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Changes in the GAA - super thread

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  • Registered Users Posts: 2,393 ✭✭✭Jaden


    Ironic that you say stating an opinion does not make it fact, when every word of your post on mckenna is opinion, and a blatently unfair one at that...

    Again, there is a pattern here "every word" is an exaggeration and then an option stated as a fact "blatently unfair".

    I have given my opinion, but I have stated that it is just that - my opinion. I have not declared that I am right because I have said it. Now, if I said:

    "Face it lads, mckenna is wrong and everyone knows that you can see this too."

    .. then you would have a point. But I didn't.

    He actually comes across as a man who has the figures to prove his point and is just sick of the gobsh*te fans whose sole purpose in life seems to be to chase him around on social media posting the same disproven responses over and over, word for word. People who clearly already know they are wrong but just want to muddy the waters for personal gain, despite it being to the detriment of the game itself. In all fairness, who could blame him?

    Calling fans gob****es because they disagree with someones opinion? Eh, OK.
    Personally, I believe he craves the attention. YMMV.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    Much of the funding has gone to clubs in the form of GDOs. How on earth can this not produce better players? Most Dublin footballers at club level are assisted, advised and trained by paid professionals. If GDOS are assisting the training of younger players, of course this gives them a long term advantage.

    "Increasing participation" is just a cover for training an elite of Dublin players to a very high level.

    They are certainly not using it to train Mohammad or Agnieska to even a reasonable level, because as we have seen none of these non nationals are making it to IC level.

    Ok you seem to have a blind spot when it comes to Dublin and kids in Dublin playing GAA. Take off your tin foil hat, it is not some masterplan to train elite Dublin galactos it is to get as many kids out playing as possible. Of course because of the numbers there are going to be a couple of gems in there but you go to any nursery in any club in Dublin and its not about finding the best player and giving them specialist coaching its about fun and participation.

    But for someone like you I think if all Dublin funding was cut to zero you would still have an issue with Dublin, that I cannot help you with


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    bruschi wrote: »
    you are 100% in that. I wouldnt bash Dublin over this, and have been consistent in all my comments. Dublin were given a crapload of money but have invested in it very wisely and have set out a good standard of how to invest in coaching structures.

    My problem is the completely lopsided nationally invested in coaching structures. A huge amount of games development funding was given to Dublin, whether by main investment or at the expense of the rest, and it has worked really well there, but may counties are floundering and suffering. Whilst Dublin does not have to rely on any fundraising or money issues with regards to coaching structures, many other counties have to do extraordinary events to raise money to try bridge this coaching divide and try to catch up.

    Again, none of that is Dublins problem, but their coaching structures which is now minimally being run out in some other counties is years ahead of the rest. The fact that their county board can operate and fund their senior set ups and other county teams through corporate sponsors without having to divert funds to underage structures is a huge bonus that no other county has. They command the best revenue streams, have the biggest population, have the best resources at their door step and then on top of that were being given additional coaching structures and additional money over and above what any other county gets. It's fantastic for Dublin, but it has created a massive gap between them and the rest, particularly in Leinster.

    I agree 100% the coaching nationally is not good enough and Dublin is way ahead in those terms and its only now that other counties are catching up. Unfortunately certain counties put all their energies and resources into their senior set ups too


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    Dots1982 wrote: »
    It isn’t actually when you look over their accounts. They fundraise 50k a year while the likes of mayo and Kerry fundraise close to a million in a year.

    The amount they pay in salaries is absolutely huge compared to their rivals.

    They rely on money from Croke Park as their biggest source of income.

    Dublin isn’t really a good model at all to follow. All other county boards would be bankrupt if they fundraised that little.

    Hmmm ok then!

    They dont need to fundraise as much as others as they have worked and obtained a huge sponsorship deal and of course they need central funding due to the volume of coaches which are employed for children.

    And do you not think Dublin clubs are not fundraising on a consistent basis to cover their costs?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 3,957 ✭✭✭Dots1982


    kilns wrote: »

    And do you not think Dublin clubs are not fundraising on a consistent basis to cover their costs?

    You didn’t say that.

