What do players prefer Gaelic Gear or O'Neills ?
Any coments.
O'Neill's, end of story!!
O'Neills gear is by far the better product, but the level of service you will get from O'Neills is crap to put it mildly.
i agree o'neills have better design and quality but have heard numerous times not just from my own club about poor services and wrong orders etc!
Must agree ,oneills are by far better product but with Gaelic Gear must be under cutting them and some clubs now prefer to use them ,surley oneills is starting to loose some creidt now.
O neills by a long shot
O'Neills enjoy an almost monopoly position in what is a huge market in Irish terms but a tiny market globally. Firms like Azzuri, Gaelic Gear and, in the past, Connollys are on a hiding to nothing if O'Neills put the squeeze on suppliers, county committees, etc. in an effort to take rivals out of the game.
Ultimately competition among suppliers will not really happen until the way is cleared for the likes of Addidas, Umbro, etc.
Just how much of the gear presently being sold is actually Irish is questionable and a more relaxed interpretation of this rule might benefit the GAA as a whole in the long run by bringing more competitive (and imaginative) products into the market place. This will also have the effect of improving quality all round.
At least O'Neills had to respond to the GG challenge by opening outlets in Belfast, Newry & Strabane that they never did before and. I'm told, their marketing has laso been more aggressive with deals available that couldn't be got in the past. That's the effect of competition even if it is only limited at this stage.
The impression is given however that O'Neills have the inside track with the powers that be and that can be very diffciult to dislodge - vested interests and all that.
Razmatazz, what sort of wages do Gaelic gear pay?
isnt it Speedo that tyrone wears ?
The customer service / competency of staff levels at O'Neil's mean that they are not an option for me
O'Neills end of story, you can wash the feckers 100's of time and they are still as good as new but Gaelic gear after a dew washes are fit for the bin
Quote from: bannside on September 30, 2008, 09:10:35 AM
Razmatazz, what sort of wages do Gaelic gear pay?
I would guess less than o'neills ,Creidt crunch,Creidt crunch >:( :o
to me Oneills are way over priced - a kids strip is £36.00 this is more expensive than soccer strips and as they have no competition they get away with it.
They are also reluctant to sponsor clubs who may have put 10k per year to them in turnover - I mean to sponsor a match at say £300 wouldnt break them. They tell you that they give a pay back to each club once a year by way of thank you but in real terms it means we over charged you in the first place anyway!
Also, they should have a scheme were GAA Club Members get a discount on production of a valid membership card.
O'Neills al the way!
Wonder why firms like adidas, Umbro etc dont influx the market more.
A lot of counties are starting to have all their leisurewear made by say Puma (Fermanagh but return to the Irish companies for the actual jersey.
I have the Kerry jersey from around 97 or so that adidas made and the quality in it compared to some of O'neills stuff is unreal.
I know we will have people come on & argue that we should only use Irish suppliers but for too long O'Neills have abused there position as GAA number one supplier. Over priced, with designs that have no real difference from county to county.
At the end of the day O'Neills realise most people who use Gaelic Gear one year will be back in two or three years and can afford to have crap levels of customer service
is this a serious q?? seriously DO NOT GO NEAR gaelic gear!!! worst stuff I ever came across in my life
Quote from: goldenyears on October 01, 2008, 05:20:01 PM
is this a serious q?? seriously DO NOT GO NEAR gaelic gear!!! worst stuff I ever came across in my life
How come? IMHO I never thought it was all that bad
Quote from: youngfella on October 01, 2008, 05:34:49 PM
Quote from: goldenyears on October 01, 2008, 05:20:01 PM
is this a serious q?? seriously DO NOT GO NEAR gaelic gear!!! worst stuff I ever came across in my life
How come? IMHO I never thought it was all that bad
IMO opinion Gaelic Gear is nowhere near as bad as Rasmatazz's spelling. He's like a 4 year old--he insists in writing in capital letters and couldn't even spell the title correctly
The Rass has only stated the question goldbanger and it's seems that this topic is starting to burn some diesel.
Keep it going as im doing a survey on this .
To kinda give some support to O'Neills:
Quote from: guevara on October 01, 2008, 05:14:26 PM
Over priced, with designs that have no real difference from county to county.
They may be over priced compared to more global brands like Adidas and Nike but facts are you are paying an extra fiver or so because the jerseys are made here in Ireland (Strabane) for a fair price, and not in Cambodia or Thailand by kids that earn 2p a day.
