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Replying To tirawleybaron:  "Most GAA players now start at 5/6 in their clubs. Its something similar in OZ.

So Kobe is starting at least 10 years behind his team mates on the skills of the oval ball.
Thats a lot of hours to put in to catch up - and most Irish lads never do.

So they end up being half backs (winning breaks and "tagging" the oppositions best players. Becoming "water carriers" in an inferior game (IMO).

It is a shame for GAA that we lose some of our very best footballers when they chose to be average water carriers on a professional team - unlikely to gain any money outside the sport - as sponsors don't really pay up to be associated with average players."
Im sure most fellas would happily carry water if they we're paid to do so and have the professional lifestyle, it beats working for a living. Any young player male or female who gets even half an opportunity to go play in Australia should jump at it, and if it doesn't work out so be it. It's about doing something different with your life. Fair play to them. Anything else is pure begrudgery.

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 2664 - 11/08/2026 18:13:44    2689479

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Replying To ORIELMAN85:  "Would you start and do a count of how many elite gaelic players go to the AFL. Most players who go are back inside 2 years. Lads spend longer away on college erasmus. Fair play to any lad or lassie that can get a free couple of years enjoying the Aussie life."
Im therefore assuming you would encourage youngsters to prioritise soccer and rugby over the GAA too? To increase their chances at the professional life? Fair play to them if they do.

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 260 - 11/08/2026 19:03:29    2689489

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "Im therefore assuming you would encourage youngsters to prioritise soccer and rugby over the GAA too? To increase their chances at the professional life? Fair play to them if they do."
He wasnt " encouraging ", just saying fair play to them.
Soccer/rugby won't give an Aussie life.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 839 - 11/08/2026 20:04:49    2689493

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "Im therefore assuming you would encourage youngsters to prioritise soccer and rugby over the GAA too? To increase their chances at the professional life? Fair play to them if they do."
If you have a shot of making it to the big time, it makes perfect sense to concentrate on that sport. You can always come back to gaa if it doesn't work out, have heard of a few clubs getting top notch keepers on board as they didn't quite make the cut in pro soccer, and intermediate/ junior soccer teams tend to have little support or backing so senior gaa with a shot of the county panel is more appealing.
I simply don't get the hate against players choosing to pursue an afl career or the clubs that recruit them, it smacks of the same people who never left their home town and are spiteful of those who did

gaelsboy (Leitrim) - Posts: 818 - 11/08/2026 21:51:50    2689499

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