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Replying To leitrimabu1: "Don't agree with last post. These lads are up for it and will be bitterly disappointed with their performance. Couldn't understand it especially failing to compete at midfield which gave our attack no chance to shine. Still believe we can beat Tipp if we learn from last Sunday and predict Antrim will beat Wicklow if they perform to the same level of last Sunday. I am still a believer in this talented if young group .& we defeated Tipp last year missing some of our best players-no Ryan or Barry which is a big plus for Sunday.A win would lift morale." Thats not a dig at the players leitrimabu1. We have some fine footballers, Barry, Ryan and Tom are as good as we have had in the last 30 years. Likes of Ben, Jack Kelly have huge potential. I am just saying and I have said it before is that as a county we dont take our football serious. We have our excuses ready to go.
3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 458 - 25/02/2026 20:24:37
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Replying To 3rdmidfielder: "Thats not a dig at the players leitrimabu1. We have some fine footballers, Barry, Ryan and Tom are as good as we have had in the last 30 years. Likes of Ben, Jack Kelly have huge potential. I am just saying and I have said it before is that as a county we dont take our football serious. We have our excuses ready to go." Ye have to get on that horse again. Best of luck to all the Connacht teams this weekend. Five wins would be great. Looking forward to it. Spirit of Carrick and Elphin!
moros (Roscommon) - Posts: 1281 - 26/02/2026 08:36:20
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Replying To 3rdmidfielder: "Thats not a dig at the players leitrimabu1. We have some fine footballers, Barry, Ryan and Tom are as good as we have had in the last 30 years. Likes of Ben, Jack Kelly have huge potential. I am just saying and I have said it before is that as a county we dont take our football serious. We have our excuses ready to go." My post wasn't a dig at any of the players either. Far from it. even with the editing done by the page administrator.
Poacher and co. have their hands tied as I could name upto 25 players who are not on the panel again this year who would start or make the match say 26. However, it also does not seem like we are developing at the rate we should be in relation to the talent we have.
However, I do agree with the previous poster, how serious do we take the game? How many clubs are really pushing the standards?
Leitrim Gaels, St Marys, Ballinamore, Fenagh, Allen Gaels and Mohill and (Manor will now start to come again) - you'd wonder outside of that how many are even implementing a proper S&C regime?
A lot of this is due to numbers an the plague of depopulation in rural areas and emigration which is destroying Leitrim as a whole. But when are clubs and the County Board going to fight back?
Further to this. The U20 panel was named last night - Exact same scenario as the Senior team. Some real high quality players on the panel but there's 8/9 players not on the panel who didn't commit - Jack Moolick, Senan McGowan, Jamie Plunkett, Brian Keaney and James Gilheany to name a few. Them lads wouldn't just be on the panel they'd be star players who will all make huge impacts on their Senior club teams this year.
Therefore the team itself can never realise its potential and the vicious cycle continues.
One thing I'm will say and it seems hard for a lot of people to accept - we are producing a lot of very good player we just can't seem to get them onto the field.
third midfielder (Leitrim) - Posts: 360 - 26/02/2026 10:04:58
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There's always been good players who won't commit to the county teams. Can you blame them? Driving from Galway or Dublin three or four nights a week for training while their peers are out enjoying themselves and living life. And what is it for? For the glory of a division 4 title or a meaningless cup invented to keep the lower two divisions from having a chance at the All Ireland. It is amazing the dedicated hardcore that are there keep it up actually.
Even for the successful teams like Kerry or Limerick...at the end of the most important years of your life you've dedicated to hard slogging and missed nights out and holidays, what have you gained? Some gold plated medals and bad knees maybe. And if you're lucky a side gig in media.
And we won't even get into the demands of what club football is beginning to ask now. Again for what? A junior or intermediate medal? Come on now. This is a hobby that has been taken over by well paid guru coaches who demand things of players they would never have done themselves.
The only way this is all going is semi or fully pro status in inter county football. If you paid footballers and hurlers a reasonable allowance or wage then we might have a full compliment of players, but so would every other county!
ohwow (Leitrim) - Posts: 7 - 26/02/2026 10:43:13
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Replying To third midfielder: "My post wasn't a dig at any of the players either. Far from it. even with the editing done by the page administrator.
Poacher and co. have their hands tied as I could name upto 25 players who are not on the panel again this year who would start or make the match say 26. However, it also does not seem like we are developing at the rate we should be in relation to the talent we have.
However, I do agree with the previous poster, how serious do we take the game? How many clubs are really pushing the standards?
Leitrim Gaels, St Marys, Ballinamore, Fenagh, Allen Gaels and Mohill and (Manor will now start to come again) - you'd wonder outside of that how many are even implementing a proper S&C regime?
