Was at the Club Forum last night in the Fairways Hotel. This was touted as the night the grassroots would have a say in the formulation of the Louth County Development Plan. They were never going to get the crowd of 400 that they were looking for but still they did get a crowd in excess of 200, which I suppose is pretty reasonable. A few clubs did not appear to be represented, but by and large most were there. Some of the most interesting views that were expressed came under the heading of facilities, and in particular in relation to County Grounds. There was strong support for the development of Darver as a County Ground under this heading. There was no support for any other venue. Now, read what you may into this, but it did appear to me that there is now a realisation that the development of the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda is a non runner. How else can the silence of the O'Ragahallaighs contingent, and the officers of the Co. Board who were all given the opportunity to have their say on this topic be interpreted. All week we've been listening to how this was the opportunity for the clubs to have their views taken on board. Last night the clubs had their say. Can we take it that the futile pursuit of the Gaelic Grounds development by a miniscule minority is now going to be abandoned?

Fifth Official (Louth) - Posts: 32 - 12/05/2009 09:44:19    280708

Fifth offical - wise up its NEVER going to happen!! The county grounds are NEVER going to be in Darver mainly for the following reasons:- 1) There is only planning permission for training games in Darver and NOT FOR COMPETITIVE GAMES 2) Infracture, how would roads cater for 15,000 people ??? as what somebody suggested last night!!! 3) The residents are totally against whats there at the moment never mind a stadium 4) The main hospital is in Drogheda, so it makes sense to have it there 5) Darver Committee has already got us into a mess, can't allow them to get us into a bigger one!! 6) Drogheda is the only place for the county grounds, it has everthing going for it, banks are already there for a terrace, hospital is beside the pitch, amble parking, two entrances into the pitch, a bar if people want to have a pint before the game & a motor way to the pitch (not stuck in the middle of nowhere like Darver) Fifth Offical, I bet your from Dundalk, it was fairly obvious last night of the divide in the county last night On another note, alot of people said to keep the development squads going, there together now five years and I don't think we have even reach a final with any of the teams involved, JOKE!!!! waste of money, scrap them all.

Rover (Louth) - Posts: 45 - 12/05/2009 10:25:50    280752

Ranter

Whether you like it or not, there was absolutely no support for the Gaelic Grounds last night. At this stage, people are sick of the non-progress on this issue. You may think that grass banks, hospitals and alcohol are the most important criteria. I and others happen to think that ownership is the most important.

The people spoke last night and told the small-minded blinkered individuals such as your good self what they wanted.

Fifth Official (Louth) - Posts: 32 - 12/05/2009 11:15:48    280824

Fifth Official / Rover, Please don't start this pointless 'one or other' debate again. I was in the Fairways as well. In relation to facilities, two of the tables were asked to address the issue and one of those proposed Darver as a county grounds. However, there was no debate on the topic because the meeting ran late and the facilitator needed to hear from other contributors on further topics before the end. I think it would be unwise to read anything else into the absence of a debate. In my opinion, the two most important themes to emerge from last night were (1) the urgent need to address coaching in primary and secondary schools throough the use of full-time coaches if necessary and (2) the suggestion that the county adopt its own development plan covering all aspects of GAA activities, including facilities, games development, underage structures and that the plan be 'costed and time-framed'. In putting together a development plan, the issue of the county grounds would be decided once and for all. In the end, it will come down to money but let the debate be open and honest and free from the bickering we have had in the past.

quinn (None) - Posts: 45 - 12/05/2009 11:51:05    280876

Fifth Official

Its people like you and specially the DARVER COMMITTEE who have this county in such a mess with the nonsense comments like the ones made last night

It was also fairly obvious last night that there was a wee click of people there all talking about the same thing, I.E. YE HAD AN AGENDA!!!!

Rover (Louth) - Posts: 45 - 12/05/2009 11:56:09    280884

Why didn't you speak up then, if you didn't agree with what was being said.
You had your chance to make a fool of yourself in front of everybody.

Fifth Official (Louth) - Posts: 32 - 12/05/2009 12:25:25    280940

Quinn/Fifth Official/Rover

Spoke to a few people that were there last night. Just wondering why there was no discussion on the DkIT stadium proposal. Have heard that Croke Park are 100% behind it and am curious to know why it wasn't talked about.

LumpHammer (Louth) - Posts: 66 - 12/05/2009 12:31:18    280946

Lumphammer,

The DKIT issue was raised at a table where a clubmate was sitting. The idea was dismissed out of hand by another at the table who was pro Darver and didnt see any merit in alternative ideas.

