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Leitrim GAA thread

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Good performance yesterday against an uninterested Tipp side. Nice to finish off the year with a win. Again I was so impressed with the younger lads.

I made a comment a few years ago that we had lads that just weren't athletic enough for intercounty football, it was an issue I had when I was playing underage I found the pace of County football was too much for me, good strength and conditioning will help you make marginal gains but if you aren't naturally athletic enough you won't make it, you will be fine at club level but intercounty it won't work.

These young lads we have now are different they have it, McNamara, Casey, Foley, Clancy,Guickan,Prior, McGloin, McNulty etc they have it and will only get better, McNulty was quite on the scoreboard yesterday but the amount of work this man gets through is immense, he is exceptional in the tackle, we need to build the team around him, and make sure we keep him around he is that important to Leitrim football.

In relation to Poacher I had sympathy for him getting the job so late , then basically having to assemble a brand new panel in a division that in all reality we shouldn't have been in, it was the toughest gig in the country, the league was a disaster and after the Fermanagh scandal I was ready for him to be replaced but I have changed my mind about him in the last 6 weeks.

I think we are better organised and there is more bite in the team than I've seen in a long time which was badly needed. We were always a nice team to play against and nice teams never do anything.

I have great belief in these young lads but we need to look after them and keep them around for the next 5 years, we cannot continue with the turn over we have had over the last few years. A tough year but there certainly is enough signs for me to be optimistic about 2026. Leitrim Abù.

3rdmidfielder (Australia) - Posts: 423 - 02/06/2025 10:47:41    2614234

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McNulty and Prior are rumoured away to the states again this summer..

Championship starting two weeks later than last year means they should be back by Round 2 at latest.

Jack Foley going to the US for a year, university related,is expected to play with NY in '26

Dodgy_Pass (Leitrim) - Posts: 402 - 02/06/2025 11:45:25    2614256

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "New York parachuted into knockout stages of both football and hurling and it is a fair system? Give over. There's no reason for New York to be there in comparison to a team from continental Europe for example or a Canadian or Australian selection. I agree however top two in each group should only qualify"
The answer isn't to exclude NY, but to include others, like as you say continental Europe, Australia, and even the Middle East and/or Asia. Gaelic football is very strong Dubai and Abu Dhabi, in Singapore and Hong Kong, in Darwin (hurling, too) and Eastern Australia. Combined teams from these areas could be sent. Also, as regards the US, other regions have strong teams who should be allowed challenge NY (in the US championship) for the right to travel. Some of these areas have far more financial resources and backing than counties like Leitrim, Carlow, and Longford. The GAA should only finance a certain amount towards travel.

foreveryoung (USA) - Posts: 2281 - 02/06/2025 13:18:43    2614292

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Replying To Square_B:  "And who is going to foot up the cost of bringing them over every weekend to compete in the championship? Probably would cost at least 30-40k a pop. There's fairness and then there's the reality of it. You have to give NY some incentive to keep the games alive over there and it's probably the only way that doesn't mean we bankrupt the GAA."
They should not be in the championship, either football or hurling is my point. If they're in it then there's no reason that another US city, or a Europe selection should not be allowed to compete in it also. Far easier for a Europe panel to travel for example.

boxtyburgerbuns (Leitrim) - Posts: 331 - 02/06/2025 13:33:35    2614298

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "They should not be in the championship, either football or hurling is my point. If they're in it then there's no reason that another US city, or a Europe selection should not be allowed to compete in it also. Far easier for a Europe panel to travel for example."
I doubt anyone in the GAA is excluding or preventing any other US city taking part or continent for that matter. Organising and paying for it is a different matter and is likely the stumbling block. The main historical interest in the GAA has always been around NY and I see no reason why they would not be allowed to enter a championship.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1347 - 02/06/2025 15:04:30    2614323

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "They should not be in the championship, either football or hurling is my point. If they're in it then there's no reason that another US city, or a Europe selection should not be allowed to compete in it also. Far easier for a Europe panel to travel for example."
Not sure it is as big an issue as you make out.

Certainly Leitrim shouldn't complain about the Tailteann Cup .It was clear from the start what the rules are and unfortunately Leitrim narrowly lost out.

