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Replying To Marlon_JD: "Just read the various GAA statements re not being able to 'bubble' their players, and it makes sense. I still think the rationale for allowing other sports to go ahead is a bit tenuous, but it is what it is.
One thing, I see President (GAA) saying there was an "appetite" to see a return to action as soon as possible once the number of positive cases began to fall substantially. I think thats kind of a pointless milestone to plan against. Positve cases can go up much more quickly than they go down, so by itself, a drop in cases means very little, regarding planning.
These societal milestones have to start getting pinned to vaccination targets. If we get to the stage where all vulnerable populations are vaccinated, and its open to the general public, then plans can be made, re-opening can start. But if those forecasts can't be made, no real plans can be made.
Now that we've all these vaccine's coming through, one last lockdown push to contain it, and save as many lives as possible, makes sense. But the conversation has to start changing to how we vaccinate our way out of this, rather than lockdown our way out if it. More pressure needs to be put on the powers-that-be to do whatever they can (beg, borrow, steal) to get as many and as much vaccines as they can, from wherever they can, as quick as they can, and distribute them as fast as they can. Thats not happening, currently." Great post sir.
I really think the mood of the country is in a delicate place at the moment. Nothing can be definitively planned until we have some measurable targets set. This is the government's job and they seem to be incapable of doing it.
I think most people would put up with lockdown measures for another while if proper vaccine milestone targets were being communicated. Instead, what we're getting is this drip feed of dispiriting news that over 70s won't be vaccinated until June. The glaring question has to be asked, why is this? It's as clear as day that the government's strategy has been to apply periods of lockdown and pray that effective vaccines eventually would arrive to save the day.
Why didn't we prepare the GPs, pharmacists, dentists etc and have all the logistics in place to allow them start vaccinating as soon as vaccines became available? Why isn't there an IT system in place that hosts something as simple as a who, where, when..type system? Why haven't multiple vaccine centers already been set up across every county in the country? I despair at the time that was wasted in not having the above ready and waiting. Any sort of basic PPM would have us in a better place than we are now.
Imagine if the 6.01 news was reporting that cases and mortality rates were continuing to decrease, and that along side that we had vaccinated 20,000 people on a given day? Then some Friday evening it's reported that everyone in the over 70s group has been vaccinated. Next target - everyone over 60 to be completed by the end of next month etc, if we reach that target then X, Y & Z can cautiously reopen. Or the GAA can get up and running with some health and safety conditions attached.
But what we're getting at the moment is inconsistent and demoralizing crap 24/7. It's not good enough. If our government cannot make a better fist of this, then I think it will bring them down before long.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9746 - 12/02/2021 10:31:32
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Replying To zinny: "Not directly tied to the IRFU but could be employed by a body affiliated to it. All of the players playing at the moment would be under contracts to one of the provincial bodies or central contract with the IRFU. People will say its unfair that say the French rugby team can travel to Dublin and not quarantine but they have been in quarantine for some time anyway and there has to be recognition of that. Clubs and National squads have been pretty strict on booting out lads who break the rules as it puts the whole scheme at risk. Unfortunately it is the optics that make the headlines." Ah yeah I know all the lads in Ireland would be considered in the employment of the IRFU, but those coming from abroad to play matches clearly are not. As the law is at the minute, only those employed by the IRFU can play rugby in the state so really only interprovincial games should be happening. Obviously that doesn't make much sense but it's the law as it stands as far as I know.
Soma (UK) - Posts: 2630 - 12/02/2021 10:56:58
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There's an interesting piece in the today's Irish Examiner - GAA's muted reaction to 'elite' controversy says a lot (link below.
This bit caught my eye "There will be few complaints from the finance committee - who warned of going county first - or the finance department in Croke Park about the postponement. There are no expenses to be distributed, and the longer the delay the better chance there is of gate receipts. In December, the finance committee warned of the large costs involved in opting for the inter-county season first."
link
Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2741 - 12/02/2021 11:03:29
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Replying To KillingFields: "Yes, allowing LOI to go ahead, and not GAA is a bizarre decision. And regarding rugby, if the international squad is allowed draft in new players midweek (as currently happens) doesn't that undermine the "bubble" argument? Surely a new player would have to be quarantined for two weeks before being allowed to join this mythical bubble. I assume provincial rugby players are also living normally with their families between games?
football first (None) - Posts: 1208 - 11/02/2021 10:08:18 Its not bizarre at all and the international squad is drafting players who come from provincial squads and are in bubble there and are being PCR tested just like those in the national squad so the bubble stays.