Regarding the jersey design, O'Neills only make them, the counties themselves have the final say in the design. If you don't like your county's jersey blame your county board not O'Neills.
Quote from: spiritof91and94 on October 01, 2008, 03:39:22 PM
Also, they should have a scheme were GAA Club Members get a discount on production of a valid membership card.
This is a ridiculous idea. O'Neills are a company first and foremost, they have to make money. Despite their special relationship with the GAA they are not affiliated officially to it in anyway (some people seem to think they are just a branch of the GAA) so why should they provide its members with discounts? Do you get a discount on Nike, Adidas or Canterbury stuff in shops because your local soccer or rugby club plays in their jerseys? No, didn't think so.
Oneills gear is hard to beat.
Quote from: AFS on October 02, 2008, 12:08:03 AM
To kinda give some support to O'Neills:
Quote from: guevara on October 01, 2008, 05:14:26 PM
Over priced, with designs that have no real difference from county to county.
They may be over priced compared to more global brands like Adidas and Nike but facts are you are paying an extra fiver or so because the jerseys are made here in Ireland (Strabane) for a fair price, and not in Cambodia or Thailand by kids that earn 2p a day.
Regarding the jersey design, O'Neills only make them, the counties themselves have the final say in the design. If you don't like your county's jersey blame your county board not O'Neills.
Quote from: spiritof91and94 on October 01, 2008, 03:39:22 PM
Also, they should have a scheme were GAA Club Members get a discount on production of a valid membership card.
This is a ridiculous idea. O'Neills are a company first and foremost, they have to make money. Despite their special relationship with the GAA they are not affiliated officially to it in anyway (some people seem to think they are just a branch of the GAA) so why should they provide its members with discounts? Do you get a discount on Nike, Adidas or Canterbury stuff in shops because your local soccer or rugby club plays in their jerseys? No, didn't think so.
Good pr stuff for O'Neill's there.
You use the term "special relationship" and this is the problem. For special relationship read cosy cartel.
But are the jerseys really made in Strabane? My info is that they arrive there from foreign fields ready made and just have to be dyed. Is this correct?
Time for Addidas or Umbro to set up a "finishing" plant in N.I. - will they be accorded the same "special relationship"?
Also, my understanding is that County boards have little say on design other than selecting from the templates provided by O'Neills.
Quote from: AFS on October 02, 2008, 12:08:03 AM
To kinda give some support to O'Neills:
Quote from: guevara on October 01, 2008, 05:14:26 PM
Over priced, with designs that have no real difference from county to county.
They may be over priced compared to more global brands like Adidas and Nike but facts are you are paying an extra fiver or so because the jerseys are made here in Ireland (Strabane) for a fair price, and not in Cambodia or Thailand by kids that earn 2p a day.
Regarding the jersey design, O'Neills only make them, the counties themselves have the final say in the design. If you don't like your county's jersey blame your county board not O'Neills.
Quote from: spiritof91and94 on October 01, 2008, 03:39:22 PM
Also, they should have a scheme were GAA Club Members get a discount on production of a valid membership card.
This is a ridiculous idea. O'Neills are a company first and foremost, they have to make money. Despite their special relationship with the GAA they are not affiliated officially to it in anyway (some people seem to think they are just a branch of the GAA) so why should they provide its members with discounts? Do you get a discount on Nike, Adidas or Canterbury stuff in shops because your local soccer or rugby club plays in their jerseys? No, didn't think so.
Well if they didnt have the Gaa what would their turnover be - zero.
I was only suggesting a discount scheme that would entice Gaa members to give them more sales - have you ever brought four kids to an ONeills shop and bought them a strip each - £144 thats the cost - many other sport shops would give a discount if asked, for this sort of sale, Oneills staff just refuse it point blank which is obviously coming from management. Oneills profit margins on products must be huge to say the least and for you to defend them obviously indicates that perhaps you are an employee in one of their sweat boxes. ;D
their grip on the counties is tight, Oneills own the crests and if you are to move to another sports firm then you'd have to change it.
i'm for an open market, the gaelic gear stuff is not great but there is good discounts and clubs get money back off club sales.
as for quality, i've still got O'neills stuff from ten years ago, and they are great compared to the new gaelic gear stuff.