quinn (None) - Posts: 45 - 12/05/2009 12:58:59    280992

There is no point arguing about a stadium when we havent got a team thats going to win anything in it. Do you know what was the most alarming thing last night? The constant mention of players playing with there club mores! I think thats plain stupid when we probably have one of the worst standards of club football in the country. The players need to stay with county, competing at training with players as good as them if not better. THE MOST IMPORTANT ISSUE IS SCHOOLS AND COACHING!!! Coaches in primary schools badly needed. And as for DKIT, we need new personnel in there, what would be wrong with getting players coming out of the development squads who suffer academically because of time spent training and playing football into college in DKIT on some sort of scholarship scheme? Also my main point about DKIT is new personnel, what went on with the sigerson team this year was a disgrace. Development squads aren't worth a damn at 14 years old, as most of the players habits and skills are developed and thats why the primary schools and underage teams within the clubs are most important!! I mean the teams that compete best at club minor level are the ones that have had proper coaching from an early age, i mean take 3 clubs who have done well in the minor championship, the gers, young irelanders and fechins/d'notts. The mentors there were Mc Eneaney, Maguire and Califf, 3 good coaches and dont try tell me the players there were born better footballers. And also babies in kerry and tyrone arent born any better footballers than childer here. They have better chances as they have better coaching etc at underage. I feel the main points for Louth to develop are: 1. Primary school coaching and secondary school 2. Get Louth players playing at a high standard in the sigerson cup (new personnel in DKIT) 3. Leave county players playing with county These are my opinions and i dont mind people disagreeing, i mean i have louth football at heart unlike some people on this board and even worse, the county board!! LU.ABU

LU.ABU (Louth) - Posts: 120 - 12/05/2009 13:26:00    281041

The whole idea of having the County Ground isn't feasible for numerous reasons. Firstly the money isn't there to finish the changing rooms so where is the money going to come from to build stands, re-develop the roads? As much as you may want Darver as the County Grounds it's never going to happen. How far away is the nearest hospital to Darver? What about parking? Does a tiny village like Darver have the structures in place to accoodate between 5000 and 10000 people? Do you honestly think that planning permission would be granted for the development needed? Darver is a no go and by the sounds of things so is the O'Raghallaighs. Where we're going to find a County ground I don't know but it's typical of the way GAA is being run in this County.

blueisthecolour (Louth) - Posts: 151 - 12/05/2009 13:38:56    281051

Fifth Offical

After hearing your "WEE CLICK WAFFLING" at different tables, I wanted to speak at the end but there was no time!!! But I intend to e-mail the Development Officer.

Time for the people like to you to button up & most of all TIME FOR THE CURRENT DARVER COMMITTEE TO BE DISPANDED!!!

Rover (Louth) - Posts: 45 - 12/05/2009 13:59:45    281097

Anyone know what the dkit proposal is?

Angle Grinder (Louth) - Posts: 121 - 12/05/2009 14:16:39    281126

In the mean time lads we have no decent grounds as the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda are clearly way below what is now a requirement for any county. Therefore, I think that the Inniskeen club should be approached to see if there grounds could be used by Louth. The facilities are top class, the grounds themselves are also located very close to us it would be ideal and therefore it would surely be worth considering until we can get something similar within our own county.

squidword (Louth) - Posts: 2897 - 12/05/2009 14:36:27    281158

once again a good night pulled down by the usual element from a certain place
not wantin to hear about progress
they used to blame dundalk
now its darver
but never themselves
some things never change
always for ever losers and failures

Toeboard (Louth) - Posts: 164 - 12/05/2009 14:52:41    281179

ranter

You need to go easy on the keyboard, there. No point taking it out on the computer.
A little bit of professional help might be useful.

Fifth Official (Louth) - Posts: 32 - 12/05/2009 14:57:36    281189

Not a chance of inniskeen letting louth play their games there. Why would louth want to play their games in monaghan anyways, it would show louth up completely

damonaghan (Monaghan) - Posts: 211 - 12/05/2009 15:04:56    281202

Lads I beleive one of the main points from last night was to stop bickering and criticising. This county is going nowhere fast as long as this continues!

OkeyDokey (Louth) - Posts: 214 - 12/05/2009 15:14:43    281226

damonaghan County: Monaghan Posts: 112 281202 Not a chance of inniskeen letting louth play their games there. Why would louth want to play their games in monaghan anyways, it would show louth up completely Why would Inniskeen refuse the revenue that it would generate for them I personally think that Inniskeen would jump at the chance to provide there neighbours Louth with a venue to play on. Indeed Monaghan have failed thus far to utilise the really really excellent facilities on offer there which I for one cannot understand this.. Also in the past Louth have used Pairc Tailteann in Navan so I do not think Louth would be embarrsed in any shape or form by this. Furthermore, I would call on the powers that be within Louth to seriously consider this venture my God it would be like playing on home soil anyway.The playing surface in Inniskeen would surely bring out the best in Louth. Here's hoping that someone acts on this as we are never going to get what is required for Louth football with regard to a proper grounds within our own county for many many years to come.

squidword (Louth) - Posts: 2897 - 12/05/2009 16:17:59    281302

Squidword / Fifth Offical Your ideas are ridiculous...... Must be the good weather thats affecting ye Bed early tonight boys

Rover (Louth) - Posts: 45 - 12/05/2009 17:02:06    281359

Listen Rover we are all sick and tired of the embarrassment that is the Gaelic Grounds in Drogheda Sean Cavanagh told it as it is so its now time to move on and away from there for good. Make no mistake my man Inniskeen is the place to go to for now anyway until something can be got or developed elsewhere. Remember the debacle last year with Tyrone and the limited amount of tickets available for the game. No such problem would arise if the game took place in Inniskeen.

squidword (Louth) - Posts: 2897 - 12/05/2009 17:28:01    281399