at banter.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 03/01/2026 23:16:45
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Mayo GAA Thread - 4 Like(s)
Replying To Square_B: "What are you gibbering about... I said it... twice, so what? I never said you said it.
You don't see McEntee as good enough but Moran... no problem. Right I see. And as for other counties falling over themselves for McEntee... again, as you well know he was with Sligo for the last 5 years ... he could have been approached many times and you wouldn't have a blind bit of a clue. He's not Mickey Harte now in fairness... go here, go there, go anywhere..." Any chance we can keep this respectful to all? This platform is not for running people down it serves no purpose. Andy had to start somewhere and he started with Leitrim. Leitrim gave him the Job.. In your eyes it didnt work out and thats your view and thats fair enough. He knew nothing about Leitrim football on starting and as an outsider how would he? Ive stated before that there are many challenges in Leitrim and one manager left after one year not so long ago. As a player Andy Moran constantly performed for Mayo especially on the big day..That's character and thats a big plus in management. Straight away he knows most of the players and some he even played with and that's a huge platform to start with. Plus he's inheriting a reasonably competitive Div 1 team. Let's wish him well and look at your own county board if you want to criticise.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 15/08/2025 14:45:16
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Club Football Championships - General Discussion - 4 Like(s)
Replying To Ros2013: "That's some year for Kerry football. Well done to Dingle and I've no doubt Brigids will be back heartbreaking as it is." We were treated to one of the greatest games of football ever witnessed in Croke Park. Shackles off meant football was the real winner. Its heartbreaking for Bridgids as I thought they had it but im glad it didnt go to penalties. What a year for Kerry football they are making hay with the new rules.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 18/01/2026 19:40:57
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Club Football Championships - General Discussion - 3 Like(s)
Replying To Dothesimplethingswell: "We were treated to one of the greatest games of football ever witnessed in Croke Park. Shackles off meant football was the real winner. Its heartbreaking for Bridgids as I thought they had it but im glad it didnt go to penalties. What a year for Kerry football they are making hay with the new rules." I also forgot to mention the contribution that TG4 make to these games. It really is thrilling commentary and coverage and no nonsense talk. The commentators and presenter really bring these games to life and it is an experience to listen and watch even though I understand everything being said.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 18/01/2026 20:34:05
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Donegal - 2 Like(s)
Most counties would give their left arm to be in Donegals position. Look at the mammoth rise in 2 years: 2 Ulsters, div 2 league title and AI semi & final appearance. There was probably too much expectation around this team to win the AI and this brought about a fall to the point where theres a lot of negativity around the team and this years campaign. A lot of wise after the event comment. Its not a failure. Donegal simply were not good enough on the day Kerry were in their 3rd final in 4 years with way more experience and many already medal holders. McGuinness needs to stay for a few years id say 2 at least. Nobody else would have achieved what he did with Donegal football. No shame in losing that AI the future is very bright.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 04/08/2025 07:31:25
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Monaghan GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Claretandblue: "It's a draw!!!!!!" This is exactly why we should not scrap the provincials. The Ulster championship just keeps on giving. Well done today Monaghan.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 02/05/2026 20:14:41
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Kerry 2022-Current Team Better Than 04-09 Team? - 2 Like(s)
I thought Kerrys best and most underated player of that era was Declan O Sullivan. That man was constantly in the trenches for Kerry and a man for all seasons. He could defend, carry the ball, hold it up to wait for backup, score and was a brilliant support player. Its difficult to compare players then to now as so much has changed for e.g. the Gooch would not feature on a Kerry team from about 2017 when he retired until the rules changed last year as blanket defenses would have choked him but he would blossom in the new rules now. There was a Tom o Sullivan back then and theres another now also, both very reliable but the one today is an absolute lynchpin for Kerry and his performances for Dingles AI campaign were as good as Ive ever seen. There seemed to be more individual characters back then on every team who took on the game because of the way it was back then where it was less of a system. When David Moran retired a gaping hole was left at midfield for a few years and I felt that really cost Kerry and he was a trojan for Kerry. The new rules have allowed good footballers to blossom and Kerry are miles ahead on that front but nobody can begrudge good football. There are many characters now on the current team who take the game by the scruff of the neck Gavin White, Tom O Sullivan, Paudie, O Connor if they keep themselves injury free a 3 in a row is very possible. I forgot to mention D Clifford as nobody is close to thus man in terms of what he can do.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 23/06/2026 23:40:59
