Messages

[80k on a holiday?]

Right decision as clubs need stop appealing every single restructure as they have been the last number of years, however it's a very dangerous situation if the executive can effectively carry or defeat any vote they want. This executive seems to have become a dictatorship and serious changes need made.
Also. 80k on a holiday? That's complete and utter madness.

County senior holiday?

According to Cahair yes

So, what this squad has done for the county the last 2 years, 2 Ulster's, 2 x semi final appearances. The sacrifices made, never mind the revenue brought in, you'd begrudge them a team holiday? Complete and utter madness is right

Last time I check no1 had a gun to their head to make those 'sacrifices'. Large majority are young men with no families who are either at uni or in jobs that are very very amenable to allowing them to make 'sacrifices'. How and ever, my issue isn't with the holiday, more power to them, but spending 80k on sending a senior team on a jolly is ridiculous for a so called amateur organisation. Surely that money if it's coming from sponsors or the CB, would be better spent in games development?
Or how about instead of A county board spending 80k on a holiday for the men's team they use it to pay running costs and allow ladies, camogie, and clubs to use Owenbeg for free instead of charging them an arm and a leg to use the facilities. If the players are covering the costs themselves then work away, but if it's coming out of the coffers of sponsors then there is a whole lot better way to spend it. Yes the senior men are the marquee and face of the game to an extent, but they are not and should not be the be all and end all.

A jolly / gun to their head.. Have a word with yourself.

It's only being made a big deal of because of Cahair has the inside line. Counties who haven't had the recent success Derry have had  are doing this and we hear nothing about it. As has been said the income from the last couple of years and the run the county with the big attendances at games more than covers it. He's of no help to Derry that man and just enjoys stirring it.

It's not a big deal though, far from it

Have a word with myself??? Very constructive.

I'd love to know what sacrifices these poor martyrs are making in order to grace us with their presence in a Derry jersey. I've nothing against the players and their commitment level, and it's great to see them doing well. But to paint them as men making huge sacrifices is just plain wrong. They are young men living a dream of thousands of young men and woman around the country and have everything laid on for them from 5 star hotels at away games, to paid days off work any time they need it, they literally just have to turn up and do what they are asked. 

Fair play to them if they are getting a free holiday, but as a member of the GAA in Derry I feel that that money could and should be spent elsewhere. The senior lads are already well enough looked after in my opinion.

You really are doubling down on this. What about the homeless?

You're a member of the GAA in Derry, what membership is that?
You feel, and I'd say you're in a very small minority, that the Derry seniors, what they've achieved, the revenue they've brought in via gate receipts, club Derry ticket sales, sponsorship are not worthy of a holiday as a way of thanks? You've entitlement issues by the looks of it.

Entitlement? I'm not asking for anything. It's you saying boys are entitled to a holiday beside apparently they make massive sacrifices.
All I'm saying is they get well enough looked after for amateurs and 80k would be better spent elsewhere so that we can grow the game for everyone, which in turn might lead to Derry having some sustained success across all codes, not just for senior men for a couple of years.

This will be last post on this, as you sound like one of those glass half empty moaners I always end up sitting beside at games.
You are asking for stuff and you continue to ask. You're asking that money raised by the seniors, some of it is not to be spent on a thank you trip for them, but spent elsewhere. And, you talk about growing the game.. What is growing the game right now in this county than the success of the senior's?
The huge numbers at McKenna cup games in Jan / Feb. A packed Celtic Pk for Tyrone / Dublin. A massive travelling contingent on the away days (there was maybe 25 or 30 of us in Fraher Field 4 years ago). Wains are storming the pitches to meet their heroes at the end of the games. Derry City is awash with Derry gear. All schools have Derry days before the Ulster finals and the big Croke Pk days... Tell me what is growing our games more than that?

