Colm O'Rourke vs. the GPA

[Zulu]

Just read the last two before my post Benny as classic examples of taking the most negative view of a GPA comment. For years the GPA are castigated high up and low down around here for wanting a pro GAA. Now one of their most high profile members says he doesn't want a professional GAA and rather than accept that we have one guy speculating if it's because he has been sorted (whatever that means) and another questioning the timing (which he would have no doubt done regardless of when he said it).

[AZOffaly]

I know what you mean Zulu. I just think Óg has blotted his copybook with a lot of people based on his past utterances.

Anyway, I welcome this statement. I think it's certainly a positive development for one of the leading advocates of pay for play saying he is against professionalism.

His timing may well be because of the other rumpus, but so what? It's a good news story.

[lynchbhoy]

Just read the last two before my post Benny as classic examples of taking the most negative view of a GPA comment. For years the GPA are castigated high up and low down around here for wanting a pro GAA. Now one of their most high profile members says he doesn't want a professional GAA and rather than accept that we have one guy speculating if it's because he has been sorted (whatever that means) and another questioning the timing (which he would have no doubt done regardless of when he said it).

I would have read that as an objection about an individual rather than stretched logic regarding GPA on here as a whole!

[BennyHarp]

Just read the last two before my post Benny as classic examples of taking the most negative view of a GPA comment. For years the GPA are castigated high up and low down around here for wanting a pro GAA. Now one of their most high profile members says he doesn't want a professional GAA and rather than accept that we have one guy speculating if it's because he has been sorted (whatever that means) and another questioning the timing (which he would have no doubt done regardless of when he said it).

I would have read that as an objection about an individual rather than stretched logic regarding GPA on here as a whole!

That was pretty much my thinking.

[Zulu]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

[lynchbhoy]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

You may be trying to pick these things out as they may suit your agenda but I don't see any clamor on here all rushing to say that!!
Two posters?

IMO I don't care what Donal og said then and now - as a country let alone sporting organisation , we can't sustain professional intercounty players.

The GPA and GAA need to become more transparent
- they could open up crime park, now they can open up their books!
Let's see the gaa expenditure  , us the salaries , expenses and criteria for awards and who gets them ( club grants and scholarships)

I know you mean well Zulu - but it's obv you are a GPA follower and you look like you are trying to skew the discussion with minute petty non examples.

[ck]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

You may be trying to pick these things out as they may suit your agenda but I don't see any clamor on here all rushing to say that!!
Two posters?

IMO I don't care what Donal og said then and now - as a country let alone sporting organisation , we can't sustain professional intercounty players.

The GPA and GAA need to become more transparent
- they could open up crime park, now they can open up their books!
Let's see the gaa expenditure  , us the salaries , expenses and criteria for awards and who gets them ( club grants and scholarships)

I know you mean well Zulu - but it's obv you are a GPA follower and you look like you are trying to skew the discussion with minute petty non examples.

+1

I think the GPA were set up for the right reasons but it feels as if they are now an old boys club. Financing themselves, funding their own salaries, junkets to USA and looking after the cream of high profile players. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many, especially at a time when the average club player is almost being disowned by the GAA with a lack of respect for club fixtures.

I think every GAA person will agree that it's time to swing the pendulum back towards grass roots and club fixtures. The last people who have interest in club, grass roots and the ordinary club player is the GPA!

[blewuporstuffed]

Good post ck
+1 to all that

[Zulu]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

You may be trying to pick these things out as they may suit your agenda but I don't see any clamor on here all rushing to say that!!
Two posters?

IMO I don't care what Donal og said then and now - as a country let alone sporting organisation , we can't sustain professional intercounty players.

The GPA and GAA need to become more transparent
- they could open up crime park, now they can open up their books!
Let's see the gaa expenditure  , us the salaries , expenses and criteria for awards and who gets them ( club grants and scholarships)

I know you mean well Zulu - but it's obv you are a GPA follower and you look like you are trying to skew the discussion with minute petty non examples.

+1

I think the GPA were set up for the right reasons but it feels as if they are now an old boys club. Financing themselves, funding their own salaries, junkets to USA and looking after the cream of high profile players. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many, especially at a time when the average club player is almost being disowned by the GAA with a lack of respect for club fixtures.

I think every GAA person will agree that it's time to swing the pendulum back towards grass roots and club fixtures. The last people who have interest in club, grass roots and the ordinary club player is the GPA!