Quote from: milltown row on October 02, 2008, 04:31:51 PM
their grip on the counties is tight, Oneills own the crests
Are you sure about that. I was under the impression that the raft of new count crests that came into being, was the counties taking control of marketing and stuff.
well they did, and still own the club crests, if your currently with them
O'Neills would get my vote hands down, was never that fussed with any off the Gaelic Gear stuff, it never seemed to fit right. O'Neill's have a firm hold over the whole business but they still produce high quality gear, have been impressed with some of the newer stuff they have produced for both club and county although it does tend to be a bit pricey, i wouldn't like to be kitting out 3/4 children
There is no question that when it come to quality O'Neills is superior to any local gear, though there are some quality stuff coming out (though obviously not jersies) from other companies.
The whole " Made in Ireland" thing is a nonsense though. O'Neills jersies are made in East Europe or elswwhere where labour is cheaper like the rest of the companies and is brought here for finishing.
There are companies who have the same "Irishness" as O'neills and are left in limbo so CP can decide whether they fit the guaranteed irish bill.
A bit of competition would do no harm though a lot of clubs are now only buying their jersies from O'Neills and all their training tops from OB Sports, Gaelic Gear, Liston Leisure, or that new company from Newry Embroidit as the only compulsion is that jersies must be o'neills, GG or Azzurri
Gaelic Gear footballs are the worst ever made, surley they can come with something better than that. (F**k me just buy an O'Neills ball and copy the bastard)...
My point is O'Neills bring out 2 or 3 designs a year and thats it. Counties are expected just to pick the design in their colours and be happy with it. Only Dublin seem to have any effort made over them and they tend to get designs a year or two before most other counties have the option (The faded jersey a few years ago & the new one with 3 stripes down sleeve)
Also how can O'Neills use the 3 stripes like adidas is this not a trademark?
With regard to the county crests all the counties basically redesigned their crests as most of the ones being used were in fact owned by the county councils. By redesigning their own crests county boards were entitled to the rights of it.
I'm not calling for O'Neills to be removed I'm just looking for the market to be opened up to other leading brands which no doubt would give O'Neills the good boot up the arse it needs and force them to work for their custom through better designs & better offers to clubs and parents alike.
I know the girl who both designs and makes up the first samples of the Gaelic Gear stuff. They are a very small operation and havea long way to go to get to O'Neills standards. Their designs are wick tho!
Quote from: illdecide on October 02, 2008, 05:29:44 PM
Gaelic Gear footballs are the worst ever made, surley they can come with something better than that. (F**k me just buy an O'Neills ball and copy the b**tard)...
Liston Leisure came out with a football last year made in the same
overseas factory as O'Neills - and people kept complaining that it wasnt any good!
Quote from: guevara on October 02, 2008, 05:52:31 PM
My point is O'Neills bring out 2 or 3 designs a year and thats it. Counties are expected just to pick the design in their colours and be happy with it. Only Dublin seem to have any effort made over them and they tend to get designs a year or two before most other counties have the option (The faded jersey a few years ago & the new one with 3 stripes down sleeve)
Also how can O'Neills use the 3 stripes like adidas is this not a trademark?
With regard to the county crests all the counties basically redesigned their crests as most of the ones being used were in fact owned by the county councils. By redesigning their own crests county boards were entitled to the rights of it.
I'm not calling for O'Neills to be removed I'm just looking for the market to be opened up to other leading brands which no doubt would give O'Neills the good boot up the arse it needs and force them to work for their custom through better designs & better offers to clubs and parents alike.
Agree 100% with these points.
To be honest I think that O'Neills are taking a hand out of the GAA due to the fact that as far as I know they don't have a 'corporate box' in Croke Park & I'm pretty sure their competitors from Gaelic Gear do have, it's nice to see O'Neills repaying (not) the GAA for the monoply & I presume large profits they had for so long as a result of supplying GAA merchandise.
what about Jako--are they still making GAA kits?
Quote from: milltown row on October 02, 2008, 04:38:21 PM
well they did, and still own the club crests, if your currently with them
now thats just wrong,
the Problem with the old county crests was that nobody owned them and any kn**ker selling baseball hats outside a ground could use the county crest as would many other organizations such as the couty council ect.
one way to tell if they do much work in Strbane is the number of people employeed there un less of course thats just a front too.