Not a moaner at all. I've been sitting in Celtic park with a couple hundred people in Div 4 so I am well aware we have little to moan about at present.
And yes you're right all that achievement is growing the game, but why do the players need a 'thank you' as you put it. What about the players who got us out of div 4, 3 etc... what about each and every coach and support staff, what about the people selling tickets and club Derry when we were in div 4, those in county boards when no-one else wanted to be, the other underage players who drove these players on to be better, and many many more. Do they not deserve thanks as well???
All the stuff you listed is correct, but all that positive stuff will come anyway regardless of a holiday. As they say a growing tide lifts all boats, so what I am saying is why not use all that good stuff, and harness it, and if there is 80k laying about spend it on something more long lasting. What about hiring a coach for a couple years to work developing junior clubs? Or as I say subsiding the usage of Owenbeg so ladies, camogie, clubs can spend their money in better coaches and facilities etc.. rather than having to spend it renting our county centre.
I'm not begrudging at all, or against the lads, I just think 80k for a holiday is a massive outlay for little return other than for a very select few, and could be used in a more positive way for all. 

But anyway, as you say, last message on it and agree to disagree.

[80k on a holiday?]

Right decision as clubs need stop appealing every single restructure as they have been the last number of years, however it's a very dangerous situation if the executive can effectively carry or defeat any vote they want. This executive seems to have become a dictatorship and serious changes need made.
Also. 80k on a holiday? That's complete and utter madness.

County senior holiday?

According to Cahair yes

So, what this squad has done for the county the last 2 years, 2 Ulster's, 2 x semi final appearances. The sacrifices made, never mind the revenue brought in, you'd begrudge them a team holiday? Complete and utter madness is right

Last time I check no1 had a gun to their head to make those 'sacrifices'. Large majority are young men with no families who are either at uni or in jobs that are very very amenable to allowing them to make 'sacrifices'. How and ever, my issue isn't with the holiday, more power to them, but spending 80k on sending a senior team on a jolly is ridiculous for a so called amateur organisation. Surely that money if it's coming from sponsors or the CB, would be better spent in games development?
Or how about instead of A county board spending 80k on a holiday for the men's team they use it to pay running costs and allow ladies, camogie, and clubs to use Owenbeg for free instead of charging them an arm and a leg to use the facilities. If the players are covering the costs themselves then work away, but if it's coming out of the coffers of sponsors then there is a whole lot better way to spend it. Yes the senior men are the marquee and face of the game to an extent, but they are not and should not be the be all and end all.

A jolly / gun to their head.. Have a word with yourself.

It's only being made a big deal of because of Cahair has the inside line. Counties who haven't had the recent success Derry have had  are doing this and we hear nothing about it. As has been said the income from the last couple of years and the run the county with the big attendances at games more than covers it. He's of no help to Derry that man and just enjoys stirring it.

It's not a big deal though, far from it

Have a word with myself??? Very constructive.

I'd love to know what sacrifices these poor martyrs are making in order to grace us with their presence in a Derry jersey. I've nothing against the players and their commitment level, and it's great to see them doing well. But to paint them as men making huge sacrifices is just plain wrong. They are young men living a dream of thousands of young men and woman around the country and have everything laid on for them from 5 star hotels at away games, to paid days off work any time they need it, they literally just have to turn up and do what they are asked. 

Fair play to them if they are getting a free holiday, but as a member of the GAA in Derry I feel that that money could and should be spent elsewhere. The senior lads are already well enough looked after in my opinion.

You really are doubling down on this. What about the homeless?

You're a member of the GAA in Derry, what membership is that?
You feel, and I'd say you're in a very small minority, that the Derry seniors, what they've achieved, the revenue they've brought in via gate receipts, club Derry ticket sales, sponsorship are not worthy of a holiday as a way of thanks? You've entitlement issues by the looks of it.

Entitlement? I'm not asking for anything. It's you saying boys are entitled to a holiday beside apparently they make massive sacrifices.
All I'm saying is they get well enough looked after for amateurs and 80k would be better spent elsewhere so that we can grow the game for everyone, which in turn might lead to Derry having some sustained success across all codes, not just for senior men for a couple of years.

