Messages

In the North the under 17 system means that a young fella going into year 13 ( old lower 6th) could have no football - under 19 is a waste of time. That is unless he is an elite player. I am also of the opinion that to say small clubs will fold if they are unable to field a 17 or 18 year old means the club isn't sufficient in the first place. It may be a struggle for 1 year but generally these players will come along one year later. In many cases the clubs want the better younger player to replace a poorer older player. The welfare of the younger player isn't even considered. I know that will be an unpopular opinion.

Having been involved at underage club football for many years I also find the under 15 grade a player welfare problem. Puberty means, in my opinion, that you can have a massive difference physically from the youngest player and oldest in the age group. This is most evident in the grade one player as the matches are much more physical.  Moving to even age range will lesson this problem.

Don't know much about either video but I am sure the fact that one is 7 years old - and if he has been punished before - will discourage nationalist's from playing for the North even more. They really are good at shooting themselves in the foot!

Never my favourite referee

Haven't got a chance to watch yet.

As a general view though the GAA can probably do little about online abuse. It is a worldwide societal problem

What they could try and act upon though is the sledging that goes on during games at all levels. At this time they should be aware that mental abuse can be as bad as physical.

It might also help if ex players and pundits were more considered and if politicians stayed out if it !

RTE could also get their own house in order. Instead of the Sunday game setting a witch-hunt agenda it could maybe try and analyse the games.

Good to see Sean Kelly cleared.

Since the match I have read and heard much vitriol against Armagh and individual players which as a proud Armagh and GAA man I find hard to take. By not appealing Nugent's card the County Board have obviously decided that dragging things on any further won't help the county. Harsh on Nugent.

TK was wrong, has accepted his punishment and should be allowed to move on. Some people need to realise how dangerous their anonymous comments can be to the person on the receiving end. Society is in a severe crisis with this type of thing.

Some have pointed out that Armagh must be to blame as they have been involved in 3 melees in the past year. But in truth a melee can only develop if both teams get involved.  On all occasions blame has to be shared.

Watching this current Armagh team play football is properly entertaining. They have been involved in high profile games in the last few years that have been among the most exciting of the year - v Roscommon in Portloaise,  Mayo in Castlebar, Monaghan in Newry and Galway in Croke Park to name a few. They play football. They play with pace on their good days.

I do wonder if the poor press will effect how their games are refereed going forward. But I would rather watch them play than watch some of the slow hand passing, side to side teams there are out there. Teams that are 'cute' .

Good luck to the teams left in the championship.  Let's hope for some colour and excitement.

While I completely agree with the above that we need to move on from the TK stuff as he's had his punishment now (and it's no Galway people here who are calling for his head), the idea that comer was the instigator is wrong and needs to stop.

Morgan, somewhat understandably in the joys of utter celebration, shouldered comer in the back and started mouthing a bit. Comer, who doesn't shy away from much to be fair, shoved back and then comer was surrounded by a few Armagh and then everyone started piling over. That's what happened and saying otherwise is starting a wrongful discussion about a player who still has to go perform in 2 weeks

I think you are close enough to what started it although I wouldn't quite say everyone started to pile as it doesn't take into account that they were going that way anyway to get to the changing rooms.

I have an idea who the second Armagh player that could be in bother is. Given what else went on I think that would be seen in this part of the world as the GAA pandering to the media.

Just out of interest, who is overrating him?

People in Armagh. His championship record is woeful.

His championship record is very poor.  Up until the past few weeks there were plenty in Armagh who thought he's had enough time.   In his defence, he hasn't had the benefit of any underage success coming through the system.  He has also managed a happy squad who seem back him strongly.

I'm just curious as to where the overrated thing comes from.  It's been used quite a bit on here.  I don't see many in the media or pundits eulogising him.

The longevity is hard to understand. As a Galway fan I have seen a lot of mediocre hurling and football managers over the years. I think Geezer is mediocre.

To be fair club football in Armagh has been poor for a number of years and there hasn't been any underage success. New systems have been put in place. The next few years will show if they are working

I gave up reading this thread and skipped to this page where a Galway man talked the most sense.

Before going further I will say TK deserves a ban and I hope he learns from it. He has the potential to be a very good player. People do stupid things and all they can do is learn from it. Other players have done the same without half the abuse.

As for the accusations Armagh somehow are especially profound at dirty tricks and starting melees - wise up. Every team has players who will push the line. Armagh no more than others. And the melees can only start if 2 teams get involved.

For me a big part of the problem with this Armagh team is that they aren't cute enough. Without criticising Galway they had players to win frees, lie injured to stop momentum and block runners with half fouls that go unpunished. Most Armagh players take it as an affront to be treated by the physio! I think this more than anything contributes to them getting involved in melees. It is not in their nature to walk away.

As for what started yesterday's row. From were I sat Morgan gave Comer a bit of a shove and Comer overreacted - probably mad at the finish to game. He then pushed someone else and everyone charged in. The majority were trying to separate others.