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Mayo GAA Thread - 2 Like(s)
It really is hard to make any plans for or sense of Mayo anymore. The first half when Mayo went out in front and let Ros back into it told us that they were not going to put them away and after the Ros goal they knew they could keep within touching distance of them. Mayo are just so unpredictable and collapses are too frequent and a favourites tag in the championship has never served them well. They will most likely go on to take a big scalp in the championship when there is no pressure on them but today was not a good day for Mayo football.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 26/04/2026 20:58:33
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Allianz protest - 2 Like(s)
Replying To BarneyGrant: "There's a variety of opinions and have been on among Dublin players, As I'm sure there are on all teams, county and club,
You just don't hear maybe about well known AI winners who certainly are not 'Woke' on issues such as abortion, immigration etc, They don't and haven't used their jersey to preach on them." BarneyGrant that is the best piece of text I've ever read on this forum. They do say that empty vessels make the most noise
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 23/01/2026 00:28:41
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Kerry GAA Thread - 2 Like(s)
The conveyer belt is looking good for Kerry..Some brilliant footballers on display today no 9 and that red haired sub what guts he showed. Its great news for Kerry that these natural footballers are playing under new rules and allowed to actually play football and shine but its bad new for the c
rest of us but footbal wins out well done today.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 30/05/2026 19:40:42
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Can Jack O'connor Over Take Jim Gavin? - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Dothesimplethingswell: "I think there are many factors involved in this debate. It makes the all star selection look easy. Gavin did inherit an All Ireland winning team and there was exceptional players on it and the backbone of it remained right through but that is not taking away from any of his achievements as there was an incredible never say die attitude about them. O Connor won it in 3 different stints though 06 & 09 were similar teams. What does impress me about OConnor is the gap between title no. 3 (2009) and no. 4 (2022) and finally this year. Football changed so much in those years. The change in the last 12 months was challenging with the new rules and he is the first manager to win under them but in the 10 or so years he was away from the senior team was that he went back into the underage setup and won 2 minor all irelands and also took the U21s. Winning All-Irelands 18 years apart is very impressive especially with the change in the game and times. Im not going to call any of the managers the greatest as it is subjective under so many factors but they have all made our games great and none of them will be forgotten." Ill add to that to correct myself!! O Connor won All-Irelands that were 21 years apart his first in 2004 and his latest in 2025. Theres something to be said for that especially with the change in times and football. In one of his first league games in charge Kerry were beaten by Longford of all teams!! He described the journey home that Sunday evening as one of the longest of his life. Let us not forget great men like Liam Kearns & John o Mahony both deceased now who brought counties to great heights over the years.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 22/08/2025 10:48:25
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David Clifford The Goat - 2 Like(s)
The greatest I have ever seen..We saw him come up through minor and win two All-Irelands almost on his own. Then to come up to senior, get even better and win two more All Irelands that Kerry definitely would not have won without him.. 2021 he went off injured against tyrone and Kerry lost that semi final. Its the headaches he give opposing teams and managers...how do we deal with this guy...how do we plan?? if the plan to thwart Clifford doesnt work (which it rarely does) then you simply lose that game most of the time. The
energy needed to negate him is huge because you cant mark him. Apart from his incredible footballing skills his vision to put through a pass to open a defence is something special. He has also played many years under the old rules, now in new rules and getting better so there is no player comparable to him in.my own humble opinion.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 01/07/2026 17:34:02
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David Clifford GOAT - 2 Like(s)
Replying To tirawleybaron: "To be the goat you need a few things to happen
1. Win a championship by dragging an average team over the line on your back, like Maurice Fitz in 1997
2. Won 8 all Ireland medals, like Pat Spillane or James McCarthy
3. Score a record no of goals and points from play - like Mikey Sheehy
4. Win 5 player of the year awards - which no one else has done
5. Have changed the way the game is played like Stephen Cluxton
Clifford is a longway from those things at the moment.
