National Forum

"Level The Playing Field."

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To supersub15:  "You are so right CiarraiMick, The gaa is a business that's going from bad to worse, one day in the near future they will come looking with cap in hand to the bottom of the pile counties when they are in serious financial trouble and our Government through the tax payer refuse to cough up mega millions again to bail them out."
In 2019 the gaa had its highest ever revenue. Its highest ever attendances. And its highest level of popularity in decades. The current problems are purely covid related. As a business the GAA was doing very well before covid.

The bottom of the pile counties dont make much money as a result the gaa will never be turning to them to bail them out.

Sssthe (Mayo) - Posts: 59 - 21/02/2021 23:01:23    2332375

Link

Replying To supersub15:  "Whammo86
With the greatest of respect, in your two sizeable posts on the subject of " Level the playing field" not one line of the two makes reasonable sense to me, perhaps that's because your basking in the sunshine in sunny Australia with high profile female professional tennis players, (out of our mere mortals depth) instead of being at home sharing the issues and agonies of our home grown women that keep things going for our LGFA, - - - It's not rocket science.
Good health."
What?

Don't accuse someone of making no sense and then precede to make zero sense yourself in relation to their points.

It isn't a good look.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13792 - 21/02/2021 23:25:44    2332376

Link

Replying To Onion Breath:  "That's true. I don't think any county in the country (Kilkenny apart obviously) that couldn't reach the top 12. It might never happen for a lot, including my own, but Wexford, Tipperary and Fermanagh have made All Ireland semis not so long ago and any traditional lower tier county like them could do so again. That's in football though. Absolutely no chance of some lower tier hurling county making it to top 12."
Offaly came from nowhere to win an AI in hurling.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 15191 - 22/02/2021 00:20:30    2332377

Link

Replying To supersub15:  "Whammo86
With the greatest of respect, in your two sizeable posts on the subject of " Level the playing field" not one line of the two makes reasonable sense to me, perhaps that's because your basking in the sunshine in sunny Australia with high profile female professional tennis players, (out of our mere mortals depth) instead of being at home sharing the issues and agonies of our home grown women that keep things going for our LGFA, - - - It's not rocket science.
Good health."
Thanks for the feedback.

I'll simplify things for you.

My main point is that it doesn't matter that the best women's team would be beaten by the worst men's intercounty team. Knowing which is the best women's team is a more interesting prospect than knowing who is the 31st best men's team.

My other main point is that if the interest isn't there for the lower level men's teams it's not a big deal. Interest can't just be drum up from no where.

It's not a good comparison between Ladies football and lower level men's football either as to why one deserves and ad campaign and why one doesn't.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4431 - 22/02/2021 11:04:52    2332411

Link

The gaps in standards associated with intercounty gaelic football teams is widening. I would argue that the same has been happening in hurling for the last 20 years. As has been debated extensively in relation to Dublin but maybe not other top counties that are backed by multinational companies and various other sponsors, this is largely been driven by money. Not entirely but money is the main reason. Money allows the bigger counties to operation at an almost professional level where as you go down the list, the counties with little tradition and no means of generating money and a lack of expertise in how to deploy such monies to improve diminishes. At the moment, Dublin are well ahead of all other counties. Dublin are followed by a small number of counties - Kerry and Mayo plus maybe one or two Ulster counties on a given day. After that, there is Tyrone, Donegal, Monaghan, Galway depending on the day. Then the vast bulk of the counties come next - Kildare, Meath etc and then at the bottom you have counties like Carlow, Wicklow etc. People speak repeatedly about the Leinster championship but Dublin are winning the All Ireland championship yearly now without being in first gear. I personally don't think the current Dublin team is as good as the team previously with Brogan, Connolly, Flynn etc but they are by far the best team in Ireland presently which is worrying for any county or supporter hoping that the balance of power can be spread more evenly. Until there is a mechanism put in place to fund less wealth counties in future, I can see the gaps between the various levels widening until like hurling you have 5-8 teams that can realistic compete for the All Ireland and the rest are treated like amateurs playing in lesser competitions with only minimal reference made to them by the media who only want to talk about the elites of gaelic games.

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2078 - 22/02/2021 11:32:27    2332416

Link

Replying To wicklowsupport:  "The gaps in standards associated with intercounty gaelic football teams is widening. I would argue that the same has been happening in hurling for the last 20 years. As has been debated extensively in relation to Dublin but maybe not other top counties that are backed by multinational companies and various other sponsors, this is largely been driven by money. Not entirely but money is the main reason. Money allows the bigger counties to operation at an almost professional level where as you go down the list, the counties with little tradition and no means of generating money and a lack of expertise in how to deploy such monies to improve diminishes. At the moment, Dublin are well ahead of all other counties. Dublin are followed by a small number of counties - Kerry and Mayo plus maybe one or two Ulster counties on a given day. After that, there is Tyrone, Donegal, Monaghan, Galway depending on the day. Then the vast bulk of the counties come next - Kildare, Meath etc and then at the bottom you have counties like Carlow, Wicklow etc. People speak repeatedly about the Leinster championship but Dublin are winning the All Ireland championship yearly now without being in first gear. I personally don't think the current Dublin team is as good as the team previously with Brogan, Connolly, Flynn etc but they are by far the best team in Ireland presently which is worrying for any county or supporter hoping that the balance of power can be spread more evenly. Until there is a mechanism put in place to fund less wealth counties in future, I can see the gaps between the various levels widening until like hurling you have 5-8 teams that can realistic compete for the All Ireland and the rest are treated like amateurs playing in lesser competitions with only minimal reference made to them by the media who only want to talk about the elites of gaelic games."
I've mentioned before that sponsorship income should be partially redistributed.

