Former Roscommon goalkeeper Shane Curran has made the extraordinary claim that Tyrone and Armagh's recent All-Ireland successes were down to generous funding from the British Government. His controversial comments in this week's Roscommon Champion newspaper are sure to raise the ire of GAA players, officials and supporters in the North. Curran insists that the extra funding has given northern counties a distinct advantage over their southern counterparts in terms of preparation, and that their success has little to do with ability. "Since the inception of the backdoor, demographics along with financial clout, have dictated who does and does not compete for All-Ireland honours," the St. Brigid's clubman said. "The emergence of the northern counties owes as much to the peace process and financial assistance afforded to them by Her Majesty than any real innovation. "Money has played a significant part in the development to which Tyrone and to a lesser extent Armagh have made to the modern game." Curran will be on the sideline in Mullingar tomorrow when his Caulry charges face St. Paul's This makes alot of sense getting funding off 2 countrys.

david09 (Kildare) - Posts: 115 - 10/10/2009 10:45:11    450417

Let the games begin!

3inarow08 (Kerry) - Posts: 2455 - 10/10/2009 11:05:54    450432

While Shane Curran is an eccentric character at times what he does point out is true. Northern Irish Clubs do receive funds from both the Irish and British Governments and it is an unfair advantage. Its a wonder Donegal, Monaghan and cavan get a look in at all in Ulster! Anyways i wonder what spin the nordies are going to put on this. By the way isnt it partionist to get these funds off the british exchequer? isnt that recognising Partition?

paddyogall (Mayo) - Posts: 5110 - 10/10/2009 11:12:12    450434

Nonscense . Look at whose NI sports minister and the thread about him . Enough said .

RenardRedHand (Tyrone) - Posts: 547 - 10/10/2009 11:12:41    450435

Nonscense . Look at whose NI sports minister and the thread about him . Enough said .
The reason why Tyrone " are in the money " is because of the Club Tyrone project where buisness men pay a fixed fee and get nothing from it but maybe contacts . Sure there more to it but the money goes to underage clubs , stadiums , facilities etc

RenardRedHand (Tyrone) - Posts: 547 - 10/10/2009 11:16:56    450438

This what the Club Tyrone project paid for not any foreign government . http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-90mDJKHlo

RenardRedHand (Tyrone) - Posts: 547 - 10/10/2009 11:23:36    450442

What a load of sheep dip, Did the money not reach out to the other 4 counties naw?? Maybe there was no money ever think of that??

Orlaith (Derry) - Posts: 4282 - 10/10/2009 11:24:00    450444

paddyogall
County: Mayo
Posts: 1891

450434 While Shane Curran is an eccentric character at times what he does point out is true. Northern Irish Clubs do receive funds from both the Irish and British Governments and it is an unfair advantage. Its a wonder Donegal, Monaghan and cavan get a look in at all in Ulster! Anyways i wonder what spin the nordies are going to put on this. By the way isnt it partionist to get these funds off the british exchequer? isnt that recognising Partition? `

Great post paddyogall and i believe shane is speaking from the heart when he says the british goverment are funding the ulster 6 this has to stop they should only be allowed funding off their country of residence .this has to stop the irish goverment should stop funding to the ulster 6

david09 (Kildare) - Posts: 115 - 10/10/2009 11:24:04    450445

W.U.M. thread !!

Cavan_Slasher (Cavan) - Posts: 10253 - 10/10/2009 11:29:59    450455

There is an advantage for the northern 6 counties.. UUJ have great new facilities but that was funded by the uk government, queens are the same aswell

FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2874 - 10/10/2009 11:30:12    450456

Unfair comments in my opinion. Just think of the political climate when Down were sucessful! Didn't see northern counties complain during the Celtic Tiger years when private funding would have peaked. Didn't see much sucess in Roscommon either!

halfbackwards (Galway) - Posts: 104 - 10/10/2009 11:38:54    450461

what aload of crap how is it tyrone and armagh are the only ones to benifit if this was the case surely the rest of the wee 6 would be up to the same standard as you all agree with laughable crap you think they are 2 team with no talent there for 4 off the last 10 all irelands were bough, all stars and player of the years where won by bad players as well then and what about cross in the club championship was this success bough as well.
As usual the southern media are trying to spur on the rest of you by printing this rubbish belive what you like I hope Tyrone and the rest of the wee 6 have enough money to buy a few more all Irelands Ualdh abu

redbomb (Tyrone) - Posts: 167 - 10/10/2009 11:47:58    450467

"Money has played a significant part in the development to which Tyrone and to a lesser extent Armagh have made to the modern game."

Why would it be any different for Tyrone than the rest of the six counties? If this logic were true then surely a traditional powerhouse like Down would be dominating. The reasons why Tyrone have done so well is a combination of factors such as Club Tyrone, improved facilities etc, however the most important element is the fact that a fantastic under 21 team was bolstered with other great players like Canavan, Cavanagh and Dooher. Every now and then a county gets lucky, you can attribute it to systems, money etc but without the players you win nothing.

MB1 (Tyrone) - Posts: 360 - 10/10/2009 11:57:53    450477

Is this the same goalkeeper that used to head off on crazy runs down the centre of the field a wile back. Enuff said.

I suppose the money generated by tourism is the main reason why Kerry have been so successful over the years. It might be worth considering importing a dolphin into Lough Neagh or look at the potential Fermanagh would have. Dear Lord.

mugsys_barber (Tyrone) - Posts: 2160 - 10/10/2009 11:58:29    450478

thanks lizzy for all your help!

orange and blue (Tyrone) - Posts: 1080 - 10/10/2009 11:58:40    450479

If that was true do you not think that Ulster would be winning all the All irelands?

Orlaith (Derry) - Posts: 4282 - 10/10/2009 12:11:42    450484

The Term is Reparations

If the money is there should they refuse it ??
More power to them

ruanua (Donegal) - Posts: 4966 - 10/10/2009 12:23:09    450492

What he says about double funding is true. I worked as CEO of one of the Sports organisations in Ireland which covered all 32 counties. The Ulster provincial association had approx the same funding as the southern 3 provinces combined. Also, any elite athlete from the 6 counties receives double grant funding, as they are entitled to seperate grants from both ourselves and from their Northern Irish federation. In the sport I worked in, this meant that most of our professionals were from Ulster as the grant given to the southern players could not sustain them. This double funding extends to all other sports which are played in the North but are centrally governed by Dublin.

I am sure the Tyrone supporters club, fundraising etc are more advanced than in most other counties. And fair play to them. But you cannot argue that they do not receive double funding, because, quite simply, they do.

icehonesty (Wexford) - Posts: 2573 - 10/10/2009 12:34:17    450502

Money cant buy success in Gaelic Fotball. This isn't soccer, you cant just buy the title like Chelsea did the Premier League. If money was such a an important factor in All Ireland succcess, then Dublin would be winning it year in year out.

Lebowski (Meath) - Posts: 363 - 10/10/2009 12:50:22    450515

I say..... good.

The amount of horrible **** you people had to deal with up North for the past 40 years is shocking.

It's bad enough to be surrounded by people that hate your guts... I say it's about time you got something back in return.

Honestly hand on heart I'm happy that you boys and girls have had something to celebrate over the last few years, because holy moly you need it having to live in that place.

I'd sooner live in Iraq... Than have be surrounded by loyalists. I mean that 100%

Good on ye... reap the benefits and have your happy days in our capital....because when it's all said and done it's back up the road to that crap hate filled place.

and to Shane Curran.... this country was built with British money and continues to be built with British economics.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20763 - 10/10/2009 12:59:23    450521