I have been at nearly every game possible,  home and away, that Armagh have played since Geezer took over. The majority of the time the games have been exciting. There is a reason so many went to support them yesterday.  Even those who wouldn't know a football if it hit them on the head. Armagh are good to watch .

Good luck Galway in rest of championship. I didn't hear their supporters complain about dirty tricks yesterday.

Just home. Some thoughts.
1. Wel done Galway. Better team. Deserved winners. It was a smash and grab raid at the end from us. We never really got going otherwise.
2. The ref. No complaints. He gave some soft frees but against both teams. I thought McCabe made a fair but hard shoulder challenge but apparently he raised his arm so had to go.
3. The melee. Sadly we are the common denominator and while it looked like Comer was the instigator we have only ourselves to blame for getting involved. Again.
4. The gouge. I do not believe for one second, and won't be convinced otherwise, that he meant to do that. However he did it. The pictures don't look good and he will have to face the consequences of his own actions and take whatever ban comes his way.
5. Penalties. What more can I say. Gutted to lose that way

Lastly, and it is with a heavy heart that I wrote this. I am ashamed to be an Armagh fan today. My nephew is 5. He was in the toilet with his dad. 5 grown men. Armagh supporters, got into a fight. One of them knocked my nephew over. The lad is traumatised. He will get over it but will he want to go back to a game again? Woukd you blame him if he didn't. The guys were wearing Armagh tops. My nephew thought they were players ffs. At this stage I am not sure I want to go back to a game.

Anyway. Best of luck to Galway against Derry in the semifinal

Tonto, I'm guessing you're either a relative or friend of the player involved but the worst possible thing anyone can do is pretend that was accidental Excuse it with a rush of the blood moment or whatever but noone associated with Armagh GAA should make an excuse for it. Just call it for what it is ffs

Same club tho my playing days are long since over and I don't actually know him. I wrote that having only seen the photo. I've since seen the video and can't excuse him. He will have a deserved ban coming. I hope he takes it and learns from it and moves on from it. Also hope he is allowed to move on from it. As has been said, the witch hunt on SM is behind a joke

Fairly reasoned post there tbh. Sorry the young one got caught up in that

Tonto I hope you nephew is OK. With so many supporters there you will sadly always get some prats.

I agree with your on Kelly. He let himself and team mates down. He will realise that. Let him take his ban and learn from it. Many won't agree but he will need support too to cope with the repercussions.

McCurry scored 7 today. 4 were from frees. He missed a couple too. This Tyrone couldn't buy a free talk is just that. Talk

Tell the commentators that. They are the ones who said it

Maybe they meant the referee wasn't falling for their dives.

Jesus lads but derry are hard to watch.  Just when I thought we were getting away from the defensive stuff.  Donegal are fairly defensive too.  Not looking forward to the final

You might have a point if Derry won their last two games 0-10 to 0-9.

To be fair the opposition played into their hands.

Their defence won the game for them. Forced Monaghan into kicking a significant amount of wides

Great performance from Doire. Gough gave us nothing in the second half. Yellow cards for Derry and nothing for Monaghan for exactly the same tackles. Now for Donegal..... another step up in class.

Think you need to get your red tinted glasses changed. Gough made a few iffy decisions but thought he was fair to both teams.

Crazy decision
No show piece games at height of summer in August.
It was all done to accommodate a split season
That would be fine if there actually was a split season
Clubs have been playing football for the previous two months
So that idea of a split season is nonsense
Be better going back to the old calender

Split season is a result of the power of intercounty manager dictating club schedules. Unfair for club players who wait around all summer for their county to finish up and then blitz games off in a couple weeks.  GAA needs to market the club game more.

Outside of the inter County club championship - which is basically county football for the best club rather than the best playersin each county - the club scene is a local thing. Within each county it is probably well publicised.  Very few people will travel to watch games in other counties , teams on county borders aside

As much as the county needs the club scene to be thriving the club scene needs the county scene. The big match days etc get people interested in the game and encourages people who have no GAA backgrounds to let their children play the game.

I think the new split season makes no sense but in the end attendances will determine if it has worked.

Not sure who I want to win this one. If Cavan win I think it makes it more likely that Armagh will have a preliminary qualifier to play. On the otherhand Donegal do have Bonnar in charge. Come on Cavan!

[I pay all my taxes to Dublin , i live in Derry]

Does HMRC want any of your earnings if you are working in the South and living in the North?

If you are resident in the North you will have to pay your taxes in the North. Assuming Brexit doesn't change things down the line any tax you pay in the South can be set against the tax due under a Double Taxation agreement. Circumstances can be different from person to person - eg employed or self employed etc.- so it is normally best to get advice from an accountant who has experience in cross border matters.

I pay all my taxes to Dublin , i live in Derry

Anyone know what criteria dictates where taxes are paid?  It's obviously not place of residence in your case.

Nobody in my work pays taxes in North , 1500 of us, mostly Derry men and women

And they have all got confirmation that they are correct in doing so ?