    You said the Dublin county board are a model for other county boards. They aren’t at all. It’s completely wrong to hold them up as a model as no other county could copy the sponsorship deals Dublin get. No other county has GAA’s HQ as their biggest income source. No other county has HQ covering the cost of maintenance for their home venue.

    Your posts on a variety of things suggest you’re lacking a lot when it comes to any in-depth understanding of the GAA.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    Dots1982 wrote: »
    You didn’t say that.

    You said the Dublin county board are a model for other county boards. They aren’t at all. It’s completely wrong to hold them up as a model as no other county could copy the sponsorship deals Dublin get. No other county has GAA’s HQ as their biggest income source. No other county has HQ covering the cost of maintenance for their home venue.

    Your posts on a variety of things suggest you’re lacking a lot when it comes to any in-depth understanding of the GAA.

    Yes, they have implemented a coaching and development strategy which every other county should be trying to follow. They have used the resources at their disposal and have got the most return out of them. Of course they have the biggest revenues but its what you do with that revenue which is important. Take Cork for example, the second biggest county in Ireland in terms of population, how much have they spent on a stadium that will get filled maybe once a year.

    I can gaurantee too my knowledge is quite extensive but I am open to correction on any topic and I do not hold any grudges or hatred towards other counties which you seem to do and again that is ok, thats your issue to deal with.

    You are from Kildare right? As Kildare have been allocated EUR 1.18 per child more than Dublin, are you happy with that? Are you happy with how Kildare Co Board are allocating this funding?


  • Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭ToBeFrank123


    kilns wrote: »
    Ok you seem to have a blind spot when it comes to Dublin and kids in Dublin playing GAA. Take off your tin foil hat, it is not some masterplan to train elite Dublin galactos it is to get as many kids out playing as possible. Of course because of the numbers there are going to be a couple of gems in there but you go to any nursery in any club in Dublin and its not about finding the best player and giving them specialist coaching its about fun and participation.

    But for someone like you I think if all Dublin funding was cut to zero you would still have an issue with Dublin, that I cannot help you with

    Nonsense, but a nice try.

    If Dublin won 20 in a row based off the same funding and same amount of GDOs per club as the rest of the country, I'd be the first to congratulate them. Even with the ton of other advantages they enjoy, such as home advantage for all their big games.

    The fact is they have far more GDOs per club than any other county. An advantage assisted by the GAA.

    And for this reason people will put asterixis and question marks beside their 5 in a row, whether you like it or not. You can complain all you want about that, but its not going to change people's minds. People perceive the decks are overwhelmingly loaded in Dublin's favour and hence question the validity of their success. You can personalise it and attack me personally like you have tried to do, but I'm only one person among thousands who question the current imbalances in the GAA. Are you going to personally attack them too? Or are will you accept the unfair funding imbalances enjoyed by Dublin which need to be rectified?


  • Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭ToBeFrank123


    kilns wrote: »
    Yes, they have implemented a coaching and development strategy which every other county should be trying to follow. They have used the resources at their disposal and have got the most return out of them. Of course they have the biggest revenues but its what you do with that revenue which is important. Take Cork for example, the second biggest county in Ireland in terms of population, how much have they spent on a stadium that will get filled maybe once a year.

    I can gaurantee too my knowledge is quite extensive but I am open to correction on any topic and I do not hold any grudges or hatred towards other counties which you seem to do and again that is ok, thats your issue to deal with.

    You are from Kildare right? As Kildare have been allocated EUR 1.18 per child more than Dublin, are you happy with that? Are you happy with how Kildare Co Board are allocating this funding?


    A very bad example to take. Dublin had their stadium built for free, leaving no huge debt issues.

    Free stadium and huge assistance with GDOs. How many more advantages can you give one county before it becomes a complete joke?


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    Nonsense, but a nice try.

    If Dublin won 20 in a row based off the same funding and same amount of GDOs per club as the rest of the country, I'd be the first to congratulate them. Even with the ton of other advantages they enjoy, such as home advantage for all their big games.

    The fact is they have far more GDOs per club than any other county. An advantage assisted by the GAA.

