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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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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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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 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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Croke Park expansion - 1 Like(s)
The only extension we need is an extension to this redicioulously short gaa season. The gaa are cutting off their own own oxygen supply and we are innocent victims of a blinded alley. Please nobody try to make sense of the whole lot because that's impossible when greed is to the forefront. Money from concerts etc directed to grassroots does not have the same power as money from 164,000 fans in croker in September with the possibility of a replay in October..Exposure of our players is what will sustain our game not easy monet from concerts etc. A very prominent intercounty manager recently publicly said that the club season was too long and who could argue with him pointing out the obvious.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 02/12/2025 00:05:00
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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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Mayo GAA Thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Dothesimplethingswell: "He's been a great servant to Mayo GAA and I know his heart is definitely in the right place but I feel its just too soon for him. The way Mayo managers have been treated recently is not somewhere I'd like to see Andy going. He's going to need 6 years and the first 3 of those are going to be barren. Think of what McGeeney achieved simply because he was given time. A 3 yr cycle wont work in Mayo. I wish him the best of luck he really is a great guy." Here I am replying to myself!! I didnt mean that his first 3 yrs would be barren, what I meant was that expectations must be realistic and even at that I think a Connacht title is realistic but an All-Ireland is probably not realistic in in that term. Andy is a players man and he will get them playing football. He was very popular in Leitrim and that says plenty.. Theres plenty of begrudgers on about his lack of experience but experience is only beneficial if it is good experience!!. He has great heart and energy and I hope Mayo Co board realise that if given the proper time (and conditions) Mayo football will blossom under him.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 12/08/2025 11:55:07
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Club Football Championships - General Discussion - 1 Like(s)
Replying To legendzxix: "Great passion in Croke Park yesterday.
This isn't an anti-Dublin comment. These occasions are better without Dublin teams. Dublin super clubs are just a bit soulless. Just not the same genuine ingredients of blood, sweat and tears. That's more of a Leinster matter anyway. The Leinster challenge never materialised.
The score by Brigids to equalise at the end of normal time was superb. Dingle after going 3 down in extra time had to dig deep again. The club championships since the start of August have been absolutely brilliant!" I agree with you and my response is not anti Dublin either as its amazing to see GAA to the forefront in a capital city where so many other sports are played. The big Dublin clubs have the same core of supporters that every rural club has and are as equally fanatic about their club however they have become victims of massive population increase and domestic migration and the rural parish is much more connected than that of an urban one. I had to explain to a man yesterday with no interest in the GAA they they were 2 parishes playing in Croke Park yesterday and he literally couldn't believe it!!. An earlier poster mentioned the drudgery of the national league (that nobody wants to win) and for entertainment, passion and raw guts I would take the parishes (clubs) playing any day of the week. The new rulesate definitely a factor and who knows now that they well bedded in we may get an exciting league campaign.
Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 19/01/2026 12:13:30
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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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Allianz protest - 1 Like(s)
Replying To sligo joe: " Replying To Pikeman96: "If you're serious that you won't be attending any League matches this year, then your action is indeed a boycott.
But the action by the Dublin players <u><b>is not a boycott</b></u>. It's a tokenistic "we think we should be seen to be doing something, but we're not prepared to do anything that would actually be hugely significant"."</div>Correct it is not a boycott, and some of the ex players have said that, none of them have made any claims about it's significance. They said it's a small gesture of solidarity with the oppressed Palestinians in Gaza. What is wrong with that. If the players or indeed anyone else want to make a small gesture of solidarity is that not OK?" Without taking sides here I really think this is just another bandwagon that some people will jump on for a bit of "look at me Im doing this in solidarity". Ive seen these "solidarity" protests over the years and to be honest there really is nothing gained be it help or recognition for those poor unfortunate people in this instance in Gaza. Theres no such thing as a small gesture of solidarity because that is just virtue signalling and tokenism. If players wanted to take a stand then refuse to play in the competition now that would be solidarity 100% boycotting/protesting but that's not going to happen because that means being serious about it. The GPA our moral compass organisation havent been either vocal or committed to boycotting or should I say fractionally boycotting Allianz. Let's get on with our games. Dothesimplethingswell (National) - 21/01/2026 17:05:42
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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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