National Forum

Waterford League Home Advantage Punishment

(Oldest Posts First)

I just saw the following article on Waterford forfeiting home advantage for league games due to breaching the training ban last April (what was supposed to be a club action only month): http://hoganstand.com/Article/Index/294113

I'm not saying that there shouldn't be consequences for breaking reasonable rules, or that club action only month is an unreasonable idea (its something I'd often mooted in the past).
But given that the league was being played into April (league final was April 8th), and that the championship started in the first half of May last year, is this punishment really reasonable?

They established April as a club action only month, not a bad idea on its own merits. Meant the league would have to be played off earlier, but that was doable.

Then they introduced the new championship format, which added more games, and expanded the championship, essentially. Fair enough, if you could play more games in late July and August, and maybe play the AI final a week later in September.

But then, they move the AI final date back to early/mid August, supposedly to facilitate club championships from that point on, and moving back the bulk of the championship games to earlier in the year. Meaning these inter-county teams would have to be ready to play 4 championship games in May/June. Lat year, Offaly had to play 4 weeks in a row, starting May 12th.

When you condense all inter-county action so heavily into the first 6 months of the year, is it reasonable to enforce a month long training ban before a match schedule the next month that would tax professional players?

I'm not saying a club only month in April is unreasonable. And I do know people favored finishing the championship earlier to accommodate club action, also, which is understandable. But is doing both reasonable?
Not if you expand the championship AND decide to finish it earlier in the year at the same time, I think. Am I wrong? I could be.

Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 10/01/2019 21:49:15    2156489

Link

Ridiculous punishment in light of the fact that the GAA turned a blind eye to the many counties who broke the rule & who gave infantile "the dog ate my homework" excuses. The double standards at play here just highlight the mess the Association is in, when it enforces a rule on one whilst the majority went away unpunished with people sniggering at their excuses.

Uimhir.a.3. (Galway) - Posts: 409 - 11/01/2019 01:32:33    2156512

Link

The whole point of the training ban was so that clubs would have unrestricted access to their county players for the frenzy of club activity that was supposed to take place throughout April. In fact, there was little or no meaningful club activity in many counties. If Waterford deserve to be punished, then so does every county that did not provide serious competitive action for all of their senior clubs in both codes during April.

Gaillimh_Abu (Galway) - Posts: 996 - 11/01/2019 07:08:22    2156515

Link

Replying To Gaillimh_Abu:  "The whole point of the training ban was so that clubs would have unrestricted access to their county players for the frenzy of club activity that was supposed to take place throughout April. In fact, there was little or no meaningful club activity in many counties. If Waterford deserve to be punished, then so does every county that did not provide serious competitive action for all of their senior clubs in both codes during April."
I agree with every word of that.
The attitude of county managers, including my own, to the clubs, was a disgrace and should not go unnoticed.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1732 - 11/01/2019 09:07:32    2156523

Link

I have stopped posting because of the attitude of some on here towards other Waterford issues. However I will this once. There are many examples of the selectiveness punishment known by most and no need to re-visit. However I hoped that Waterford would have contacted the GAA dictatorship and tell them they will play this game in Offaly. Why ? Out of empathy for one set of supporters who could do with a home game in January. If Waterford supporters can not have their entitlement at least benefit the Offaly supporters.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 11/01/2019 15:11:21    2156616

Link

i think canuck you are feeling a dislike for waterford which doesn't exist.....

perfect10 (Wexford) - Posts: 3929 - 17/01/2019 12:36:21    2157742

Link

And Armagh lost home advantage too, and some other counties didn't with one notably going to France on a cultural and historical trip to visit British military war graves!!!!

cuchulainn35 (Armagh) - Posts: 1671 - 17/01/2019 13:06:14    2157752

Link

Replying To cuchulainn35:  "And Armagh lost home advantage too, and some other counties didn't with one notably going to France on a cultural and historical trip to visit British military war graves!!!!"
Boom. There's the angry Northerner not wanting WW1 graves to be visited.

bloodyban (Limerick) - Posts: 1710 - 17/01/2019 18:36:05    2157849

Link

Replying To bloodyban:  "Boom. There's the angry Northerner not wanting WW1 graves to be visited."
OMG our Armagh friend never said he did not want WW1 graves visited as there are many from his county in those graves also. He was using an example of what one county used in their defence of an earlier season team get together. Neither am I passing judgement on that explanation. Everyone can use their own judgement.
These sort of accusations are what discredits this forum.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 17/01/2019 21:32:03    2157902

Link

Replying To perfect10:  "i think canuck you are feeling a dislike for waterford which doesn't exist....."
Perfect 10 I have plenty reason to believe the dislike for my county from the postings on these forums. The discussion on Walsh Park went over the top and my decision to stop contributing and limit reading. While agreeing of the need to upgrade the facility, having it described as a dump, sh-t hole etc. etc. number one is not true and secondly disrespectful. Disappointedly ALL these comments on here came from our neighbours to the East. Like in any other county growing up as a kid it was an ambition to play in a county final at your county grounds. Fifty years ago that is how we felt about our beloved park. However no argument that we need to move on.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 17/01/2019 21:54:37    2157910

Link

Replying To cuchulainn35:  "And Armagh lost home advantage too, and some other counties didn't with one notably going to France on a cultural and historical trip to visit British military war graves!!!!"
Ah now now there the golden boys of the Gaa you didn't seriously think they would be punished.

Yourjoking (USA) - Posts: 703 - 17/01/2019 22:17:10    2157915

Link

Replying To Canuck:  "Perfect 10 I have plenty reason to believe the dislike for my county from the postings on these forums. The discussion on Walsh Park went over the top and my decision to stop contributing and limit reading. While agreeing of the need to upgrade the facility, having it described as a dump, sh-t hole etc. etc. number one is not true and secondly disrespectful. Disappointedly ALL these comments on here came from our neighbours to the East. Like in any other county growing up as a kid it was an ambition to play in a county final at your county grounds. Fifty years ago that is how we felt about our beloved park. However no argument that we need to move on."
It is ironic you feel like that, I know you probably haven't been in a pub in Wexford but I have never seen Waterford play anybody when the whole pub wasn't shouting for them.
If you want to get out the violin for yourselves beyond that, work away.

StoreysTash (Wexford) - Posts: 1732 - 18/01/2019 19:33:26    2158077

Link

Replying To StoreysTash:  "It is ironic you feel like that, I know you probably haven't been in a pub in Wexford but I have never seen Waterford play anybody when the whole pub wasn't shouting for them.
If you want to get out the violin for yourselves beyond that, work away."
Typical of the continuous mouthing off by you. Every comment has to accompanied by a personal jibe. Fortunately I don't need to or won't continue to engage.

Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2655 - 18/01/2019 21:22:54    2158094

Link