Quote from: Fionntamhnach on October 03, 2008, 04:44:10 PM
Quote from: guevara on October 02, 2008, 05:52:31 PM
My point is O'Neills bring out 2 or 3 designs a year and thats it. Counties are expected just to pick the design in their colours and be happy with it. Only Dublin seem to have any effort made over them and they tend to get designs a year or two before most other counties have the option (The faded jersey a few years ago & the new one with 3 stripes down sleeve)
Also how can O'Neills use the 3 stripes like adidas is this not a trademark?
With regard to the county crests all the counties basically redesigned their crests as most of the ones being used were in fact owned by the county councils. By redesigning their own crests county boards were entitled to the rights of it.
I'm not calling for O'Neills to be removed I'm just looking for the market to be opened up to other leading brands which no doubt would give O'Neills the good boot up the arse it needs and force them to work for their custom through better designs & better offers to clubs and parents alike.
Some counties certainly go for a template design alright as do most clubs, though its not just Dublin who seem to get individual designs made for them - the last two Tyrone home jerseys appear to my eye at least to be a stand-alone design. Not the current "Red" Tyrone jersey but the one before it with white squares down the shoulder and sleeve was definitely an individual design, it was done by a student in the Loreto Convent in Omagh.
I've heard in the past that clubs and counties can ask for individual designs from O'Neill's if they want but you have to specify a minimum number of jerseys to order, it amounts to several hundred at least.
The "3 Stripes" I believe appeared on O'Neill's sports gear before Addidas introduced the design into Ireland, the Republic to be specific. A deal was made between O'Neill's and Addidas whereby Addidas could use the three stripes trademark in the Republic for non-GAA gear while in the North and elsewhere outside the Republic, O'Neill's could use the three stripes for GAA gear only.
The case of county crests is a mixture of gaining a separate one from county, district or urban councils, as was the case in the likes of Monaghan and Laois, or to develop one that could be copyrighted to forbid third-parties from profiting e.g. Tyrone and Cavan. With club crests, if they (O'Neill's) design the crest from scratch they will own copyright to it, but if they are given an image to use, even just a sketch or draft for them to "polish", they are in murky waters preventing its use on other merchandise.
The introduction of Azzurri and Gaelic Gear at the start of the century into being licensed by the GAA to design county kits did for a time force O'Neill's to be more competitive - I believe that the Derry County Board a few years ago managed to play O'Neill's off with Gaelic Gear to gain a contract with O'Neill's for a six-figure sum. However the general standard of playing gear is without much doubt keeping O'Neill's, at least in Ulster, in a near monopoly position supplying seven of the nine counties. It's up to others to make the effort.
All that said, I wonder if the GAA rules on Irish products being used in the Association (right down to paper) would stand under EU law? Maybe someone here would know better...
I've frequently wondered how comfortably the policy of promoting Lucozade while actively attacking the promotion of irish made club energise sits given that supposed ethos.
In our own personal dealings, our club and O'Neills designed a custom kit but they did request a minimum order which was no problem.
Kieran Kennedy from Strabane was easy to work with and professional at all times. They employ a large number of people at their shop and factory.
As a side note, Gaelic Gear contacted us about a new strip. I told them we were basically committed to O'Neills. They asked for an opportunity to
come up with some concepts. while their concepts were not bad, O'Neill's were nicer. Also, O'Neills employ locally in County Tyrone.
Here are the shirts that we designed in conjunction with Oneills staff......
(http://file036b.bebo.com/1/large/2007/05/08/12/1165605240a4316727601b453912634l.jpg)
(http://file033b.bebo.com/15/large/2007/05/03/18/1165605240a4274766958b209859665l.jpg)
(http://file033b.bebo.com/15/large/2007/05/03/18/1165605240a4274767729b973507265l.jpg)
(http://file036b.bebo.com/1/large/2007/05/08/12/1165605240a4316728186b947529094l.jpg)
Tir Eoghain Philadelphia
http://tyronephiladelphia.BEBO.com
Tell me that's not rocky balboa on the jersey?
It's the Rocky statue, in front of the Art Museum, along the Ben Franklin Parkway.
O'Neills will produce customised designs for a club as long as you place a minimum order of 100 shirts with them - not normally a problem if the club has several teams. Saw one of those Tyrone Philly shirts in Croke before the final this year.