He has the ability to be the GOAT but has to pull the finger out and keep doing it.
Michael Jordan/Tiger Woods/Serena Williams/Roger Federer/Stephen Hendry/Usain Bolt type sportspeople never had an offer day, and kept getting better every day until they got too old. They were relentless in the pursuit of greatness. Clifford hasn't shown that type of attitude until this season.
If he goes and backs it up next year and the year after, then we can talking about the goat.
For now, he is just the best footballer this year. He wasn't last year or the year before." Fireman Sam wouldn't have a look in with those requirements.... To be this GOAT you're saying the player must by default (No. 2 on your list) be on the greatest team of that era but by the same token win a championship by dragging an average team over the line on your back..(No. 1 on your list) I'm struggling with that without even mentioning the other points. I think the best peoples opinion we could ask are the opposing managers and players...The amount of time and energy vested in trying to nullify his threat would is frightening and speaks volumes. Thank God these new rules have allowed ametuer footballers play football freely and the pitch is not longer a basketball court. David Clifford has done things in Croke park (and elsewhere) from minor to senior that none of us have ever witnessed before. People travel from other clubs in Kerry just to watch him play in club games... This GOAT title is all very new but David Clifford is the greatest talent ever to play Gaelic football. He scored 1-9 in the semi final and 0-9 in the final and no motm award in either...He scored 8-61 in this championship alone, a tally associated with some players career total on retirement. I rest my case.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 29/07/2025 22:04:24
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Donegal GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To eddieSize5Balls: "As another poster pointed out above increased media scrutiny, focus on players and management comes with the territory of being an All Ireland contender consistently. Brian Cody was nippy with the media on occasion, Davy Fitz, Ger Loughnane, Mickey Harte, James Horan all had their moments but I don't feel any crossed the line like Jim did last weekend. You have to expect the media are going to come for you (I don't think Tommy went for him but asked a loaded enough question to see how it would go down) and I felt he could have handled that better. A simple "ah look there was a lot going on, lots of bodies out there and I thought the referee handled things well" would have shut it down there and then. Jim Gavin was famous for saying a lot of words but not actually saying much. The media have a job to do, easiest thing is to just not give them fuel for the fire. There was enough fuel from the on field stuff the last day without sticking another match to it after is all." Tommy would have been chastised if he didn't ask it though. And I dunno about you but I listen to him weekly and out of all the so called neutral pundits, he is by far the soundest and most genuine. Other ones have it out for Donegal. He doesn't.
It's his job to ask questions and he asked a fair one that should have been asked. Jim was caught off guard and reacted badly.
I agree with most of your points though. People forget the defensive football Tyrone played before Donegal started to in 2011.
And people seem to have this weird opinion that football from the 70s to 2011 was always great watch or attacking. Was it hell. Watch any old game and you'd see there was often poor play at the highest level too."]As a neutral i think McGuinness was well entitled to say what he did. For far too long these journalists have been asking lazy and controversial questions where most managers either avoided the question or answered it in a highly diplomatic way..In other words the question was never answered. It shouldn't be all their own way and if these journalists concentrated more on the game and tactics which is what they should be then they'd get 100% cooperation from managers. If they want controversy then theres theres the soaps znd love island..As a Gaa fan im interested in the game and let the ref and cc cc etc deal with the rest
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 28/05/2026 23:08:14
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Allianz protest - 1 Like(s)
Replying To keeper7: "Do people agree with boycotting Allianz? They insure absolutely everything for the GAA. The story below does not seem to be widely reported:
https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/allianz-and-aviva-drop-elbit-systems-insurance-after-palestine-protests" I understand the concern but if we strip back all services/ sponsorship in Ireland (to their core) we might just be a little stunned as to to how entangled we are as a small country in these areas and I include pensions in this.. Im a little surprised about the the GPA silence on this as normally human rights are to the forefront of their modus operandi. At least Gaa made a decision on this be it right or wrong but at least we know where they stand even though we may not know the logistics & obstacles of it all. I don't hear motorists groups protesting even though they insure many Gaa people's homes & cars. If county players to happy to play league games under Allianz sponsorship then the question is why the protest infront of the camera for 30 seconds after the game. If they are protesting against Allianz then they are either in or out.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 20/01/2026 20:34:28