You wouldnt have to quarantine for 2 weeks at all to maintain the bubble.
Large number of pro rugby players are young enough with no family and leave with each other.
LOI has much smaller number of players and many of these are professional or semi pro and not working full time jobs like a lot of GAA players.
This is a bad decision by the Government. OK, so what are the alternatives. Well a league type program in the Summer is the best bet. With a cup competition in the Autumn and winter. It is like they are trying to ban GAA if you ask me. A petty and vindictive government is pumping millions into Rugby and Soccer and leaving the GAA to it's own devices. I hope this is remembered come election time.
Anyway the good news is that this gives the GAA a chance to revamp the League and All Ireland. It is a chance to tackle Dubs dominance too. Finally the Clubs needs some help too.
galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 1973 - 11/02/2021 10:11:31
Take tin foil hat off if you believe its an attempt to ban GAA. You are deluded.
This govt is influenced by the N.I unionists. They don't like GAA and Varadkar, Martin and Ryan want to impress them. They do play Rugby and Soccer, and so those games are given the go ahead.
galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 1973 - 11/02/2021 10:14:03 hahahahaha what paranoid nonsense" How would you feel if I supported the French on Sunday. Allez.
galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2614 - 12/02/2021 11:41:34
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Replying To Cockney_Cat: "There's an interesting piece in the today's Irish Examiner - GAA's muted reaction to 'elite' controversy says a lot (link below. This bit caught my eye "There will be few complaints from the finance committee - who warned of going county first - or the finance department in Croke Park about the postponement. There are no expenses to be distributed, and the longer the delay the better chance there is of gate receipts. In December, the finance committee warned of the large costs involved in opting for the inter-county season first." link"
galwayford (Galway) - Posts: 2614 - 12/02/2021 11:44:38
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the gaa is amateur in name only , well done to the government for outlining the fact that it is not an elite sport . now maybe the gaa will start paying their players and becoming professional . if some managers can get a 6 figure sum how the hell is that amateur . its time heads were taken out of the sand
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1898 - 12/02/2021 12:06:59
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Replying To mickcunningham: "the gaa is amateur in name only , well done to the government for outlining the fact that it is not an elite sport . now maybe the gaa will start paying their players and becoming professional . if some managers can get a 6 figure sum how the hell is that amateur . its time heads were taken out of the sand" It is a fair point you raise. I think everyone realises that players at intercounty level are operating in a professional capacity for the last 10 years, if not longer, while the GAA have continued to pedal the amateur ethos to anyone that will listen. In recent years and now during the pandemic, the mask has slipped further and the GAA is probably at a cross roads - will they continue to take the route towards elitism and paying players or will there be a row back and a reduction in the amount of money pumped into intercounty teams by county boards who have no means of generating income now that there are no gate receipts. There seems to be a suggestion in some parts of the media that players have seen the light and have enjoyed their time away from the slog that is being an intercounty player so will players be eager to dedicate so much time to training and being part of an intercounty setup and be enthusiastic when the lockdown is lifted or will they come to the conclusion that there is more to life than training like a professional with no chance of winning anything in 90% of counties.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2095 - 12/02/2021 12:55:32
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Replying To wicklowsupport: "It is a fair point you raise. I think everyone realises that players at intercounty level are operating in a professional capacity for the last 10 years, if not longer, while the GAA have continued to pedal the amateur ethos to anyone that will listen. In recent years and now during the pandemic, the mask has slipped further and the GAA is probably at a cross roads - will they continue to take the route towards elitism and paying players or will there be a row back and a reduction in the amount of money pumped into intercounty teams by county boards who have no means of generating income now that there are no gate receipts. There seems to be a suggestion in some parts of the media that players have seen the light and have enjoyed their time away from the slog that is being an intercounty player so will players be eager to dedicate so much time to training and being part of an intercounty setup and be enthusiastic when the lockdown is lifted or will they come to the conclusion that there is more to life than training like a professional with no chance of winning anything in 90% of counties." Except theyre not near professional. Training a lot and to high level doesnt make you professional.
They train a lot but dont have a lost of rest and recovery periods compared to pros.
Theyre not full time athletes.
There is many triathletes, runners, etc who do far more hours than any inter county players and wouldnt be operating in a professional capacity.
