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No county from Leinster in Divison 1 next year, Dublin, Meath, Kildare & Louth in Div. 2 & the rest in Div. 3 & 4, realistically playing for Tailteann Cup only.
Proud football county like Laois relegated to Div.4.
These are all counties with booming population bases far surpassing population growth in the rest of the country, they have also been amongst the best funded counties by the GAA. Dublin's funding is well documented to date & the other Leinster counties have been benefited from the East Leinster Initiative set up by the GAA solely to assist them, for the last four years. No other counties nationwide got similar assistance. If these counties with the population base & financial backing are struggling, then the GAA has a serious problem, when you consider that other counties are suffering from rural depopulation.
So why have the Leinster counties performed so badly (Dublin being the exception) with the population base & financial base, nobody seems to be asking the question.
Is identity the problem, people not participating with clubs anymore, couldn't be bothered getting involved at club level or going to see Laois or whoever play, just happy to watch the big live games on telly at home. The armchair fans are increasing in huge numbers as there are numerous live games every weekend. The GAA have pushed this agenda with the Super 8's, Super 16's now,contracts with TV companies, this is the road the GAA have chosen & are pouring all their time into. For the armchair fan, no cost layout on diesel, buses, trains, tickets, food, programme, just sit back & eat the dinner & have a few cans watching the game. Plenty of supporters of Leinster counties don't even bother going to support their teams anymore, watching the Dubs or Kerry instead on TV. So identity & allegiance to the county goes out the window. Yes, super clubs exist in Leinster but they also suffer from identity problems & lead to angst, poaching players from smaller clubs & the usual glory hunters transferring without problem each year.
Other sports particularly at club level in Leinster are much more organised & their fixture lists are sacrosanct. One sport I know of, publishes their fixtures 18 months in advance each time. People are able to plan holidays, weddings, sport all around the fixtures, in contrast the GAA is all over the shop. Every year its chopped & changed & yes Covid played a role but prior to that it was also a mess. Players get tired of looking to see each week if they are playing, cant plan around work or holidays, sometimes endless training sessions or non descript challenge games till Inter County ends. The exodus at this level affects every county & the disillusionment extends then to following the county team, people get worn down & couldn't be ar@ed going.
The question must be asked also, why do a lot of the recent immigrants to Ireland not play GAA. The vast majority of them live in Leinster. Yes we see the token few wheeled out by the GAA, but in general they play other sports. Even the first generation of immigrants born here aren't been brought into the GAA. Our immigrant population is closing near to 20% of our total, yet the numbers attracted to GAA are abysmal. Is racism the problem, our the fact that people see the rules been bent every week & scandals swept under the carpet, afraid if they report something that it won't be dealt with.
So what will the GAA do, throw more money at the situation at the expense of all others ?
Yes, the Dubs could go on & win the All Ireland this year & people would throw that back at you, but it doesn't disguise the fact that there are serious serious problems in Leinster GAA.
moc.dna (Galway) - Posts: 1212 - 28/03/2022 12:55:43
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Replying To moc.dna: "No county from Leinster in Divison 1 next year, Dublin, Meath, Kildare & Louth in Div. 2 & the rest in Div. 3 & 4, realistically playing for Tailteann Cup only.
Proud football county like Laois relegated to Div.4.
These are all counties with booming population bases far surpassing population growth in the rest of the country, they have also been amongst the best funded counties by the GAA. Dublin's funding is well documented to date & the other Leinster counties have been benefited from the East Leinster Initiative set up by the GAA solely to assist them, for the last four years. No other counties nationwide got similar assistance. If these counties with the population base & financial backing are struggling, then the GAA has a serious problem, when you consider that other counties are suffering from rural depopulation.
So why have the Leinster counties performed so badly (Dublin being the exception) with the population base & financial base, nobody seems to be asking the question.
Is identity the problem, people not participating with clubs anymore, couldn't be bothered getting involved at club level or going to see Laois or whoever play, just happy to watch the big live games on telly at home. The armchair fans are increasing in huge numbers as there are numerous live games every weekend. The GAA have pushed this agenda with the Super 8's, Super 16's now,contracts with TV companies, this is the road the GAA have chosen & are pouring all their time into. For the armchair fan, no cost layout on diesel, buses, trains, tickets, food, programme, just sit back & eat the dinner & have a few cans watching the game. Plenty of supporters of Leinster counties don't even bother going to support their teams anymore, watching the Dubs or Kerry instead on TV. So identity & allegiance to the county goes out the window. Yes, super clubs exist in Leinster but they also suffer from identity problems & lead to angst, poaching players from smaller clubs & the usual glory hunters transferring without problem each year.
