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In fairness, the midweek thing can be a factor. Big difference between a Louth player travelling 30 minutes each way for a training session, and travelling what would be two and a half to three hours each way for a match in Wexford on a Wednesday night.
Pikeman96 (Wexford) - Posts: 2229 - 13/01/2023 09:28:38 2452274 Link 3 |
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I seem to recall counties being threatened with sanctions a number of years back because they were suggesting they might not even enter pre-season competitions. Think my own county might have been culprit? Would be a pity if O'Byrne dies as it has not only provided some good games over the years but raised millions for the injured and players in need fund. A very good cause. I can recall off top of my head 5/6 games in Parnell, Mullingar, Newbridge, Portlaoise that had sell out attendances or over 8/9.000. Big crowds always in Ulster too for McKenna but no idea what the receipts are used for. BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2523 - 13/01/2023 09:32:29 2452276 Link 2 |
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I don't remember teams dropping out of this competition in previous years; in fact the managers want more games which based on my understanding is why a team got three games as oppose to straight knockout. I wonder if the change in attitude is related to the various changes to the championship format? I suspect it is. Also I would imagine teams in division two are nervous of dropping down into the Tailteann cup so the o'byrne cup is not on the radar, it is league and championship. This might explain why it is division two that are dropping out. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 13/01/2023 11:31:09 2452292 Link 0 |
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I agree with you here. With the new condensed season and league dictates whether you are playing in the SAM Maguire or not, greater emphasis is placed on the league this year. Some teams would rather completing heavy training at this time of year so that they are hitting the ground running in February. Mindset has changed with new championship structure. In previous years, teams would use pre-season competitions to give fringe players a run and use the league to build a team for the championship. Now, with the season divided into three parts, League - Provisional championship - All Ireland series. Primary goal is to qualify for All Ireland series which for most counties is accomplished through the League. Teams will want to hit the ground running for the league and ensure of qualification for the All Ireland series. Less emphasis will be placed on provisional series. After all this will only dictate seeding (1 & 2). I'd imagine that D3 or 4 teams may take Provisional championships serious as this is their route into All Ireland series. B&G (Longford) - Posts: 276 - 13/01/2023 12:54:52 2452307 Link 0 |
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There's a clear difference between an entire squad travelling to training midweek versus them all travelling to play games in other counties mid week. Lads having to make a 100km journey for an 8pm midweek game, then fed after and not getting home maybe til after midnight. Not everyone lives in Dublin and travels down all the time. Lots of lads live local and have work or family commitments designed into their week which are more impacted by midweek games.
LongfordgaaAbú (Longford) - Posts: 469 - 13/01/2023 13:12:14 2452310 Link 0 |
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If that's the case the counties concerned shouldn't have entered a team at all. And their players and clubs should be exempt from receiving any of the funds generated by the O Byrne Cup.
Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11730 - 13/01/2023 13:13:19 2452311 Link 3 |
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Dublin had one game in Parnell in O'Byrne Cup! What in the name of Jeepers does Dublin have to do with other counties who haven't played them pulling out. Seriously :-)
BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2523 - 13/01/2023 14:05:25 2452320 Link 2 |
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On a point of procedure, when teams withdraw at play off stages does the next team in their group take their place? Assuming they want it? BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 2523 - 13/01/2023 14:40:16 2452327 Link 1 |
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Well that escalated quickly. Now there's no Semi Final. brianb (Kildare) - Posts: 278 - 13/01/2023 14:44:13 2452328 Link 1 |
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I agree with you and the GAA do need to learn from what happened this year. I'm not aware of where the funds goes from this competition but regardless if a team enters the competition; it should be mandatory for them to complete the programme of matches regardless of whether you progress or not. If countries fail to complete their full compliment of matches then they should be docked league points; this would resolve the issue. Equally, if the money raised in this competition goes to a players welfare fund then the funds should be divided amongst the counties that do participate in the competition. Of course, what will probably happen is that the competition will be scrapped. I agree, this could be foreseen with the change to the championship so a discussion should have taken place but as an organisation the GAA tend to react to issues as oppose to being proactive; this is my observation over a long number of years.
wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 13/01/2023 14:49:09 2452331 Link 0 |
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The miles clocked up for midweek o'byrne cup games is negligible in comparison to what is clocked up over the course of pre season alone for midweek trainings. In Longford's case and many other county's cases sessions are not just held in the home county. Longford regularly use abbotstown for example along with other counties. The o'byrne cup asks for one, two max, games midweek. Hardly that onerous considering what is already done, not to mention the challenges also held midweek
liosbreac6265 (Longford) - Posts: 210 - 13/01/2023 14:51:12 2452332 Link 3 |
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I hope Longford win it now and send Louth packing with their tails between their legs...
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3725 - 13/01/2023 15:05:59 2452333 Link 3 |
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Liam Kearns obviously running the Offaly county board. Claretandblue (Westmeath) - Posts: 1478 - 13/01/2023 15:56:05 2452343 Link 0 |
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Competition is a joke! Temple56 (Westmeath) - Posts: 383 - 13/01/2023 16:06:24 2452344 Link 0 |
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I think Offaly have a very valid point though. Why should Louth be allowed to forfeit a game and have no game midweek, and still be allowed to play in a semi. Liam Kearns: "We've had two hard games in four days. It will be a third game in eight days and our opponents have been sitting at home for the whole week. "They withdrew from a competition here, they didn't fulfil their last fixture. That's the integrity of the competition shot as far as I'm concerned. If you enter a competition, you should have to fulfil your fixtures. "They're going to have a week of rest and we have had a very hard game here against Dublin and four days later we're supposed to play them, and I believe it's on in Louth as well. Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3725 - 13/01/2023 16:06:30 2452345 Link 0 |
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Oh dear, the O'Byrne cup is turning into a farce and an embarrassment for the association. It appears now that teams only wanted a couple of warm up games and once they had their two games, win or lose, that was it - pack it up until the league starts. I feel a little bit sorry for Longford who have complied with the rules and the spirit of the competition while other counties such as Offaly, Louth and a less degree Kildare and Carlow have turned it into a farce with their approach. Can't see a repeat in 2024, may revert back to the challenge game circuit. wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 1909 - 13/01/2023 16:35:32 2452351 Link 0 |
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Try, if you're working, to travel from Dundalk to Wexford for a midweek O Byrne Cup game. There's nothing negligible about it. If the Leinster Council are going to persist with The O Byrne Cup then maybe they should give consideration to organising the groups on a regional basis.
Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 13/01/2023 17:10:48 2452354 Link 0 |
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He is dead right though, and makes very valid points.
Fionn (Dublin) - Posts: 3725 - 13/01/2023 18:14:11 2452358 Link 0 |
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The midweek thing is just an excuse imo. Teams will be training midweek yet that's fine. Using players playing with colleges is another. In reality most of them wouldn't be playing anyway. You would have to think counties surely have other options to pick from.
oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 13/01/2023 18:31:23 2452359 Link 0 |
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offaly are right to withdraw laoth should not be in the competition . joke
mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1799 - 13/01/2023 18:33:57 2452360 Link 1 |