HoganStand GAA Football and Hurling

National Forum

Project Belfast?

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post

You need to Login to Post

Is it time for the GAA to launch a new incentive and look to grow participation in Antrim, take the Tyrone model that Dublin copied off and built upon, use a similar strategy tailored to fit Antrim, I mean the GAA are handing over 10's of millions in empty stadium projects I'd much prefer to see it spent on people on the ground, and its easily argued that Antrim is a county that has been ignored, a large urban area with a big population Massive potential for growth jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 04/04/2017 18:03:52 1975596 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "Is it time for the GAA to launch a new incentive and look to grow participation in Antrim, take the Tyrone model that Dublin copied off and built upon, use a similar strategy tailored to fit Antrim, I mean the GAA are handing over 10's of millions in empty stadium projects I'd much prefer to see it spent on people on the ground, and its easily argued that Antrim is a county that has been ignored, a large urban area with a big population Massive potential for growth" Totally agree.. If dublin can turn around hurling with proper coaching no reason antrim/belfast can achieve the same.... an existing tradition of hurling with a big population , no reason it cant become a power house of hurling... But will the gaa spend money up north like they have in dublin??? tonydoranfan (Wexford) - Posts: 550 - 04/04/2017 18:44:33 1975643 Link
Ironically, it will be the British government who will take the plaudits if the new Casement finally goes ahead Jimbo. The GAA are just happy they aren't getting the bill for it. They have done next to nothing for Ireland's second city and its about time it changed. Despite their ignorance, the west of the city has the highest number of clubs in one concentrated area in the country. These clubs have survived tough times and some have become highly successful at major competitions throughout the country, including All Ireland level. Having said all that, with the GAA heading towards this 'Super 8' elitism etc they may want representation and promotion amongst Ireland's second largest city. The city itself splits Antrim and Down so slightly different from Dublin, but there are only two clubs that belong to Down and far more clubs belonging to Antrim. With the new stadium being on Antrim soil they would probably invest their efforts in Antrim, theoretically of course! SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 04/04/2017 19:20:38 1975671 Link
Replying To SaffronDon: "Ironically, it will be the British government who will take the plaudits if the new Casement finally goes ahead Jimbo. The GAA are just happy they aren't getting the bill for it. They have done next to nothing for Ireland's second city and its about time it changed. Despite their ignorance, the west of the city has the highest number of clubs in one concentrated area in the country. These clubs have survived tough times and some have become highly successful at major competitions throughout the country, including All Ireland level. Having said all that, with the GAA heading towards this 'Super 8' elitism etc they may want representation and promotion amongst Ireland's second largest city. The city itself splits Antrim and Down so slightly different from Dublin, but there are only two clubs that belong to Down and far more clubs belonging to Antrim. With the new stadium being on Antrim soil they would probably invest their efforts in Antrim, theoretically of course!" I'd love to see it Pound for pound the soundest bunch of supporters I've ever come across Great city, great people, great opportunity to build something.. well, great. ... And it's long overdue jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 04/04/2017 19:50:22 1975691 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "I'd love to see it Pound for pound the soundest bunch of supporters I've ever come across Great city, great people, great opportunity to build something.. well, great. ... And it's long overdue" More than anything it's a been a missed opportunity by the GAA to establish a real foothold in Belfast and Antrim. It's been forgotten, by many in Ulster as well, that Antrim were in two All Ireland football finals in 1911 and 1912. Belfast always had a thriving GAA community right from the beginning. Antrim potentially is the second biggest county behind Dublin. We took 1000's of fans to Croker in 89 and outnumbered Tyrone fans 3 to 1 in the Ulster final several years ago. Yes we have been our own worst enemy at times with the infighting but the GAA still shamefully HSS neglected Belfast and Antrim. Not just Croke Park by the way but equally by a very hostile rural GAA element within Ulster too, their opposition to Casement shows that. Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9702 - 04/04/2017 21:28:52 1975750 Link