Lynchbhoy, first off I'm not a supporter of the GPA. I rarely bring them up here but I do defend them against the often ridiculous criticisms that pop up here. I support looking after our top players and feel it's unrealistic to try and look after everyone. However, lets have a quick look at the most recent 'criticisms' of the GPA posted here -

I've already dealt with the daft reaction to Cusack's comments. But now we have ck coming along throwing about generalities without a scrap of evidence or any balance to his post. Since when is a section of the GAA financing and funding themselves a bad thing, Jesus if only a few more did that we'd all be better off, how that's a bad thing is beyond me. Then we have the old 'junkets' to the US nonsense, when people want to give out about any trip it's termed a 'junket' the GAA president and many other high profile figures go on trips abroad are they all junkets with no purpose or good to them? Ck also claims they only look after the cream of the high profile players, can he prove this accusation I wonder? I'm waiting with baited breath.

You, lynchbhoy, have asked for more transparency and I've no problem with that but I also trust the GAA to run their affairs well and I'm quite sure no matter what money was spent on there'd be people giving out so as long as the bottom line is ok I'm happy to let the GAA look after the small print. I'm sure their are legalities at play here anyway.

CK, of course everyone would like to see the club player get better treatment but that's the role of the GAA and county boards. The GPA could only agitate for a clear defined goal that everyone agrees with and good luck with that.

[johnneycool]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

You may be trying to pick these things out as they may suit your agenda but I don't see any clamor on here all rushing to say that!!
Two posters?

IMO I don't care what Donal og said then and now - as a country let alone sporting organisation , we can't sustain professional intercounty players.

The GPA and GAA need to become more transparent
- they could open up crime park, now they can open up their books!
Let's see the gaa expenditure  , us the salaries , expenses and criteria for awards and who gets them ( club grants and scholarships)

I know you mean well Zulu - but it's obv you are a GPA follower and you look like you are trying to skew the discussion with minute petty non examples.

+1

I think the GPA were set up for the right reasons but it feels as if they are now an old boys club. Financing themselves, funding their own salaries, junkets to USA and looking after the cream of high profile players. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many, especially at a time when the average club player is almost being disowned by the GAA with a lack of respect for club fixtures.

I think every GAA person will agree that it's time to swing the pendulum back towards grass roots and club fixtures. The last people who have interest in club, grass roots and the ordinary club player is the GPA!

Lynchbhoy, first off I'm not a supporter of the GPA. I rarely bring them up here but I do defend them against the often ridiculous criticisms that pop up here. I support looking after our top players and feel it's unrealistic to try and look after everyone. However, lets have a quick look at the most recent 'criticisms' of the GPA posted here -

I've already dealt with the daft reaction to Cusack's comments. But now we have ck coming along throwing about generalities without a scrap of evidence or any balance to his post. Since when is a section of the GAA financing and funding themselves a bad thing, Jesus if only a few more did that we'd all be better off, how that's a bad thing is beyond me. Then we have the old 'junkets' to the US nonsense, when people want to give out about any trip it's termed a 'junket' the GAA president and many other high profile figures go on trips abroad are they all junkets with no purpose or good to them? Ck also claims they only look after the cream of the high profile players, can he prove this accusation I wonder? I'm waiting with baited breath.

You, lynchbhoy, have asked for more transparency and I've no problem with that but I also trust the GAA to run their affairs well and I'm quite sure no matter what money was spent on there'd be people giving out so as long as the bottom line is ok I'm happy to let the GAA look after the small print. I'm sure their are legalities at play here anyway.

CK, of course everyone would like to see the club player get better treatment but that's the role of the GAA and county boards. The GPA could only agitate for a clear defined goal that everyone agrees with and good luck with that.

Who are you talking about here?

[lynchbhoy]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

You may be trying to pick these things out as they may suit your agenda but I don't see any clamor on here all rushing to say that!!
Two posters?

IMO I don't care what Donal og said then and now - as a country let alone sporting organisation , we can't sustain professional intercounty players.

The GPA and GAA need to become more transparent
- they could open up crime park, now they can open up their books!
Let's see the gaa expenditure  , us the salaries , expenses and criteria for awards and who gets them ( club grants and scholarships)

I know you mean well Zulu - but it's obv you are a GPA follower and you look like you are trying to skew the discussion with minute petty non examples.

+1

I think the GPA were set up for the right reasons but it feels as if they are now an old boys club. Financing themselves, funding their own salaries, junkets to USA and looking after the cream of high profile players. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many, especially at a time when the average club player is almost being disowned by the GAA with a lack of respect for club fixtures.

I think every GAA person will agree that it's time to swing the pendulum back towards grass roots and club fixtures. The last people who have interest in club, grass roots and the ordinary club player is the GPA!

Lynchbhoy, first off I'm not a supporter of the GPA. I rarely bring them up here but I do defend them against the often ridiculous criticisms that pop up here. I support looking after our top players and feel it's unrealistic to try and look after everyone. However, lets have a quick look at the most recent 'criticisms' of the GPA posted here -

I've already dealt with the daft reaction to Cusack's comments. But now we have ck coming along throwing about generalities without a scrap of evidence or any balance to his post. Since when is a section of the GAA financing and funding themselves a bad thing, Jesus if only a few more did that we'd all be better off, how that's a bad thing is beyond me. Then we have the old 'junkets' to the US nonsense, when people want to give out about any trip it's termed a 'junket' the GAA president and many other high profile figures go on trips abroad are they all junkets with no purpose or good to them? Ck also claims they only look after the cream of the high profile players, can he prove this accusation I wonder? I'm waiting with baited breath.