Surley now is the time for clubs to take a stance with oneills and start to reneigotiate their contracts with them & start playing hardball & put them on the backfoot for a change ::)
It would be very interesting to see thier reaction. I would panic stations ;D
Just another point on this. O'neills, Gaelic Gear ,Jakko,Puma & the other compines need us players, clubs more than we need them . Credit Crunch ;D plenty off big fish out there who are willing to listen to clubs aswell as some big sport shops who could with no problems sell them on . Profit for club . I wonder how much the countys and the gaa get of lifestyle sports for selling the gear.
have to say it'd def o'neills for me, this is despite their lack of interest in us consumers
O'Neills is best hands down.. What's peoples opinions on the McKeever's balls?
My biggest problem with O'Neill's is their heavy handed branding on the jackets and leisure shirts. You are hard pressed to identify the club name or logo but the O'Neills name is plastered everywhere. Clubs should demand better identity in their designs and reject this corporate hijacking.
This company thinks they own the GAA and that's bad for our ethos.
Quote from: Rasmatazz:) on October 05, 2008, 11:50:05 PM
Surley now is the time for clubs to take a stance with oneills and start to reneigotiate their contracts with them & start playing hardball & put them on the backfoot for a change ::)
It would be very interesting to see thier reaction. I would panic stations ;D
sir do you actually work for gaelic gear?
Sorry not quite on the same discussion here lads, but does anyone know if there will be a certain cut-off point where all jerseys will have to have GAA and a number on the front. I know that our own club still does not have a number on the front or gaa.
Quote from: fitzroyalty on July 04, 2009, 12:11:55 AM
O'Neills is best hands down.. What's peoples opinions on the McKeever's balls?
Definitely wouldn't mess with Ciaran's...
Quote from: TonesAbú on July 04, 2009, 11:53:34 AM
Sorry not quite on the same discussion here lads, but does anyone know if there will be a certain cut-off point where all jerseys will have to have GAA and a number on the front. I know that our own club still does not have a number on the front or gaa.
As far as I know it hasn't been passed yet at Croke Park that club teams must have numbers on the front of there jerseys.
Quote from: OverThePostsAWide on July 04, 2009, 12:27:41 PM
Quote from: fitzroyalty on July 04, 2009, 12:11:55 AM
O'Neills is best hands down.. What's peoples opinions on the McKeever's balls?
Definitely wouldn't mess with Ciaran's...
Neither would I,
You couldn't possibly look past the O'Neills balls for durability and quality, when I was out in oz the NSW gaa board did a deal with Gaelic Gear for supplying gear such as balls and stuff (not sure of the details but $20,000 was mooted as a price on the deal at the time). This was scrapped for one reason or another but thank god because the balls were useless and after using them for a week or so it was the same as playing with a light basketball or cheap soccer ball, there is a reason why we all play with the O'Neills balls, I haven't used the McKeever balls though so I couldn't possibly comment upon it.
Quote from: lob her in lad on July 04, 2009, 01:01:40 PM
Quote from: OverThePostsAWide on July 04, 2009, 12:27:41 PM
Quote from: fitzroyalty on July 04, 2009, 12:11:55 AM
O'Neills is best hands down.. What's peoples opinions on the McKeever's balls?
Definitely wouldn't mess with Ciaran's...
Neither would I,
You couldn't possibly look past the O'Neills balls for durability and quality, when I was out in oz the NSW gaa board did a deal with Gaelic Gear for supplying gear such as balls and stuff (not sure of the details but $20,000 was mooted as a price on the deal at the time). This was scrapped for one reason or another but thank god because the balls were useless and after using them for a week or so it was the same as playing with a light basketball or cheap soccer ball, there is a reason why we all play with the O'Neills balls, I haven't used the McKeever balls though so I couldn't possibly comment upon it.
Our club got a dozen footballs from O'Neills about three years ago & they were far from good, they went out of shape after about two months which made me think that they were possibly '2nds' stock that they were trying to get rid off.
Is there much Tyrone gear up in the O'Neills shop in Andytown or is it all Antrim stuff?
Might head up and get a new Tyrone geansaí for the final.
Quote from: hardstation on July 06, 2009, 10:40:49 PM
Quote from: Archie Mitchell on July 06, 2009, 10:38:39 PM
Is there much Tyrone gear up in the O'Neills shop in Andytown or is it all Antrim stuff?
Might head up and get a new Tyrone geansaí for the final.