[80k on a holiday?]

Right decision as clubs need stop appealing every single restructure as they have been the last number of years, however it's a very dangerous situation if the executive can effectively carry or defeat any vote they want. This executive seems to have become a dictatorship and serious changes need made.
Also. 80k on a holiday? That's complete and utter madness.

County senior holiday?

According to Cahair yes

So, what this squad has done for the county the last 2 years, 2 Ulster's, 2 x semi final appearances. The sacrifices made, never mind the revenue brought in, you'd begrudge them a team holiday? Complete and utter madness is right

Last time I check no1 had a gun to their head to make those 'sacrifices'. Large majority are young men with no families who are either at uni or in jobs that are very very amenable to allowing them to make 'sacrifices'. How and ever, my issue isn't with the holiday, more power to them, but spending 80k on sending a senior team on a jolly is ridiculous for a so called amateur organisation. Surely that money if it's coming from sponsors or the CB, would be better spent in games development?
Or how about instead of A county board spending 80k on a holiday for the men's team they use it to pay running costs and allow ladies, camogie, and clubs to use Owenbeg for free instead of charging them an arm and a leg to use the facilities. If the players are covering the costs themselves then work away, but if it's coming out of the coffers of sponsors then there is a whole lot better way to spend it. Yes the senior men are the marquee and face of the game to an extent, but they are not and should not be the be all and end all.

A jolly / gun to their head.. Have a word with yourself.

It's only being made a big deal of because of Cahair has the inside line. Counties who haven't had the recent success Derry have had  are doing this and we hear nothing about it. As has been said the income from the last couple of years and the run the county with the big attendances at games more than covers it. He's of no help to Derry that man and just enjoys stirring it.

It's not a big deal though, far from it

Have a word with myself??? Very constructive.

I'd love to know what sacrifices these poor martyrs are making in order to grace us with their presence in a Derry jersey. I've nothing against the players and their commitment level, and it's great to see them doing well. But to paint them as men making huge sacrifices is just plain wrong. They are young men living a dream of thousands of young men and woman around the country and have everything laid on for them from 5 star hotels at away games, to paid days off work any time they need it, they literally just have to turn up and do what they are asked. 

Fair play to them if they are getting a free holiday, but as a member of the GAA in Derry I feel that that money could and should be spent elsewhere. The senior lads are already well enough looked after in my opinion.

[80k on a holiday?]

Right decision as clubs need stop appealing every single restructure as they have been the last number of years, however it's a very dangerous situation if the executive can effectively carry or defeat any vote they want. This executive seems to have become a dictatorship and serious changes need made.
Also. 80k on a holiday? That's complete and utter madness.

County senior holiday?

According to Cahair yes

So, what this squad has done for the county the last 2 years, 2 Ulster's, 2 x semi final appearances. The sacrifices made, never mind the revenue brought in, you'd begrudge them a team holiday? Complete and utter madness is right

Last time I check no1 had a gun to their head to make those 'sacrifices'. Large majority are young men with no families who are either at uni or in jobs that are very very amenable to allowing them to make 'sacrifices'. Back in the day, when players had proper jobs and families, it was seen as a privilege to represent your county, not apparently it's a sacrifice, Jesus wept and we wonder why this generation of young people are how they are.
How and ever, my issue isn't with the holiday, more power to them, but spending 80k on sending a senior team on a jolly is ridiculous for a so called amateur organisation. Surely that money if it's coming from sponsors or the CB, would be better spent in games development?
Or how about instead of A county board spending 80k on a holiday for the men's team they use it to pay running costs and allow ladies, camogie, and clubs to use Owenbeg for free instead of charging them an arm and a leg to use the facilities. If the players are covering the costs themselves then work away, but if it's coming out of the coffers of sponsors then there is a whole lot better way to spend it. Yes the senior men are the marquee and face of the game to an extent, but they are not and should not be the be all and end all.

[80k on a holiday?]

