Greengrass i did play under a responsible manager, i volunteered to play, i wasn't forced and i cant see the difference to this lad playing at adult level last weekend and playing on the first of January next year which he is eligible to do, are you really saying that a 16 year old would develop enough in 16 days to be able to handle it?

77981301 (UK) - Posts: 79 - 17/12/2010 11:03:26    834373

Hardcore. Apparently this cub came on as a sub and was only on the field a short time, scored a goal and was substituted again not long after he scored the famous goal. If Corduff were so good and the better team on the day, why did they bring on an illegal player?

smokeybacon (Cavan) - Posts: 27 - 17/12/2010 11:39:50    834391

77981301. Its not a stupid rule, its there to protect our young talent. Please God you will have kids of your own some day and will understand. While you enjoyed the experience your management team must be held accountable - they should have acted like adults and put your welfare before the welfare of the club!

smokeybacon (Cavan) - Posts: 27 - 17/12/2010 11:52:11    834404

In fairness I think this rule is muck but at the same time if it is a rule then both teams should have to abide by it... If you look at it from a different point of few, a couple of years ago we played an U-21 match and the opposition brought on an U-16 player and to be honest he had little or no impact on the game however they still beat us by a couple of points, the same year we had a couple of county U-16 players who would have made a significant difference to our team but we didnt use them because the rule was in place. So what im saying is if one team abides by the rule (even if the rule is ridiculous) and the other doesnt then they have an unfair advantage.

Thunderstruck (Meath) - Posts: 474 - 17/12/2010 11:57:26    834411

The rule was only brought in a few years ago so for the previous 100 and something years it was ok to do it. Now, while i understand there is a rule preventing it, what are the differences between it happening now and 10 or 12 years ago?

77981301 (UK) - Posts: 79 - 17/12/2010 11:59:12    834413

What part of the word rule do you people not get?? It doesn't matter if you think Swad are wrong or right, if 16 yr olds play adult football or not, if Corduff knew about the rule or not. ITS A RULE. We don't get to pick and choose the ones we abide by and the ones we ignore. Corduff may have been the better team, worthy winners, whatever. The fact still remains that the chose to ignore the rule and play this young lad. Claiming ignorance is weak. It's the responsibility of all clubs to know the rules and to play by them. Swad are hardly jumping up and down at the fact they may be awarded the game in this manner but they had every right to object when they did. As someone else remarked, Corduff can blame no one but themselves. Its hard on the players and especially the player in question but the blame lies within there own club and not with Swanlinbar.

SS1 (Cavan) - Posts: 196 - 17/12/2010 12:18:25    834427

77981301. An average club plays six times more games now in a season that they did twenty years ago. The rule is there for one reason only and that is to protect the safety of our future talent from burnout. I'm sure that your Dad will tell you that the commitment now required from a GAA player compared to his day is fairly stark! This coming from a 62 year old man with four footballing sons!

smokeybacon (Cavan) - Posts: 27 - 17/12/2010 12:20:23    834430

If your only defense is "well its a stupid rule", then you have no defense whatsoever. Its pretty telling that many of the replies supporting the Monaghan club have nothing to say except "its a stupid rule and they should just let it go". Thats the Irish mentality for you.

I couldn't care less which team wins the trophy, but the fact that a club knew full well that they were breaking the rules, and went ahead and played the young lad anyway, well that club is treating the GAA with contempt. No club in Ireland gets to pick and choose what rules it follows, and I sincerly hope the Ulster council throws the book at Clonduff*.

*'book' being the rulebook, which a few Clonduff members may wish to try reading.

Steve (Fermanagh) - Posts: 293 - 17/12/2010 12:28:41    834433

Ok fair enough more games. fair point. But the Gaa are really only making a token effort at trying to stop player burnout, and until they begin to take it seriously then the token rules they put in place are serving very little purpose. I believe that the club who played this underage player should be able to get away with it but if they are allowed to get away with it then the GAA are setting a bad example to other clubs thinking of doing the same thing.

77981301 (UK) - Posts: 79 - 17/12/2010 12:37:34    834438

This is a straight forward enough situation, it's a black or white scenario in the sense that if Swanlinbar object and Corduff are found to have breached the rules the game will be awarded to Swanlinbar.

Corduff can have no qualms if they're thrown out.