    And for this reason people will put asterixis and question marks beside their 5 in a row, whether you like it or not. You can complain all you want about that, but its not going to change people's minds. People perceive the decks are overwhelmingly loaded in Dublin's favour and hence question the validity of their success. You can personalise it and attack me personally like you have tried to do, but I'm only one person among thousands who question the current imbalances in the GAA. Are you going to personally attack them too? Or are will you accept the unfair funding imbalances enjoyed by Dublin which need to be rectified?

    I have never denied that Dublin have unfair advantages, of course they have with location, population and the ability to raise bigger sponsorship, that is the advantage of being in the capital and the biggest urban area.

    Again you are missing the point about GPO/GDAs etc, it is about getting kids out active and enjoying the games, not some Manchester City like model and finding the elite or the elite and to hell with the rest

    Any yes, this Dublin team will be remembered without any asteriks as a excellent team on their own merits. With the greatest goalkeeper ever to play the game as well as some of the most naturally gifted players ever to play the game too.

    I get your anger too, it does seem unfair in your eyes and others when they are not winning and the big bad city team with all the glamour are winning and especially if its favouring a team you hate, no doubt you hated Dublin as much in the 00s as much as now, so the funding issue is irrelevant.

    By the way I am not even from Dublin, I am from Monaghan with roots in Longford and Roscommon so I know the feelings that are out there but some of it is excessive like from certain posters on here

    But as long as kids enjoy the game thats the most important thing right?


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    A very bad example to take. Dublin had their stadium built for free, leaving no huge debt issues.

    Free stadium and huge assistance with GDOs. How many more advantages can you give one county before it becomes a complete joke?

    The point is Cork dont need a stadium of that size and the cost which was involved. They could have spent the money on building an amazing centre of excellence and emplying GPOs and employing the Dublin club model, but they have refused to do that


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,141 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    kilns wrote: »
    I agree 100% the coaching nationally is not good enough and Dublin is way ahead in those terms and its only now that other counties are catching up. Unfortunately certain counties put all their energies and resources into their senior set ups too

    I think you may be missing the point here. You do know that the coaching plan was specifically designed and only catered for Dublin. To say other counties are now only catching up is solely to do with the GAA set up and where they have invested their coaching costs.

    Using senior funding or infrastructure development as a reason to put back other counties is also folly. It wasnt a case that Cork could either invest in coaching or else a stadium. They didnt have millions to spend on coaching, they wouldnt have got the same grants and funding if it was solely to put into coaching instead. Similarly with county set ups, its not a case of one or the other, its about trying to ensure money is spent as best as possible. If a senior team is going well, the knock on effect is to get more young kids involved. Dublin dont have either problem. They have more than enough money for their senior set up and have been given way more than anyone else for their coaching development. Plus they have their infrastructure there too in the capital that they also dont have to worry about like other counties.


  • Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭ToBeFrank123


    kilns wrote: »
    The point is Cork dont need a stadium of that size and the cost which was involved. They could have spent the money on building an amazing centre of excellence and emplying GPOs and employing the Dublin club model, but they have refused to do that

    Its a separate issue. The GAA offered to help Cork build the stadium. Its possible the wouldn't have offered them help with anything else.

    I'd be the first to admit Pairc Ui Chaoimh is the latest in a long line of clusterf*cks the GAA have been involved in and also the idea of every county having their own huge stadium for once or twice a year games is foolish. That issue goes back decades.

    But the point stands, not everyone has the luxury of a brand new stadium handed to them free of charge.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    bruschi wrote: »
    I think you may be missing the point here. You do know that the coaching plan was specifically designed and only catered for Dublin. To say other counties are now only catching up is solely to do with the GAA set up and where they have invested their coaching costs.

    Using senior funding or infrastructure development as a reason to put back other counties is also folly. It wasnt a case that Cork could either invest in coaching or else a stadium. They didnt have millions to spend on coaching, they wouldnt have got the same grants and funding if it was solely to put into coaching instead. Similarly with county set ups, its not a case of one or the other, its about trying to ensure money is spent as best as possible. If a senior team is going well, the knock on effect is to get more young kids involved. Dublin dont have either problem. They have more than enough money for their senior set up and have been given way more than anyone else for their coaching development. Plus they have their infrastructure there too in the capital that they also dont have to worry about like other counties.

