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Anti GAA Agenda

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Replying To combo:  "Free-to-air NFL is coming to Ireland!

Virgin Media Television will broadcast at least 22 games per season, including three Playoff games and the Super Bowl

Not sure where to post this is there a tread for GAA competitors ?"
I won't be watching it anyway.

Seanfan (Roscommon) - Posts: 863 - 17/08/2026 13:55:38    2690187

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Replying To combo:  "Free-to-air NFL is coming to Ireland!

Virgin Media Television will broadcast at least 22 games per season, including three Playoff games and the Super Bowl

Not sure where to post this is there a tread for GAA competitors ?"
Great news.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8724 - 17/08/2026 14:40:45    2690203

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Replying To Pikeman96:  "Two matches over one weekend next April.

I wouldn't worry about it. That NFL (as in American Football NFL!) we had in Croke Park wasn't designed or expected to tempt GAA players away to that sport instead. Will be the same with these matches. A barney weekend in Dublin for supporters of those four teams, a boom for the pub trade, and a few interested Irish people - probably mainly from the rugby community anyway - going along for the novelty of it. It's not exactly an attack on the GAA.

Little or no interest for rugby league in Wales and particularly not in Scotland, and that's been shown several times over the years."
Would it be a problem if it was designed to tempt players away from the GAA?
It would be a great opportunity for any GAA player to join the nfl,no?

Seniorleague (Galway) - Posts: 282 - 17/08/2026 22:12:51    2690243

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "Would it be a problem if it was designed to tempt players away from the GAA?
It would be a great opportunity for any GAA player to join the nfl,no?"
How so?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20527 - 18/08/2026 10:49:36    2690263

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "Would it be a problem if it was designed to tempt players away from the GAA?
It would be a great opportunity for any GAA player to join the nfl,no?"
In fairness, I don't think that NFL game itself could be considered "a great opportunity for any GAA player to join the NFL". It's not as though the Vikings and Steelers would have been looking to the crowd for a kicker or anything else, the way Offaly footballers famously did for Laz Molloy back in the 1980s.

I do know there seems to be growing efforts by sports talent agencies (or however you want to describe them) to get gaelic footballers to try out as kickers for college teams etc. in the States. I've seen lots of such stuff on social media. But overall, I'm inclined to say that if somebody can get an education or make a few quid for a few years that way, then good luck to them, and wish them well in it.

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3885 - 18/08/2026 12:37:00    2690294

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Replying To Seniorleague:  "Would it be a problem if it was designed to tempt players away from the GAA?
It would be a great opportunity for any GAA player to join the nfl,no?"
You appear to regard GAA as resource for all comers. Are you familiar with reason we were founded?

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 4543 - 18/08/2026 18:24:43    2690374

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This is the major question no one is asking. What is the GAA anymore? Is seems like it's been decided to make GAA a development pathway for other sports ? Elite players move onto pro sports while lesser players have demands of pro sports people without pay ? Will fans continue to watch GAA while the best move onto other sports like the the ladies game? It seems like the GAA think people will pay up for gaa plus and go to games regardless what the do instead of looking at Dublin gaa or the ladies game as a warning of what could go wrong.

Kew (Galway) - Posts: 390 - 20/08/2026 07:49:05    2690532

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Replying To Kew:  "This is the major question no one is asking. What is the GAA anymore? Is seems like it's been decided to make GAA a development pathway for other sports ? Elite players move onto pro sports while lesser players have demands of pro sports people without pay ? Will fans continue to watch GAA while the best move onto other sports like the the ladies game? It seems like the GAA think people will pay up for gaa plus and go to games regardless what the do instead of looking at Dublin gaa or the ladies game as a warning of what could go wrong."
Moving to other pro sports is blown up. Only AFL is a runner for GAA. Over the last 10 years on the mens side we have lost maybe 10 top players, in the womens game it is alot higher, this is mainly because the AFL started a pro league for women 10 years ago and did not have a track record of producing players to fill teams so the quick fix was to poach the Irish girls as the years pass this will slow down.