You, lynchbhoy, have asked for more transparency and I've no problem with that but I also trust the GAA to run their affairs well and I'm quite sure no matter what money was spent on there'd be people giving out so as long as the bottom line is ok I'm happy to let the GAA look after the small print. I'm sure their are legalities at play here anyway.

CK, of course everyone would like to see the club player get better treatment but that's the role of the GAA and county boards. The GPA could only agitate for a clear defined goal that everyone agrees with and good luck with that.

no real argument as you agree with my call for transparency on GAA and GPA

however the bit in bold.
I refer you to human nature, and politicians/government.
Irish water, banks, promisory notes etc etc etc

you place trust in people to often find out later that this trust was misplaced.

opening up the books and greater transparency on all aspects would ensure there is proper understanding and if anything was not good enough, then it would be pointed out.
yes lunatics and whingers might continually whinge. but a procedural vehicle (though county boards) to lodge questions, complaints, ideas etc should be created. that would stop any diluge of whinges and silliness from having to be dealt with. just the pertinent correct questions/requests for info etc.

I know that imo the GAA are spending way too much money on a certain thing. this should be addressed. We have a few good guys doing their best to run croke park , but that this expense is happening shows there is a lacking of ability/knowledge/quality in this particular area.
imo
I only know about it as the vendor disclosed certain information to me as he was trying to sell me something.

greater transparency would really help out the GAA - and US - as we are the GAA and it is our money. This would actually help those in Croke park/HQ imo!
transparency would do the same for GPA. assist rather than inhibit.

[ck]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

You may be trying to pick these things out as they may suit your agenda but I don't see any clamor on here all rushing to say that!!
Two posters?

IMO I don't care what Donal og said then and now - as a country let alone sporting organisation , we can't sustain professional intercounty players.

The GPA and GAA need to become more transparent
- they could open up crime park, now they can open up their books!
Let's see the gaa expenditure  , us the salaries , expenses and criteria for awards and who gets them ( club grants and scholarships)

I know you mean well Zulu - but it's obv you are a GPA follower and you look like you are trying to skew the discussion with minute petty non examples.

+1

I think the GPA were set up for the right reasons but it feels as if they are now an old boys club. Financing themselves, funding their own salaries, junkets to USA and looking after the cream of high profile players. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many, especially at a time when the average club player is almost being disowned by the GAA with a lack of respect for club fixtures.

I think every GAA person will agree that it's time to swing the pendulum back towards grass roots and club fixtures. The last people who have interest in club, grass roots and the ordinary club player is the GPA!

Lynchbhoy, first off I'm not a supporter of the GPA. I rarely bring them up here but I do defend them against the often ridiculous criticisms that pop up here. I support looking after our top players and feel it's unrealistic to try and look after everyone. However, lets have a quick look at the most recent 'criticisms' of the GPA posted here -

I've already dealt with the daft reaction to Cusack's comments. But now we have ck coming along throwing about generalities without a scrap of evidence or any balance to his post. Since when is a section of the GAA financing and funding themselves a bad thing, Jesus if only a few more did that we'd all be better off, how that's a bad thing is beyond me. Then we have the old 'junkets' to the US nonsense, when people want to give out about any trip it's termed a 'junket' the GAA president and many other high profile figures go on trips abroad are they all junkets with no purpose or good to them? Ck also claims they only look after the cream of the high profile players, can he prove this accusation I wonder? I'm waiting with baited breath.

You, lynchbhoy, have asked for more transparency and I've no problem with that but I also trust the GAA to run their affairs well and I'm quite sure no matter what money was spent on there'd be people giving out so as long as the bottom line is ok I'm happy to let the GAA look after the small print. I'm sure their are legalities at play here anyway.

CK, of course everyone would like to see the club player get better treatment but that's the role of the GAA and county boards. The GPA could only agitate for a clear defined goal that everyone agrees with and good luck with that.

You are clearly a big fan of the current GPA structure where a self appointed body is allowed to self fundraise, so they can self fund, all in the name of elite players. Of course it's the 10% minority of players that are looked after, are you suggesting otherwise?
The 90% playing majority have their fixtures abandoned during summer months, with not a sinner to speak up for them, meanwhile the "GAA" stand idly by. The current GPA/County dominated season is as far removed from the ethos of the GAA as it gets.

Also to address your point about wouldn't it be great if other bodies self funded. What a mess of an organisation we would have if everyone ran around fundraising for themselves!

