I see Croke Park are again appealing to counties to name their starting 15 in full prior to games but is it only me or this a silly tradition.
Why does the media need to know the starting 15 4 days in advance of the game as outlined in the GAA motion at congress. In the premier league the teams are announced usually on the morning of the game. I know its different as they have squad numbers so the programmes are usually correct as per the players on the field but with the managers now keeping their cards close to their chest surely this naming of a team days before a game should be stopped.
All teams are fairly well set for 10-12 players so I can't see why the GAA are so keen to see the starting teams, A.N. Other!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1686 - 23/05/2013 13:19:38    1389657

23/05/2013 13:19:38
Tir Conaill Abu
I see Croke Park are again appealing to counties to name their starting 15 in full prior to games but is it only me or this a silly tradition.
Why does the media need to know the starting 15 4 days in advance of the game as outlined in the GAA motion at congress. In the premier league the teams are announced usually on the morning of the game. I know its different as they have squad numbers so the programmes are usually correct as per the players on the field but with the managers now keeping their cards close to their chest surely this naming of a team days before a game should be stopped.
All teams are fairly well set for 10-12 players so I can't see why the GAA are so keen to see the starting teams, A.N. Other!!
Because it looks better.
How is it silly?
The media wants to know starting teams for match previews, to help with writing features etc

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 23/05/2013 13:38:39    1389674

I hate this idea that teams must be named prior to the game, it's ridiculous and managers reserve the right to use anything in their power to gain an advantage.

GetOverTheBar (Tyrone) - Posts: 1388 - 23/05/2013 13:41:21    1389679

It is silly in terms of a lot of the teams printed in the programme are meaningless to some degree as the manager names them on Tues/Wed but probably doesn't make up his mind until much closer to throw in.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13846 - 23/05/2013 13:45:04    1389685

So a consideration for an inter county manager is get the team picked quickly so a journalist can write copy?


I agree the team is time enough on the Morning of the game

potnorwindow (Cavan) - Posts: 363 - 23/05/2013 13:47:02    1389690

Its a non issue.The only people making a fuss about it are journalists.

uibhfhaili1986 (Offaly) - Posts: 1296 - 23/05/2013 13:57:02    1389701

The days of naming teams days in advance are over.

However I would like to see squad numbers introduced so as to avoid having different players wearing the jersey allocated to another player in the programme. With positions on on the field now a lot more fluid the idea of midfielders having to wear 8 & 9 is outdated.
Just list the players by squad number in the programme, that's all we need.

MuckrossHead (Donegal) - Posts: 5030 - 23/05/2013 14:00:07    1389702

This isnt practical. I know from a mayo perspective, both dillon and cunniffe were not certain to play during the week. They were both just back from injury. What is the manager supposed to do? If there are people in the crowd who cant tell who is playing and who isnt, then frankly, they have no business at the match in the first place. Should they print the rules of the game on the program also? Just in case?

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 23/05/2013 14:03:47    1389704

Is it silly Ormond bacuse as some posters have already said the managers will just release any team that looks likely.
Take for example Sundays game between Donegal and Tyrone. There is still question marks on a few of the Donegal and Tyrone lads so no matter what teams are announced pens will be at the ready on Sunday in Mac Cumhaill Park when the announcer starts naming the actual starting teams and even then there could be a change just before throw in, ala Michael Murphy against Kildare in 2011.
If the GAA enforce naming a team then the old reliable AN Other will be back in the programmes.
Some managers give fitness tests on players right up until the morning of the game so may not even know themselves what 15 are likely to start!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1686 - 23/05/2013 14:05:34    1389706

'The media wants to know starting teams for match previews, to help with writing features etc '

Who cares what the media want ? Its a silly practice really .Especially in the likes of Rugby or International Soccer where the manager then gets grilled on his selection.
If all managers had their way , the team would not be public knowledge until the throw in .
I think the main reason we have the teams announced so early is that the players themselves are informed a few days in advance and they can get their heads round it or in some cases , get over a disappointment.