The biggest mistake the GAA have done in my opinion is giving up Aug/Sept to other sports. the next intercounty game a child will see on TV is Feb27, 6 months the kids will be watching other sports aspiring to be them and not our own GAA players

ulsterrules (Donegal) - Posts: 335 - 20/08/2026 10:58:43    2690566

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Replying To Kew:  "This is the major question no one is asking. What is the GAA anymore? Is seems like it's been decided to make GAA a development pathway for other sports ? Elite players move onto pro sports while lesser players have demands of pro sports people without pay ? Will fans continue to watch GAA while the best move onto other sports like the the ladies game? It seems like the GAA think people will pay up for gaa plus and go to games regardless what the do instead of looking at Dublin gaa or the ladies game as a warning of what could go wrong."
Seems like AKA.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8724 - 20/08/2026 11:49:03    2690582

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Replying To ulsterrules:  "Moving to other pro sports is blown up. Only AFL is a runner for GAA. Over the last 10 years on the mens side we have lost maybe 10 top players, in the womens game it is alot higher, this is mainly because the AFL started a pro league for women 10 years ago and did not have a track record of producing players to fill teams so the quick fix was to poach the Irish girls as the years pass this will slow down.

The biggest mistake the GAA have done in my opinion is giving up Aug/Sept to other sports. the next intercounty game a child will see on TV is Feb27, 6 months the kids will be watching other sports aspiring to be them and not our own GAA players"
You are 100% correct ulsterrules.
It's total madness that August and September was taken off the Gaa calender.
That leaves a huge gap between August and February. 6 months of zero activity on the intercounty scene. No sport in the world would consider having such a condensed season.
Kids and adults will inevitably turn to watching soccer or rugby or whatever and their hero's will come from those sports.
Nothing wrong with watching those games, that would be silly. Promotion of our national games is paramount. Without exposure you can't have promotion.
Yes of course we have club games and that's where it all begins. They are the grass roots of the organisation and ultimately provide intercounty players. However the intercounty is the bigger stage and by sidelining it for 6 months will weaken our footprint at a national level.
A return to all irelands in late August or even September is a must going forward.

Magpie2 (Wexford) - Posts: 731 - 20/08/2026 12:56:53    2690594

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Replying To ulsterrules:  "Moving to other pro sports is blown up. Only AFL is a runner for GAA. Over the last 10 years on the mens side we have lost maybe 10 top players, in the womens game it is alot higher, this is mainly because the AFL started a pro league for women 10 years ago and did not have a track record of producing players to fill teams so the quick fix was to poach the Irish girls as the years pass this will slow down.

The biggest mistake the GAA have done in my opinion is giving up Aug/Sept to other sports. the next intercounty game a child will see on TV is Feb27, 6 months the kids will be watching other sports aspiring to be them and not our own GAA players"
Kids watch a lot of sports, music, TV shows, play online ganes etc. Need more encouragement from parents and schools to watch less and get more involved playing sports in local schools and clubs.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8724 - 20/08/2026 13:06:22    2690600

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Hopefully without having to go into all the same old arguments again, question for UlsterRules and Magpie2 -

Which do you think is more important:
a) the players of today, who benefit from all the changes the split season has brought, and who continue to support it? Sole reason the CPA existed in the first place. GPA survey shows 89% of inter-county players support it. GPA survey also shows 92% of inter-county players favour an inter-county season of seven months or less.

or

b) the children of today, who may or may not be brought to an inter-county match in August or September, or who may or may not watch them on the telly?

Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 3885 - 20/08/2026 13:12:02    2690602

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Replying To ulsterrules:  "Moving to other pro sports is blown up. Only AFL is a runner for GAA. Over the last 10 years on the mens side we have lost maybe 10 top players, in the womens game it is alot higher, this is mainly because the AFL started a pro league for women 10 years ago and did not have a track record of producing players to fill teams so the quick fix was to poach the Irish girls as the years pass this will slow down.

The biggest mistake the GAA have done in my opinion is giving up Aug/Sept to other sports. the next intercounty game a child will see on TV is Feb27, 6 months the kids will be watching other sports aspiring to be them and not our own GAA players"
The GAA didn't give up August and September to other sports, that is now Club Championship time.

