FAI...June 2024 Friendlies v Hungary and Portugal

[seafoid]

So......let's get this straight, in summary

It's the GAA's fault that the Irish soccer team is shite?

It's an interesting topic for discussion, though.  The argument I have heard, but not participated in, due to a lack of definitive knowledge, is that Ireland's poor showing in all international sports (though that is somewhat of a stretch, let's keep it to athletic pursuits), is due to an obsession with a national sport, at the expense of international sports.  There is somewhat of a logic to this, we can't be good at everything/anything, if (some of) our best sports people are not playing international sports.  People point to the achievements of say, Denmark and New Zealand, internationally, as comparators.  It came up again in the performance of Croatia at the recent World Cup.  From my own personal perspective, I find it difficult to understand why some gaelic football players don't try to earn a living playing association football, and represent their country.  I mean, for an international standard athlete, there can't be much satisfaction at only being able to test yourself against the best in the parish/county/country, can there? 

I get all the stuff about representing your parish/club/community.  Let's not do that again.

Croatia is a bit of an outlier.

I think the FAI is crap. 
They never built their own stadium. They still depend on the GAA every so often. They missed the boat on youth development. The League of Oireland is a bit of a mess.

And then Irish sports training is a long way from world class bar maybe Skib rowing club and certain boxing clubs

[Billys Boots]

Croatia is a bit of an outlier.

So is Ireland.   

I think the FAI is crap.

They are good at some things, they are bad at a lot of things.  Lots of room for improvement, for sure.

They never built their own stadium.

Don't really know what that means, or what it signifies - they share a stadium with rugby; that has to be a sustainable development.  It appears to be in constant use, for something or other.  It doesn't get into significant conflict with its neighbours. 

They still depend on the GAA every so often.

Don't know what that means either, or what it's referring to.

They missed the boat on youth development.

There's a perfectly good player development plan (PDP) in operation since 2016, and while it may take some time to mature, there is no reason to think it won't work to some degree. 

The League of Oireland is a bit of a mess.

It's not great, but it deserves better support.  It can't and shouldn't be seen as a potential 'competitor' for the giant leagues in other large countries, but its best teams should be effective opponents for leagues in similar sized countries, and they are.  making it an outstanding outlier, in your own words, would need artificial supports from its national association or the government, but neither is likely to happen.  My own view is that the PDP, which has the 'elite' youth attached to LoI clubs is interesting, and provides a good pathway at home for the development of younger players, has a good chance of working in  the next 10 years. 

And then Irish sports training is a long way from world class bar maybe Skib rowing club and certain boxing clubs

There are good coaches in several sports in Ireland, most of them are working voluntarily, and that will never work.  I think the recent provision of degree courses in sports sciences and sports methodologies have got to prove beneficial in the coming years for our athletes, in all sports. 

[seafoid]

Croatia is a bit of an outlier.

So is Ireland.   

I think the FAI is crap.

They are good at some things, they are bad at a lot of things.  Lots of room for improvement, for sure.

They never built their own stadium.

Don't really know what that means, or what it signifies - they share a stadium with rugby; that has to be a sustainable development.  It appears to be in constant use, for something or other.  It doesn't get into significant conflict with its neighbours. 

They still depend on the GAA every so often.

Don't know what that means either, or what it's referring to.

They missed the boat on youth development.

There's a perfectly good player development plan (PDP) in operation since 2016, and while it may take some time to mature, there is no reason to think it won't work to some degree. 

The League of Oireland is a bit of a mess.

It's not great, but it deserves better support.  It can't and shouldn't be seen as a potential 'competitor' for the giant leagues in other large countries, but its best teams should be effective opponents for leagues in similar sized countries, and they are.  making it an outstanding outlier, in your own words, would need artificial supports from its national association or the government, but neither is likely to happen.  My own view is that the PDP, which has the 'elite' youth attached to LoI clubs is interesting, and provides a good pathway at home for the development of younger players, has a good chance of working in  the next 10 years. 

And then Irish sports training is a long way from world class bar maybe Skib rowing club and certain boxing clubs

There are good coaches in several sports in Ireland, most of them are working voluntarily, and that will never work.  I think the recent provision of degree courses in sports sciences and sports methodologies have got to prove beneficial in the coming years for our athletes, in all sports.