Every county submits their figures, the average is calculated. For every € over the average a county is they will contribute 50 cents back in to the pool to go to those below the average.

Some of the GAA distribution is awarded due to inter county performance, with strong counties receiving more from central funds. This practice should also end.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4431 - 22/02/2021 14:12:04    2332439

Link

Replying To Whammo86:  "Thanks for the feedback.

I'll simplify things for you.

My main point is that it doesn't matter that the best women's team would be beaten by the worst men's intercounty team. Knowing which is the best women's team is a more interesting prospect than knowing who is the 31st best men's team.

My other main point is that if the interest isn't there for the lower level men's teams it's not a big deal. Interest can't just be drum up from no where.

It's not a good comparison between Ladies football and lower level men's football either as to why one deserves and ad campaign and why one doesn't."
And thank you for your reply,
My reply post to you was with the greatest of respect as I stated, so too is this post, I am making reference only again to your first two posts in saying, you seem to have went off in a tangent to give a mention to Serena Williams or Naomi Osaka, and how you would have a lot more interest in them in an Australian Open semi-final than watch some qualifiers. That's your view and like I say I respect that, For the record, it's just that it didn't make sense coming from you knowing your style, but as you say yourself, It is what it is.

Of the three points you share in your reply, well the first one would not be on my agenda for discussion so we'll agree on that. 2. I wouldn't agree at all on this one. 3. Both deserve an ad campaign, LGFA got in first, they will go from strength to strength from here on, with their catch phrase, "level the playing field", we can learn from them.

PS, Not in a personal reference to you, but in general, I have a decent level of respect for all, sometimes it is nice to know it is reciprocated.

PPS. You seem to have got back on track in your last post to Wicklowsupport.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3132 - 22/02/2021 16:05:29    2332454

Link

Replying To MesAmis:  "What?

Don't accuse someone of making no sense and then precede to make zero sense yourself in relation to their points.

It isn't a good look."
It is somewhat regrettable that you find offence in my post to another poster.
I suppose it's pointless asking you to retract the "accuse" word that is now pointing at me, if not then sobeit. For the record I would it "satirical banter.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3132 - 22/02/2021 16:25:00    2332457

Link

Replying To Viking66:  "Offaly came from nowhere to win an AI in hurling."
True Viking and Westmeath Laois top 12 at the moment in hurling.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3851 - 22/02/2021 16:38:46    2332461

Link

Replying To supersub15:  "And thank you for your reply,
My reply post to you was with the greatest of respect as I stated, so too is this post, I am making reference only again to your first two posts in saying, you seem to have went off in a tangent to give a mention to Serena Williams or Naomi Osaka, and how you would have a lot more interest in them in an Australian Open semi-final than watch some qualifiers. That's your view and like I say I respect that, For the record, it's just that it didn't make sense coming from you knowing your style, but as you say yourself, It is what it is.

Of the three points you share in your reply, well the first one would not be on my agenda for discussion so we'll agree on that. 2. I wouldn't agree at all on this one. 3. Both deserve an ad campaign, LGFA got in first, they will go from strength to strength from here on, with their catch phrase, "level the playing field", we can learn from them.

PS, Not in a personal reference to you, but in general, I have a decent level of respect for all, sometimes it is nice to know it is reciprocated.

PPS. You seem to have got back on track in your last post to Wicklowsupport."
Yeah I maybe did go off on a tangent about women's tennis. It was meant to clarify where I was coming from but seems like it didn't.

My first point was in response to the Galway poster rather than to you.

I think there are things that can be done to help weaker counties progress and am all for that.

I get a little bit annoyed though by the thought that progress should only be measured by bums on seats or the interest the games generate.

You always hear that we need to get division 4 teams playing on tv. I don't think you do to be honest. Just give them a decent program of games. Create a platform for teams to improve. If that happens to be under the radar for quite a while it doesn't mean that it's not still valuable.

I don't feel like the introduction of a Tailteann cup is the way to improve standards in weaker teams. I don't think having league campaigns where they play most of their meaningful games in Feb and March is great for their development. Development for weaker men's teams does need to be worked on but it's still not a comparable situation to women's GAA where there's way less funding or profile for even the best women's teams.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4431 - 22/02/2021 16:41:13    2332462

Link

Replying To Whammo86:  "Yeah I maybe did go off on a tangent about women's tennis. It was meant to clarify where I was coming from but seems like it didn't.