Clubs weren't getting use of their County players for the whole season in some cases, whereas now the split season guarantees Club players a time-frame for their respective Championships.

There would be no County players without the Clubs and the Club Championships need to be given sufficient time too. I think Provincial Club Championships and All Ireland Club Championships could do with a revamp to make them more club friendly and maybe appeal to wider audiences more.

Commodore (Donegal) - Posts: 1931 - 20/08/2026 13:22:50    2690609

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Replying To Magpie2:  "You are 100% correct ulsterrules.
It's total madness that August and September was taken off the Gaa calender.
That leaves a huge gap between August and February. 6 months of zero activity on the intercounty scene. No sport in the world would consider having such a condensed season.
Kids and adults will inevitably turn to watching soccer or rugby or whatever and their hero's will come from those sports.
Nothing wrong with watching those games, that would be silly. Promotion of our national games is paramount. Without exposure you can't have promotion.
Yes of course we have club games and that's where it all begins. They are the grass roots of the organisation and ultimately provide intercounty players. However the intercounty is the bigger stage and by sidelining it for 6 months will weaken our footprint at a national level.
A return to all irelands in late August or even September is a must going forward."
You're opinion is that the finals need moving back to end of August or September, in three little words Not A Hope. Bottom line is the players like the new calendar and when there are no player contracts (that is they are amateurs) the players are king, there is no way of imposing a change on them. Also county boards, many of which did not initially welcome the new calendar have grown to love it. It gives them space to organise their own games.
At the most recent Congress Padraic Duffy's committee presented a report which proposed a mere 2 week extension to the current shortened inter county season. Many county delegates spoke on the proposal, all against, NOT ONE county delegate spoke in favour of a 2 week extension and the motion was speedily withdrawn.

sligo joe (Dublin) - Posts: 1178 - 20/08/2026 13:28:36    2690610

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Replying To Commodore:  "The GAA didn't give up August and September to other sports, that is now Club Championship time.

Clubs weren't getting use of their County players for the whole season in some cases, whereas now the split season guarantees Club players a time-frame for their respective Championships.

There would be no County players without the Clubs and the Club Championships need to be given sufficient time too. I think Provincial Club Championships and All Ireland Club Championships could do with a revamp to make them more club friendly and maybe appeal to wider audiences more."
what revamp would you suggest for the provincial and all ireland club championships?
How do you make them more club friendly and more appealing to wider audiences?
Clubs werent getting use of their county players for whole season as between GAA itself, county boards, clubs and playes they cant find a system that allows players move between playing club and county at same time which is ridiculous in this day and age

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 4002 - 20/08/2026 13:37:47    2690614

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Replying To ulsterrules:  "Moving to other pro sports is blown up. Only AFL is a runner for GAA. Over the last 10 years on the mens side we have lost maybe 10 top players, in the womens game it is alot higher, this is mainly because the AFL started a pro league for women 10 years ago and did not have a track record of producing players to fill teams so the quick fix was to poach the Irish girls as the years pass this will slow down.

The biggest mistake the GAA have done in my opinion is giving up Aug/Sept to other sports. the next intercounty game a child will see on TV is Feb27, 6 months the kids will be watching other sports aspiring to be them and not our own GAA players"
Not playing inter county in August and September and having a more condensed inter county season helps the overall sports as GAA cant seem to find a way to play club championships and inter county at the same time. condensing the inter county season is next best alternative.

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 4002 - 20/08/2026 13:40:39    2690616

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Replying To Magpie2:  "You are 100% correct ulsterrules.
It's total madness that August and September was taken off the Gaa calender.
That leaves a huge gap between August and February. 6 months of zero activity on the intercounty scene. No sport in the world would consider having such a condensed season.
Kids and adults will inevitably turn to watching soccer or rugby or whatever and their hero's will come from those sports.
Nothing wrong with watching those games, that would be silly. Promotion of our national games is paramount. Without exposure you can't have promotion.
Yes of course we have club games and that's where it all begins. They are the grass roots of the organisation and ultimately provide intercounty players. However the intercounty is the bigger stage and by sidelining it for 6 months will weaken our footprint at a national level.
A return to all irelands in late August or even September is a must going forward."
Just look at american football and it has a 5 month long college football season and NFL is similar. pre season in August and then 18 weeks regular season then 3/4 weeks of play offs in January and Super Bowl first weekend of February.

