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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "It was put out as resigning but he was pushed make no mistake about that…. From 2011 to 2020 FG lost 43 seats.. Varadker was put in to stop the slide but it only got worse, hence he got the bullet… It's a well known fact to anybody in the know….!"
But they weren't under his leadership from 2011 to 2016. He became leader in 2017.

You're suggesting he 'got the bullet' following the 2020 election performance? Yet he had stated himself 3 years earlier that he wouldn't remain a TD beyong the age of 50, and then stayed true to that statement. Sounds like it was his decision to resign and it was one he had planned and openly shared from the outset of his leadership.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5212 - 18/12/2024 19:29:13    2584032

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Replying To cavanman47:  "But they weren't under his leadership from 2011 to 2016. He became leader in 2017.

You're suggesting he 'got the bullet' following the 2020 election performance? Yet he had stated himself 3 years earlier that he wouldn't remain a TD beyong the age of 50, and then stayed true to that statement. Sounds like it was his decision to resign and it was one he had planned and openly shared from the outset of his leadership."
And you'd be fool enough to believe what a politician would say… Michael D said there was no way he'd do a second term but wait… power got to the wee man's head.. Varadker got the bullet because FG would have sank if he was allowed contest another election.. Harris has steadied the ship somewhat but don't be silly enough to believe Varadker left of his own cause… he was well and truly pushed…

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3150 - 18/12/2024 20:07:52    2584037

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Replying To cavanman47:  "But they weren't under his leadership from 2011 to 2016. He became leader in 2017.

You're suggesting he 'got the bullet' following the 2020 election performance? Yet he had stated himself 3 years earlier that he wouldn't remain a TD beyong the age of 50, and then stayed true to that statement. Sounds like it was his decision to resign and it was one he had planned and openly shared from the outset of his leadership."
He'll be 50 in 4 years time. He was asked to go after Fine Gael mismanaged the referendums in March. Hardly's Leo's fault, but Harris was lurking with intent. Even with Harris it wasn't a good election for Fine Gael considering the extra Dáil seats on offer. But probably better than if they left Varakar as leader.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7703 - 18/12/2024 20:47:34    2584044

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "He'll be 50 in 4 years time. He was asked to go after Fine Gael mismanaged the referendums in March. Hardly's Leo's fault, but Harris was lurking with intent. Even with Harris it wasn't a good election for Fine Gael considering the extra Dáil seats on offer. But probably better than if they left Varakar as leader."
Aren't yourself and The Flaker the stout pair of fellows altogether to be getting in the middle of a hand bag standoff between two of our Cavan stalwarts. A precarious and volatile place to be, at the best of times. Even worse than getting in between man and wife in a "domestic, " you'd never know which direction the smack would come from.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1298 - 18/12/2024 23:13:20    2584054

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Aren't yourself and The Flaker the stout pair of fellows altogether to be getting in the middle of a hand bag standoff between two of our Cavan stalwarts. A precarious and volatile place to be, at the best of times. Even worse than getting in between man and wife in a "domestic, " you'd never know which direction the smack would come from."
No smacks Freethinker just honest good banter… too close to Christmas for anything else… Have a good one..!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3150 - 19/12/2024 10:11:50    2584077

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Replying To Freethinker:  "Aren't yourself and The Flaker the stout pair of fellows altogether to be getting in the middle of a hand bag standoff between two of our Cavan stalwarts. A precarious and volatile place to be, at the best of times. Even worse than getting in between man and wife in a "domestic, " you'd never know which direction the smack would come from."
No smacks Freethinker just honest good banter… too close to Christmas for anything else… Have a good one..!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3150 - 19/12/2024 10:16:39    2584079

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "Correct. His position became untenable after the referendums last March. Harris looks a more confident, streetwise, leader than Varadkar. Time will tell. Neither of them have the experience or the authority of Michael Martin."
Experience can't be disputed, but authority is just your subjective opinion. Let's see if he has the 'authority' to wangle some extra 'rotation' in the government, out of the 10 extra seats. Or will 'parity of esteem' win the day for Harris, with 10 less seats?

