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With regard to running an academy what are the big ticket items that would make it expensive to run.

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1153 - 01/03/2023 10:35:57    2461114

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Replying To gunman:  "With regard to running an academy what are the big ticket items that would make it expensive to run."
Just to clarify that the academy costings at convention includes all teams from u14s up to u20s. Some on the county board would have you believe that the academy doesn't include the u17s and u20s. Transport is the main one I would imagine. 3 buses coming from Inishowen, Gweedore and Kilcar with pick-ups along the way. Under 20 players drive and would get travel expenses for this. Food after training as well. Be good to see a breakdown of what each bus is costing and how much it costs to feed the players but the county board is unwilling to share this information.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 01/03/2023 11:12:08    2461135

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Replying To gunman:  "With regard to running an academy what are the big ticket items that would make it expensive to run."
The consultant from America wasn't cheap.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1203 - 01/03/2023 11:32:16    2461143

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Replying To ryan:  "100%. The truth has to come out. I hope Lacey comes out and gives the true picture of what has happened because this rumour and nonsense are very damaging. I believe as well that the academy requested a full breakdown of spend on numerous occasions with no response from the county board. The only thing that the county board stated in there accounts is that the academy came in 81,000 under agreed budget. They are happy with rumour and no facts as it suits them. I hope the academy clear its name. These people in the county board obviously have no interest in what is best for Donegal GAA. To force someone of Karl Lacey from his position is a scandal."
The truth is still a bit of this and a bit of that. The fact of the matter is that everybody has lost out. If it leads to a better run Academy then there's a silver lining, but after that statement I don't expect Lacey to come out with evidence vindicating himself entirely and putting the board in the mud.

SurelyToGod (Donegal) - Posts: 452 - 01/03/2023 12:24:11    2461163

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "The consultant from America wasn't cheap."
Did he get paid? What is he working at now? He was head-hunted by Limerick GAA, Clare GAA, Dublin GAA and is now running Setanta College. Another man we let go.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 01/03/2023 12:26:15    2461165

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "The consultant from America wasn't cheap."
Pity you didn't attend the meeting on Monday night.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 01/03/2023 12:29:41    2461169

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Replying To ryan:  "Just to clarify that the academy costings at convention includes all teams from u14s up to u20s. Some on the county board would have you believe that the academy doesn't include the u17s and u20s. Transport is the main one I would imagine. 3 buses coming from Inishowen, Gweedore and Kilcar with pick-ups along the way. Under 20 players drive and would get travel expenses for this. Food after training as well. Be good to see a breakdown of what each bus is costing and how much it costs to feed the players but the county board is unwilling to share this information."
Transport
Food after every session and match
tracksuits, shorts etc
Wages

donegaldouble (Donegal) - Posts: 318 - 01/03/2023 12:37:55    2461173

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Replying To ryan:  "Did he get paid? What is he working at now? He was head-hunted by Limerick GAA, Clare GAA, Dublin GAA and is now running Setanta College. Another man we let go."
Des Ryan is running Setanta College.

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1203 - 01/03/2023 12:54:07    2461178

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Replying To donegaldouble:  "Transport
Food after every session and match
tracksuits, shorts etc
Wages"
We have 7 full-time GPOs. There wages are paid by Croke Park every year. All counties have GPOs paid by Croke Park. A lot of progressive counties actually have club GPOs which are funded by clubs themselves and county boards.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 01/03/2023 13:17:15    2461190

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "The consultant from America wasn't cheap."
Hi peiledoir20: You were "found out" on this forum a few weeks ago.