Unlike the Lory Meagher Cup, New York won't win the Tailteann Cup as they are a good bit off the standard required.The situation in hurling is different which tells its own story about hurling in the weaker counties.

joeman123 (Leitrim) - Posts: 581 - 02/06/2025 16:03:48    2614336

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Replying To Square_B:  "I doubt anyone in the GAA is excluding or preventing any other US city taking part or continent for that matter. Organising and paying for it is a different matter and is likely the stumbling block. The main historical interest in the GAA has always been around NY and I see no reason why they would not be allowed to enter a championship."
I agree with this but it begs the question why New York are given preferential treatment. You mention they need to keep the interest alive etc etc but surely that's the case in other European cities, American cities and now even Australian cities seeing we have such huge numbers out there. Why are they not getting the same treatment as New York get? I know you have not the answers to this, probably nobody has but I'm just wondering why New York?? Granted the huge Irish connection there etc but if the GAA want to move with the times surely they should treat the diaspora in other countries in the same way?!

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 123 - 02/06/2025 19:01:36    2614401

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Replying To Dodgy_Pass:  "McNulty and Prior are rumoured away to the states again this summer..

Championship starting two weeks later than last year means they should be back by Round 2 at latest.

Jack Foley going to the US for a year, university related,is expected to play with NY in '26"
I believe nearly club losing players to america
Some losing as many as 8

sparkie (Leitrim) - Posts: 85 - 02/06/2025 19:04:31    2614402

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Replying To Square_B:  "I doubt anyone in the GAA is excluding or preventing any other US city taking part or continent for that matter. Organising and paying for it is a different matter and is likely the stumbling block. The main historical interest in the GAA has always been around NY and I see no reason why they would not be allowed to enter a championship."
If they aren't able to compete fully in it, which they don't appear to be, missing out on group stages, then they shouldn't be in it

boxtyburgerbuns (Leitrim) - Posts: 331 - 02/06/2025 19:28:22    2614412

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Replying To bláthach:  "I agree with this but it begs the question why New York are given preferential treatment. You mention they need to keep the interest alive etc etc but surely that's the case in other European cities, American cities and now even Australian cities seeing we have such huge numbers out there. Why are they not getting the same treatment as New York get? I know you have not the answers to this, probably nobody has but I'm just wondering why New York?? Granted the huge Irish connection there etc but if the GAA want to move with the times surely they should treat the diaspora in other countries in the same way?!"
Surely it's up to the GAA population in the places you mention to lobby the GAA for to be allowed enter a team? That's exactly what was done in NY and they've had the history of games in the NY state since the foundation of the GAA. There's nothing stopping the Australasia County Board, for example, putting forward a proposal to enter a team. But they do it on the understanding that they would have to provide funding for it.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1347 - 02/06/2025 22:46:24    2614449

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "If they aren't able to compete fully in it, which they don't appear to be, missing out on group stages, then they shouldn't be in it"
And what about the reality of competing fully in the competitions? Would you really expect amateurs to fly over and back to Ireland possibly more than 5 times a year to complete league & championship games? Let's be real, it's not going to happen... even from a pure player welfare point of view it wouldn't be a runner. What we have is the best alternative that at least tries to keep interest in the games stateside.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1347 - 02/06/2025 22:54:46    2614450

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "If they aren't able to compete fully in it, which they don't appear to be, missing out on group stages, then they shouldn't be in it"
it could be done but means that the teams need to know well in advance to allow for travel arrangements, fundraisers etc. if there was no other benefits from the trip besides a place in semi final, NYs participation in connacht would have been ended long ago as not financially viable!
connacht teams and supporters enjoy the trips but a lot of planning goes into it which cannot be done on a whim, it's an amateur game after all. As a poster pointed out, the gaa cannot bankrupt themselves to appease the Gaels in NY.
This was never a conversation until NY started winning games and "taking other counties places". We just weren't good enough to progress this year, simple as that. Offaly would have given us a hiding.

gaelsboy (Leitrim) - Posts: 640 - 03/06/2025 00:50:37    2614458

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Replying To Square_B:  "And what about the reality of competing fully in the competitions? Would you really expect amateurs to fly over and back to Ireland possibly more than 5 times a year to complete league & championship games? Let's be real, it's not going to happen... even from a pure player welfare point of view it wouldn't be a runner. What we have is the best alternative that at least tries to keep interest in the games stateside."
Now you have it, I wouldn't expect it and it shouldn't happen, because they shouldn't be in the competitions here when they can't take part fully!