Sports coaching is one area where there is room for improvement I think. My impression is that it isn't much of a strength in England either. Language skills can open up possibilities.

The FAI has the problem of the EPL next door which determines game time available to players. The global reach of the competition reduces the number of Irish players getting to play for the top clubs. It is a very different world to 30 years ago. It would be good if the PDP was a success. It won't help now but could help later on.

[Baile Brigín 2]

So......let's get this straight, in summary

It's the GAA's fault that the Irish soccer team is shite?

It's an interesting topic for discussion, though.  The argument I have heard, but not participated in, due to a lack of definitive knowledge, is that Ireland's poor showing in all international sports (though that is somewhat of a stretch, let's keep it to athletic pursuits), is due to an obsession with a national sport, at the expense of international sports.  There is somewhat of a logic to this, we can't be good at everything/anything, if (some of) our best sports people are not playing international sports.  People point to the achievements of say, Denmark and New Zealand, internationally, as comparators.  It came up again in the performance of Croatia at the recent World Cup.  From my own personal perspective, I find it difficult to understand why some gaelic football players don't try to earn a living playing association football, and represent their country.  I mean, for an international standard athlete, there can't be much satisfaction at only being able to test yourself against the best in the parish/county/country, can there? 

I get all the stuff about representing your parish/club/community.  Let's not do that again.

Croatia is a bit of an outlier.

I think the FAI is crap. 
They never built their own stadium. They still depend on the GAA every so often. They missed the boat on youth development. The League of Oireland is a bit of a mess.

And then Irish sports training is a long way from world class bar maybe Skib rowing club and certain boxing clubs

This might be fair comment in the 90's, but bears no resemblance to soccer today.

[Boycey]

Is this audio Stephen Ward then or what?

https://youtu.be/00STt2qwpiE

[JPGJOHNNYG]

Is this audio Stephen Ward then or what?

https://youtu.be/00STt2qwpiE

Heard it earlier. If there is any truth in it at all then Roy Keane needs to get to f#ck. He seriously has some sort of genuine problem and cant interact with other people properly. Morale cant be too good with the lads lol

[Boycey]

Is it confirmed as Ward though, strange thing for a player to release unless he set up by a journo or something?

[mrdeeds]

Is it confirmed as Ward though, strange thing for a player to release unless he set up by a journo or something?

I heard from a good source it's him and genuine. It's a leaked WattsApp voice message. Martin O Neill has argued against Stephen Wards claims so further gives it authenticity. Keane needs to go. That is so old school. Of all lads to be criticising someone for missing internationals because of injuries. Keane also complained that Given had too many caps. Talk about a hypocrite. If O Neill stands over Keane he needs to get the P45 too.

[Boycey]

How does someone arguing against the claims make them more authentic 

[mrdeeds]

How does someone arguing against the claims make them more authentic 

Well instead of saying that's not Stephen he said Stephen wasn't there in May.

[SHEEDY]

o'neill basically confirmed it was steven ward on the audio. saying steven wasnt there when it happened and that wasnt roy's view of events.

[Main Street]

How does someone arguing against the claims make them more authentic 

Well instead of saying that's not Stephen he said Stephen wasn't there in May.

O'Neill was not a direct witness either. Whilst he claimed Roy had a different version of what transpired betwen Keane, Walters and Harry, nevertheless he then went on at length in a  staunch defence of the use of  what he called industrial language by managers in abusing players and that players should get over being called such things as a fcking cnt etc.

According to Martin, the abuse didn't happen but it did at the same time.

[lurganblue]

Is this audio Stephen Ward then or what?

https://youtu.be/00STt2qwpiE

I am def no Keane supporter and never would have had him involved in the first place, but that audio only gives one side of the story. Did Keane go off in a rant for no reason/unjustifiably or have those players been acting the ballix? 

[trailer]

Interesting that Mick McCarthy has said very little since Siapan yet he's becoming more and more believable.

[BennyCake]

Interesting that Mick McCarthy has said very little since Siapan yet he's becoming more and more believable.

There was blame on both sides in Saipan.