Time for change!

[Rossfan]

You are clearly a big fan of the current GPA structure where a self appointed body is allowed to self fundraise, so they can self fund, all in the name of elite players. Of course it's the 10% minority of players that are looked after, are you suggesting otherwise?
The 90% playing majority have their fixtures abandoned during summer months, with not a sinner to speak up for them, meanwhile the "GAA" stand idly by. The current GPA/County dominated season is as far removed from the ethos of the GAA as it gets.

Also to address your point about wouldn't it be great if other bodies self funded. What a mess of an organisation we would have if everyone ran around fundraising for themselves!

Time for change!

Nothing like a good rant eh?
So what are the changes you want then?

[Jinxy]

Get rid of International Rules.

[Zulu]

Hmmm, so posts in a GPA topic, referring to comments by one of the most prominent GPA members and referencing how his tune has changed because he is now (financially I presume) ok and one referring to the timing of it has nothing to do with the GPA and are simply comments on the individual? If that's true then if Seamus Moynihan had said it I presume the lads would have implied the exact same things about him and his motives?

You may be trying to pick these things out as they may suit your agenda but I don't see any clamor on here all rushing to say that!!
Two posters?

IMO I don't care what Donal og said then and now - as a country let alone sporting organisation , we can't sustain professional intercounty players.

The GPA and GAA need to become more transparent
- they could open up crime park, now they can open up their books!
Let's see the gaa expenditure  , us the salaries , expenses and criteria for awards and who gets them ( club grants and scholarships)

I know you mean well Zulu - but it's obv you are a GPA follower and you look like you are trying to skew the discussion with minute petty non examples.

+1

I think the GPA were set up for the right reasons but it feels as if they are now an old boys club. Financing themselves, funding their own salaries, junkets to USA and looking after the cream of high profile players. It just leaves a bad taste in the mouth of many, especially at a time when the average club player is almost being disowned by the GAA with a lack of respect for club fixtures.

I think every GAA person will agree that it's time to swing the pendulum back towards grass roots and club fixtures. The last people who have interest in club, grass roots and the ordinary club player is the GPA!

Lynchbhoy, first off I'm not a supporter of the GPA. I rarely bring them up here but I do defend them against the often ridiculous criticisms that pop up here. I support looking after our top players and feel it's unrealistic to try and look after everyone. However, lets have a quick look at the most recent 'criticisms' of the GPA posted here -

I've already dealt with the daft reaction to Cusack's comments. But now we have ck coming along throwing about generalities without a scrap of evidence or any balance to his post. Since when is a section of the GAA financing and funding themselves a bad thing, Jesus if only a few more did that we'd all be better off, how that's a bad thing is beyond me. Then we have the old 'junkets' to the US nonsense, when people want to give out about any trip it's termed a 'junket' the GAA president and many other high profile figures go on trips abroad are they all junkets with no purpose or good to them? Ck also claims they only look after the cream of the high profile players, can he prove this accusation I wonder? I'm waiting with baited breath.

You, lynchbhoy, have asked for more transparency and I've no problem with that but I also trust the GAA to run their affairs well and I'm quite sure no matter what money was spent on there'd be people giving out so as long as the bottom line is ok I'm happy to let the GAA look after the small print. I'm sure their are legalities at play here anyway.

CK, of course everyone would like to see the club player get better treatment but that's the role of the GAA and county boards. The GPA could only agitate for a clear defined goal that everyone agrees with and good luck with that.

no real argument as you agree with my call for transparency on GAA and GPA

however the bit in bold.
I refer you to human nature, and politicians/government.
Irish water, banks, promisory notes etc etc etc

you place trust in people to often find out later that this trust was misplaced.

opening up the books and greater transparency on all aspects would ensure there is proper understanding and if anything was not good enough, then it would be pointed out.
yes lunatics and whingers might continually whinge. but a procedural vehicle (though county boards) to lodge questions, complaints, ideas etc should be created. that would stop any diluge of whinges and silliness from having to be dealt with. just the pertinent correct questions/requests for info etc.

I know that imo the GAA are spending way too much money on a certain thing. this should be addressed. We have a few good guys doing their best to run croke park , but that this expense is happening shows there is a lacking of ability/knowledge/quality in this particular area.
imo
I only know about it as the vendor disclosed certain information to me as he was trying to sell me something.

greater transparency would really help out the GAA - and US - as we are the GAA and it is our money. This would actually help those in Croke park/HQ imo!
transparency would do the same for GPA. assist rather than inhibit.

Fair enough and if they decide to do that great but I don't think it's a major issue. If transparency is your only issue with the GPA then we have little to disagree about, if they do as you ask I'd be fine with to but I'm happy the GAA and GPA have implemented the correct checks and balances to avoid major misuse of GAA money.