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Allianz protest - 1 Like(s)
Replying To sligo joe: "Another "say nothing, do nothing, it will make no difference" post. Surely if players feel that allianz's business involvement in Israel is wrong they are fully entitled to refuse to stand beside (and therefore promote) their banner." They are fully entitled to refuse to stand beside the banner albeit for 25 seconds at the end of the game for what maybe 2 players? If they feel so entitled then why participate in the game at all and get the GPA to back them. They are either in or out
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 20/01/2026 21:02:41
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Sunday Game - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Fionn: "100%
And you'd defo miss Pat Spillane and Joe Brolly also." Yes 100%. Men who voiced their opinion whether it be right or wrong.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 18/06/2026 00:47:33
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Can Jack O'connor Over Take Jim Gavin? - 1 Like(s)
Replying To bláthach: "Brought them to a Leinster final and to division one. Haven't been there since" It looks like Jack is staying around. If Kerry win next yrs All Ireland it'll be his first back to back AI but it will also be Kerrys 40th All Ireland. Surely Kerrys greatest manager since Micko
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 24/08/2025 19:38:18
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Can Jack O'connor Over Take Jim Gavin? - 1 Like(s)
Replying To kerry4sam25: "Jim Gavin second best after the great Micko.
Jack O'Connor has 4 All Ireland as Kerry manager.
He is level with the great Sean Boylan and set to overtake. Can Jack overtake Jim Gavin?
Mick O'Dwyer 8 titles
Jim Gavin 6 titles
Jack O'Connor 4
Sean Boylan 4
Mickey Harte 3
Paidi O'Se 2
Dessie Farrell 2
John O'Mahony 2
Billy Morgan 2
Every year Kerry have league under Jack O'Connor they have won championship. Can they succeed again?" From my reckoning Jack O Connor has 5 All Irelands..04,06, 2010, 2022, 2025. Gavin was a superb manager and I take nothing away from his wins but the kettle was well boiled when he started and Pat Gilroy did the unbelievable by transforming the Dubs mentality previously. Gavin had a crop of an almost once in a lifetime group of players that would dig themselves out of any hole. One only has to look at what Ger Brennan is facing now to prove that. There are club & county managers that are up there and probably better than Gavin or O Connor but they didnt have the material to work with but they do it and keep doing it regardless. I have to admire O Connor winning All Irelands in 3 different decades (albeit the first 3 were within 7 yrs) but especially the last 2. Don't forget Kerry lost almost as many All Irelands in the last 35 yrs than they won now that's consistency while the Dubs fade away!! OConnor won a school AI title, a few vocational school AI titles, minor AI titles and is still at the coalface. Dessie Farrell came in after Gavin and won an AI in his first year the same way that Gavin came in after Gilroy and won an AI in 2013 (one year gap after 2011) There was no stopping that group of Dubln players. Gavin was an incredible manager but comparing his number of AI titles to O Connor or any other manager is simply not an adequate barometre.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 04/02/2026 22:37:31
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Can Jack O'connor Over Take Jim Gavin? - 1 Like(s)
Replying To sligo joe: "The truth is there is no adequate barometer, statistics can be used and indeed they can be weighted differently and after that we have opinion with all the conscious and unconscious biases that may be involved.
To win with more or less different groups over an extended period is admirable. To keep a core group of players that are laden down with medals to come back each year and win 5 on the trot, also admirable." I agree. Its all too too immeasurable. Its nearly all star territory which is heavily media driven, opiniated and depends very heavily on how long your team remains in the championship.
If we remember what Micko got out of Kildare (almost an AI), Wicklow, Laois, Clare and add that to his 8 All Irelands with Kerry I think hes well out in front in all respects as he stayed with it until the bitter end and he was an unbelievable man for the underdog. It'd be nice to see Jim Gavin return to management some day.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 05/02/2026 16:36:16
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