Other sports particularly at club level in Leinster are much more organised & their fixture lists are sacrosanct. One sport I know of, publishes their fixtures 18 months in advance each time. People are able to plan holidays, weddings, sport all around the fixtures, in contrast the GAA is all over the shop. Every year its chopped & changed & yes Covid played a role but prior to that it was also a mess. Players get tired of looking to see each week if they are playing, cant plan around work or holidays, sometimes endless training sessions or non descript challenge games till Inter County ends. The exodus at this level affects every county & the disillusionment extends then to following the county team, people get worn down & couldn't be ar@ed going.
The question must be asked also, why do a lot of the recent immigrants to Ireland not play GAA. The vast majority of them live in Leinster. Yes we see the token few wheeled out by the GAA, but in general they play other sports. Even the first generation of immigrants born here aren't been brought into the GAA. Our immigrant population is closing near to 20% of our total, yet the numbers attracted to GAA are abysmal. Is racism the problem, our the fact that people see the rules been bent every week & scandals swept under the carpet, afraid if they report something that it won't be dealt with.
So what will the GAA do, throw more money at the situation at the expense of all others ?
Yes, the Dubs could go on & win the All Ireland this year & people would throw that back at you, but it doesn't disguise the fact that there are serious serious problems in Leinster GAA." in hurling and football, this is not a cut [ye are welcome in leinster] but how many leinster counties have won hurling a i in last 25 years only kilkenny? so in other words how many leinster counties have won senior a i s outside kilkenny and dublin?
Stmunnsriver (Wexford) - Posts: 2851 - 28/03/2022 19:01:16
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Last connaught team to win Sam galway 2001.
Last munster team to win Sam kerry 2014.
Last leinster team to win Sam dublin 2020.
Last ulster team to win Sam tyrone 2021.
There the facts.
Offaly with a population of 70k played cork population 500k and only lost by a point
Mattyreilly (Westmeath) - Posts: 154 - 28/03/2022 20:50:57
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There was a huge drop off in interest due to Dublin's dominance and a lot of damage was done culturally to the county game in Leinster (I'm not slagging off Dublin, there were a great team in many ways) with most people losing interest, including many players and potential players.
Will take a while but I'd say in about a decade, Leinster teams will be really dominant - facilities are incredible in Meath for eg (apart from the county grounds that is) and underage football is increasing in standard. I think it's the same in Kildare.
Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1320 - 28/03/2022 20:56:13
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Replying To moc.dna: "No county from Leinster in Divison 1 next year, Dublin, Meath, Kildare & Louth in Div. 2 & the rest in Div. 3 & 4, realistically playing for Tailteann Cup only.
Proud football county like Laois relegated to Div.4.
These are all counties with booming population bases far surpassing population growth in the rest of the country, they have also been amongst the best funded counties by the GAA. Dublin's funding is well documented to date & the other Leinster counties have been benefited from the East Leinster Initiative set up by the GAA solely to assist them, for the last four years. No other counties nationwide got similar assistance. If these counties with the population base & financial backing are struggling, then the GAA has a serious problem, when you consider that other counties are suffering from rural depopulation.
So why have the Leinster counties performed so badly (Dublin being the exception) with the population base & financial base, nobody seems to be asking the question.
Is identity the problem, people not participating with clubs anymore, couldn't be bothered getting involved at club level or going to see Laois or whoever play, just happy to watch the big live games on telly at home. The armchair fans are increasing in huge numbers as there are numerous live games every weekend. The GAA have pushed this agenda with the Super 8's, Super 16's now,contracts with TV companies, this is the road the GAA have chosen & are pouring all their time into. For the armchair fan, no cost layout on diesel, buses, trains, tickets, food, programme, just sit back & eat the dinner & have a few cans watching the game. Plenty of supporters of Leinster counties don't even bother going to support their teams anymore, watching the Dubs or Kerry instead on TV. So identity & allegiance to the county goes out the window. Yes, super clubs exist in Leinster but they also suffer from identity problems & lead to angst, poaching players from smaller clubs & the usual glory hunters transferring without problem each year.
