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Donal Óg Cusack Belittles Fellow Gaels

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "I am a Limerick man and have no connection whatsoever with Tipperary. But please do not accuse them of inactivity 100 years. This is the county of Dan Breen, Sean Treacy, Sean Hogan, Sean Robinson and Dinny Lacy and many. This is the land of Sologhead Beg and most of the men than won the battle at the Station of Knocklong. Anyway is there not there plenty wild mountainy land up around the Slieve Blooms."
Read my post again. I said 'you could hardly accuse'. Jesus I didn't come down in the last shower, or the one before it.

There is mountainy land there but the majority of the county is flat. Big houses, spies, RIC barracks. It was hard to get the thing going in the W of I.

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 31/07/2019 21:11:35    2219234

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His point, while badly put across, was more that the a resistant attitude to change in hurling tactics is similar to the the resistant attitude to change in Britain towards tactical innovation in soccer which left the Home Nations well behind their more innovative European and South American rivals.

How the opening poster thinks he was having a go at the true Gaels or calling people West Brits is beyond me.

Maybe his point is BS, maybe not, but at least debate what he was trying to say rather than making out he questioned their true Gaeldom or some other nonsense.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13709 - 31/07/2019 21:30:27    2219241

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Replying To Oldtourman:  "I am a Limerick man and have no connection whatsoever with Tipperary. But please do not accuse them of inactivity 100 years. This is the county of Dan Breen, Sean Treacy, Sean Hogan, Sean Robinson and Dinny Lacy and many. This is the land of Sologhead Beg and most of the men than won the battle at the Station of Knocklong. Anyway is there not there plenty wild mountainy land up around the Slieve Blooms."
Ya but they didnt have a man at that border town one foggy new years eve.

But seriously I cant get the Sunday Game what did he say?

Breezy (Limerick) - Posts: 1236 - 31/07/2019 21:37:07    2219244

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Replying To MesAmis:  "His point, while badly put across, was more that the a resistant attitude to change in hurling tactics is similar to the the resistant attitude to change in Britain towards tactical innovation in soccer which left the Home Nations well behind their more innovative European and South American rivals.

How the opening poster thinks he was having a go at the true Gaels or calling people West Brits is beyond me.

Maybe his point is BS, maybe not, but at least debate what he was trying to say rather than making out he questioned their true Gaeldom or some other nonsense."
His point, while badly put across, was more that the a resistant attitude to change in hurling tactics is similar to the the resistant attitude to change in Britain towards tactical innovation in soccer which left the Home Nations well behind their more innovative European and South American rivals.

Was that not just one example though MesAmis? He started off with 'part of the last remnants of British culture on these islands'. Resistance to change in hurling somehow equated to British culture..

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 31/07/2019 21:41:59    2219246

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Replying To BliainanÁir:  "His point, while badly put across, was more that the a resistant attitude to change in hurling tactics is similar to the the resistant attitude to change in Britain towards tactical innovation in soccer which left the Home Nations well behind their more innovative European and South American rivals.

Was that not just one example though MesAmis? He started off with 'part of the last remnants of British culture on these islands'. Resistance to change in hurling somehow equated to British culture.."
That's the part that was badly put across in my opinion. Mainly because there are massive remnants of British culture that remain and will always remain in Ireland. That's not necessarily a bad thing either in all instances. Also the "these islands" quote is pure stupidity as well. What islands?!

In anyways I don't see anywhere in that where he questions anyone's Irishness or Gaeldom or infers that they're all West Brits.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13709 - 31/07/2019 21:58:09    2219251

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Replying To Breezy:  "Ya but they didnt have a man at that border town one foggy new years eve.

But seriously I cant get the Sunday Game what did he say?"
I like the New Years Eve bit, As they say up North, keep her lit.
What Cusack was trying to say, in a very convulated way was that certain teams and I presume certain hurling men were resistant to change. He said that when Mackey 'with a delightful disregard for the rules, took the ball and ran with it' there were those who said solo running would never catch on and likewise today there is tendency to resist new ideas. At least that is what I think he was saying.

Oldtourman (Limerick) - Posts: 4321 - 31/07/2019 21:58:27    2219252

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Replying To MesAmis:  "His point, while badly put across, was more that the a resistant attitude to change in hurling tactics is similar to the the resistant attitude to change in Britain towards tactical innovation in soccer which left the Home Nations well behind their more innovative European and South American rivals.

How the opening poster thinks he was having a go at the true Gaels or calling people West Brits is beyond me.

Maybe his point is BS, maybe not, but at least debate what he was trying to say rather than making out he questioned their true Gaeldom or some other nonsense."
Why is it nonsense?

Have you watched the hurling documentary 'The Game'?