Replying To Ulsterman: "More than anything it's a been a missed opportunity by the GAA to establish a real foothold in Belfast and Antrim. It's been forgotten, by many in Ulster as well, that Antrim were in two All Ireland football finals in 1911 and 1912. Belfast always had a thriving GAA community right from the beginning. Antrim potentially is the second biggest county behind Dublin. We took 1000's of fans to Croker in 89 and outnumbered Tyrone fans 3 to 1 in the Ulster final several years ago. Yes we have been our own worst enemy at times with the infighting but the GAA still shamefully HSS neglected Belfast and Antrim. Not just Croke Park by the way but equally by a very hostile rural GAA element within Ulster too, their opposition to Casement shows that." It's almost a direct representation of our messed up little island All over the shop and our own worst enemy, it's def a big opportunity being wasted UM - Do you think the infighting has meant there's no sort of coordinated effort to come up with a strategic funding plan, similar to Dublin GAA's proposal to grow participation, have the Antrim CB ever seeked additional funding? It makes sense.. for similar reasons why it makes clear financial sense in investing in Dublin. It doesn't make sense for the GAA not to invest, I'm sensing great change coming sooner they expected on this island, investing in Antrim might make a lot of sense for a number of reasons jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 04/04/2017 22:10:17 1975772 Link
Plenty of GAA clubs in and around Belfast But not as many as there used to be many - some have folded due to communities changing over the course of a decade valley84 (Westmeath) - Posts: 1890 - 04/04/2017 22:17:12 1975774 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "I'd love to see it Pound for pound the soundest bunch of supporters I've ever come across Great city, great people, great opportunity to build something.. well, great. ... And it's long overdue" I agree. Very disappointed I don't get to hear a rendition of shoes off for the Antrim men in Brewster this year behind the goals. Last few years has been great craic behind those goals with the Antrim fans/ gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 04/04/2017 22:17:39 1975775 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "It's almost a direct representation of our messed up little island All over the shop and our own worst enemy, it's def a big opportunity being wasted UM - Do you think the infighting has meant there's no sort of coordinated effort to come up with a strategic funding plan, similar to Dublin GAA's proposal to grow participation, have the Antrim CB ever seeked additional funding? It makes sense.. for similar reasons why it makes clear financial sense in investing in Dublin. It doesn't make sense for the GAA not to invest, I'm sensing great change coming sooner they expected on this island, investing in Antrim might make a lot of sense for a number of reasons" Undoubtedly jimbo; the infighting has held us back as a city and county as much as anything; I wouldn't deny that. There has been a city/city; city/rural; rural/rural divide that is almost unique to Belfast and Antrim. We are a county of wee fiefdoms and kingdoms and people have wanted to be No 1 in their small bit rather than pull together for the county. I suppose people could be forgiven for saying that if we couldn't help ourselves how can anyone else? There's also a big anti-Belfast brigade within Ulster GAA circles, particularly the football crowd. Some of them are so petty and rabidly anti Belfast to the point of hatred. This makes me laugh as the same ones within Ulster GAA circles who yap about Belfast, and getting to Casement, have NO problem travelling into the city EVERY morning for their Civil Service/Health Service/teaching/managerial/building jobs etc. Hypocrites! Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9702 - 04/04/2017 23:15:49 1975813 Link
Can anyone tell me why Ulster needs another 30,000 plus stadium ... we have one in clones already .... central within the province of Ulster ... Antrim needs a 10,000 seater stadium like the style of owenbeg for example but that's about it .... KeshGFC (Fermanagh) - Posts: 334 - 04/04/2017 23:37:10 1975822 Link