Other sports particularly at club level in Leinster are much more organised & their fixture lists are sacrosanct. One sport I know of, publishes their fixtures 18 months in advance each time. People are able to plan holidays, weddings, sport all around the fixtures, in contrast the GAA is all over the shop. Every year its chopped & changed & yes Covid played a role but prior to that it was also a mess. Players get tired of looking to see each week if they are playing, cant plan around work or holidays, sometimes endless training sessions or non descript challenge games till Inter County ends. The exodus at this level affects every county & the disillusionment extends then to following the county team, people get worn down & couldn't be ar@ed going.
The question must be asked also, why do a lot of the recent immigrants to Ireland not play GAA. The vast majority of them live in Leinster. Yes we see the token few wheeled out by the GAA, but in general they play other sports. Even the first generation of immigrants born here aren't been brought into the GAA. Our immigrant population is closing near to 20% of our total, yet the numbers attracted to GAA are abysmal. Is racism the problem, our the fact that people see the rules been bent every week & scandals swept under the carpet, afraid if they report something that it won't be dealt with.
So what will the GAA do, throw more money at the situation at the expense of all others ?
Yes, the Dubs could go on & win the All Ireland this year & people would throw that back at you, but it doesn't disguise the fact that there are serious serious problems in Leinster GAA." Kildare were seconds from remaining in Div 1, Offaly were unlucky not to stay in Div 2, and are U20 All Ireland champions which shows some progress is taking place, Louth is also a very good story.
Yes it's true Leinster football in general is in a bad state, but I think now Dublin are back in the pack, it's possible we could have the type of Leinster championship we experienced in the 90's over the next few years, with a number of counties capable of winning it.
That could being huge crowds back to Croke Park on Leinster championship days, which will drive public interest, bringing Leinster counties on. Dublin were so far ahead, people naturally lost interest and Leinster as a whole suffered. I think Leinster will bounce back over the next two or three years.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 28/03/2022 21:27:58
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Now Connacht of the 80s
Vish (USA) - Posts: 89 - 28/03/2022 21:46:43
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I think a big part of the problem has been the death of the Leinster championship.
There has been no competing for the last ten years and people have stopped attending matches.
I went to the double header a few years ago in Portlaoise, Carlow v Meath and Diublin v Louth.
There was about 12,000 at the game, id say 8,000 Dubs, 2,000 Meath , 700 Carlow and about 300 Louth fans.
Louth is a great football county with excellent supporters but they decided not to travel to watch the dominant Dubs hammer their team.
There was a time in the 90s that any of those two matches would have individually brought in 12,000 fans.
Hopefully Kildare or Meath will make a breakthrough this year and interest will increase.
carlovia (None) - Posts: 1518 - 29/03/2022 09:11:38
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I think this thread is missing the point. Historically Leinster counties have never really been that competitive as a whole. Aside from Dublin the rest of the Leinster counties have only won a combined 22 AIs ever. 5 Leinster counties have never won it with 7 from the rest of the provinces combined never winning it. Different Leinster counties have won most of their AIs with golden generations, Wexford in the teens, Meath in the 90s, Kildare in the 20s, 0ffaly in the 80s, so in general terms Leinster counties outside of Dublin have been rarely on top.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 12227 - 29/03/2022 10:19:30
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Replying To moc.dna: "No county from Leinster in Divison 1 next year, Dublin, Meath, Kildare & Louth in Div. 2 & the rest in Div. 3 & 4, realistically playing for Tailteann Cup only.
Proud football county like Laois relegated to Div.4.
These are all counties with booming population bases far surpassing population growth in the rest of the country, they have also been amongst the best funded counties by the GAA. Dublin's funding is well documented to date & the other Leinster counties have been benefited from the East Leinster Initiative set up by the GAA solely to assist them, for the last four years. No other counties nationwide got similar assistance. If these counties with the population base & financial backing are struggling, then the GAA has a serious problem, when you consider that other counties are suffering from rural depopulation.
So why have the Leinster counties performed so badly (Dublin being the exception) with the population base & financial base, nobody seems to be asking the question.
Is identity the problem, people not participating with clubs anymore, couldn't be bothered getting involved at club level or going to see Laois or whoever play, just happy to watch the big live games on telly at home. The armchair fans are increasing in huge numbers as there are numerous live games every weekend. The GAA have pushed this agenda with the Super 8's, Super 16's now,contracts with TV companies, this is the road the GAA have chosen & are pouring all their time into. For the armchair fan, no cost layout on diesel, buses, trains, tickets, food, programme, just sit back & eat the dinner & have a few cans watching the game. Plenty of supporters of Leinster counties don't even bother going to support their teams anymore, watching the Dubs or Kerry instead on TV. So identity & allegiance to the county goes out the window. Yes, super clubs exist in Leinster but they also suffer from identity problems & lead to angst, poaching players from smaller clubs & the usual glory hunters transferring without problem each year.
