What's the situation with the regulation GAA match ball. Is it not time that some competition was introduced. Our club are paying €50 a football, the other imitations are deliberately kicked into hedges or into drains by unconvinced players.....

sportsfan14 (USA) - Posts: 281 - 16/04/2015 17:28:39    1714868

The underage football manager that I had growing up was obsessed with the price of footballs.

For years he had been "procuring" footballs whenever we played. All the footballs that we trained with would have various club's names written on them!!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13797 - 16/04/2015 19:48:01    1714913

MesAmis, it often happens in tournaments on the continent that clubs simply end up swapping footballs. The first night I went training with one club I saw that they had stolen a bar from the club I was previously with!

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 16/04/2015 20:18:58    1714927

The price of anything from O'neills is frankly scandalous.

brendtheredhand (Tyrone) - Posts: 10897 - 16/04/2015 20:19:05    1714928

Ah the balls that would be brought out at the training with the permanent marker black box/scribble covering the name of whichever club actually purchased them. To be found at any good Gaelic club near you.

Offside_Rule (Antrim) - Posts: 4058 - 16/04/2015 20:29:13    1714931

"is that our ball behind the goals?!? How many had we out with us?!?"

A familiar couple of questions asked after games up and down the country I'd say!

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9768 - 16/04/2015 20:53:55    1714942

Lockjaw
County: Donegal
Posts: 3782

1714942
"is that our ball behind the goals?!? How many had we out with us?!?"

A familiar couple of questions asked after games up and down the country I'd say!

We never asked.

We just took!

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13797 - 16/04/2015 21:15:59    1714951

brendtheredhand
County: Tyrone
Posts: 10127

1714928
The price of anything from O'neills is frankly scandalous.

+1

I thought it was a shame that Gaelic Gear and Azzuri didn't make a better go of the GAA market; probably would have been much better for the consumer if they had. My club bought a load of gear from O'Neill's this year, but we would definitely had gone with a competitor had one been available.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 16/04/2015 21:25:04    1714953

Yes,and you have to us O'Neills balls in games too.

ziggy32001 (Meath) - Posts: 8354 - 17/04/2015 08:18:52    1714967

Their prices are scandalous but the quality is excellent.however their sizing for polo shirts in particular is brutal.i take XL in everything i buy but the last club polo i got was medium. Gaelic Gears stuff was poor quality like alot of oneills rivals. I worked for a rival company and we had a huge amount of customers who just didnt want to pay oneills prices.

manager5 (Galway) - Posts: 724 - 17/04/2015 09:19:40    1714976

my club have purchased Gaelic Gear and McKeever footballs in the past as they were cheaper but frankly they are not very good, loose shape. Until a manufacturer comes up with a good quality alternative O'Neills will have the market cornered.
As for their gear we set up an online shop and provide x amount is spent they give you back 10% in equipment, so we got a few free footballs from it this year. Very surprised more clubs don't have an online shop.

Rosineri1 (UK) - Posts: 2099 - 17/04/2015 09:37:45    1714982

If you get a contact in O'Neills you can get them for half price if the print is slightly off centre.

GAAHattrick (Dublin) - Posts: 278 - 17/04/2015 09:45:47    1714984

Gleebo
County: Mayo
Posts: 332

1714927
MesAmis, it often happens in tournaments on the continent that clubs simply end up swapping footballs. The first night I went training with one club I saw that they had stolen a bar from the club I was previously with!

Thats some going, did it take long to dismantle and put back up ;)

AthCliath (Dublin) - Posts: 4347 - 17/04/2015 09:53:28    1714985

£40 sterling in the 1990's for a size 5. Seems like it hasn't changed.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1558 - 17/04/2015 09:56:36    1714986

I agree that prices are high but O'Neills is a big employer in Strabane and pays their staff very well for the north. We could go the way of the premier league and get balls a bit cheaper but at the cost of losing jobs in Ireland and shipping them to india etc where some 9 year old can make them for 12p a go. Buy local, keep local!

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 17/04/2015 10:00:28    1714988

AthCliath
County: Dublin
Posts: 3648

1714985
Gleebo
County: Mayo
Posts: 332

1714927
MesAmis, it often happens in tournaments on the continent that clubs simply end up swapping footballs. The first night I went training with one club I saw that they had stolen a bar from the club I was previously with!

Thats some going, did it take long to dismantle and put back up ;)

Too long ;) Of course, I meant "ball".

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 17/04/2015 10:20:12    1714996

DoireCityFC
County: Derry
Posts: 53

1714988
I agree that prices are high but O'Neills is a big employer in Strabane and pays their staff very well for the north. We could go the way of the premier league and get balls a bit cheaper but at the cost of losing jobs in Ireland and shipping them to india etc where some 9 year old can make them for 12p a go. Buy local, keep local!

Do you know if they make championship regulation sliotars in Ireland? I remember reading a post from fella on An Fear Rua many years ago who said that his company were making sliotars in Pakistan (though I think that may go against the regulations on Irish-made goods, but anyway...).

Surely an alternative is to have a local competitor? Best of both worlds, we support Irish businesses and the GAA consumer gets a fair price.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 17/04/2015 10:23:40    1714998

Personally I think the price is a bit dear but have to say the quality of the O'Neill's gear is class and I don't mind paying that wee bit

extra to have something that will last than Gaelic gear or GAA store stuff that is wrecked in a few washes. I think O'Neill's are doing a

great job. Plus the Price of balls haven't went up either in the last 25 years.

youngfella27 (Armagh) - Posts: 110 - 17/04/2015 11:06:23    1715021

McKeever's balls are absolutely useless, I'd be happy enough to pay the 40 quid for a ball.



http://store.nike.com/gb/en_gb/pd/ordem-2-barclays-premier-league-football/pid-1518844/pgid-10262475 - premier league soccer balls are £90 so we're well enough off.

OgraAnDun (Down) - Posts: 406 - 17/04/2015 13:10:19    1715069

Not sure Gleebo. I know the balls, tops, gloves are made there. I know a fella who has been in the 30 years and loves it. Great people to work for and an honest wage. Not 100% about sliotars but I can ask. Dont have much need for them up here ha ha

DoireCityFC (Derry) - Posts: 1580 - 17/04/2015 14:15:04    1715089