Plenty. They tend to have far more Tyrone gear than any other county's gear, Antrim included.
Cheers, might take a run up some time in the next 2 weeks to see what's about. Are they shifting much Antrim gear these days?
I'm suprised O'Neills dont have a shop in the city centre somewhere. I think it would be busy enough, as they do sell alot of leisure wear and it doesn't have to be just GAA gear that they could sell. Think I have only seen GAA gear in a few of the sports shops in the city centre, and this has been limited gear on display, stuck in a corner somewhere.
McKeever footballs are ok. Our seniors have a few and dont hear any complaints. A lot of the stuff about footballs is down to personal taste. It s like a golfer preferring Titleist, Calloway, Taylormade. Most of its in the head!!!!
Our club uses O'Neills. Not impressed with GG. Our under 14s just went to feile in Kildare and the club were supplying the boys with tracksuits, training tops etc. Liston, O'Neills etc all claimed to offer deals but one of the coaches got a contact for Puma in the UK and got them class gear. Even as far as the training tops being customised and having each players name on the back. Bags included as well and like for like he saved the club over 1000 euros. Think it was john henry sports or a branch of them in the uk.
Have to say O'Neills gear is getting ridiculously expensive! Whether it be for one county top from the shop or an order from O'Neills for a set of jerseys or tracksuits etc, they are extortionate prices! It is good gear and they have a lot of fine products in their range but surely they could take the prices down a wee bit to make it more affordable for clubs, especially smaller clubs!
Our boys have been using www. gaakit.com owned by one of our members Brian Kearney, they opened in Cargan Glenravel about approx 18 months ago and a couple of weeks ago opened a branch in Ballycastle, seem to be very busy. He is mainly involved with O Neills, but brings in Azzurri and Puma, CCC , Square Ball, etc . We used Puma in the All Ireland for wetgear very cheap and they crested all the gear themselves. our lads bought King Boots in team deal for about £40 each.
We get a kickback about 15% i think of him for all Gear we buy as do all clubs. The staff got new designs for us, much easier and more reliable than O'Neills to deal with. Our club now sells our gear along side other clubs in his stores and we sell loads on line to our members abroad. He buys the stock and sells it and we get % with no hassle. He's easy dealt with
Quote from: JamesH on July 08, 2009, 06:26:47 PM
Our boys have been using www. gaakit.com owned by one of our members Brian Kearney, they opened in Cargan Glenravel about approx 18 months ago and a couple of weeks ago opened a branch in Ballycastle, seem to be very busy. He is mainly involved with O Neills, but brings in Azzurri and Puma, CCC , Square Ball, etc . We used Puma in the All Ireland for wetgear very cheap and they crested all the gear themselves. our lads bought King Boots in team deal for about £40 each.
We get a kickback about 15% i think of him for all Gear we buy as do all clubs. The staff got new designs for us, much easier and more reliable than O'Neills to deal with. Our club now sells our gear along side other clubs in his stores and we sell loads on line to our members abroad. He buys the stock and sells it and we get % with no hassle. He's easy dealt with
To the original question...O'Neill's surely...it's not even a contest!!
However, ordering gear is getting to be a nightmare from O'Neill's...they have held the monopoly for too long and therein lies their trouble. Quality has suffered badly lately and their service is woeful. GAA Toolkit is an excellent alternative even though they deal a lot with O'Neills and Puma seems to be doing a fair turn within the GAA at minute...very good quality and price although their range is still a little limited. McKeevers have tried to make an impact but their prices are way too dear for what you're getting. But hopefully, this may change if they get a foothold in the market.
Definitely shop around and be prepared for a change...for too long clubs have been unsure and just stick to what they know and head back to O'Neill's...even though they are getting reemed!!
OB Sports are a quality alternative and that crowd that is in with Ulster Rugby does very good stuff!!
Quote from: lob her in lad on July 04, 2009, 01:01:40 PM
Quote from: OverThePostsAWide on July 04, 2009, 12:27:41 PM
Quote from: fitzroyalty on July 04, 2009, 12:11:55 AM
O'Neills is best hands down.. What's peoples opinions on the McKeever's balls?
Definitely wouldn't mess with Ciaran's...
