Is there any sense in being an amateur in a soulless, money-driven GAA? - The Irish News
http://www.irishnews.com/sport/opinion/2017/09/05/news/any-sense-in-being-an-amateur-in-a-soulless-money-driven-gaa--1127714/

I was reading this article yesterday on how many in deprived areas in Dublin's North side and elsewhere are being disenfranchised by the GAA and thought it was worthy on discussion. Thoughts???

REDANDBLACK30 (Down) - Posts: 1617 - 07/09/2017 11:49:42    2043768

Few things
1. Ballyfermot is not northside!!
2. Strictly speaking, neither is Blanch (Paddy Andrews)
3. Why is anyone bringing a 9 week old to an All Ireland semi final ffs!

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 07/09/2017 11:59:59    2043775

Does a bear shit in the woods!?

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8584 - 07/09/2017 12:13:02    2043781

Check out O'Kane's Twitter.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7335 - 07/09/2017 12:45:45    2043799

Read the rubbish. Go and compare other sports ticket prices and comeback and tell me they are simply out to get money.

So they should let people in for free?

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 07/09/2017 12:56:55    2043802

That is possibly the worst thing i have ever read, in comparison to soccer and rugby the GAA is real value, nothing warms the heart more then seeing families of dubs at the game, something you dont see at other sports, especially the league games the author needs to be in Croke park in the depth of January for analysis as opposed to picking the ALL Ireland final - 80 euro for that day is a bargain.

TheUsername (Dublin) - Posts: 4445 - 07/09/2017 13:22:41    2043819

Most organisations are liked thst these days, i wouldn't just single out the GAA

PyatPree (Cork) - Posts: 376 - 07/09/2017 16:28:00    2043885

downredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 567 - 07/09/2017 17:06:27    2043895

If the GAA let people in for free to matches, there would still be headbangers complaining

They cant win.

If the GAA was in any other country on the planet they would be lauded for their value for money...

I mean, its such an Irishism.

If someone won a million quid in the lotto they would probably just complain it wasn't 2 million.

YOULL NEEEEEEVER BEAT THE IRISH!!!...... at whinging about trivial, first world problems.

waynoI (Dublin) - Posts: 13650 - 07/09/2017 17:21:49    2043900

Yes it is

hipster (Dublin) - Posts: 2509 - 07/09/2017 17:30:31    2043908

In fairness the GAA do a lot of things right, and in sporting facility terms we are miles ahead of any other sporting org in Ireland.

From a Corporate point of view, they probably are focused on doing their own jobs, which is to manage the GAA Corporate side of things well, and meet revenue targets etc. But that is something that is needed, and this will work for us all in years to come.

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 07/09/2017 17:32:25    2043909

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 07/09/2017 20:18:45    2043964

For 5 euros I got my KK pensioners Id card,it gets me into every club match I go to in KK,I go to a lot of club matches,I also get a partial refund going to inter county matches,I think thats good value and as another poster pointed out juveniles get to Croke Park for 5 euros,not bad value,the GAA puts a lot of money back into the clubs.

mooncat (Kilkenny) - Posts: 533 - 07/09/2017 21:01:50    2043979

Certainly in our club we have a Senior Board that thinks of nothing else but money. We have a Bord Na nOg that is doing fantastic work with the underage, delivering a very well structured coaching and development programme that has resulted in some county title in the past two years. All our Senior Board is interested in is money, the latest being that they are levying Bord Na nOg for unsold tickets in the annual draw!!!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts: 1671 - 07/09/2017 21:33:17    2043990

Certainly in our club we have a Senior Board that thinks of nothing else but money. We have a Bord Na nOg that is doing fantastic work with the underage, delivering a very well structured coaching and development programme that has resulted in some county title in the past two years. All our Senior Board is interested in is money, the latest being that they are levying Bord Na nOg for unsold tickets in the annual draw!!!!

Tir Conaill Abu (Donegal) - Posts:1346 - 07/09/2017 21:33:17 2

Do you think their should be more guidance from Central Council to club boards, to show club board members how to better raise funds, manage budgets and still prioritise games development?

GaryMc82 (Derry) - Posts: 3017 - 09/09/2017 20:48:52    2044473

No, the super 8 plan is rewarding supporters by making us pay extra to attend more games, even the idea of 1 home, 1 away and the 3rd game in Croke Park is really to reward supporters by broadening up our travel experience and promoting tourism, even 50 euro for semi final and 80 for the final is high so we won't be able to afford alcohol or cigarettes so the GAA are improving our health, also sitting in the wind and rain is helping build our immune system to fight off colds and flu, the toll bridges are there to get rid of that loose change in your pockets that is annoying you while you drive. The qualifiers on Saturdays are also a reason to miss work because attending work on some Saturdays means your tax would be high that week so the Saturday games is to keep it low
In case you are wondering I'm taking the p##s, the GAA try to fleece us at every chance they get, the super 8 is a plan for TV channels to pay more to the GAA, it has nothing to do with helping supporters or players, it means we have to miss more work, travel more and spend more money that most people haven't got

riverboys (Mayo) - Posts: 1389 - 10/09/2017 22:41:16    2044759

What is it with the negativity? It seems there's always at least one thread about what the GAA does wrong here on page one of HS. While far from perfect I wish you all knew how truly lucky you are to have the GAA in your life. It enriches your communities more than you could know. From nearly birth to death you have a group of people whom you can always be a part of all the while, helping the youth of your parish. What I wouldn't do for that. We have thousands of clubs here in the states but while great, they're not centers of community and most people wouldn't know they exist. Now, if talking about their constant talk of spreading the game, that's a laughable effort. Anyway, enjoy it for what it is. Participate. Ref ...if you're brave. I'm envious. Great championships at all levels this year! Even for a KK fan.

Yank_inyerchain (USA) - Posts: 10 - 11/09/2017 13:17:00    2044915

Marse (Dublin) - Posts: 217 - 11/09/2017 13:45:42    2044924

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4207 - 11/09/2017 19:33:57    2045046

Soccer and rugby clean out their supporters but this is ok.

GAA makes money to plough back into the game and its the crime of the century!!!

witnof (Dublin) - Posts: 1604 - 12/09/2017 08:51:07    2045131