Exactly right ormond. Nothing wrong with them giving it a go and forming their own opinion, and who is to say that they wouldnt start enjoying the game also? People talk like they are forcing themselves into some torture, one guy was comparing it to prostitution for gods sake! What if they find they actually like it? I think that is something a few on this thread dont want to hear...
As for nobody being successful in games they 'dont enjoy,' kennelly, clarke and hanley would indicate otherwise...

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 13/02/2013 17:30:31    1333570

Its a bit galling that these players clubs put in such a huge effort into coaching these players and then they can be picked off by the aussies.You can't blame the players for giving it a go and best of luck to them but you would think the Aussies would have a bit more respect for the players clubs and perhaps compensate them even if it is a only a couple of grand it would be a decent gesture and could help a club in these tough economic times.

Also I doubt if Dublin or another large county started doing something similar and started to offer incentives for players from smaller counties to transfer to them that people would be so understanding, this is pretty much the same situation just they have to switch codes.Its just a bit annoying than when players look o be close to fulfilling their potential they can be snapped up by the Aussies and Tadgh Kennellys role in all this leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 13/02/2013 20:42:40    1333712

uibhfhaili1986
County: Offaly
Tadgh Kennellys role in all this leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

Thinking the same myself.
The poachers are back in town, with a blessing from the GAA.
the aussies must be cracking up with laughter at how easy we make it for them,
and the abuse kilkenny got from them when he said it wasnt for him.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 13/02/2013 20:54:01    1333719

I dunno lads, who would know better than kennelly about making the adjustment? It makes sense for him to do it. Also, at least you know it isnt some chancer fillin them up with lies about it to get them over

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 13/02/2013 21:17:48    1333723

Best of luck to all the lads involved, even if those selected to go over dont make it to the top the experience of living and working abroad for a few years will stand to any young man. If you enjoy playing Gaelic football, chances are you'll enjoy playing AFL

bad.monkey (USA) - Posts: 4649 - 13/02/2013 21:28:58    1333727

TheMaster
County: Mayo
Posts: 5832

1333723 I dunno lads, who would know better than kennelly about making the adjustment? It makes sense for him to do it. Also, at least you know it isnt some chancer fillin them up with lies about it to get them over

I can understand a young lad wanting to try out, with the prospect of being paid probably the biggest incentive.
its the ease with which the gaa let it be done with no compensation, (it doesnt matter if the sports are different ,they have a lot of connections)
its like of all the young good prospects at gaa in ireland being rounded up then being brought before the aussies to see which ones they want. everything is rosy in OZ they are told ,if you dont make tough back home for you, but if we think your good and you want to go home then its a different story.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 13/02/2013 21:30:27    1333729

its the country as a whole at the moment, we train up nurses engineers etc and then send them of round the world to work...

Rosineri1 (UK) - Posts: 2099 - 14/02/2013 09:30:03    1333759

I can see why people are annoyed at Tadhgs role in this but I cant see why people are complaining about lads getting sent home if their not good enough. The same happens in soccer and loads of other professional sports.

In my opioion, if they want to play Aussie rules, let them. Any young sportsperson would love to a professional athlete - but thats something they will never achieve with the GAA. I know county players who cant get jobs because of the amount of time off they require to play games, etc., so it makes sense that these lads are trying to make a few quid.

And its also not just GAA players who've been selected for the trials either...

junk (Donegal) - Posts: 197 - 14/02/2013 10:01:36    1333767

Jinxie how many people have played an international rules game and then went on to play aussie rules? That is the worst argument ever. International rules does not lead to the poaching of gaa players.

gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 14/02/2013 10:09:55    1333774

AthCliath, compensation? For what? The paid professionals in the GAA tell us that the GAA is an amateur sport , so the players do it as a hobby. Now if the Aussies wanted to take some of those professional GAA members, we would be entitlted to compensation. Personally, I would waive the fee, if it meant that we were rid of them.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 14/02/2013 10:20:12    1333788

Fairly damning report of drug use within the AFL.

http://www.tntmagazine.com/news/sport/australian-sports-doping-scandal-150-nrl-and-afl-playersofficials-to-be-interviewed-by-authorities

Beelzedub (Dublin) - Posts: 480 - 14/02/2013 11:27:19    1333823

The Aussies dont have to pay compensation and the GAA would have absoultely no way of pursuing them for it although it would be nice that seeing all the training the GAA has provided has brought these players to a certain level that the Aussies want to get them to play Aussie Rules they might make a gesture to the players club and give a couple of grand.It would be a nice gestutre and at least the Aussie would recognize the effort a players club puts in to developing him as a footballer rather than benefitting for free from the efforts of people who have no interest in helping out Aussie Rules football.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 14/02/2013 13:31:23    1333912

its a bit of cute kerryism by the aussies if you think about it,there was many against that other bloke nixon coming over and he was branded as poaching but they have a rethink and decide to have an irish guy who has played both sports do the poaching so it does not look as bad and people will hold off slating him.

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 14/02/2013 16:19:54    1334033

hill16no1man I agree with you but I dont have much time for kennelly either. Not since his All Ireland indiscipline (Should have been sent off after 5 seconds of the game)

Overall I dont think we can complain too much on the topic. They are getting paid to play football. It my not be the sport they grew up with and love but they get paid to run around catching and kicking a ball. I work a 9-5 job that I dislike but it pays the bills. If I had the ability to play i would definately be over there.

If Michael Murphy or Paddy McBrearty went over there I honestly would feel bad for Donegal GAA but I couldnt doubt the boys at all.

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 14/02/2013 18:16:35    1334114

Point im making is , the gaa havent a leg to stand on as things are, they cant stop anyone going to oz ,and yes they cant demand compensation.
But if they want to promote gaa ,they could easily make sure the aussies dont get a clear run at it. and put certain clauses in.
One minute there is talk of league matches in America to promote the Gaa .
The next minute the aussies are in town seeing who to poach and not a word from the Gaa.

IT JUST DOESNT FEEL RIGHT.

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 14/02/2013 20:56:32    1334245