There is club level triathletes who train 16-18 hours a week.
GAA does need to reward the players it earns millions from but will that happen?
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 12/02/2021 13:22:36
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Replying To KillingFields: "Except theyre not near professional. Training a lot and to high level doesnt make you professional.
They train a lot but dont have a lost of rest and recovery periods compared to pros.
Theyre not full time athletes.
There is many triathletes, runners, etc who do far more hours than any inter county players and wouldnt be operating in a professional capacity.
There is club level triathletes who train 16-18 hours a week.
GAA does need to reward the players it earns millions from but will that happen?" They are professional in the sense of their attitude and in terms of the hours they put in (dedication), I believe that there was a survey conducted in 2019 (can't be sure of the year) where the players were dedicating 40 hours a week to playing for their county. Now, maybe a lot of that was travelling to and from training so you have a point, there are endurance athletes around the country that dedicate a lot of time to their sport and they aren't professional. Maybe the right word is 'elite' as oppose to professional. Would anyone say that the intercounty players are an elite bunch in terms of their dedication etc. It is interesting that the GAA would give the impression that they are not 'upset' by the government not including them among the elite sports in terms of the pandemic. To me, this seems like a departure in terms of how they want to be viewed. Maybe people in Croke Park are afraid that players etc might take the view that if they are classed as elite during the pandemic that they will have to be viewed as elite after the pandemic and what does that mean - pay for play? I think the GAA strategy is take our time with this and see how it pans out when people have been vaccinated, maybe then teams can return to playing and we continue with an amateur ethos (greay area).
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2095 - 12/02/2021 14:09:21
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I think the word "elite" is unfortunate because our best GAA players have the fitness, skills, dedication and provide a higher standard of performance for people to enjoy than other sports in Ireland; whilst we don't like the word "elite" in GAA circles either like other sports we do have players who play the games to a higher standard than others; I know clubs don't like the word "elite" because it pits club v county which shouldn't happen.
In terms of other sports the league of Ireland soccer is a poor standard/product and people outside rugby have caught on despite the spin that Irish rugby is in fact a poor product and currently at international level a poor standard; not to mention provincial/club level.
The government's decision this week in regards GAA isn't and shouldn't be about "elite" sport or "elite athletles" because comparing soccer and rugby in this country they're certainly not "elite" compared to our GAA athletes who play their games at the highest level. The GAA is and will always remain the national sports of Ireland and no government decision will change that.
It isn't about "elite" but about "professionalism". League of Ireland soccer and Rugby have to continue as their athletes depend on it as an income; yes the GAA will lose revenue but it won't affect as many people's income, not to mention the problem of our players having to go into work. "Elite" is the wrong phrase to use in justifying the government decision because the GAA is very much the best performing sport in Ireland.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 12/02/2021 14:33:36
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Replying To sam1884: "I think the word "elite" is unfortunate because our best GAA players have the fitness, skills, dedication and provide a higher standard of performance for people to enjoy than other sports in Ireland; whilst we don't like the word "elite" in GAA circles either like other sports we do have players who play the games to a higher standard than others; I know clubs don't like the word "elite" because it pits club v county which shouldn't happen.
In terms of other sports the league of Ireland soccer is a poor standard/product and people outside rugby have caught on despite the spin that Irish rugby is in fact a poor product and currently at international level a poor standard; not to mention provincial/club level.
The government's decision this week in regards GAA isn't and shouldn't be about "elite" sport or "elite athletles" because comparing soccer and rugby in this country they're certainly not "elite" compared to our GAA athletes who play their games at the highest level. The GAA is and will always remain the national sports of Ireland and no government decision will change that.
It isn't about "elite" but about "professionalism". League of Ireland soccer and Rugby have to continue as their athletes depend on it as an income; yes the GAA will lose revenue but it won't affect as many people's income, not to mention the problem of our players having to go into work. "Elite" is the wrong phrase to use in justifying the government decision because the GAA is very much the best performing sport in Ireland." Yeah, that sums it up. Inter-county players are by their very nature elite. They are the best of the best in terms of their chosen sports, and exist/operate in the general elite of the country's sporting realm.
But elite doesn't mean professional, and that kind of vagueness/mis-categorization is what causes confusion. The distinction between people who rely on a sport as their sole source of income, and those who don't, is pretty important to draw in cases like this.
Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 12/02/2021 15:43:57
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Replying To seadog54: "Criteria has not changed around sport, the latest Statutory Instrument 701/2020 regarding restriction of sports events which came into effect on December 30, games can be organised providing "every person participating the event" is "a professional sportsperson who receives payment for training and playing sport under a contract of employment with a soccer club or the rugby football organisation. Nothing has changed, except the exemption given to GAA came to an end after All Ireland series. How do Gov. set these targets and give clarity as the metrics, transmission rates and emergence of new varients are still changinging? As Horan said GAA will return when it is safe to do so." Well it has changed in the sense that before christmas gaa was considered elite and now it is not. I was complaining about the messaging and management of information, not the decision. The vast vast majority of gaa people dont expect games to go ahead until cases fall considerably. I think you can absolutely set targets based on the metrics available. With adequate measures to control new incoming variants and community transmission, targets not only provide clarity but create an incentive to reduce transmission. Approx 1 million people are involved in the gaa across the island.
97Cavans (Cavan) - Posts: 405 - 12/02/2021 16:00:41
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Replying To Marlon_JD: "Yeah, that sums it up. Inter-county players are by their very nature elite. They are the best of the best in terms of their chosen sports, and exist/operate in the general elite of the country's sporting realm.
But elite doesn't mean professional, and that kind of vagueness/mis-categorization is what causes confusion. The distinction between people who rely on a sport as their sole source of income, and those who don't, is pretty important to draw in cases like this." Yep. Semantics and sub standard communication have led to yet another episode of whataboutery across the media spectrum.
Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9746 - 12/02/2021 16:36:53
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They are professional in the sense of their attitude and in terms of the hours they put in (dedication), I believe that there was a survey conducted in 2019 (can't be sure of the year) where the players were dedicating 40 hours a week to playing for their county. Now, maybe a lot of that was travelling to and from training so you have a point, there are endurance athletes around the country that dedicate a lot of time to their sport and they aren't professional. Maybe the right word is 'elite' as oppose to professional. Would anyone say that the intercounty players are an elite bunch in terms of their dedication etc. It is interesting that the GAA would give the impression that they are not 'upset' by the government not including them among the elite sports in terms of the pandemic. To me, this seems like a departure in terms of how they want to be viewed. Maybe people in Croke Park are afraid that players etc might take the view that if they are classed as elite during the pandemic that they will have to be viewed as elite after the pandemic and what does that mean - pay for play? I think the GAA strategy is take our time with this and see how it pans out when people have been vaccinated, maybe then teams can return to playing and we continue with an amateur ethos (greay area).
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1204 - 12/02/2021 14:09:21
But they share very little with what professional athletes do.
Compare their day with professional rugby players or triathletes or swimmers.
A pro swimmers day can start at 4.30am. An hour on the deck doing gym/stretching/core work etc then into the pool for 2 hours 6am to 8am then try rest/breakfast/maybe college for some. Then back into the pool for another 2 hours session in the afternoon evening with warm up/stretching before. May do a yoga or another session in the evening
They do that 5/6 days a week.
Same with triathletes. They'll do 4+ swim sessions of hour plus duration, 2 maybe 3 run sessions and then 3/4 bike sessions in winter 2 of these will likely be turbo sessions and then the main bike sessions are weekend sessions of 3/4 hours in length.
I think the word "elite" is unfortunate because our best GAA players have the fitness, skills, dedication and provide a higher standard of performance for people to enjoy than other sports in Ireland; whilst we don't like the word "elite" in GAA circles either like other sports we do have players who play the games to a higher standard than others; I know clubs don't like the word "elite" because it pits club v county which shouldn't happen.
In terms of other sports the league of Ireland soccer is a poor standard/product and people outside rugby have caught on despite the spin that Irish rugby is in fact a poor product and currently at international level a poor standard; not to mention provincial/club level.
The government's decision this week in regards GAA isn't and shouldn't be about "elite" sport or "elite athletles" because comparing soccer and rugby in this country they're certainly not "elite" compared to our GAA athletes who play their games at the highest level. The GAA is and will always remain the national sports of Ireland and no government decision will change that.
It isn't about "elite" but about "professionalism". League of Ireland soccer and Rugby have to continue as their athletes depend on it as an income; yes the GAA will lose revenue but it won't affect as many people's income, not to mention the problem of our players having to go into work. "Elite" is the wrong phrase to use in justifying the government decision because the GAA is very much the best performing sport in Ireland.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 741 - 12/02/2021 14:33:36 The league of ireland is poor standard/product compared to what.