You do realise Donal O'Grady said Cork teams were sent out against Kilkenny teams fired up by the notion that their opponents did nothing during the War of Independence.

To not acknowledge that Cusack, the Sinn Fein man, hadn't some of that thought process in mind when criticising the traditionalists, is rather naive.

Also look at his past history with certain counties and people.

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 31/07/2019 21:59:15    2219253

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Verbal diarrhoea, dún do bheal Donal.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8592 - 31/07/2019 22:04:29    2219256

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Replying To MesAmis:  "His point, while badly put across, was more that the a resistant attitude to change in hurling tactics is similar to the the resistant attitude to change in Britain towards tactical innovation in soccer which left the Home Nations well behind their more innovative European and South American rivals.

How the opening poster thinks he was having a go at the true Gaels or calling people West Brits is beyond me.

Maybe his point is BS, maybe not, but at least debate what he was trying to say rather than making out he questioned their true Gaeldom or some other nonsense."
Well said MesAmis. That's it in a nutshell . He then broadened out the point to essentially say that there is no right or wrong way to play the game and that tactical innovation is an essential part of any sport . He defended Davy Fitz and Derek McGrath from their detractors very well . I believe he was referring to pundits who criticised Davy Fitz and Derek McGrath . Michael Duignan was one of those . Recently Donal Og asked the question was Offaly hurlings success in the 80s and 90s the exception rather than the rule and were Offaly returning to the level they have been at for the majority of the time that they have been hurling . I don't believe he was criticising any hurling county in particular. Brian Cody doesn't take exception to tactical innovation . He studies it, counters it and his teams overcome it . To say that Donal Og was accusing particular counties of being West Brits is particularly daft .

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 31/07/2019 22:34:57    2219264

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Replying To BliainanÁir:  "Why is it nonsense?

Have you watched the hurling documentary 'The Game'?

You do realise Donal O'Grady said Cork teams were sent out against Kilkenny teams fired up by the notion that their opponents did nothing during the War of Independence.

To not acknowledge that Cusack, the Sinn Fein man, hadn't some of that thought process in mind when criticising the traditionalists, is rather naive.

Also look at his past history with certain counties and people."
It's completely nonsense because you're building a massive strawman to knock down.

Nothing he actually said in the Sunday Game infers anything like what you've decided it infers. That's all on you and nothing to do with Dónal Óg's comments on Sunday. You've taken previous comments by his one time manager (not about Dónal Óg or by him) and some knowledge you have about him and taken a massive leap to get to where he was, in your mind, questioning their Irishness or something. It's quite the leap imo.

I did watch the Game, I don't know what that has to do with Dónal Óg's comments. It was a good watch slightly ruined in places with self congratulation and tweeness for me.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13709 - 31/07/2019 22:38:38    2219267

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Replying To Whammo86:  "It was a weird thing to say.

I think his point was that a fear of progress/deference to tradition was a legacy the British have passed on to Ireland"
I think that may have been his point too, but I would argue that the influence, nay, dominance of the Catholic Church was far more responsible for Ireland being an overly deferential society.

ballydalane (Kilkenny) - Posts: 1246 - 31/07/2019 22:55:03    2219280

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Replying To BliainanÁir:  "Why is it nonsense?

Have you watched the hurling documentary 'The Game'?

You do realise Donal O'Grady said Cork teams were sent out against Kilkenny teams fired up by the notion that their opponents did nothing during the War of Independence.

To not acknowledge that Cusack, the Sinn Fein man, hadn't some of that thought process in mind when criticising the traditionalists, is rather naive.

Also look at his past history with certain counties and people."
Give it a rest, lad.

You don't get it, you didn't understand it, poorly made thought it was, stop digging the hole

wicklu (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 31/07/2019 23:29:08    2219288

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Replying To BliainanÁir:  "Exactly. But who are the people with such fears?

Definitely not Cork who brought in the short passing game. Or counties who brought in sweepers (or perceived to have done so). So it narrows it down quite a bit who he's hinting at. Cusack is implying certain traditionalists are more under the British influence if you like. Now to meKilkenny and her apologists like Michael Duignan, who he had a spat with, spring to mind.

I don't accept this ah he made a stupid comment as many are saying. Someone as well prepared as he is, back to taking on the Cork County Board in the 2000s is very much aware of every statement he makes and there's a point to it. You don't say something randomnly like that off the top of your head."
I think it was the general hurling community.

I'd say it was directed at people rather than teams/counties.

Ex players and ex managers who were resistant to change just because it was change.

It was probably directed at members of the punditry who are critical of sweepers.

A certain ex All Ireland winning Clare manager springs to mind.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4226 - 01/08/2019 09:21:40    2219319

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Replying To BliainanÁir:  "Why is it nonsense?

Have you watched the hurling documentary 'The Game'?

