Messages

It really bugs me that I can't enter RTE GAA competitions.

+7 in this household.

The question was too hard anyway

What is the reason? Is it not gambling laws or something like that or am I imagining that?

Change the law then.  This should not be beyond the wit of man.

It really bugs me that I can't enter RTE GAA competitions.

If they linked it to your tv licence number, would that make it a more valid competition?

I don't/can't pay an RTE licence in the North so fair enough, but I'm pretty sure RTE are using me in their viewing numbers when they quote their commercial advertising rates.  I'm just as likely to visit SuperValu or buy a Renault as the next fella. Are they making money off me - yes.  So if the argument is about not contributing, then it doesn't cut.

It really bugs me that I can't enter RTE GAA competitions.

If they linked it to your tv licence number, would that make it a more valid competition?

How do you mean?

It really bugs me that I can't enter RTE GAA competitions.

Pathetic that it's not available in the North via RTE. Just a stupid message on RTE2 and a black screen.

I'd come down on the side of Uni for two reasons:
1. It's potentially a great experience if you live away from home and friends to be made from much further afield than your wee school bubble.
2. I have a hunch many employers (maybe of a certain generation) are still old school and like to see a degree, whereas they wouldn't be as sure, or maybe even understand, exactly what a HLA or other qualification is.
But I'd agree it's a money racket.  Isn't everything.

Stephen O'Brien's impact off the bench a game changer. Does he start the next day or come on at HT again?

He starts 100%, and that game brings Kerry on a tonne.  The 10 minutes without O'Connor was huge.  Shows how important he's become.  Clifford unreal.
Great effort from Derry.  They had the chances but it wouldn't drop for them. 4 points in second half killed them.  Thought they ran out of legs whereas as Kerry emptied the bench and stayed strong. It's been pointed out a thousand times that the bench was an achilles heal.  If Derry keep evolving they've a few good years to look forward to based on today.

Does that mean that none of last week's Minor Finalists are going to make it because they got no "platform"?
What the eff is a "platform" anyway?
Is it a game played before a few thousand mainly disinterested folks in Croke Park instead of 13 or 14k partisan followers in Armagh or Roscommon?

Bishops throwing in the ball used be part of big games one time.

Some traditions are more relevant than others.  Bishops throwing balls in was from a world that no longer exists. But I'd make a strong case for giving semi finalists and finalists the opportunity to play in Croke Park ahead of the Senior game. Those lucky enough to win an all Ireland minor and do the lap of honour after the game must have memories for a lifetime I'm sure. GAA sustains itself on certain traditions. This is one we threw away.
Personally I was at a lot of semifinals and always enjoyed the minor game, kept the programmes, watched out down the line for who came through at senior. Maybe just me then. (Don't know why it touched a nerve with you so much!).

The minor semi-final is missed on a day like today.  That was a terrible decision in my opinion.  They were always part of the big day and were a platform for the young players.

6% pay rise for teachers in England, nothing for them from the Stomont budget.  Pathetic that front line workers here can't be paid properly.  Place is a farce.

Think Kerry will be too good for Derry, same as Dublin were in the National League.  The top teams are out in front.

Well done to Portglenone.  A Div 1 title is something any club would want. Best team in the league, so fair play.

At least the private sector is finally catching up a bit with the provision of chargers in the north. Another project which the Ministers and civil servants at Stormont were incapable of delivering.

A few things

- rulebook needs enforced. The rules are currently there to deal with players / managements indiscretions
- meaningful bans/suspensions
- appeal process needs tightened. Far too many people get off after appeal
- starting now, in fundamentals/go-games, players need to be coached to respect the referee. Maybe a 'quiet sideline' to stop parents getting overly involved and setting a bad example

Agree with your sentiment, but the rule book is probably part of the problem.  It's just a ramble of rules that have been edited and added to over the years . It's clearly full of holes and contradictions, hence the Appeal merchants.  A suggestion for Jarlath on his first day - appoint some experts, they don't need to be GAA, to look at the rule book end to end and propose how it could be amended to remove the loopholes.

Terrible events. 
The refereeing situation is a mess, they are set up to fail.  Congress passes stupid rule changes and the disciplinary committees let people away with murder.  Result is that many talented people give refereeing a miss and we end up with an overall poor standard of refereeing and a downward spiral. The system creates the mess and there's been a complete lack of leadership to address it.  Too many GAA people would rather do 'wink and a nod' than face into what needs to be done.

So explain who are these talented people giving refereeing a miss?

Outlay what you feel makes a person a better ref?

You're a sensible poster btw so I'm not taking a shot at you, just want to know the profile you feel is needed.

I know plenty ref's who have played at Croke some ex county players and lots that played senior at club level, they still get abuse and called cheats!

What I mean is the overall talent pool is shrinking because the culture and practise in the GAA is a deterrent when it should be an incentive. Just rank and file sensible GAA people, mostly past players, who if the system supported refs, would potentially put their hand up and give it a go. It follows on (just my opinion) that the 'overall' standard isn't as good as it could be. Notwithstanding some individual refs who may be very good.
And just one specific issue - clubs and counties all try their hand at Appeals, even when the offence is absolutely bare faced.  Certain people are 'admired' for their ability to get people off the hook (ironically not least a prominent Tyrone figure in days gone by).  It's a  ridiculous culture and it plays its part in undermining refs authority.  Rightly send a man off on a Sunday - take dogs abuse for your decision - then watch a committee a week later overturn your decision. Why would you!