boxtyburgerbuns (Leitrim) - Posts: 331 - 03/06/2025 10:59:36    2614505

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Replying To Square_B:  "Surely it's up to the GAA population in the places you mention to lobby the GAA for to be allowed enter a team? That's exactly what was done in NY and they've had the history of games in the NY state since the foundation of the GAA. There's nothing stopping the Australasia County Board, for example, putting forward a proposal to enter a team. But they do it on the understanding that they would have to provide funding for it."
So if they have to provide funding for it how can it "bankrupt" the GAA as some seem to suggest??

If they provide the funding themselves how can the GAA be worried about being bankrupt?? That makes no sense please. So who funds New York's participation- is it New York GAA or the GAA in Dublin?? That is the big question yes.

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 123 - 03/06/2025 11:27:58    2614518

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Replying To boxtyburgerbuns:  "Now you have it, I wouldn't expect it and it shouldn't happen, because they shouldn't be in the competitions here when they can't take part fully!"
We will agree to disagree however what I will say the promotion of games in NY are very important to the diaspora over there yet you would happily leave them out in the cold. A sad attidute to be honest.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1347 - 03/06/2025 12:47:18    2614541

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Replying To bláthach:  "So if they have to provide funding for it how can it "bankrupt" the GAA as some seem to suggest??

If they provide the funding themselves how can the GAA be worried about being bankrupt?? That makes no sense please. So who funds New York's participation- is it New York GAA or the GAA in Dublin?? That is the big question yes."
NY raise money like every other county, and are funded proportionally like every other county in Ireland. Connacht Council provide approx 60k towards the annual trip to NY and in turn Central Council provide a proportion of NY's costs to come to Ireland.

How much would you think it might cost to fly a panel of 26 players plus maybe a background team of at least 10 for a week from Australia every few weeks (because it would have to be at least a week given the distance)? Do you think that would be sustainable for the GAA to fund themselves? You do know the GAA only made a small surplus last year don't you?

Christ I can't believe I have to explain this stuff....

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1347 - 03/06/2025 12:59:21    2614544

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Replying To Square_B:  "We will agree to disagree however what I will say the promotion of games in NY are very important to the diaspora over there yet you would happily leave them out in the cold. A sad attidute to be honest."
and according to your post to me you are happily leaving the diaspora in other parts of the world out in the cold- a sad attitude to be honest!!

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 123 - 03/06/2025 13:53:09    2614568

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Replying To Square_B:  "NY raise money like every other county, and are funded proportionally like every other county in Ireland. Connacht Council provide approx 60k towards the annual trip to NY and in turn Central Council provide a proportion of NY's costs to come to Ireland.

How much would you think it might cost to fly a panel of 26 players plus maybe a background team of at least 10 for a week from Australia every few weeks (because it would have to be at least a week given the distance)? Do you think that would be sustainable for the GAA to fund themselves? You do know the GAA only made a small surplus last year don't you?

Christ I can't believe I have to explain this stuff...."
What about the other cities in USA then?? Why New York as opposed to Boston? Or Chicago?? What about European cities?? You still have not answered that- I am sure there are players there who would love to be parachuted in to the thing but they don't get the option as they are not New York peoples yes.

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 123 - 03/06/2025 13:56:43    2614571

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Replying To bláthach:  "and according to your post to me you are happily leaving the diaspora in other parts of the world out in the cold- a sad attitude to be honest!!"
No one is stopping any team from entering a championship on the understanding they put forward a proposal on how it would be funded and then perhaps you'd might have a good case for funding from central council.

Square_B (Leitrim) - Posts: 1347 - 03/06/2025 14:00:08    2614573

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Replying To Square_B:  "No one is stopping any team from entering a championship on the understanding they put forward a proposal on how it would be funded and then perhaps you'd might have a good case for funding from central council."
I don't want to have a case at all. No need to make it personal. So why are these teams not participating?? I think there is more to it and I won't be dissuaded. Thanks

bláthach (Leitrim) - Posts: 123 - 03/06/2025 14:48:32    2614587

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