Other sports particularly at club level in Leinster are much more organised & their fixture lists are sacrosanct. One sport I know of, publishes their fixtures 18 months in advance each time. People are able to plan holidays, weddings, sport all around the fixtures, in contrast the GAA is all over the shop. Every year its chopped & changed & yes Covid played a role but prior to that it was also a mess. Players get tired of looking to see each week if they are playing, cant plan around work or holidays, sometimes endless training sessions or non descript challenge games till Inter County ends. The exodus at this level affects every county & the disillusionment extends then to following the county team, people get worn down & couldn't be ar@ed going.
The question must be asked also, why do a lot of the recent immigrants to Ireland not play GAA. The vast majority of them live in Leinster. Yes we see the token few wheeled out by the GAA, but in general they play other sports. Even the first generation of immigrants born here aren't been brought into the GAA. Our immigrant population is closing near to 20% of our total, yet the numbers attracted to GAA are abysmal. Is racism the problem, our the fact that people see the rules been bent every week & scandals swept under the carpet, afraid if they report something that it won't be dealt with.
So what will the GAA do, throw more money at the situation at the expense of all others ?
Yes, the Dubs could go on & win the All Ireland this year & people would throw that back at you, but it doesn't disguise the fact that there are serious serious problems in Leinster GAA." We were the cause for a while, but now that we are beatable i think they are valid questions for other counties, but Kildare and MAeth lads might tell you it might be the most competitive Leinster in years and there fore enjoyable.
For me, been saying it for a while - land is a huge problem - in Dublin and the whole of Leinster. The population has grown but new clubs cant be set up to cultivate and nurture because the cost to build club grounds your talking 10 of millions conservatively. Thats not realistic so club players are all funneled into existing clubs, or as others like to call them super clubs - it ultimately leads to huge drop off as a spot in a senior team of 3500 in an age group to a 35 man senior team doesnt go. Kildare, Meath, Loais, Westmeath - land prices you can forget about it. Dublins unrecognizable now - from when i was a kid, from when i was a kid, hardly any land now and towns and parishs unrecognizable, with a glut of apartments piled on.
That and when you look at big population increases they are a lot of non national and inward rural migration, it takes a generation of so for that to filter through,
TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4446 - 29/03/2022 10:52:12
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Everywhere I see big Leinster Towns I see hundreds of children at the local GAA Club on Saturday mornings which is great.
Problem is they spend the rest of the week playing soccer in their own kick arounds so aren't developing natural gaelic football skills.
Any bunch of young lads in villages round the west are playing gaelic in their kick around.
Seanfanbocht (Roscommon) - Posts: 1467 - 29/03/2022 11:37:22
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Galway have 4 opponents to win a provincial title, and get to play championship games at home, in a province they haven't faced an all ireland opponent since the 50's, and have twice the population of their nearest rival. Yet still can only manage a half dozen or so titles this century.
Connacht had only 1 rep in division 1 this year and even they were just promoted. Same in Munster. Ulster is the only province that can be happy with their standard but even there a team that ends up in division 4 can win a title.
cuttothebone (Kildare) - Posts: 163 - 29/03/2022 12:14:16
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Far worse situation in Munster where football is on the slide everywhere except Kerry. Clare at best static, tipp going backwards and Cork in crisis!
Leinster at least should be competitive this year.
St.Conleth (Kildare) - Posts: 1700 - 29/03/2022 12:22:58
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Replying To St.Conleth: "Far worse situation in Munster where football is on the slide everywhere except Kerry. Clare at best static, tipp going backwards and Cork in crisis!
Leinster at least should be competitive this year." I've seen spin before but this deserves an award.
Rolo2010 (Donegal) - Posts: 739 - 29/03/2022 14:14:05
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I don't think the picture is as negative as it appears. Kildare and Dublin were relegated with the last kick of a game, Dublin will bounce back next year and kildare very possibly also.
Where you would be concerned is the South of the province Carlow wexford laois wicklow all playing division 4 that's an entire region all in the basement, also a concern would be that out of 6 promoted teams only one is from leinster while 5 of the 6 relagated teams are from leinster.
Leinster football being in the doldrums is nothing new, only 2 teams have won all Irelands in the last 30 years and 3 in 40 and you have to go back much further to find a 4th, louth I believe.