Having a very condensed season for American football doesnt weaken its footprint at a national or international level,

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 4002 - 20/08/2026 13:44:43    2690618

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Replying To Commodore:  "The GAA didn't give up August and September to other sports, that is now Club Championship time.

Clubs weren't getting use of their County players for the whole season in some cases, whereas now the split season guarantees Club players a time-frame for their respective Championships.

There would be no County players without the Clubs and the Club Championships need to be given sufficient time too. I think Provincial Club Championships and All Ireland Club Championships could do with a revamp to make them more club friendly and maybe appeal to wider audiences more."
GAA marketing, on a national level, does a poor job of attracting new players and supporters into clubs and watching county games. Letting existing players, supporters, club members know when games are on the telly, how to get to venues, throwin times is information, not marketing. A lot of complacency. GAA was the only show in town before the internet. The younger target market know there's club games being played by sharing vids from Tiktok and Instagram via Snapchat and Whatsapp but they need clubs to encourage them to get involved. Thankfully most clubs do and many need to do that to survive. The top brass are too out of touch and have too much money to be too bothered about the strife some clubs are in. You might even think they believe a club player is a second class citizen compared to intercounty. Here in Meath the club has club members in talking to children and parents about GAA and the club. They don't jump off the couch after watching a match and run down to the club to start training for the first time. The efforts are from the clubs, not GAA's. But the GAA should do more.

I think there's only one national podcast covering GAA club games and that's not free. Clubber is thriving from showing club games so there's surely a market there. A few club games on RTE but howabout a highlights show on some TV channel covering club hurling, camogie, football and LGFA? Top brass will go on about demographics. I think they're talking out of both sides of their mouth until they make better efforts to promote the club game outside existing GAA numbers.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 8724 - 20/08/2026 14:08:59    2690623

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Replying To Magpie2:  "You are 100% correct ulsterrules.
It's total madness that August and September was taken off the Gaa calender.
That leaves a huge gap between August and February. 6 months of zero activity on the intercounty scene. No sport in the world would consider having such a condensed season.
Kids and adults will inevitably turn to watching soccer or rugby or whatever and their hero's will come from those sports.
Nothing wrong with watching those games, that would be silly. Promotion of our national games is paramount. Without exposure you can't have promotion.
Yes of course we have club games and that's where it all begins. They are the grass roots of the organisation and ultimately provide intercounty players. However the intercounty is the bigger stage and by sidelining it for 6 months will weaken our footprint at a national level.
A return to all irelands in late August or even September is a must going forward."
When do you propose to play the club championships?
And who do you propose to represent the counties who make the All Ireland semifinals and finals when most if not all the adult players in the country are on strike?

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 20527 - 20/08/2026 14:20:44    2690626

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Replying To Commodore:  "The GAA didn't give up August and September to other sports, that is now Club Championship time.

Clubs weren't getting use of their County players for the whole season in some cases, whereas now the split season guarantees Club players a time-frame for their respective Championships.

There would be no County players without the Clubs and the Club Championships need to be given sufficient time too. I think Provincial Club Championships and All Ireland Club Championships could do with a revamp to make them more club friendly and maybe appeal to wider audiences more."
Traditionally the all Ireland Semi finals were held in Aug that is only 4 counties that means every other county could be playing club championship, half way through Aug 2 more counties would be freed up to play club championship. and the final 2 could be playing club championship in Sept. There has never been a need for each county to play it's club championship at the same time.

By condensing the intercounty & club game it is leaving alot of great games off the Free to Air network so many games are missed by the fans.

The smokescreen of club football being the reason has always been very weak considering that 90% of counties were finish in the championship in July every year or sooner for decades.

Rosscommon won the connaught title this year, yet Leinster and Man U played in croke park more than they did in 2026.

It is about freeing up Croke park for other events soccer/NFL/Concerts etc.

ulsterrules (Donegal) - Posts: 335 - 20/08/2026 14:22:47    2690627

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