You couldn't possibly look past the O'Neills balls for durability and quality, when I was out in oz the NSW gaa board did a deal with Gaelic Gear for supplying gear such as balls and stuff (not sure of the details but $20,000 was mooted as a price on the deal at the time). This was scrapped for one reason or another but thank god because the balls were useless and after using them for a week or so it was the same as playing with a light basketball or cheap soccer ball, there is a reason why we all play with the O'Neills balls...
Was it not openly admitted a few years ago that all O'Neills footballs are made cheaply in a foreign market and then shipped to Ireland where they have the logo we all know so well stamped on them? Hardly in keeping with their fior-ghael image.
On the original question I think O'Neills have the edge in terms durability of their product, but everything else they do besides just smacks of laziness. Generic designs, 'over-designing' for the sake of it, high prices and billowing, shapeless jerseys (we're not all fat bastards like!) and just generally operating in a comfort zone. They're always way behind the curve of the global brands and I don't accept that it's down to resources either, I just don't think the will is there because they're under no pressure.
It amazes me that in this day and age with the EU sniffing about and what not that the legal shakiness of GAA-enforced monopoly hasn't opened the way for sharper operators like Adidas to come into the market.
If O'Neills made a bit more effort I think a lot of people would still gladly choose them because of a loyalty and true sense of identity with the 'real' GAA.
Was it not openly admitted a few years ago that all O'Neills footballs are made cheaply in a foreign market and then shipped to Ireland where they have the logo we all know so well stamped on them? Hardly in keeping with their fior-ghael image
On this point I understand that the Gaelic Gear footballs were made in the same (foreign!) factory.
There appear to be vested interests at work in this whole area otherwise proper competition would have been actively promoted by GAA and would flourished in such a lively market long ago.
Its gotta be O Neills, although i do agree with most of you on the customer services, absolute garbage.
o'neills is far too expensive, no discounts offered worth talking about and what they do is they sell clubs the old stock and wont release the new style gear til next year even though county teams have it already. Our club has went to Puma for our new gear. Much much cheaper and embroider names, crests, sponsers etc for alot less.
Clubs should check out www.teamsportswear.co.uk
O Neills is far better than GG
However I feel the O'Neills gear is far to common among clubs and countys. O Neill's are also a disaster for making up jerseys with the wrong colour combinations and the amount of time they take to get the stuff to you.
I was getting gear (jerseys, tracksuits, bags, hoodies, etc) for the Jordanstown handball team last year and tried all the major companies, O Neills, Gaelic Gear, OB Sport, Puma, Nike and Kukri. There was one jersey from Gaelic Gear that I liked and had seen at a handball competition a few weeks earlier. I went to the Gaelic Gear factory to see about ordering a set and was greeted by some man from London who said they didn't do anything like that. I then spotted a picture of it on the wall and showed it to him. He claimed that was not one of their designs. This was despite my mate having the top with the Gaelic Gear logo on the sleeve.
O Neill's were no use because we only needed about 8 of each in different sizes and they wouldn't do orders that small.
OB Sport were great and had full designs drawn up for jerseys, bags, shorts, hoodies, trackies and hats in a few days. They offered to personalise all the jerseys with the players names and sponsers. Everything also had the Poly logo on it. The full set of gear worked out at about 150 euros including VAT, which I thought was fairly reasonable. However by the time I thought about trying OB Sport it was too late and we needed the stuff in 14 days. The best they could do was 21 days and they were willing to meet our small order. Only for this we would have been buying off them.
I tried Kukri because I have loads of their stuff as they make the Jordanstown Sports Studies gear. They have some fantastic designs. They came up with a price of about 25 euros including VAT per jersey and where willing to do small orders. However most of the team already has the a full set of Kukri gear in the Jordanstown Colours and the only difference would have been the sports crest instead of the University crest. I feel the Kukri gear is the best I have ever had and its fairly cheap with some fantastic designs.
We ended up getting a load of Puma gear from the Sports Union out of the blue so we didn't have to buy our own. The quality was great and they also have very breathable and light materials compared to O Neills.
its a bit like smith and smythe - not much difference, but the customer service and the attention to detail from O'Neills is shocking...unbelievably bad.
Crests are surely not the property of O'Neills - the Tyrone one was designed by a design company and must be the intellectual property of the Tyrone Cunty board?
and thats not a typo neither...
Quote from: NaomhBridAbú on July 22, 2009, 04:09:28 PM
and thats not a typo neither...
The maybe you'd edit it.