My first point was in response to the Galway poster rather than to you.

I think there are things that can be done to help weaker counties progress and am all for that.

I get a little bit annoyed though by the thought that progress should only be measured by bums on seats or the interest the games generate.

You always hear that we need to get division 4 teams playing on tv. I don't think you do to be honest. Just give them a decent program of games. Create a platform for teams to improve. If that happens to be under the radar for quite a while it doesn't mean that it's not still valuable.

I don't feel like the introduction of a Tailteann cup is the way to improve standards in weaker teams. I don't think having league campaigns where they play most of their meaningful games in Feb and March is great for their development. Development for weaker men's teams does need to be worked on but it's still not a comparable situation to women's GAA where there's way less funding or profile for even the best women's teams."
No argument with that post. - - - worth waiting for.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3132 - 22/02/2021 17:30:24    2332467

Link

Replying To supersub15:  "It is somewhat regrettable that you find offence in my post to another poster.
I suppose it's pointless asking you to retract the "accuse" word that is now pointing at me, if not then sobeit. For the record I would it "satirical banter."
Just because I disagreed with the tone of your post does not mean I found it offensive........I think that's a very weird leap you've made there.

If the word accuse upsets you in a post then I apologise and will endeavour to get the thesaurus out in future.

I don't know why you think the you cannot ask for a retraction of someone's post to you but if you think it's too much to ask then sin a bhfuil I suppose.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13792 - 22/02/2021 19:37:54    2332477

Link

Replying To MesAmis:  "Just because I disagreed with the tone of your post does not mean I found it offensive........I think that's a very weird leap you've made there.

If the word accuse upsets you in a post then I apologise and will endeavour to get the thesaurus out in future.

I don't know why you think the you cannot ask for a retraction of someone's post to you but if you think it's too much to ask then sin a bhfuil I suppose."
Absolutely no need to apologise, - 1, Because your posting here a hell of a lot longer than I am, 2. You have 13,228 quality posts to prove it. 3. You are a man of words, that makes you a much better poster than me.

Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do, I'll start by dropping the satirical stuff, if that's ok with you.


PS Was the word retraction mentioned by someone, I cant remember can you.?

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3132 - 22/02/2021 20:59:34    2332480

Link

Replying To supersub15:  "Absolutely no need to apologise, - 1, Because your posting here a hell of a lot longer than I am, 2. You have 13,228 quality posts to prove it. 3. You are a man of words, that makes you a much better poster than me.

Looks like I have a lot of catching up to do, I'll start by dropping the satirical stuff, if that's ok with you.


PS Was the word retraction mentioned by someone, I cant remember can you.?"
Post whatever you want mo chara.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13792 - 22/02/2021 21:17:00    2332482

Link

Of course we wish Larry Mc Carthy well as GAA president..

Because he is more than familiar with the minnow side of the Atlantic, he will have no problem identifying the needs of the minnows on this side of the Atlantic, as in our very own, John Horan may have done a reasonable job In a variety of areas, but he failed to address the needs of the also rans. I would ask our new president to at least make an effort to level the playing field.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3132 - 26/02/2021 22:00:15    2332858

Link

Why can't the back door system be made available to weaker counties only, div. 4 perhaps.?

Why can't a handicap system similar to that in golf be introduced for championship football.?

May go some way towards "levelling the playing field".

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3132 - 10/05/2021 09:57:10    2340863

Link

Replying To supersub15:  "Why can't the back door system be made available to weaker counties only, div. 4 perhaps.?

Why can't a handicap system similar to that in golf be introduced for championship football.?

May go some way towards "levelling the playing field"."
There is no handicap system in all of golfs major championships and tours.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2695 - 10/05/2021 10:03:09    2340867

Link

A handicap system is ridiculous.

As someone from a regular division 4 county, I'd hate us to be treated differently or given preferential treatment, like handicaps or a second chance that others don't get.

We need to be given a better chance at real development, not some short term contrived solution that doesn't actually fix anything.

Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4431 - 10/05/2021 11:03:45    2340882

Link

Replying To supersub15:  "Of course we wish Larry Mc Carthy well as GAA president..

Because he is more than familiar with the minnow side of the Atlantic, he will have no problem identifying the needs of the minnows on this side of the Atlantic, as in our very own, John Horan may have done a reasonable job In a variety of areas, but he failed to address the needs of the also rans. I would ask our new president to at least make an effort to level the playing field."
Horan was very poor in the role imo

the_creeler (Leitrim) - Posts: 119 - 10/05/2021 11:07:49    2340885

Link

Replying To Cockney_Cat:  "There is no handicap system in all of golfs major championships and tours."
There doesn't have to be, there is a handicap system here across the country that works very well it could be based on that.

supersub15 (Carlow) - Posts: 3132 - 10/05/2021 15:32:50    2340947

Link