Irish rugby is not a poor product. What evidence is there that it is.
The GAA will remain the national sport of the country. Nothing will change that but it isnt elite sport compared to pro sports.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 12/02/2021 16:48:47
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Replying To Lockjaw: "Great post sir.
I really think the mood of the country is in a delicate place at the moment. Nothing can be definitively planned until we have some measurable targets set. This is the government's job and they seem to be incapable of doing it.
I think most people would put up with lockdown measures for another while if proper vaccine milestone targets were being communicated. Instead, what we're getting is this drip feed of dispiriting news that over 70s won't be vaccinated until June. The glaring question has to be asked, why is this? It's as clear as day that the government's strategy has been to apply periods of lockdown and pray that effective vaccines eventually would arrive to save the day.
Why didn't we prepare the GPs, pharmacists, dentists etc and have all the logistics in place to allow them start vaccinating as soon as vaccines became available? Why isn't there an IT system in place that hosts something as simple as a who, where, when..type system? Why haven't multiple vaccine centers already been set up across every county in the country? I despair at the time that was wasted in not having the above ready and waiting. Any sort of basic PPM would have us in a better place than we are now.
Imagine if the 6.01 news was reporting that cases and mortality rates were continuing to decrease, and that along side that we had vaccinated 20,000 people on a given day? Then some Friday evening it's reported that everyone in the over 70s group has been vaccinated. Next target - everyone over 60 to be completed by the end of next month etc, if we reach that target then X, Y & Z can cautiously reopen. Or the GAA can get up and running with some health and safety conditions attached.
But what we're getting at the moment is inconsistent and demoralizing crap 24/7. It's not good enough. If our government cannot make a better fist of this, then I think it will bring them down before long." I try to pay as little attention as possible to the media and the what this current useless government is doing but it's affecting our daily lives too much to ignore it, this has to be the worst government we have had and don't get me started on the clown of a minister for health, waffle and spin is all we get from them and they seem incapable of doing anything, look at the mess they are making of the leaving cert and the vaccine roll out? they couldn't organise a piss up in a brewery,
roll on another election for a chance to get rid of them asap.
Tirchonaill1 (Donegal) - Posts: 3177 - 12/02/2021 18:58:58
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Replying To KillingFields: "They are professional in the sense of their attitude and in terms of the hours they put in (dedication), I believe that there was a survey conducted in 2019 (can't be sure of the year) where the players were dedicating 40 hours a week to playing for their county. Now, maybe a lot of that was travelling to and from training so you have a point, there are endurance athletes around the country that dedicate a lot of time to their sport and they aren't professional. Maybe the right word is 'elite' as oppose to professional. Would anyone say that the intercounty players are an elite bunch in terms of their dedication etc. It is interesting that the GAA would give the impression that they are not 'upset' by the government not including them among the elite sports in terms of the pandemic. To me, this seems like a departure in terms of how they want to be viewed. Maybe people in Croke Park are afraid that players etc might take the view that if they are classed as elite during the pandemic that they will have to be viewed as elite after the pandemic and what does that mean - pay for play? I think the GAA strategy is take our time with this and see how it pans out when people have been vaccinated, maybe then teams can return to playing and we continue with an amateur ethos (greay area).
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1204 - 12/02/2021 14:09:21
But they share very little with what professional athletes do.
Compare their day with professional rugby players or triathletes or swimmers.
A pro swimmers day can start at 4.30am. An hour on the deck doing gym/stretching/core work etc then into the pool for 2 hours 6am to 8am then try rest/breakfast/maybe college for some. Then back into the pool for another 2 hours session in the afternoon evening with warm up/stretching before. May do a yoga or another session in the evening
They do that 5/6 days a week.
Same with triathletes. They'll do 4+ swim sessions of hour plus duration, 2 maybe 3 run sessions and then 3/4 bike sessions in winter 2 of these will likely be turbo sessions and then the main bike sessions are weekend sessions of 3/4 hours in length.
I think the word "elite" is unfortunate because our best GAA players have the fitness, skills, dedication and provide a higher standard of performance for people to enjoy than other sports in Ireland; whilst we don't like the word "elite" in GAA circles either like other sports we do have players who play the games to a higher standard than others; I know clubs don't like the word "elite" because it pits club v county which shouldn't happen.