Replying To Ulsterman: "Undoubtedly jimbo; the infighting has held us back as a city and county as much as anything; I wouldn't deny that. There has been a city/city; city/rural; rural/rural divide that is almost unique to Belfast and Antrim. We are a county of wee fiefdoms and kingdoms and people have wanted to be No 1 in their small bit rather than pull together for the county. I suppose people could be forgiven for saying that if we couldn't help ourselves how can anyone else? There's also a big anti-Belfast brigade within Ulster GAA circles, particularly the football crowd. Some of them are so petty and rabidly anti Belfast to the point of hatred. This makes me laugh as the same ones within Ulster GAA circles who yap about Belfast, and getting to Casement, have NO problem travelling into the city EVERY morning for their Civil Service/Health Service/teaching/managerial/building jobs etc. Hypocrites!" Rural v urban divide Something we here in Dublin know all about... It's a damn shane to see such a potential hotbed for growth being wasted, must be damn frustrating, trust me I know how that feels, not that long ago GAA in Dublin was almost entirely working class jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 04/04/2017 23:41:02 1975823 Link
Replying To KeshGFC: "Can anyone tell me why Ulster needs another 30,000 plus stadium ... we have one in clones already .... central within the province of Ulster ... Antrim needs a 10,000 seater stadium like the style of owenbeg for example but that's about it ...." How in the name of christ is Clones central? gotmilk (Fermanagh) - Posts: 4971 - 05/04/2017 12:13:41 1975959 Link
Replying To KeshGFC: "Can anyone tell me why Ulster needs another 30,000 plus stadium ... we have one in clones already .... central within the province of Ulster ... Antrim needs a 10,000 seater stadium like the style of owenbeg for example but that's about it ...." This vindicates my post totally. Ulsterman (Antrim) - Posts: 9702 - 05/04/2017 12:21:46 1975964 Link
Replying To KeshGFC: "Can anyone tell me why Ulster needs another 30,000 plus stadium ... we have one in clones already .... central within the province of Ulster ... Antrim needs a 10,000 seater stadium like the style of owenbeg for example but that's about it ...." I don't think central means what you think it means KeshGFC. Mickmick (Dublin) - Posts: 104 - 05/04/2017 12:26:11 1975966 Link
Be great to see a targeting of Belfast by the GAA imo. Great city. Hopefully the Casement stadium gets going. Will definitely by a visitor for a game every now and then. Great city to visit. MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13707 - 05/04/2017 12:31:07 1975969 Link
Replying To jimbodub: "I'd love to see it Pound for pound the soundest bunch of supporters I've ever come across Great city, great people, great opportunity to build something.. well, great. ... And it's long overdue" we certainly have a serious support when things are going well. The problem is i can count on one hand the amount of times we have been in big matches with half a chance. Its just a shame we cant see more days like this as supporters. Its as well I enjoy being a neutral otherwise I'd barely ever see Croker. SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 05/04/2017 12:36:48 1975971 Link
Replying To KeshGFC: "Can anyone tell me why Ulster needs another 30,000 plus stadium ... we have one in clones already .... central within the province of Ulster ... Antrim needs a 10,000 seater stadium like the style of owenbeg for example but that's about it ...." this thread isn't about the stadium. Enough time has been spent on that. Looks like UM's point has just been proven about the snobbery though. SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2385 - 05/04/2017 12:40:59 1975974 Link
Ah come on now Gary.....we can see through your latest nom de plume!! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 05/04/2017 12:51:13 1975977 Link
Would be fantastic to have a strong Antrim in Championship and I'm one of those looking forward to a new Casement and Ulster finals being played there. They are one of the counties that between in fighting and lack of interest from the higher ups have suffered unfortunately. When you think of all the great GAA people down the years that have kept our games alive in hostile situations it's a real pity they've been neglected. Would love a big Championship match in Belfast. It's a great city and hopefully we see investment and strategy for Antrim GAA sooner rather than later. JoeSoap (Donegal) - Posts: 1432 - 05/04/2017 12:51:51 1975979 Link
As ive mentioned on 'Gary's thread' Casement will certainly help, lets be honest I don't know too many kids in the West Belfast whose ambition is to play in either Windsor or Ravenhill. However, it will not be the panacea on its own either, clubs in general and more specifically ex players need to step up to the plate. The county Board need also to come up with a structured plan that will be adhered too and of course serious input and guidance by Central Council to help implement the plan. Its essential we coach our coaches correctly before theyre let anywhere near the kids! bumpernut (Antrim) - Posts: 1852 - 05/04/2017 13:01:20 1975986 Link