    I agree it was a Dublin centric set up but it has proven succesful and the GAA are at fault for not implementing a national coaching plan much sooner

    With regard to Cork, they are in a complete mess and they are one of the next counties that needs urgent addressing, my point is that they didnt need the stadium and their energies should have been diverted to other more pressing issues and they could have negotiated with the GAA, either a new stadium or substantial funding for coaching etc but they refused to entertain the 50/50 GPO club county model, Cork has six GDAs in the county while Dublin has 70 (not including those hired by the clubs 100% themselves) There is something fundamentally wrong and these should be the questions asked, as to why does Cork only employ 6 GDAs, is it the GAA restricting them? or it is Cork themselves not willing to invest? I dont know but they are the kind of things I would like to know


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    Its a separate issue. The GAA offered to help Cork build the stadium. Its possible the wouldn't have offered them help with anything else.

    I'd be the first to admit Pairc Ui Chaoimh is the latest in a long line of clusterf*cks the GAA have been involved in and also the idea of every county having their own huge stadium for once or twice a year games is foolish. That issue goes back decades.

    But the point stands, not everyone has the luxury of a brand new stadium handed to them free of charge.

    I agree 100% Croke Park is a luxury for Dublin and I would like to see them play more games in Parnell Park but its a vicious circle the GAA wants Dublin to use Croke Park to increase gate receipts therefore increasing their revenue in turn increasing the funds they can distribute

    on a side note Dublin do not have an issue travelling anywhere to play games


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,922 ✭✭✭MayoAreMagic


    Jaden wrote: »
    Again, there is a pattern here "every word" is an exaggeration and then an option stated as a fact "blatently unfair".

    I have given my opinion, but I have stated that it is just that - my opinion. I have not declared that I am right because I have said it. Now, if I said:

    "Face it lads, mckenna is wrong and everyone knows that you can see this too."

    .. then you would have a point. But I didn't.




    Calling fans gob****es because they disagree with someones opinion? Eh, OK.
    Personally, I believe he craves the attention. YMMV.

    How about if you said that he 'came across bitter and petty and with an axe to grind'? Sounds like a definite declaration to me. Not to mention, an inaccurate and personalised one.

    Re the gobsh*ties, clearly that is down to their actions rather than their opinion.

    I dont see how he craves attention for simply reporting on a large issue in the gaa today. Its obvious to anyone with a bit of objectivity or cop on, that it is in fact a big story. Surely that is just the guys job? Do said social media gobsh*tes crave attention also? Are they bitter and petty and have an axe to grind? Why no personalised 'observations' or 'opinions' about them?


  • Registered Users Posts: 2,393 ✭✭✭Jaden


    How about if you said that he 'came across bitter and petty and with an axe to grind'? Sounds like a definite declaration to me. Not to mention, an inaccurate and personalised one.

    It is my opinion of the chap. I cited three examples that in part, lead me to hold this opinion. I don't declare categorically that he is such-and-such, just that I am of the opinion he is such. YMMV.
    I dont see how he craves attention for simply reporting on a large issue in the gaa today.

    He craves the attention (maybe craves is not the most accurate word), because it pays the bills for him.The higher his profile, the more he'll get paid to contribute as a journalist.
    Its obvious to anyone with a bit of objectivity or cop on, that it is in fact a big story. Surely that is just the guys job?

    Opinion may be more divided on that matter than you believe.
    Do said social media gobsh*tes crave attention also? Are they bitter and petty and have an axe to grind? Why no personalised observations about them?

    I think that's one thing we can agree on without reservation. Social media is by and large of no inherent value. If it magically went away tomorrow, nothing of value would be lost.

    If the revolution comes, I can assure you that Hill 16 Army will be one of the first ones put up against the wall. Closely followed by any GAA following that uses the word banter.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    How about if you said that he 'came across bitter and petty and with an axe to grind'? Sounds like a definite declaration to me. Not to mention, an inaccurate and personalised one.

    Re the gobsh*ties, clearly that is down to their actions rather than their opinion.

    I dont see how he craves attention for simply reporting on a large issue in the gaa today. Its obvious to anyone with a bit of objectivity or cop on, that it is in fact a big story. Surely that is just the guys job? Do said social media gobsh*tes crave attention also? Are they bitter and petty and have an axe to grind? Why no personalised 'observations' or 'opinions' about them?

