Messages

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General discussion / Re: 6 County Assembly Elections - 5th May 2022

« on: May 18, 2023, 04:14:02 PM »

What powers do councillors have in the North? Because in ROI local councillors have so little powers now I'm struggling to understand why we still have them. It's clear central government have totally taken power away and the leading civil servants in government departments call the shots on practically everything now along with government ministers. Even backbench TDs seem to have little influence.

Local democracy is basically a thing of the past it seems. Are local elections/councillors just now a facade to pretend that people have a say or choice in what happens?

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GAA Discussion / Re: Tailteann Cup 2023 - Rules from GAA Master Fixtures List

« on: May 14, 2023, 07:47:49 PM »

Charging €15 and €5 for kids to the TC group games is fkn madness.
€10 and free for u16s might tempt more to the games.
A but of imaginative marketing and ticket packages would help too.
If there's no marketing expertise in HQ (obviously not) I'm sure some of the sponsor Companies would oblige.

It's obvious in GAA world that those who set prices never gave to pay in to a game.

Agree, also the games are close together now as well and there is cost of living crisis, free matches for kids is not much to ask for the likes of this.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Derry - Ulster Final, 14th May, 2023 @ 4pm

« on: May 14, 2023, 07:45:44 PM »

Was there a big thank you for Rory Gallagher in the speech or did he manage to avoid it someway. Wasntb shown on tv.
.
I think it was two evenly matched teams, draw fair result. I thought neither team utilised the wind so it wasn't just McGeeney. Derry were in an excellent place at HT and didn't push on, likewise Armagh in 1st period of extra time. Hard to figure why.

Was on BBCNI he thanked the management. I'd imagine they were instructed not to mention RG, the Ulster council chaps were probably on edge it would come up

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GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Derry - Ulster Final, 14th May, 2023 @ 4pm

« on: May 14, 2023, 07:42:02 PM »

Armagh won't get a better chance than that. They're missing something.

They are too soft. The match was there for the taking. Going to penalties means no control.

I don't think Armagh are soft at all tbh. They have an edge to him. I also don't think they are lacking quality players, they have a lot of individual talent there at least as much if not more than Derry.

I think you would have to look at tactics and the way they are set up. I'm not sure exactly, although Derry are very difficult team to play against no doubt about it.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Sam Maguire permutations

« on: May 14, 2023, 07:30:12 PM »

I'll be surprised if the four provincial winners don't top their group and if they do it will highlight the importance of still winning it. They'll be hard to beat in the Quarter final also with the week rest advantage.

Where are the QFs going to be played, and will Dublin's "neutral" match be in Croke?

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GAA Discussion / Re: Tailteann Cup 2023 - Rules from GAA Master Fixtures List

« on: May 14, 2023, 07:28:41 PM »

My opinion on this so far is the changes from last year ie group stages not knockout, increased ticket prices and going off against the big first tier football/hurling, is going to harm this competition.

It would be interesting to get a sense of attendances, the Cavan Laois match had a fairly poor attendance. The attendance for the U20s final before emphasised this big time.

Season 2 will be very interesting, truly hope that it catches the imagination, but I think in the longer run more incentive is needed.
Whilst Meath may talk about wanting to win, will the fans buy in? Would Cork really have had an interest? Even Cavan, their big aim for the year was promotion and an Ulster final, are fans invested really?
We'd hope that interest increases with the advent of the knockout stage, and it's probably no bad thing giving teams the 3 group games for a bit of shadow boxing, but i do have concerns over its longer term appeal.
Any suggestions as to what could be done to ensure there's a genuine interest in the TC from players and fans alike?

I'm not sure but ticket prices should not have went up and kids should be in free otherwise we're looking at empty stadiums. That's one issue that's a problem now.

Also think they should look at McDonagh in hurling and possibly have the winner re-enter the Sam Maguire for a preliminary QF the same year. Would increase interest for supporters a bit I'd say.

From talking the Cavan supporters, the Armagh defeat and performance destroyed a lot of morale.  I think we may only see supporters return if we reach semi final or final. I'd say it's probably similar for other counties.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Leinster SFC 2023

« on: May 14, 2023, 07:15:26 PM »

Nobody's beating Dublin in Croker playing like that, only maybe Kerry.

You need them out in provincial grounds without the home comforts, and fair refereeing. Then we might get a competitive match....maybe!

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GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Derry - Ulster Final, 14th May, 2023 @ 4pm

« on: May 14, 2023, 07:12:24 PM »

Armagh won't get a better chance than that. They're missing something.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Derry - Ulster Final, 14th May, 2023 @ 4pm

« on: May 14, 2023, 05:17:58 PM »

Ban the horns/vuvuzeulas ffs so annoying

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GAA Discussion / Re: Leinster SFC 2023

« on: May 14, 2023, 04:45:01 PM »

Dublin Croke Park advantage needs addressing, not that it would stop them much.

Surely they aren't going to get 2 home matches in Sam Maguire groups? Even Leinster semi final has no business in Croker.

I would not have QFs in Croker either if they are

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GAA Discussion / Re: Armagh v Derry - Ulster Final, 14th May, 2023 @ 4pm

« on: May 14, 2023, 04:43:08 PM »

Physical contact all but removed from the game, this is a bit of snoozefest so far. Sadly it's lightyears ahead of the other provincial finals

Really needs to be a deep look at the rules going forward, usual basketball back and forth

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GAA Discussion / Re: Tailteann Cup 2023 - Rules from GAA Master Fixtures List

« on: May 14, 2023, 02:36:41 PM »

Routine win for Cavan against Laois  2-20 to  1-14

Very poor decision by the ref to give Cavan a penalty for a phantom foot block after Laois had made a great start. Turning point and Cavan ploughed on while Laois ran aground.

Very very few people stayed on from the U20 game. Massive Sligo crowd and decent Kildare crowd. The U20 game was over at about 2.50 i think, with the Cavan game not on till 4pm, so easy to see why people weren’t keen to hang around. Whereas if it was the old system of a quick turnaround, plenty would have stayed to have a look. Not sure it makes sense to leave the big gaps just in case there is ET, given it happens so rarely. Not really a massive deal to delay throw in, in the very few cases where it is actually required.

Totally agree with you with the gaps for double headers now, I'm surprised more people don't raise that issue.

Yesterday was a joke in that regard, 70 minutes between both matches and Cavan game upped in price, ended up with a very poor crowd when it could have kept a good crowd for a while from first match.

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GAA Discussion / Re: Leinster SFC 2023

« on: May 14, 2023, 02:20:15 PM »

Louth actually brought a very good crowd to this match for once it seems, very disappointing that it's the same old story in Leinster

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GAA Discussion / Re: Leinster SFC 2023

« on: May 14, 2023, 02:18:58 PM »

Over in 20 minutes another poor spectacle. Referee was a joke giving a throw ball from that Louth kick out, he was not inside the D or close .

Bad enough watching Dublin battering teams in Croke Park without referees awarding them every hand free and decision possible

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GAA Discussion / Re: Tailteann Cup 2023 - Rules from GAA Master Fixtures List

« on: May 13, 2023, 07:47:45 PM »

My opinion on this so far is the changes from last year ie group stages not knockout, increased ticket prices and going off against the big first tier football/hurling, is going to harm this competition.

It would be interesting to get a sense of attendances, the Cavan Laois match had a fairly poor attendance. The attendance for the U20s final before emphasised this big time.