You do realise Donal O'Grady said Cork teams were sent out against Kilkenny teams fired up by the notion that their opponents did nothing during the War of Independence.

To not acknowledge that Cusack, the Sinn Fein man, hadn't some of that thought process in mind when criticising the traditionalists, is rather naive.

Also look at his past history with certain counties and people."
Sounds like you have a serious inferiority complex, reading far too much into what he said.....unfortunate thing is that when he veered into the commentary about the influence of British culture of resistance to change in sport ( on the mindset of the Irish) , the point was lost.......

To suggest there was a dig at the 'irishness' of certain counties and any role they played or otherwise in the partial War of Independence is wrong.....as is your s@ite about royal cork etc.....Desmond rebellions ( third of population killed via English inflicted famine), resistance of O Sullivan Beare ( only Irish chieftain to be refused a pardon post treaty of Mellifont), the French went to land at Bantry Bay in 1796 the reason Cork/Munster didn't rise in the same way in 1798 were the brutal tactics employed in the aftermath of that aborted landing.....if you are going to spout sh@te about Irish history then at least learn some......otherwise let's stick to what this forum is for GAA

PaudieSull1 (Down) - Posts: 738 - 01/08/2019 09:40:49    2219325

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Replying To wicklu:  "Give it a rest, lad.

You don't get it, you didn't understand it, poorly made thought it was, stop digging the hole"
Ah lad it's too subtle for you.

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 01/08/2019 10:06:21    2219332

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A lot of you fellas underestimate how many chips Cusack carries and who he he aims his fire at. I'll leave it at that.

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 01/08/2019 10:12:42    2219336

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Don't like seeing him on Sunday Game panels. Was a good analyst about 3 years ago. Not sure what he offers now. The analysis segments are too short for him to be talking nonsense for half of it. Far better pundits out there. I'd nearly rather see Ger, Cyril and Tomas Mulcahy back then see him on it again.

On Sunday it was like himself and McGrath were having a direct dig at someone, I get the feeling Waterford didn't ask McGrath to stay on at the end of his 3 years so it was like he was trying to prove to them what he was doing was right.

He must of been sick last night watching the 96 Leinster Final on All Ireland gold. My god, the skills aren't near what they are now but the excitement was unreal. There's something magic about watching lads just flaking on the ball first time down the field with absolutely no thought behind where it was going. Half the time backs weren't evening catching the ball, just first time flick it up and drive it. That style of play would be destroyed in todays game but it was fantastic entertainment.

Faithfull (Offaly) - Posts: 573 - 01/08/2019 10:23:27    2219338

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Replying To BliainanÁir:  "Ah lad it's too subtle for you."
Nah . What you have said is daft .

Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 01/08/2019 10:28:01    2219341

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Replying To PaudieSull1:  "Sounds like you have a serious inferiority complex, reading far too much into what he said.....unfortunate thing is that when he veered into the commentary about the influence of British culture of resistance to change in sport ( on the mindset of the Irish) , the point was lost.......

To suggest there was a dig at the 'irishness' of certain counties and any role they played or otherwise in the partial War of Independence is wrong.....as is your s@ite about royal cork etc.....Desmond rebellions ( third of population killed via English inflicted famine), resistance of O Sullivan Beare ( only Irish chieftain to be refused a pardon post treaty of Mellifont), the French went to land at Bantry Bay in 1796 the reason Cork/Munster didn't rise in the same way in 1798 were the brutal tactics employed in the aftermath of that aborted landing.....if you are going to spout sh@te about Irish history then at least learn some......otherwise let's stick to what this forum is for GAA"
Inferiority complex my backside! I know my history very well. I was pointing out different areas contributed differently to the struggle against England at different times. Do you want me to list the achievements of Rory Og O'Moore in Laois, James Fintan Lalor etc? What's your point??

Cusack was the one who brought politics into hurling and i opened a discussion.

No need for you to start insulting me about inferiority complexes, not having knowledge of Irish history and general BS.

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 01/08/2019 10:28:18    2219342

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Replying To MesAmis:  "It's completely nonsense because you're building a massive strawman to knock down.

Nothing he actually said in the Sunday Game infers anything like what you've decided it infers. That's all on you and nothing to do with Dónal Óg's comments on Sunday. You've taken previous comments by his one time manager (not about Dónal Óg or by him) and some knowledge you have about him and taken a massive leap to get to where he was, in your mind, questioning their Irishness or something. It's quite the leap imo.

I did watch the Game, I don't know what that has to do with Dónal Óg's comments. It was a good watch slightly ruined in places with self congratulation and tweeness for me."
The guy has agenda MesAmis. Those remarks weren't off the cuff.

BliainanÁir (Laois) - Posts: 598 - 01/08/2019 10:29:18    2219343

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