Leinster football is tactically naive generally, definitely compared to ulster counties we are light years behind, the gap can be bridged but our approach to football will have to change starting at club level.
Barrowsider (Carlow) - Posts: 1601 - 29/03/2022 14:47:21
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Replying To Barrowsider: "I don't think the picture is as negative as it appears. Kildare and Dublin were relegated with the last kick of a game, Dublin will bounce back next year and kildare very possibly also.
Where you would be concerned is the South of the province Carlow wexford laois wicklow all playing division 4 that's an entire region all in the basement, also a concern would be that out of 6 promoted teams only one is from leinster while 5 of the 6 relagated teams are from leinster.
Leinster football being in the doldrums is nothing new, only 2 teams have won all Irelands in the last 30 years and 3 in 40 and you have to go back much further to find a 4th, louth I believe.
Leinster football is tactically naive generally, definitely compared to ulster counties we are light years behind, the gap can be bridged but our approach to football will have to change starting at club level." You have to go back 65 years (!!!) to that 4th Leinster county to win an All Ireland (Louth). Those born when Offaly won their last All Ireland are now on the verge of middle age. Anyone under 40 has only ever seen Dublin and Meath win All Irelands from Leinster. Serious structural deficits marked by the brilliant dominance of Dublin, and no sign of any big shift to a new way. Most of us are praying to superman that the Tailteann Cup becomes our salvation because the Leinster Championship has not been fit for purpose for decades (many of us will cheer its demise) and we don't think anymore in terms of All Irelands.
LongfordgaaAbú (Longford) - Posts: 479 - 29/03/2022 15:50:12
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Replying To cuttothebone: "Galway have 4 opponents to win a provincial title, and get to play championship games at home, in a province they haven't faced an all ireland opponent since the 50's, and have twice the population of their nearest rival. Yet still can only manage a half dozen or so titles this century.
Connacht had only 1 rep in division 1 this year and even they were just promoted. Same in Munster. Ulster is the only province that can be happy with their standard but even there a team that ends up in division 4 can win a title." Connacht is not even that healthy. Tbh Galway and Roscommon have been in and out of div 1 and 2 for the last 20 years, and Mayo have been on Div 1 for a large portion of it. Aside from those 3, three other teams are Div 4 league and not much hope of getting out soon based on current form, and the last team doesn't even compete in the league, and are at a lower standard.
Also regarding Galway having twice the population of nearest rival, we also have a top division hurling team, so overall it should be comparable. There are quite a few very good footballers on that hurling team that would greatly improve the Galway footballers (tbh they are more successful too ha).
systematic (Galway) - Posts: 69 - 29/03/2022 16:14:09
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Replying To cuttothebone: "Galway have 4 opponents to win a provincial title, and get to play championship games at home, in a province they haven't faced an all ireland opponent since the 50's, and have twice the population of their nearest rival. Yet still can only manage a half dozen or so titles this century.
Connacht had only 1 rep in division 1 this year and even they were just promoted. Same in Munster. Ulster is the only province that can be happy with their standard but even there a team that ends up in division 4 can win a title." Not really sure exactly what point you are making but to clarify something in relation to Galway's population. Yes we have a population advantage over the other counties in Connacht. Nearly 2x versus Mayo and obviously a lot more v the other counties , apart from London where we have a significant population disadvantage. I know the London population comparison is not valid but it exaggerates a point that population is not the only factor. Note in Galway about 25-30% of the population comes from areas where hurling is the dominant sport (and when I say dominant I mean DOMINANT) . Also Galway city is a major factor in Galway's population and although football is played in the city , it is well known that cities in general, and Galway city in particular , punch below their weight in terms of GAA activity. The upshot is that there are more football clubs/teams in Mayo than there are in Galway.
anotheralias (Galway) - Posts: 846 - 29/03/2022 16:32:49
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For a long time Dublin were the only Leinster team in Division 1 for more than a season. Kildare and Meath both had a bit of time there but came straight back down.
You reap what you sow. When Dublin became awash with cash due to the "Dublin Project" it allowed them to pull away from the rest of the country - only the best could keep up with them. In Leinster there was nothing to win and teams became demoralised. Standards slipped - not over night but it was a long slow decline.
Now that the magic money tree is shedding leaves a bit more liberally we should see Leinster counties catching up first with Dublin and then becoming competitive with the rest of the country.