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3907 - 19/12/2024 11:20:38    2584088

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GAA thinking about buying out RTÉ stake in GAAGo. Is this a good idea. I don't know myself.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2582 - 19/12/2024 12:10:44    2584092

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Experience can't be disputed, but authority is just your subjective opinion. Let's see if he has the 'authority' to wangle some extra 'rotation' in the government, out of the 10 extra seats. Or will 'parity of esteem' win the day for Harris, with 10 less seats?"
Fair point Pope. Will be interesting to see how they slice the pie.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7703 - 19/12/2024 17:49:26    2584122

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "Experience can't be disputed, but authority is just your subjective opinion. Let's see if he has the 'authority' to wangle some extra 'rotation' in the government, out of the 10 extra seats. Or will 'parity of esteem' win the day for Harris, with 10 less seats?"
Rotating Taoiseach looks likely. I think FG would've dragged their heels otherwise.

The CC giveaway is surprising from FF as that's a guaranteed seat gone next time. Maybe pointing towards MM running for the Áras next year? Or maybe just appeasement vs a full seat at cabinet for RIs. .time will tell.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5212 - 19/12/2024 21:39:35    2584150

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Replying To Breffni40:  "Just accept you're not that into football and like trotting out platitudes to impress your fellow spoofers"
His point was backed up lastnight with Hearts failure to beat the Moldovian galacticos at home therefore missing out on a playoff place to other such giants from Iceland and Cyprus.

Tells you all you need to know about the quality of the Scottish League when they can't even finish in the top 24 of the lowest ranked European competition.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1066 - 20/12/2024 09:52:09    2584183

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "His point was backed up lastnight with Hearts failure to beat the Moldovian galacticos at home therefore missing out on a playoff place to other such giants from Iceland and Cyprus.

Tells you all you need to know about the quality of the Scottish League when they can't even finish in the top 24 of the lowest ranked European competition."
I've followed Celtic since I was a kid but the last few seasons I've lost pretty much all interest in them and football in general. The majority of the SPL league games are awful stuff to watch. Sad state of affairs when there are more Celtic supporters at an away game than the home team supporters. Says it all really.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2095 - 20/12/2024 17:20:34    2584207

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Replying To Bon:  "I've followed Celtic since I was a kid but the last few seasons I've lost pretty much all interest in them and football in general. The majority of the SPL league games are awful stuff to watch. Sad state of affairs when there are more Celtic supporters at an away game than the home team supporters. Says it all really."
How on earth anyone in their right minds can pay in to watch that SPL is mind boggling… The coverage of games on Sky Sports has also become embarrassing as they try and talk up games involving Celtic or Rangers that usually turn into cake walks…. Give me League of Ireland football any day of the week over that excuse for a league…at least it's competitive..!

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3150 - 21/12/2024 08:19:09    2584221

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "How on earth anyone in their right minds can pay in to watch that SPL is mind boggling… The coverage of games on Sky Sports has also become embarrassing as they try and talk up games involving Celtic or Rangers that usually turn into cake walks…. Give me League of Ireland football any day of the week over that excuse for a league…at least it's competitive..!"
Watching league of Ireland, whilst competitive, is of a very low standard, which was exemplified when a second string Chelsea hammered Shamrock Rovers 5-1. International rugby at least is exciting, and Ireland are extremely competitive! Hurling is going from strength to strength although confined to 9 or 10 counties, whilst Gaelic football is still the premier sport!

Ryanteam (Cork) - Posts: 411 - 21/12/2024 17:16:00    2584244

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "How on earth anyone in their right minds can pay in to watch that SPL is mind boggling… The coverage of games on Sky Sports has also become embarrassing as they try and talk up games involving Celtic or Rangers that usually turn into cake walks…. Give me League of Ireland football any day of the week over that excuse for a league…at least it's competitive..!"
Recent cup final between Celtic and Rangers was a fantastic match. Celtic won 5-4 on penos.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2582 - 21/12/2024 17:55:18    2584248

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I thought Leo V was a bit out of his depth. All style, very little substance.

galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2582 - 21/12/2024 17:57:14    2584249

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Replying To Ryanteam:  "Watching league of Ireland, whilst competitive, is of a very low standard, which was exemplified when a second string Chelsea hammered Shamrock Rovers 5-1. International rugby at least is exciting, and Ireland are extremely competitive! Hurling is going from strength to strength although confined to 9 or 10 counties, whilst Gaelic football is still the premier sport!"
We are talking about the competitiveness of both leagues here and the Scottish league is an absolute joke in this regard… It's totally unfair to make a comparison between Shamrock Rovers and Chelsea as there is a massive gap in the amount of finances available to both clubs… Gaelic football may be the premier sport on the island but attendance figures have dropped dramatically while the same can't be said for Hurling or domestic soccer….