    To be fair he has lied on numerous occassions in articles to back up his arguments in articles and not just in his GAA writing, this should not be tolerated for a journalist


  • Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭ToBeFrank123


    Its not just MacKenna saying it though. Numerous journalists, sports scientists, etc have written on it. Its not a one man crusade.

    Anyone who raises their head over the parapet is subjected to a tirade of personal abuse from some quarters.

    Similar things were said about Paul Kimmage, particularly in relation to Lance Armstrong. "Bitter, Axe to grind, jealous begrudger". All these accusations were thrown at him. I'm seeing the same kind of language thrown about now from some quarters, exactly the same, along with the personal abuse.

    There's obviously an issue with the amount of GDO's Dublin have, far more than any other county and also with the funding Dublin has received. No-one can seriously argue this isn't the case.
    And the argument that its only used to help kids participate and doesn't help senior IC success down the road doesn't hold water. We know it does.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    Its not just MacKenna saying it though. Numerous journalists, sports scientists, etc have written on it. Its not a one man crusade.

    Anyone who raises their head over the parapet is subjected to a tirade of personal abuse from some quarters.

    Similar things were said about Paul Kimmage, particularly in relation to Lance Armstrong. "Bitter, Axe to grind, jealous begrudger". All these accusations were thrown at him. I'm seeing the same kind of language thrown about now from some quarters, exactly the same, along with the personal abuse.

    There's obviously an issue with the amount of GDO's Dublin have, far more than any other county and also with the funding Dublin has received. No-one can seriously argue this isn't the case.
    And the argument that its only used to help kids participate and doesn't help senior IC success down the road doesn't hold water. We know it does.

    Sports Scientests have complained about Dublins funding? Care to name them? Unfortunately, the world has moved on since the days of Kimmage, news is more and more online and via social media and needs click bait headlines and sensational articles to gain readership, its is very hard to find good balanced journalism these days in any sport. McKenna can write good stuff but his articles are always let down due to his lack of balance and evidence in many cases. At the Austrialian Open he accussed Nadal of being on drugs because he takes long breaks from the game, without any evidence and the facts he used to back this up was that Nadal now is serving faster and hitting the ball harder than ever before, which was a complete lie, as in 2010 his stats say differently, that is just one example but there are many others. That is why he is not credible and is just like any other guy sitting on a barstool with an axe to grind

    Of course Dublin have more GDOs etc as its the strategic plan that was put in place and of course the more kids that are involved naturally means that more better players will be unearthed. But take Cork for example, the second biggest county in terms of population, they have only 7 GDOs and have refused to get any more up until now, the question must be asked why? They say they are considering it now.

    Its only natural sport needs villians, and Dublin are the current Gaelic Football villians and Dublin fans just have to realise that, it will pass and the mantle will be passed on again, maybe back to the Northern Teams who held it in the 2000s.


  • Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭ToBeFrank123


    kilns wrote: »
    Sports Scientests have complained about Dublins funding? Care to name them? Unfortunately, the world has moved on since the days of Kimmage, news is more and more online and via social media and needs click bait headlines and sensational articles to gain readership, its is very hard to find good balanced journalism these days in any sport. McKenna can write good stuff but his articles are always let down due to his lack of balance and evidence in many cases. At the Austrialian Open he accussed Nadal of being on drugs because he takes long breaks from the game, without any evidence and the facts he used to back this up was that Nadal now is serving faster and hitting the ball harder than ever before, which was a complete lie, as in 2010 his stats say differently, that is just one example but there are many others. That is why he is not credible and is just like any other guy sitting on a barstool with an axe to grind

    Of course Dublin have more GDOs etc as its the strategic plan that was put in place and of course the more kids that are involved naturally means that more better players will be unearthed. But take Cork for example, the second biggest county in terms of population, they have only 7 GDOs and have refused to get any more up until now, the question must be asked why? They say they are considering it now.

    Its only natural sport needs villians, and Dublin are the current Gaelic Football villians and Dublin fans just have to realise that, it will pass and the mantle will be passed on again, maybe back to the Northern Teams who held it in the 2000s.