A lot of this is due to numbers an the plague of depopulation in rural areas and emigration which is destroying Leitrim as a whole. But when are clubs and the County Board going to fight back?
Further to this. The U20 panel was named last night - Exact same scenario as the Senior team. Some real high quality players on the panel but there's 8/9 players not on the panel who didn't commit - Jack Moolick, Senan McGowan, Jamie Plunkett, Brian Keaney and James Gilheany to name a few. Them lads wouldn't just be on the panel they'd be star players who will all make huge impacts on their Senior club teams this year.
Therefore the team itself can never realise its potential and the vicious cycle continues.
One thing I'm will say and it seems hard for a lot of people to accept - we are producing a lot of very good player we just can't seem to get them onto the field." All fair comments. I have wrote on this forum before about what we should do but it's a wider issue that will need addressing & input from the GAA. The lads and lassies that should be starting families & building houses are over in places like Sydney. That's not going to be very sustainable in fairness.
Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1843 - 26/02/2026 11:32:18
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Why do any county want to be successful then if that is your mindset. The hunger and desire has to be there to be the best you can be.
Compare us to Roscommon they are a comparable county to us despite a bigger population. Lots of rural clubs, more clubs tha us but not by much and they are regularly winning Connacht club titles at all levels, Connacht minor titles, U20 titles, pushing for top of division 1 at the moment.
In the gyms in Carrick every evening you will see their club players of all ages in working out, tanks of lads. Don't see many Leitrim club players in there.
They take it seriously. Their small clubs set a standard that is probably comparable to inter county teams. Their players from young get exposed to higher levels of coaching, higher levels of club games. Their appetite to improve is better. Majority of our clubs go through the motions. Why? Lack of ambition? Lack of interest? I really don't know.
I said it before as a thought- take two identical twins and separate them at birth. One grows through the Leitrim club scene, one through the Roscommon club scene. The Roscommon guy ends up a vastly better player, better developed, fitter and more football intelligence even though the started off with the same potential abilities.
leitrim4sam (Leitrim) - Posts: 721 - 26/02/2026 11:34:53
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Replying To ohwow: "There's always been good players who won't commit to the county teams. Can you blame them? Driving from Galway or Dublin three or four nights a week for training while their peers are out enjoying themselves and living life. And what is it for? For the glory of a division 4 title or a meaningless cup invented to keep the lower two divisions from having a chance at the All Ireland. It is amazing the dedicated hardcore that are there keep it up actually.
Even for the successful teams like Kerry or Limerick...at the end of the most important years of your life you've dedicated to hard slogging and missed nights out and holidays, what have you gained? Some gold plated medals and bad knees maybe. And if you're lucky a side gig in media.
And we won't even get into the demands of what club football is beginning to ask now. Again for what? A junior or intermediate medal? Come on now. This is a hobby that has been taken over by well paid guru coaches who demand things of players they would never have done themselves.
The only way this is all going is semi or fully pro status in inter county football. If you paid footballers and hurlers a reasonable allowance or wage then we might have a full compliment of players, but so would every other county!" Look i have to disagree the pro or semi pro bit. It is a serious honour to play for your county, I played underage for Leitrim ultimately I wasn't good enough to play senior football for Leitrim. I would have loved to. Your football career is short.
Young lads nowadays are so much more clued into what you have to do to be a top player. Its a serious honour to represent your county and the lads that do deserve great credit. They need our support and encouragement and they need companies looking after them more, improve conditions, show the younger lads the perks that are there if you get up to the level. we lack ambition as a county thats what annoys me.
3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 458 - 26/02/2026 12:14:24
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Replying To leitrim4sam: "Why do any county want to be successful then if that is your mindset. The hunger and desire has to be there to be the best you can be.
Compare us to Roscommon they are a comparable county to us despite a bigger population. Lots of rural clubs, more clubs tha us but not by much and they are regularly winning Connacht club titles at all levels, Connacht minor titles, U20 titles, pushing for top of division 1 at the moment.
In the gyms in Carrick every evening you will see their club players of all ages in working out, tanks of lads. Don't see many Leitrim club players in there.
They take it seriously. Their small clubs set a standard that is probably comparable to inter county teams. Their players from young get exposed to higher levels of coaching, higher levels of club games. Their appetite to improve is better. Majority of our clubs go through the motions. Why? Lack of ambition? Lack of interest? I really don't know.