Quote from: Leo on July 10, 2009, 12:17:17 PM
Was it not openly admitted a few years ago that all O'Neills footballs are made cheaply in a foreign market and then shipped to Ireland where they have the logo we all know so well stamped on them? Hardly in keeping with their fior-ghael image
On this point I understand that the Gaelic Gear footballs were made in the same (foreign!) factory.
There appear to be vested interests at work in this whole area otherwise proper competition would have been actively promoted by GAA and would flourished in such a lively market long ago.
It can't be right that they are made in the same factory? Unless Gaelic gear have changed their type of balls recently I wouldn't buy one if it was a fiver. We bought them once and only once and they were shaped like eggs within two weeks and there was no fear in heading one as they were more like oval ballons than a Gaelic football.
If the same factory is making them it beggars belief that they could make such contrasting products.
Quote from: qub la la la on July 11, 2009, 10:38:37 AM
o'neills is far too expensive, no discounts offered worth talking about and what they do is they sell clubs the old stock and wont release the new style gear til next year even though county teams have it already. Our club has went to Puma for our new gear. Much much cheaper and embroider names, crests, sponsers etc for alot less.
Clubs should check out www.teamsportswear.co.uk
Is this for training gear or playing gear?
i thought that all playing kits had to be either GG, Oneills or another irish company...is this no longer the case?
It is the case though I think Azzurri are in there.
OB sports cannot seem to break in to the market as they need the "imprimatur" from Croke Park and they have been waiting for ages.
No doubt O'Neills is a quality product but customer service is a joke and their gear is mainly made in E Europe (I 've been told) and then brought here for finishing so qualifies as Irish Made
I would support any Irish made product but not in the farcical way it is handled at the minute.
I think it is only playing gear that has to come from the above ( O'N/GG/Az)
How were Kerry allowed to have an Adidas Jersey then a few years ago?? Was very traditional design but the quality of the product compared to O'Neills was unbelievable.
I think the market should be opened up. O'Neills have become pure lazy in every sense their Jersey designs are just an addition of the previous years & customer service is apalling! They dont give a shite because at endo of the day unless the market is opened for alternative brands then they can get away with it.
The product they offer isnt worth the £ & it doesnt last as long as other leading sporting products. I understand the want of the GAA to use Irish firms, Im all for that but when they abuse the position they are in as O'Neills have then changes must be implemented.
Plus at least nearly every club time in the land wouldnt be running round in practically all the same gear just in different colours !!! ;D
Quote from: Fionntamhnach on July 24, 2009, 07:01:41 PM
Quote from: guevara on July 24, 2009, 12:36:28 PM
How were Kerry allowed to have an Adidas Jersey then a few years ago?? Was very traditional design but the quality of the product compared to O'Neills was unbelievable.
I think the market should be opened up. O'Neills have become pure lazy in every sense their Jersey designs are just an addition of the previous years & customer service is apalling! They dont give a shite because at endo of the day unless the market is opened for alternative brands then they can get away with it.
The product they offer isnt worth the £ & it doesnt last as long as other leading sporting products. I understand the want of the GAA to use Irish firms, Im all for that but when they abuse the position they are in as O'Neills have then changes must be implemented.
Plus at least nearly every club time in the land wouldnt be running round in practically all the same gear just in different colours !!! ;D
I believe it was done by an Irish-based third party or subsidiary.
i think there is an addidas factory in kerry and thats how that came about.
After Down, Wexford, Galway hurlers and Fermanagh all going back to O'Neills, is there any county teams using Gaelic gear?
Quote from: Fionntamhnach on July 27, 2009, 02:21:58 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on July 27, 2009, 01:58:48 PM
After Down, Wexford, Galway hurlers and Fermanagh all going back to O'Neills, is there any county teams using Gaelic gear?
Thought Fermanagh were still with Gaelic Gear?
You might be right, but certainly the other three have reverted back to O'Neills.
Quote from: johnneycool on July 27, 2009, 01:58:48 PM
After Down, Wexford, Galway hurlers and Fermanagh all going back to O'Neills, is there any county teams using Gaelic gear?
Have to say I hated the GG Down top. Shite.
The new one I was sceptical at the start now I think its the nicest in years...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-10801786
Gaelic Gear goes bust
azzuri stuff is of a good quality, i found their training gear stands up to it as well if not better than o neills imo.