    Twisting words again I see, a specialty of many Dublin supporters on here it seems.
    I didn't say they complained. I said they commented on them including the sports scientist in this article.
    https://www.balls.ie/gaa/gaa-investment-in-dublin-348120

    Its bizarre and perhaps unprecedented that the administrators of a sport should do everything in their power to help one participant above all others. It doesn't matter if Dublin requested more GDOs or the GAA offered them. Its still wrong.

    And we can all agree that the extra funds to Dublin above all others to help increase participation is pure bullsh*t. The extra funds have a direct impact on senior intercounty success down the line, no-one disputes that, including most Dublin supporters.

    There is a direct link between increased funding to Dublin and their increased intercounty success.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    Twisting words again I see, a specialty of many Dublin supporters on here it seems.
    I didn't say they complained. I said they commented on them including the sports scientist in this article.
    https://www.balls.ie/gaa/gaa-investment-in-dublin-348120

    Its bizarre and perhaps unprecedented that the administrators of a sport should do everything in their power to help one participant above all others. It doesn't matter if Dublin requested more GDOs or the GAA offered them. Its still wrong.

    And we can all agree that the extra funds to Dublin above all others to help increase participation is pure bullsh*t. The extra funds have a direct impact on senior intercounty success down the line, no-one disputes that, including most Dublin supporters.
    .

    Correct me if I am wrong but I dont see any sport scientest quoted in that article and also the figures used in that article are just ridiculous and sum up how McKenna forms his arguments, a 40 year old could be a registered player are Games development funds aimed at him? What about the thousands and thousands of kids not registered and attending schools which GPOs go into and coach, should they not be counted?

    Again you are the type of person who will not see logic and will always be angry when it comes to Dublin (the villians) and understand the word development! Yes the development funds are to increase participation and are aimed at children and yes if the numbers increase of course as the bigger population centre Dublin will benefit in the long run as one or two gems might be found that otherwise might not be found, but 99% of the kids who might start playing GAA because of this will never wear a Dublin jersey but they will be involved, partcipate, stay healthy and make friends as they go along.

    But whats done is done now and Dublin per child does not received excess funding anymore, what is your solution for other counties to catch up on the Dublin coaching model?


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,016 ✭✭✭lukin


    And we can all agree that the extra funds to Dublin above all others to help increase participation is pure bullsh*t. The extra funds have a direct impact on senior intercounty success down the line, no-one disputes that, including most Dublin supporters.

    There is a direct link between increased funding to Dublin and their increased intercounty success.

    You are completely incorrect there. I have never heard or read a Dublin supporter say this. Anyone who did say it to them was verbally attacked by Dub supporters straight away.
    Sure didn't the President of the GAA say just the other day their success was not down to money in any way.
    For me (and others I think) the thing we object to is not so much the excessive funding Dublin receive but the way that their supporters resolutely refuse to accept it has played any part in their success.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    lukin wrote: »
    For me (and others I think) the thing we object to is not so much the excessive funding Dublin receive but the way that their supporters resolutely refuse to accept it has played any part in their success.

    I dont think anyone can or would deny there is a benefit from more kids being involved and GPOs getting to them , but being the biggest population centre it is a natural thing that Dublin will have the biggest pick and always have done. I guess now, there is a combination of Dublin having a fantastic manager and a few once in a life time players that have lifted them above everyone else, it doesnt help also that the standards of the other teams is simply not that good, the teams you would expect to be strong are simply not i.e. Kerry, Cork, Tyrone

    The thing which I think annoys Dublin fans is the likes of McKenna and posters here, suggesting the funding goes into elite development which is blatantly untrue if him or any of these posters knew anything about the Dublin club scene. I would hate to think where Dublin GAA and in turn the GAA as a whole would be if this plan was not implemented all those years ago.


  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,141 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    kilns wrote: »
    Correct me if I am wrong but I dont see any sport scientest quoted in that article and also the figures used in that article are just ridiculous and sum up how McKenna forms his arguments, a 40 year old could be a registered player are Games development funds aimed at him? What about the thousands and thousands of kids not registered and attending schools which GPOs go into and coach, should they not be counted?

