Agree totally with asdfg. Amalgamations should only be allowed in exceptional circumstances such as is the case with Dernacrieve and St.Finbarrs and to a far lesser extent Redbridge. Anyone who thinks that amalgamations will help improve the standard is ignorant to the fact that they have and will take so much away from what the game is supposed to be about. A team who is able to field a team, even if they have to use players from a previous bracket, and are able to compete should not be allowed to amalgamate. If they can't compete in Division 1 then they should drop to Division 2, not try to find a team to join with so they can say they won Division 1.

Now if a team is genuinely not able to field a team, or is getting hammered in Division 3, then that is a different story. But that is not the case with the majority of the teams amalgamating for the Minor Championship this year and in recent years. I ask the question again. Kingscourt were u16 champions 2years ago. Why were they allowed to amalgamate with Shercock? Nonsense. It has ruined the Minor league this year and I doubt the minor championship will be much better.

What about the countless fringe players on relatively strong underage teams who have the potential to play a decent standard of football for their club in future years, be it senior or junior, that will quit because of their team amalgamating? Clubs like Shercock will wonder in 5 years time why they are still a junior club and why they are struggling to field a second team and it will be because they amalgamated unnecessarily at underage. The same goes for Kingscourt who are a big town team with a huge pick and yet they don't have a third team at reserve division 3 level and probably never will.

As for the gaels. I don't think they are any different to any other club. If Kingscourt won with the same team two years ago and are allowed to join then the gaels should also be allowed to join.

Needless glory-hunting amalgamations are ruining the underage football in this county but as long as it suits one or two higher-ups I suppose it will continue. However, their clubs will suffer because of it in the future.

Bananas

Bananas (Cavan) - Posts: 73 - 02/06/2012 12:20:03    1185620

ya the can only be 1 winner and the wil be a lot off teams regretting joining at the end the should drop 2 division 2 and have a good go at it and would gain alot more for there club. but i no shercock have only 10 players this year so the would not be fit 2 field a team am from b-boro and i heard the have a very good trainer some mc phil fella he was training kingscort/shercock last year and this year and it is said that he always has them flying i dont no him!!!!!!

madmax1 (Cavan) - Posts: 10 - 02/06/2012 13:05:00    1185644

Bananas
i have been involved in coaching minor teams for the last 8 years. Players have changed hugely over that period. Some players at minor level have no intention of continuing to play football as it comes 6 or 7 on their list of priorities ie i'm in a band, soccer, rugby, drink, i'm away, working. Most team carry 3 to 5 of this type of player on a minor team as they are required to field a team. Team have now decides to cut the cord with these Players as they are of no long term value to clubs, and get the top 10 or less best players in a club playing top class football, to prepare them best for the steep to senior level.

madaboutgaa (Cavan) - Posts: 120 - 02/06/2012 13:34:48    1185659

What is the cause of all these amalgamtions? O Raghaillaigh Gaels

With St Joes, Cavan Gaels, Ramor, St Finbarrs, Castlerahan, Ballymachugh and Kingscourt you would have a great competitive league with any team capable of beating each other as shown in the league.
However with O Raghaillaigh Gaels these clubs cannot compete with them on their own.
Can the county board not see this?

legend 44 (Cavan) - Posts: 154 - 02/06/2012 13:56:19    1185668

Banana..

I think your a man who thinks he knows what he's talking about but knows nothing. As a man from Baileboro, I know the O'Raghalliagh Gaels team well. They train very hard and that's why there successful. It takes more then just two clubs to amalgamate, they have to bond well and train hard. They were allowed to amalgamate this year as Shercock have only 9 players left since u16's and kingscourt only with 10 players. So knocking the amalgamation because of the past is ridiculous. Many young lads who hit minor level stop playing and give up cause of other commitments. So before you make a statement make sure you know the facts first.