Right decision as clubs need stop appealing every single restructure as they have been the last number of years, however it's a very dangerous situation if the executive can effectively carry or defeat any vote they want. This executive seems to have become a dictatorship and serious changes need made.
Also. 80k on a holiday? That's complete and utter madness.

County senior holiday?

According to Cahair yes

Right decision as clubs need stop appealing every single restructure as they have been the last number of years, however it's a very dangerous situation if the executive can effectively carry or defeat any vote they want. This executive seems to have become a dictatorship and serious changes need made.
Also. 80k on a holiday? That's complete and utter madness.

Celtic Park is a great venue to watch a game. Could do with some upgrades that are easily sorted, toilets, PA, clock, more shops etc and better traffic control.

Omagh could do with some upgrades. The likes of Armagh and Newry are very good grounds.

Antrim need a good ground but do they or the GAA really need Casement as proposed?

Once it is built and paid for in time for the Euros (which is hard to turn down) how is the upkeep going to be paid for and will this be to the detriment of other grounds?

Would it not be better for Antrim to have a ground like the Athletic grounds and other counties to get cash to make some upgrades?

On Celtic Park, it also needs a serious upgrade in the changing rooms and other facilities used for hosting county games, as it currently stands by county standard the changing rooms are beyond basic and they use a portacabin to serve food etc... the stands and the media facilities are the only aspects that are fit for purpose for a top level county ground.

If your only metric is the performance of one or two of the county panels while throwing copious amounts of money at it then yes the CEO has done ok. However gaa in the county is bigger than that. What's going on up there is corruption and a dictatorship. This is a man whose last two jobs before being CEO was as an IT call centre handler and then as an IT manager for a hotel. Then as Chairperson he initiated a CEO position, with a very large salary, and drew up a job and person spec to suit himself and awarded himself the job. He has no prior experience in business or as a CEO. He has since run roughshod over Derry GAA doing as he pleases. We have seen shambles after shambles with 'restructures' of the club game, jobs for the boys for his mates (Collins), a large launch of a strategic plan which has not been implemented (although we are now getting a new one next year), a complete disregard for the will of the clubs, and treating Ladies and Camogie like rubbish even tho he is very happy to include them in funding applications to receive extra grants (I know LGFA and camogie are separate from GAA but he used them in grant applications for both the new back pitches and refurb of the old building with promises that they were to be for their use, and yet they are still being charged an arm and a leg for the use and being refused use in favour of others). Look at the latest issue around underage grading. He wants it to stay at odds, the clubs voted overwhelmingly for evens and he then produces a proposal that includes no grade between 11.5 and 14. One Monday past when the clubs put forward various arguments for an u12 or u12.5 grade they this was dismissed without even a vote or real discussion. A strong arm tactic to try and get his own way. He is out of control tbh and should be removed.

I think rather than 'calling out' teams and players for not turning out for county we should be looking at the root of the issue and asking if we can solve it. Camogie and Ladies football appear to be were the men's football was a number of years ago with an almost apathy from certain quarters towards county. It's not about these clubs and players it's about asking why it's happening and finding a way to fix it if possible.

I think exposure to playing a higher level is a big part, how we do that am not sure (more teams promoted/relegated, divisional teams etc...). You just have to look at the likes of Dungiven, Kilrea and Newbridge who have all played intermediate league in last 5/6 years, Kilrea finished mid table twice, Dungiven failed to win it and Newbridge I think only won it by a couple points in about 17/18.. Newbridge are now an established senior team with important county players, Dungiven comfortable mid table and Kilrea safe for another year. Yes we have had plenty of yo yo teams as well but giving more teams exposure and a pathway to senior football is in my opinion the way forward.