    Again you are the type of person who will not see logic and will always be angry when it comes to Dublin (the villians) and understand the word development! Yes the development funds are to increase participation and are aimed at children and yes if the numbers increase of course as the bigger population centre Dublin will benefit in the long run as one or two gems might be found that otherwise might not be found, but 99% of the kids who might start playing GAA because of this will never wear a Dublin jersey but they will be involved, partcipate, stay healthy and make friends as they go along.

    But whats done is done now and Dublin per child does not received excess funding anymore, what is your solution for other counties to catch up on the Dublin coaching model?

    if the funds are to increase participation and we are using overall population as the basis, then surely the number of those being reached should therefore be registering with clubs and those numbers drastically increasing. But from the sparse figures so far, it doesnt look that way. There is a huge disparity between the overall per head of population figure and the actual registered member figure.

    If this is indeed the yardstick of success, then is that not a failure?

    Participating for an hour a week in school is great, but if those kids dont join clubs or at least see a significant jump in participation levels outside the school participation where they have little or no choice, then why do we use the overall population figure on one hand but not the actual numbers of registered players? Because the cost per registered player is significantly more than head of population.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    bruschi wrote: »
    if the funds are to increase participation and we are using overall population as the basis, then surely the number of those being reached should therefore be registering with clubs and those numbers drastically increasing. But from the sparse figures so far, it doesnt look that way. There is a huge disparity between the overall per head of population figure and the actual registered member figure.

    If this is indeed the yardstick of success, then is that not a failure?

    Participating for an hour a week in school is great, but if those kids dont join clubs or at least see a significant jump in participation levels outside the school participation where they have little or no choice, then why do we use the overall population figure on one hand but not the actual numbers of registered players? Because the cost per registered player is significantly more than head of population.

    Nursery participation in Dublin has increase 20% year on year for the last 5 years which I would guess is quite succesful, these are kids aged 4-8 and would not be registered. I can only speak from my own club and over the last number of years the numbers have increase dramatically amongst very young children. Registration too can be covered under family so the actual registration figures again can be distorted

    If you ignore the general population and just concentrate on registered players then what is the point? Then Dublin GAA could focus their energies on the big clubs like Kilmacud etc and ignore less developed areas which have smaller clubs etc. The aim is to increase participation and if you go into a school and coach 30 kids who do not go to a nursery etc and then 5 turn up at the club, I would deem that a success.


  • Registered Users Posts: 4,016 ✭✭✭lukin


    kilns wrote: »
    I dont think anyone can or would deny there is a benefit from more kids being involved and GPOs getting to them ,

    See, this is exactly what I am talking about: "the money is all going to kids, it's not going into the senior team at all".


  • Users Awaiting Email Confirmation Posts: 2,176 ✭✭✭ToBeFrank123


    kilns wrote: »
    Nursery participation in Dublin has increase 20% year on year for the last 5 years which I would guess is quite succesful, these are kids aged 4-8 and would not be registered. I can only speak from my own club and over the last number of years the numbers have increase dramatically amongst very young children. Registration too can be covered under family so the actual registration figures again can be distorted

    If you ignore the general population and just concentrate on registered players then what is the point? Then Dublin GAA could focus their energies on the big clubs like Kilmacud etc and ignore less developed areas which have smaller clubs etc. The aim is to increase participation and if you go into a school and coach 30 kids who do not go to a nursery etc and then 5 turn up at the club, I would deem that a success.

    These 5 would likely turn up anyways. There is no evidence demographics other than the traditional Catholic Irish are registering in significant numbers. Dublin have had this increased funding for at least 10 years if not more. That's 10 years of training the next generation of players, and that next generation is catastrophically under represented by non nationals on elite Dublin IC squads.
    So what happened? With the right training are non nationals not as good as everyone else? We've seen in other counties they can compete at IC level and indeed win U21 AIs with Mayo for example.
    This is just one example how spreading the sport has been an utter failure in many regards in Dublin.
    It still remains the preserve of Catholic Irish who would register anyways, whether there are more GDOs or not. And still Dublin is lagging in overall player registration rates.
    So vast amounts of money are being pumped into train a relatively narrow elite of Dubliners.
    There's something amiss.

    That and why Dublin should be an exception when it comes to increasing participation. Why didn't the GAA decide to make all the other urban centres special projects, particularly for example Belfast which is prime territory for increasing participation. Sligo also has fallen badly behind in competitiveness, again a perfect candidate for increased funding. Cork hurlers are struggling to win AIs and the football has fallen behind. Participation in GAA is weak in many parts of Galway city.