I said it before as a thought- take two identical twins and separate them at birth. One grows through the Leitrim club scene, one through the Roscommon club scene. The Roscommon guy ends up a vastly better player, better developed, fitter and more football intelligence even though the started off with the same potential abilities." Luck of geography for them. Imagine all Cavan teams would be winning if they were in Connacht.
ohwow (Leitrim) - Posts: 7 - 26/02/2026 12:16:07
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Replying To leitrim4sam: "Why do any county want to be successful then if that is your mindset. The hunger and desire has to be there to be the best you can be.
Compare us to Roscommon they are a comparable county to us despite a bigger population. Lots of rural clubs, more clubs tha us but not by much and they are regularly winning Connacht club titles at all levels, Connacht minor titles, U20 titles, pushing for top of division 1 at the moment.
In the gyms in Carrick every evening you will see their club players of all ages in working out, tanks of lads. Don't see many Leitrim club players in there.
They take it seriously. Their small clubs set a standard that is probably comparable to inter county teams. Their players from young get exposed to higher levels of coaching, higher levels of club games. Their appetite to improve is better. Majority of our clubs go through the motions. Why? Lack of ambition? Lack of interest? I really don't know.
I said it before as a thought- take two identical twins and separate them at birth. One grows through the Leitrim club scene, one through the Roscommon club scene. The Roscommon guy ends up a vastly better player, better developed, fitter and more football intelligence even though the started off with the same potential abilities." Has this experiment been carried out please regarding the twins?? If so I never read about it anywhere and I don't think any mother would agree to that thanks so much. It is silly to expect any mammy to give up one of her children and send them to Roscommon of all places but thanks for the suggestion but it won't happen thank you.
bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 455 - 26/02/2026 12:23:35
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Replying To third midfielder: "My post wasn't a dig at any of the players either. Far from it. even with the editing done by the page administrator.
Poacher and co. have their hands tied as I could name upto 25 players who are not on the panel again this year who would start or make the match say 26. However, it also does not seem like we are developing at the rate we should be in relation to the talent we have.
However, I do agree with the previous poster, how serious do we take the game? How many clubs are really pushing the standards?
Leitrim Gaels, St Marys, Ballinamore, Fenagh, Allen Gaels and Mohill and (Manor will now start to come again) - you'd wonder outside of that how many are even implementing a proper S&C regime?
A lot of this is due to numbers an the plague of depopulation in rural areas and emigration which is destroying Leitrim as a whole. But when are clubs and the County Board going to fight back?
Further to this. The U20 panel was named last night - Exact same scenario as the Senior team. Some real high quality players on the panel but there's 8/9 players not on the panel who didn't commit - Jack Moolick, Senan McGowan, Jamie Plunkett, Brian Keaney and James Gilheany to name a few. Them lads wouldn't just be on the panel they'd be star players who will all make huge impacts on their Senior club teams this year.
Therefore the team itself can never realise its potential and the vicious cycle continues.
One thing I'm will say and it seems hard for a lot of people to accept - we are producing a lot of very good player we just can't seem to get them onto the field." i think most of those lads you mention not on the U20 panel are doing the leaving cert so that might explain some of those absences.
meathbasedfan (Leitrim) - Posts: 206 - 26/02/2026 12:40:29
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On football matters we need to finish out the league as best as we can. A management change and a freshen up to the panel will be priorities for the future. Tipperary seem to have been against us playing in Thurles - we're moved to Clonmel for Sundays clash which I'm a little bit optimistic about.
Boxtyeater (Leitrim) - Posts: 761 - 26/02/2026 14:10:49
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Replying To 3rdmidfielder: "Thats not a dig at the players leitrimabu1. We have some fine footballers, Barry, Ryan and Tom are as good as we have had in the last 30 years. Likes of Ben, Jack Kelly have huge potential. I am just saying and I have said it before is that as a county we dont take our football serious. We have our excuses ready to go." Contrary to your view it's from down under & far fro from the positive mood in the County. There is a real belief among the squad & the County that we can progress. Look at the age group it's got great potter & Stephen is fully supported here. One thing we do agree on is that we have the most talented squad in years & all being injury free can compete. Will we beat Tipp? I don't know but if we turn up with fire in our bellies- yes we can!
leitrimabu1 (Leitrim) - Posts: 171 - 26/02/2026 14:21:41
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Replying To bláthach: "Has this experiment been carried out please regarding the twins?? If so I never read about it anywhere and I don't think any mother would agree to that thanks so much. It is silly to expect any mammy to give up one of her children and send them to Roscommon of all places but thanks for the suggestion but it won't happen thank you." Go on the horse search instead in Leitrim land bud instead. Hup ya boys !
moros (Roscommon) - Posts: 1281 - 26/02/2026 16:28:12
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