Hard to tell. You can't underestimate how much Gallagher talked players through the game from the side line, he was like a puppet master. I don't think Derry would have lost from 2 points up with a few minutes to play with Gallagher on the line. However would they have been in that position with him on the line? Would he have went for Kerry the way Derry did on Sunday? I think meenagh got the balance almost perfect with retaining the defensive set up put attacking expansively when they could. At two points up if Derry take their scores and better selections or score one of those goal chances we could be talking of a 5/6 point win here today...I don't know if Gallagher would have been as positive. I also think it was very telling after the game meenagh talked about the set up and how the players had to work it out for themselves in the game at times, for me this will bring Derry on in the long run as players and as a team a lot more than Gallaghers micro management style.

I've said it on here before but the problem is much more complex than south Derry produce good footballers and north Derry don't. Southern clubs make up the majority of the senior league and also the county senior team, that is an irrefutable fact. However the reasons for this are many fold. I can assure you that those clubs in the south don't work any harder than those in the north to produce players, but they do have more success. This is not helped by the county board, you just have to look at their incompetence (some would say bias) in recent years when making sure that league restructures suited traditionally strong teams not going down. You have to look at the selection of development teams, where a decent player from Bellaghy or Ballinderry (just an example not to dig out these clubs) will be kept around the panel whereas a player of similar ability from the north won't. Invariably this leads to those young lads progressing beyond their northern contemporaries when they get to senior. It also leads to apathy. You also have to look at the focus of the county board even in the recent development plan. More coaches in two schools in the south than in the whole of the north. The only focus they have in the north is on one club in the city rather than the whole region. I could go on. There are also other reasons of course like soccer and other sport competing much more in the city and surrounding areas than in their southern counterparts.
The truth is there are better players in the south, fact. That will likely always be the case but we as a county aren't doing enough to rectify this and tap into the potential we have. But the bottom line is a gael in Ardmore is no less than a gael in Slaughtneil, we are all derry and we should be pulling together

This shite that by Derry ones that we are punching above our weight needs to stop. Club level, schools level, we should always be at the top table, that's our level. If we fall short so be it, but that that should be the minimum expectation. Mc Kinkess amazing today, 100% man of the match, serious performance. Maybe I'm on a high, but I only see that team getting stronger. Murray be starti g next year for starters. I might be being biased but Ben McCarron is far better than what he has been credited for as well. Needs to go out and show it. Some footballers in Derry coming through as well.

Agree with a lot of that. I think today will bring the team on and perhaps needed the game. I do worry about us defensively against the quality of the Kerry forwards. Derry seem to have an issue down the right hand defensive corridor were we seem to concede a lot of goal chances, which Kerry will punish, also we were very stand offish in defence today allowing cork opportunities to shoot from 30/35 metres, do that against Kerry and they will punish us, Cork just didn't have the forwards to do it.

On McCarron, imho having seen him quite a few times, I just don't think he's anywhere near county level. On Murray, I wasn't too far away from the sideline today and just after he came on he didn't track a runner (or perhaps didn't take up the correct defensive position) and meenagh was very unhappy saying 'where is Murray, he just never listens'. With the way Derry play I would say that's probably more why he isn't starting rather than his forward play, when he matures and learns his role within the system I'd say he'll be a shoe in.

Some of the messages on here this week are hard to believe. Why aren't players calling Gallagher out? Why was Tohill not given a chance? Jesus wept, if you don't know the answers to them then maybe Gaelic Football isn't the sport for you.

I don't think there is a south Derry bias, the best players just are from south Derry at senior level. But there is certainly as issue around player development. The very definition of development is making areas that aren't strong, stronger, yet Derrys whole 'development plan' is about keeping the strong areas strong (and steelstown/the city). A GPO for each of the big south Derry schools and yet only two for the whole of north Derry I believe, outside the city. Surely that should be the other way around if you want to 'develop the whole county'. Also at development squad and underage level there are certainly more opportunities given to players based on their club and their name, this keeps them around stronger players when developing and in turn makes them better, meaning when they get to senior level the majority are still from these usual clubs. Obviously  lathe clubs named like Drum, Faughanvale  etc...certainly don't produce the number of quality players that other clubs do, however it's not false to say that the players they do produce have to work a whole lot harder to get opportunities than lesser players with the right name or from a historic club.