AudiMan (Donegal) - Posts: 683 - 01/03/2023 13:39:17    2461200

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "The consultant from America wasn't cheap."
Ah the bluffer is back. Best use your other account lad.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8388 - 01/03/2023 14:01:30    2461207

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Ah the bluffer is back. Best use your other account lad."
Rent free

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1203 - 01/03/2023 14:09:11    2461209

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Main Story on the back of the Irish News to-day.They are saying that the main bone of contention was the increase of running costs from 2021 to 2022.Posters saying that the Academy asked the board for a breakdown of expenses.You would think that all claims asssociated with the Academy should go through the head of the Academy.You would expect that the costs of Transport and meals would be higher in 2022.How much work is been done in getting the best deals regarding Transport and Food.All businesses are under financial constraints and looking for best value.The problem with the likes of an academy is how do you decide what would be a reasonable spend.How do you even evaluate its success .

gunman (Donegal) - Posts: 1153 - 01/03/2023 14:11:22    2461211

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The overall feeling I have is one of abject disappointment. There are always two sides to every story but there are obviously some issues which Lacey felt were unsolvable. We finally have the Centre of Excellence up and running in Convoy and it's the natural home for the Academy to work out of. But it just feels like one step forward and two giant steps backwards.

To not have someone of Lacey's expertise involved, when he clearly has a passion for the development of the future of Donegal GAA, is a crying shame. Karl might feel he's best off walking away and leaving it at that. But I wonder is he in any way inclined maybe to grant an interview to a local or even national newspaper giving his version of events? It would make for very compelling reading I'm sure.

In the meantime, what becomes of the Academy? Will the prodigal coaches return? It's vital that some sort of system is retained so that our best young players have the resources in place to reach their full potential. Otherwise where are we? Back to hosting trials in Drumboe?!?

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9769 - 01/03/2023 14:19:36    2461212

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Des Ryan is running Setanta College."
You went hiding a few weeks ago. The truth hurts.

rorysboys (Donegal) - Posts: 2616 - 01/03/2023 14:25:09    2461213

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Replying To peiledoir20:  "Rent free"
Haha you ignored the posts from your own county men when they pointed out you haven't an original thought in your head. Back on now hoping people forget. Keep bluffing lad.

TheFlaker (Mayo) - Posts: 8388 - 01/03/2023 14:47:36    2461220

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "Haha you ignored the posts from your own county men when they pointed out you haven't an original thought in your head. Back on now hoping people forget. Keep bluffing lad."
No fear of you forgetting me anyway.

Rent free

peiledoir20 (Donegal) - Posts: 1203 - 01/03/2023 15:28:50    2461234

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Replying To gunman:  "Main Story on the back of the Irish News to-day.They are saying that the main bone of contention was the increase of running costs from 2021 to 2022.Posters saying that the Academy asked the board for a breakdown of expenses.You would think that all claims asssociated with the Academy should go through the head of the Academy.You would expect that the costs of Transport and meals would be higher in 2022.How much work is been done in getting the best deals regarding Transport and Food.All businesses are under financial constraints and looking for best value.The problem with the likes of an academy is how do you decide what would be a reasonable spend.How do you even evaluate its success ."
The academy didn't hit the field until the end of June 2021 as it was a Covid year. Impossible to compare 2021 to 2022 as 2 totally different years with Covid disruptions. Kerry GAA spent 500,000 euro on there academy to give some idea of what top counties are at.

ryan (Donegal) - Posts: 748 - 01/03/2023 16:00:19    2461241

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Replying To TheFlaker:  "What was rumoured to be going on. It's gas how people seem to think they were spending 100s and thousands and that Lacey was getting paid a small fortune. Such absolute nonsense. This is all they wanted, half stories going around to make people think that Academy spending was out of control. Remember the Academy has requested multiple times the breakdown of spending and it was never forthcoming. Lacey and his coaches had absolutely everything accounted for, and wanted to see the figures from the other side."
Like it or not Flaker that's the way it is. The Co Board will ultimately be the ones to be held to account or blamed for anything that isn't correct. And reading that statement they felt some things needed to be changed. If Lacey wants to release a statement of his own I'd love to read it.

SignTheContract (Donegal) - Posts: 197 - 01/03/2023 16:10:37    2461242

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Replying To SignTheContract:  "Yeah, I meant transparency for them. As in, they want to know exactly what the Academy are at. But I don't have a problem with it. I have heard some things about what was rumoured to be going on, and if it was happening, then it had to be stopped."
Like..?

TheRock2121 (Donegal) - Posts: 1208 - 01/03/2023 16:32:44    2461251

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