    I'm guessing the GAA saw Dublin as a potential for easy money and hoped by pumping millions in they'd see huge crowds at Dublin games. That again has been a complete disaster and crowds have fallen off a cliff.


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    lukin wrote: »
    See, this is exactly what I am talking about: "the money is all going to kids, it's not going into the senior team at all".

    which it is, funding that comes from the GAA for games development (which are the figures which are always discussed) not one Euro goes to the running of the senior teams and if you would like to provide evidence to the contrary I would be delighted to see it


  • Registered Users Posts: 3,525 ✭✭✭kilns


    These 5 would likely turn up anyways. There is no evidence demographics other than the traditional Catholic Irish are registering in significant numbers. Dublin have had this increased funding for at least 10 years if not more. That's 10 years of training the next generation of players, and that next generation is catastrophically under represented by non nationals on elite Dublin IC squads.
    So what happened? With the right training are non nationals not as good as everyone else? We've seen in other counties they can compete at IC level and indeed win U21 AIs with Mayo for example.
    This is just one example how spreading the sport has been an utter failure in many regards in Dublin.
    It still remains the preserve of Catholic Irish who would register anyways, whether there are more GDOs or not. And still Dublin is lagging in overall player registration rates.
    So vast amounts of money are being pumped into train a relatively narrow elite of Dubliners.
    There's something amiss.

    That and why Dublin should be an exception when it comes to increasing participation. Why didn't the GAA decide to make all the other urban centres special projects, particularly for example Belfast which is prime territory for increasing participation. Sligo also has fallen badly behind in competitiveness, again a perfect candidate for increased funding. Cork hurlers are struggling to win AIs and the football has fallen behind. Participation in GAA is weak in many parts of Galway city.

    I'm guessing the GAA saw Dublin as a potential for easy money and hoped by pumping millions in they'd see huge crowds at Dublin games. That again has been a complete disaster and crowds have fallen off a cliff.

    There is no point even getting into a debate with you anymore as I have answered all these points numerous times to you previously but I get it your from Mayo you hold a grudge against Dublin and no matter what logic or counter arguments are made you will still hate Dublin

    I have not heard one word from you how to improve other counties and if Mayo for example are applying their games development funding into their kids or pumping it into their senior team.

    Also to make a final point, you may not want to hear it but the GAA in Dublin is competing against so many other sports/hobbies etc for kids attention. In places like rural Mayo there is only one show in town alot of the time, so in that case, the coaching structure needs to be different and not about winning the hearts of kids but developing them. What is Mayo County Boards coaching vision/template for the next 10 years for example?


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  • Moderators, Sports Moderators Posts: 4,141 Mod ✭✭✭✭bruschi


    kilns wrote: »
    There is no point even getting into a debate with you anymore as I have answered all these points numerous times to you previously but I get it your from Mayo you hold a grudge against Dublin and no matter what logic or counter arguments are made you will still hate Dublin

    I have not heard one word from you how to improve other counties and if Mayo for example are applying their games development funding into their kids or pumping it into their senior team.

    Also to make a final point, you may not want to hear it but the GAA in Dublin is competing against so many other sports/hobbies etc for kids attention. In places like rural Mayo there is only one show in town alot of the time, so in that case, the coaching structure needs to be different and not about winning the hearts of kids but developing them. What is Mayo County Boards coaching vision/template for the next 10 years for example?

    with regards to your earlier point on the nursery, yes, it is great to see 20% increase, but I'd like to see how that stacks up country wide. In our club for example, with no investment, it has similar increases, mainly because there was never nurseries before and for most places it is a relatively new set up.

    further to your point above about Mayo spending their games development on their senior team, you do know that it is virtually impossible for this to happen? All these accounts have to be verified to the provincial council and wages are included in these figures which are paid by their employer which is the provincial council. Mayo do not have the ability to redistribute these funds and all expenditure on the under age teams which uses the development money has to be accounted for.

    This is an argument I have seen before which has virtually no understanding of how provincial investment in games development is spent or that actual workings of how they operate.


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