ForeverBlue2 (Cavan) - Posts: 3150 - 21/12/2024 21:00:45    2584256

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "We are talking about the competitiveness of both leagues here and the Scottish league is an absolute joke in this regard… It's totally unfair to make a comparison between Shamrock Rovers and Chelsea as there is a massive gap in the amount of finances available to both clubs… Gaelic football may be the premier sport on the island but attendance figures have dropped dramatically while the same can't be said for Hurling or domestic soccer…."
The media were using Chelsea in order to attach some extra cachet to Rovers' 'euro achievement'. Anyone keeping an eye on those euro tables knows that the conference table is for 'junior b' outfits, with a whopping 72 clubs involved in CL and Europa action. Chelsea '24-'25 belong in the top 16 of the CL, and are in the wrong euro competition, based on their hapless form last season. The media line that 'they're playing Chelsea in the next round' was a pathetic attempt to inflate Rovers activities and achievement in this 'junior b' european ompetition. Chelsea are the best team in that league by the proverbial country mile, and will no doubt collect that trophy if they want it.

Pope_Benedict (Galway) - Posts: 3907 - 22/12/2024 09:03:09    2584266

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Replying To ForeverBlue2:  "We are talking about the competitiveness of both leagues here and the Scottish league is an absolute joke in this regard… It's totally unfair to make a comparison between Shamrock Rovers and Chelsea as there is a massive gap in the amount of finances available to both clubs… Gaelic football may be the premier sport on the island but attendance figures have dropped dramatically while the same can't be said for Hurling or domestic soccer…."
I don't think the poster was necessarily comparing Chelsea and Rovers - more the gulf in standard between the two leagues. From what I see, attendances are increasing in our domestic league which should improve finances within the clubs but few can afford professional teams, so, until we do, we will struggle to keep our better younger rising stars. European clubs are now paying more attention to the quality of some of them. All the tv money etc swirling around the English game has improved their academy's no end and we can see the quality of player coming through their system - mind you, they will still try poach any that slip through their net and instead play underage for Ireland.

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1298 - 22/12/2024 09:38:08    2584267

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Replying To Pope_Benedict:  "The media were using Chelsea in order to attach some extra cachet to Rovers' 'euro achievement'. Anyone keeping an eye on those euro tables knows that the conference table is for 'junior b' outfits, with a whopping 72 clubs involved in CL and Europa action. Chelsea '24-'25 belong in the top 16 of the CL, and are in the wrong euro competition, based on their hapless form last season. The media line that 'they're playing Chelsea in the next round' was a pathetic attempt to inflate Rovers activities and achievement in this 'junior b' european ompetition. Chelsea are the best team in that league by the proverbial country mile, and will no doubt collect that trophy if they want it."
It's a strange set up. There are 36 teams in the Europa Conference League and yet teams only play 6 games in the league phase. I presume the teams they played was based on some kind of ranking system and not a random selection. If it was done by lottery, Rovers did well to get Larne and TNS in their fixture list, 2 of the weakest teams within the 36 team "league". (Maybe fixtures were decided by geography which is why they got to play those two plus Chelsea?). Rovers finished 10th in the 6 fixture league.....I reckon if it was a true league and they played all 35 other teams in it they'd have finished somewhere between 20th and 26th place. (Molde should be a step too far for them next time out).
But I'm not knocking it as such. It is a great money spinner for teams from the weaker European leagues and is a way of filtering European money into those weaker leagues to bolster them (I think all League of Ireland Premiership teams will get a windfall of a couple of 100k euro as a result of what Rovers have achieved.)

PoolSturgeon (Galway) - Posts: 1965 - 22/12/2024 11:46:36    2584272

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