BufordTJustice (USA) - Posts: 669 - 17/12/2010 12:50:16    834448

can u imagine a young lad of 15 r 16 playin wit adults like francis bellew r seamus scallon etc. fair enough a lot of dem or da lad in question wasn't playin against any big men like dat but dat is y the rule is in place. most adults wudn't b fit 4 some seniors so how wud a 16 manage, he wud b killed and den wud proberly quit. at 16 ur not strong r fully growen, ur not doin weights like most seniors are so u wud cope. it makes sense 2 hav dis rule.

dunlop (UK) - Posts: 14 - 17/12/2010 13:09:07    834459

it is unfair to all the clubs who have good u-16 players but follow the rules, who knows they could have broke the rules and won games during the year

dunlop (UK) - Posts: 14 - 17/12/2010 13:56:00    834483

BufordTJustice
County: USA
Posts: 483

834448 This is a straight forward enough situation, it's a black or white scenario in the sense that if Swanlinbar object and Corduff are found to have breached the rules the game will be awarded to Swanlinbar.

Corduff can have no qualms if they're thrown out.


Did someone gain access to your PC????

ochonlir (Cavan) - Posts: 4343 - 17/12/2010 14:35:40    834510

Although the sentiment of the rule is correct, it can impact heavily on smaller clubs who do tend to bring their younger players through quicker, mostly out of necessity. There are numerous pros and cons for the rule and I can understand both sides as indeed our own hurling club which has no minor team has a couple of 16 year olds that could play. However, there are two reasons I feel the rule is correct. 1) At 16 you might have the skill but no matter how strong you are you're no match for a 25 year old brickie or plasterer at the peak of their fitness. I witnessed this first hand in the senior football semi final in Tyrone this year when county minor Ronan O'Neill was battered into submission by Carrickmore and he is 18. 2) Secondly, as far as I recall, a player is not ensured to play more than the grade above his own age. Thus, if this lads leg had of been broke etc, his treatment would not be covered. Burnout can be a factor but not as much as some would have you believe. I remember playing minor at 13 and although I was big for my age, the minor lads looked massive in comparison. On the match itself, there is no argument. If as is suggested, this lad is U16 then Corduff should forfeit the game. The manager and secretary of the club should also receive quite lengthy bans as well for knowingly allowing this to happen. Whether you agree with the rule is neither here nor there. I think that the current handpass rule is stupid, I also feel that forcing all hurlers to wear helmets is stupid, but the fact remains is that they are rules and you cannot just decide to follow the rules which you like. I don't like having to pay £3.00 for a pint of beer, but the rules say you have to

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 17/12/2010 14:53:19    834520

wheter it is a stupid rule or not it has to be followed, tell that to a guard if he pulls you over for some driving offence and he would laugh at you

smokinaces (Cavan) - Posts: 68 - 17/12/2010 15:01:59    834525

smokinaces


Yes rules have to be followed however this team are very sore losers and could have let it go , and do not start this rubbish bout player welfare as players are well looked after by clubs etc and if someone is a great footballer at 16 let him play , before this rule was brought in canavan played senior at 15 never did him anyharm.

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 17/12/2010 15:40:11    834567

Dell, that's a lazy argument. I know a lad played senior/junior as a 16 year old and got his jaw smashed for his troubles. If you had seen the Omagh Carrickmore replayy this year you would also have seen one of the best minors in the county get battered off the pitch, and I mean battered. At 16 you are not physically able for senior football, dress it up whatever way you like and you are not insured.

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 17/12/2010 15:49:26    834580

Dell, that's a lazy argument. I know a lad played senior/junior as a 16 year old and got his jaw smashed for his troubles. If you had seen the Omagh Carrickmore replayy this year you would also have seen one of the best minors in the county get battered off the pitch, and I mean battered. At 16 you are not physically able for senior football, dress it up whatever way you like and you are not insured.

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 17/12/2010 15:49:26    834581

Dell, do you just implement the rules you agree with when reffing a match?

omaghredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 3656 - 17/12/2010 15:50:01    834582

omaghredhand
County: Tyrone
Posts: 2703

834582 Dell, do you just implement the rules you agree with when reffing a match?

Common sense when your reffing a game as sometimes if you play by the rule book it could destroy a game . Your point on lad getting his jaw broke that could happen to anyone and club would pay out if they thought anything off player .

Dellboypolecat (Tyrone) - Posts: 15069 - 17/12/2010 16:02:03    834591