Theuntraceable (Cavan) - Posts: 13 - 03/06/2012 12:45:19    1186026

Both teams had 17/18 players at u16 level,a reason for a drop off in players would be players losing out on there place due to the amalgamation. .

dickchicken (Cavan) - Posts: 144 - 03/06/2012 15:38:09    1186102

St joes arent joining with drumlane... finbars and laragh will be a strong outfit

Mr_Big (Cavan) - Posts: 75 - 03/06/2012 16:33:04    1186147

Yes were 3/4 players on both teams still playing u16 now. excluding them players leaves both teams with no players on top of the ones who weren't interested anymore.

Theuntraceable (Cavan) - Posts: 13 - 03/06/2012 17:53:34    1186208

Mr_Big I think you could have you have you facts muddled up.

Footballisgood (Cavan) - Posts: 21 - 03/06/2012 19:42:14    1186290

The division 1 champioship will be strong
O Raghaillaigh Gaels,
St Joes & drumlane,
Cavan Gaels,
Ramor or lurgan,
St Finbarrs & laragh,
Castlerahan & Lavey,
Ballymachugh ???????
ballyhaise & drumalee,
Ballinagh & Cornefean,
lacken & gowna
west cavan 4 or 5 team
who else

madaboutgaa (Cavan) - Posts: 120 - 03/06/2012 21:02:14    1186373

No im speaking the truth unlike the rest of da chidren on this... How are my facts muddled up ?

Mr_Big (Cavan) - Posts: 75 - 04/06/2012 09:49:06    1186427

Who's everyone tipping for the minor championship?

Theuntraceable (Cavan) - Posts: 13 - 04/06/2012 12:09:30    1186519

This could be a very interesting championship!

If these amalgamations do take place, its going to be hard to pick a favourite. I reckon Castlerahan/Lavey would be contenders. Obviously St Joes, Cavan gaels, Kingscourt/Shercock will be serious contenders. However, you never know with championship football!

Stick_it_2012 (Cavan) - Posts: 12 - 04/06/2012 15:09:16    1186670

Theuntraceable .. I wouldn't expect you to be against such an amalgamation seeing as you're from Bailieboro. If I remember correctly you's won the 2009 division 1 championship comfortably after joining with Shercock when yous were more than strong enough to go it alone. Exact same story as this and last years championship.

Madaboutgaa are you sure lacken gowna are in division 1? Why would they be when they didn't do well in Division 2?

Bananas (Cavan) - Posts: 73 - 04/06/2012 16:46:02    1186735

madmax i tink you shud go out and train hard with your joes teammates instead of talkin up your chances hear postin here wont help you win it .........

cavanmanner (Cavan) - Posts: 10 - 04/06/2012 16:50:36    1186738

I dont care what happened in 2009 or 2001 or 1993.. I'm just telling it the way it is.

Theuntraceable (Cavan) - Posts: 13 - 04/06/2012 16:59:54    1186746

Anyone know when the championship starts ?

dickchicken (Cavan) - Posts: 144 - 04/06/2012 17:18:36    1186770

I expected a much more intelligent response than ''I don't care what happened in 2009'' especially when it is so relevant to the point I was making. I suppose I shouldn't have expected much from someone who will most likely get a C when they get their junior cert results in September. Run along now and study, you clearly aren't capable of backing up your points or having a sensible conversation.

Bananas (Cavan) - Posts: 73 - 04/06/2012 18:15:18    1186816

ramor should be a much stronger outfit for the championship with the mark magee and brian traynor coming back into the team, they will not need to revert back to lurgan and should push o raghaillaigh gaels close if they can bring some of the good under 16s of last year to the next level

andycarroll (Cavan) - Posts: 14 - 04/06/2012 19:58:57    1186885

There is talk about only 2 divisions in the championship if not just one!!
so where do the team in div 3 of the league go?? Blackwater Gaels, Mullahoran, Kildallan, cootehill, knockbride, drumgoon
that is why i thing!! div 2 will be only for singe teams.

madaboutgaa (Cavan) - Posts: 120 - 04/06/2012 21:43:57    1187013