Therefore if the squads know , then its bound to be leaked , so they might as well formally announce it.

Finsceal (None) - Posts: 559 - 23/05/2013 14:06:19    1389708

23/05/2013 14:03:47
TheMaster
This isnt practical. I know from a mayo perspective, both dillon and cunniffe were not certain to play during the week. They were both just back from injury. What is the manager supposed to do? If there are people in the crowd who cant tell who is playing and who isnt, then frankly, they have no business at the match in the first place. Should they print the rules of the game on the program also? Just in case?
That is very very harsh Master. Everyone has a right to go to games. Very arrogant to say that some people "have no business at the match in the first place"

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 23/05/2013 14:08:06    1389713

I agree with Ormo

We should be more like Ruggah and people who have no connection what's so ever with the sport turn up in their drives

As for writing the rules in the programme there would be no need as the new folk would roar them out at every opportunity if the rugby experience is anything to go by

But have we learned anything from the rugger experience? There should be a map printed showing where the clubs are
And an anti bore clause should be enacted if you shush anyone taking a free kick

potnorwindow (Cavan) - Posts: 363 - 23/05/2013 14:20:11    1389722

RE: uibhfhaili1986: Its a non issue. The only people making a fuss about it are journalists.

I totally agree with my neighbour. A good journalist will adapt to the field her/she reports on - and not try to change it. All nonsence really!

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1479 - 23/05/2013 14:24:07    1389725

That GAAcist snobbery comment suits you well The Master.

Floops (Dublin) - Posts: 1623 - 23/05/2013 14:26:52    1389728

23/05/2013 14:20:11
potnorwindow
I agree with Ormo

We should be more like Ruggah and people who have no connection what's so ever with the sport turn up in their drives

As for writing the rules in the programme there would be no need as the new folk would roar them out at every opportunity if the rugby experience is anything to go by

But have we learned anything from the rugger experience? There should be a map printed showing where the clubs are
And an anti bore clause should be enacted if you shush anyone taking a free kick
Why are WUMs like this allowed?

ormondbannerman (Clare) - Posts: 13473 - 23/05/2013 14:31:19    1389730

MuckrossHead
County: Donegal
Posts: 1231

1389702
The days of naming teams days in advance are over.

However I would like to see squad numbers introduced so as to avoid having different players wearing the jersey allocated to another player in the programme. With positions on on the field now a lot more fluid the idea of midfielders having to wear 8 & 9 is outdated.
Just list the players by squad number in the programme, that's all we need.


Been saying that for a while now. very good idea.
You see alot of counties have numbers on their training and warm up gear and they dont match their jersey number.
Is normally a number issued based on the players surname in the squad going in alphabetical order.

Jinxie (Meath) - Posts: 6348 - 23/05/2013 14:47:11    1389743

I retract that part about having no business at the games, it isnt really what I meant. Of course everyone is welcome at games, my point is should managers have to name their teams for the sake of people who dont know that much in the first place? You sort of have the guy with a pasing interest dictating the terms of the game. This is what I disagree with.

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 23/05/2013 14:57:36    1389753

It's no big deal. Once the players wear the numbers their allotted according to the programme it shouldn't matter. They usually announce over the PA before the throw-in if there's any changes to the team.

I often wondered if in rugby they would ever "leave the opposition guessing" or attempt lead them astray by naming a lad in the centre when he'll actually play on the wing or full back. Might spice it up a bit actually. All part of the fun in GAA!!!

keeper7 (Longford) - Posts: 4105 - 23/05/2013 15:02:10    1389765

why on earth should a manger play to the media so they can write an article in the summer when the same media doesnt bother giving gaa any respect all year

hill16no1man (Dublin) - Posts: 12665 - 23/05/2013 15:03:10    1389767

Another fair point hill16no1man. Why should they jump through hoops for the media only for media pundits to turn around and personally insult him or his players?

TheMaster (Mayo) - Posts: 16187 - 23/05/2013 15:06:42    1389772