In terms of other sports the league of Ireland soccer is a poor standard/product and people outside rugby have caught on despite the spin that Irish rugby is in fact a poor product and currently at international level a poor standard; not to mention provincial/club level.
The government's decision this week in regards GAA isn't and shouldn't be about "elite" sport or "elite athletles" because comparing soccer and rugby in this country they're certainly not "elite" compared to our GAA athletes who play their games at the highest level. The GAA is and will always remain the national sports of Ireland and no government decision will change that.
It isn't about "elite" but about "professionalism". League of Ireland soccer and Rugby have to continue as their athletes depend on it as an income; yes the GAA will lose revenue but it won't affect as many people's income, not to mention the problem of our players having to go into work. "Elite" is the wrong phrase to use in justifying the government decision because the GAA is very much the best performing sport in Ireland.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 741 - 12/02/2021 14:33:36 The league of ireland is poor standard/product compared to what.
Irish rugby is not a poor product. What evidence is there that it is.
The GAA will remain the national sport of the country. Nothing will change that but it isnt elite sport compared to pro sports." Sorry it's difficult to reply as you have multiple posts in one so bare with me please. My point is there is a mudding of the waters with how the Irish government have decided to use words. GAA people don't like the word "elite" for good reason but whatever term is used the standard, dedication, talent, fitness levels, effort and all round support of the best GAA players; playing at the top of their chosen sport is no different but in many cases is higher than many of the professional rugby and soccer players plying their trade in Ireland and the reaction of Irish society to our games would prove that.
The fact the GAA decides to remain amateur does not take away that fact. Rugby and Soccer players in Ireland are not at an "elite" level compared to GAA inter county players; their sports decide to pay them professional contracts that is the only difference and due to these professional contracts I totally like many in the GAA understand why the Irish government have allowed them to continue - but it doesn't mean they're an "elite" sport compared to the GAA as it is more an economic decision than a sporting one as for these people it's their income so a completly different thought process needs to be considered beyond sport.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 12/02/2021 19:12:56
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Jack Chambers said that rugby and soccer was elite because the employ a large amount of people. Is he for real? The gaa employ a large amount of people too. Just because the players don't get paid. The gaa have a large workforce too.
CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3894 - 12/02/2021 19:39:14
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Sorry it's difficult to reply as you have multiple posts in one so bare with me please. My point is there is a mudding of the waters with how the Irish government have decided to use words. GAA people don't like the word "elite" for good reason but whatever term is used the standard, dedication, talent, fitness levels, effort and all round support of the best GAA players; playing at the top of their chosen sport is no different but in many cases is higher than many of the professional rugby and soccer players plying their trade in Ireland and the reaction of Irish society to our games would prove that.
The fact the GAA decides to remain amateur does not take away that fact. Rugby and Soccer players in Ireland are not at an "elite" level compared to GAA inter county players; their sports decide to pay them professional contracts that is the only difference and due to these professional contracts I totally like many in the GAA understand why the Irish government have allowed them to continue - but it doesn't mean they're an "elite" sport compared to the GAA as it is more an economic decision than a sporting one as for these people it's their income so a completly different thought process needs to be considered beyond sport.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 742 - 12/02/2021 19:12:56
But the soccer and Rugby can be treated and should be treated differently to GAA players as they are professional athletes and especially the rugby players. Are full time athletes.
Playing at the top level of the sport is completely different when its your full time job or at least primary job.
Rugby players are at an elite level compared to the GAA who despite all the commitment etc its a past time for the GAA players. Winning and losing games wont make a difference to their future career in anywhere near the same manner as professional athletes.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3746 - 12/02/2021 19:50:39
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"Elite" = Professional,
or at least in this case.
I don't think the government or anyone is trying to cast aspersions on the ability or dedication of any GAA players, it's simply that this is not how they make their income.
Professional athletes, just as in any other profession, should be encouraged and supported to return to full and regular work as soon as is possibly safe.
Some of us here need to stop looking for offence when there clearly is none.
extranjero (Wexford) - Posts: 375 - 12/02/2021 19:58:03
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Paddy Tally got a 8 week ban a few weeks ago for having Down meeting up when not suppose too. Cork were at it too.
That sort of thing didn't help matters when they were deciding who was elite or not,
.
Some might look down at the LOI but they are all either professional or Semi pro,
FoolsGold (Cavan) - Posts: 2874 - 12/02/2021 21:45:58
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