My fear was that the damage was done. Rugby and Soccer are more popular in Kildare than ever. Kildare has produced more Irish International Rugby and Soccer players than all-star footballers in the past 20 years. But for now the future looks a little bit brighter - there are a good few more coaching roles in the county almost matching the Dublin investment.
Both Kildare and Dublin can make a genuine case to be a top 8 team now. Lets not write off Leinster too soon.
brianb (Kildare) - Posts: 292 - 29/03/2022 16:40:56
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Replying To sam1884: "Kildare were seconds from remaining in Div 1, Offaly were unlucky not to stay in Div 2, and are U20 All Ireland champions which shows some progress is taking place, Louth is also a very good story.
Yes it's true Leinster football in general is in a bad state, but I think now Dublin are back in the pack, it's possible we could have the type of Leinster championship we experienced in the 90's over the next few years, with a number of counties capable of winning it.
That could being huge crowds back to Croke Park on Leinster championship days, which will drive public interest, bringing Leinster counties on. Dublin were so far ahead, people naturally lost interest and Leinster as a whole suffered. I think Leinster will bounce back over the next two or three years." Dublin may have been relegated to Div 2 but they will still walk the Leinster Championship.
Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 602 - 29/03/2022 16:44:46
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Replying To moc.dna: "No county from Leinster in Divison 1 next year, Dublin, Meath, Kildare & Louth in Div. 2 & the rest in Div. 3 & 4, realistically playing for Tailteann Cup only.
Proud football county like Laois relegated to Div.4.
These are all counties with booming population bases far surpassing population growth in the rest of the country, they have also been amongst the best funded counties by the GAA. Dublin's funding is well documented to date & the other Leinster counties have been benefited from the East Leinster Initiative set up by the GAA solely to assist them, for the last four years. No other counties nationwide got similar assistance. If these counties with the population base & financial backing are struggling, then the GAA has a serious problem, when you consider that other counties are suffering from rural depopulation.
So why have the Leinster counties performed so badly (Dublin being the exception) with the population base & financial base, nobody seems to be asking the question.
Is identity the problem, people not participating with clubs anymore, couldn't be bothered getting involved at club level or going to see Laois or whoever play, just happy to watch the big live games on telly at home. The armchair fans are increasing in huge numbers as there are numerous live games every weekend. The GAA have pushed this agenda with the Super 8's, Super 16's now,contracts with TV companies, this is the road the GAA have chosen & are pouring all their time into. For the armchair fan, no cost layout on diesel, buses, trains, tickets, food, programme, just sit back & eat the dinner & have a few cans watching the game. Plenty of supporters of Leinster counties don't even bother going to support their teams anymore, watching the Dubs or Kerry instead on TV. So identity & allegiance to the county goes out the window. Yes, super clubs exist in Leinster but they also suffer from identity problems & lead to angst, poaching players from smaller clubs & the usual glory hunters transferring without problem each year.
Other sports particularly at club level in Leinster are much more organised & their fixture lists are sacrosanct. One sport I know of, publishes their fixtures 18 months in advance each time. People are able to plan holidays, weddings, sport all around the fixtures, in contrast the GAA is all over the shop. Every year its chopped & changed & yes Covid played a role but prior to that it was also a mess. Players get tired of looking to see each week if they are playing, cant plan around work or holidays, sometimes endless training sessions or non descript challenge games till Inter County ends. The exodus at this level affects every county & the disillusionment extends then to following the county team, people get worn down & couldn't be ar@ed going.
The question must be asked also, why do a lot of the recent immigrants to Ireland not play GAA. The vast majority of them live in Leinster. Yes we see the token few wheeled out by the GAA, but in general they play other sports. Even the first generation of immigrants born here aren't been brought into the GAA. Our immigrant population is closing near to 20% of our total, yet the numbers attracted to GAA are abysmal. Is racism the problem, our the fact that people see the rules been bent every week & scandals swept under the carpet, afraid if they report something that it won't be dealt with.
So what will the GAA do, throw more money at the situation at the expense of all others ?
Yes, the Dubs could go on & win the All Ireland this year & people would throw that back at you, but it doesn't disguise the fact that there are serious serious problems in Leinster GAA." Superb post and i couldn't agree more with you. The GAA dont want to admit there is a problem. They call it cyclical and swings and roundabouts etc. There is no County outside of the top 4 or 5 with any chance of winning Sam anymore. And yes, despite their relegation Dublin would still be within that top 4 or 5.
Meridian (Westmeath) - Posts: 602 - 29/03/2022 16:47:58
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