Are Dublin the best team ever ?

[Dont Matter]

I haven't avoided the issue. You're the one who continually refused to answer anything put in front if you .

Dublin went with a plan to the Gaa and got the funding for it. Nobody denies that.

The 2011 success had nothing to do with funding as the majority of the players on it came from a different era.

For all the talk of expert sports science as we saw at the weekend we only got Fergus Connolly because Monaghan didn't return his phone call.


Again why should Kilkenny be allowed to fully resource their hurling teams with all available funding joke ignoring football as it's a key factor on why they've ruled the roost at hurling for the last 50 years.

We don't waste our money on waste of time outside managers when the reality is every county has management of requisite standard within their own county boundaries.

I answer everything.

The plan wasn't just a Dubl$n one, as you can see in my signature this is what Peter Quinn said at the time "Dublin is not a national problem, it's a national opportunity." The top dogs in HQ saw an opportunity in Dubl$n to make money for the association.
How can they make money for the association? They can bring big crowds in, fill Croke Park, tv viewers, advertising etc. How can we guarantee that? Make them competitive, get more kids playing, improve their hurling. What's the next step? Invest, pour money in, we'll get a return.

That's what they did and do you know what? It worked, Dubl$n does make a lot of money for the association. They regularly fill Croke Park, start of the National league extravaganza always includes Dubl$n, the profile of the GAA is higher with a successful Dubl$n, Dubl$n hurlers used to have a couple of hundred people following them a decade ago, now how many?

All this has come at a cost though. Dubl$n are now competing at a completely different level to everyone else. The money still gets pumped in and why? It's because people still have to get paid, the system doesn't run itself. The strategic planners, the different development officers, the coaches etc etc all have to be paid. This is a professional system operating in an amateur sport, that's the bottom line.
When you add on the resources available to invest in all the numerous development squads at all age levels, the facilities available to them and then the other couple of million to prepare their senior teams yearly then you can see how unfair it is compared to other counties. It's a different planet their living on finance wise.

The 2011 side was backboned by players who came through the system. The older players were there before and destroyed on the big stage, they couldn't have done it without the youngsters. Dubl$n have also won a Leinster hurling championship and a National hurling league that they never would have won without the money. Also there's about 20 underage titles that Dubl$n wouldn't have won.
You look at all sports anywhere and there's only one thing that can guarantee success. That thing is money. You see it in soccer, you see it in rugby, you see it in basketball, Britain invested loads in their track cycling coming up to the Olympics and what happened?

The reason this is all tolerated and not questioned by the media etc is because they're making money also. HQ are happy with a successful Dubl$n, the media is happy with a successful Dubl$n, sponsors are happy with a successful Dubl$n, the Dubs are happy with a successful Dubl$n but is this what the GAA is meant to be about?
Was the GAA set up to make profits for big business corporations? What are all the other counties supposed to do while this is all going on? We can get to Kilkenny playing football, sorting out fairer championship structures and so on later but first we must tackle the biggest problem facing the association right now. That problem is Dubl$n and their huge financial advantage, it will destroy the inter county championships if left go untouched.

[Bensars]

Nothing whatsoever to do with size. If all counties had same number of players and clubs you would still have the division between the best, moderate and poorest.

Indiana is 100% right also on the Croke Park was never an advantage for the Dubs a few years ago when Tyrone ( and others) could turn them over in their back yard. The Dubs temperament was questioned continually at the time in throwing away first half leads.

They are a good side at the minute, but don't have any real rivalries in regards of contenders, as may have been the case a few years ago whereby 3-4 teams could possible win the AI. That's not their fault, they can only best what's in front of them.

They won't go on forever, they are beatable, the underage development is bearing fruit but it too at some stage will plateau, other teams will adopt new techniques and catch up, and the world will keep spinning.

Some of the scaremongering on here, you would nearly think world domination was round the corner!

[Dont Matter]

Because you can't do it. What do you propose, that Dublin never develop GAA black spots, that they don't coach players to kick off both feet so they don't get too good? We have to try and develop all counties but certain counties will always be stronger due to their size. Dublin are doing everything right so I can't understand why people seem to want to punish them.

What you continue to ignore is money, I don't know why but you always avoid it. Dubl$n pay people big money to do everything right, they have almost unlimited resources to do so. No other county comes within 100 miles of the finance available to Dubl$n. That's why your calls for other counties to try and catch them is nonsense, the money isn't there for them to do that. It's as simple as that.

[T Fearon]

Agreed.All 31 other counties should ring Croke Park and demand to be given the (insert your own expletive) moolah?

[macdanger2]

Indiana is 100% right also on the Croke Park was never an advantage for the Dubs a few years ago when Tyrone ( and others) could turn them over in their back yard. The Dubs temperament was questioned continually at the time in throwing away first half leads

A few years ago when they played their league games in Parnell park?? Kinda proves the point that playing there so often is an advantage.

Of course the AI semi finals and final should be played there but giving the younger Dublin players who play during the league Croke Park experience in Feb / Mar has to be an advantage. It's not why they're so successful at the moment but perhaps it's one of the inches that Al pacino talked about....

[heffo]

Indiana is 100% right also on the Croke Park was never an advantage for the Dubs a few years ago when Tyrone ( and others) could turn them over in their back yard. The Dubs temperament was questioned continually at the time in throwing away first half leads

perhaps it's one of the inches that Al pacino talked about....

Is he one of the Glenswilly Pacinos?

[The Aristocrat]

Because you can't do it. What do you propose, that Dublin never develop GAA black spots, that they don't coach players to kick off both feet so they don't get too good? We have to try and develop all counties but certain counties will always be stronger due to their size. Dublin are doing everything right so I can't understand why people seem to want to punish them.

What you continue to ignore is money, I don't know why but you always avoid it. Dubl$n pay people big money to do everything right, they have almost unlimited resources to do so. No other county comes within 100 miles of the finance available to Dubl$n. That's why your calls for other counties to try and catch them is nonsense, the money isn't there for them to do that. It's as simple as that.

That's their problem and yours. Why should Dublin fans give apologies for success and structures. Never a problem when we were losing. You are only here the last couple of years spouting. What are you going to do about it?

And before you say , your ignoring the money issue, the money issue, the money issue, yes i admit it takes money to build an under-age structure such as ours as we have more schools and clubs and coaching requirements, It was a Dublin County board initiative, they should be applauded for the plan. Its a great time to be a Dublin fan, long may it continue, we will make no apologies for it, we will make no apologies for good sponsorship money, biggest show in town and sell a lot of jerseys etc. Enjoy writing your empty posts on here, you need to be writing to the GAA mostly run by non Dubs who take votes on such funding matters.

You are also degrading thousands of volunteers in Dublin, a lot from the country, that put in the hours at all aspects at club level in all codes. Speaks volumes about you.

Another thing, Playing all Dublin's matches at home is an advantage, every single human being and dog knows that, again , not the Dublin GAA fans fault, we crave away trips, The Dubs play were they are told to play. Again, submit in writing to the GAA your grievances about this, the arguments being done to death, the structure of the championship will change and when it does, there will be more home and away games.

In summary, all posters here grievances (Jealousy and general hatred of everything Dublin) regarding Dublin success, funding, home games should be in writing to the GAA headquarters, the address is online, please paste a copy of your letters and reply's here, il even write one to them about away games for the dubs.

[Bensars]

Indiana is 100% right also on the Croke Park was never an advantage for the Dubs a few years ago when Tyrone ( and others) could turn them over in their back yard. The Dubs temperament was questioned continually at the time in throwing away first half leads

A few years ago when they played their league games in Parnell park?? Kinda proves the point that playing there so often is an advantage.

Of course the AI semi finals and final should be played there but giving the younger Dublin players who play during the league Croke Park experience in Feb / Mar has to be an advantage. It's not why they're so successful at the moment but perhaps it's one of the inches that Al pacino talked about....

Only A handful of All Ireland's in the last 30 years alone would argue against your point.

In fact it could be argued the it was a negative, in that younger players hadn't room to develop their full potential due the degree of pressure, media spotlight etc.

Cosgroves missed free kick last kick of the game in front of the Hill, ( 2002 against Armagh- I think) springs to mind.

[Syferus]

Indiana is 100% right also on the Croke Park was never an advantage for the Dubs a few years ago when Tyrone ( and others) could turn them over in their back yard. The Dubs temperament was questioned continually at the time in throwing away first half leads

A few years ago when they played their league games in Parnell park?? Kinda proves the point that playing there so often is an advantage.

Of course the AI semi finals and final should be played there but giving the younger Dublin players who play during the league Croke Park experience in Feb / Mar has to be an advantage. It's not why they're so successful at the moment but perhaps it's one of the inches that Al pacino talked about....

Only A handful of All Ireland's in the last 30 years alone would argue against your point.

In fact it could be argued the it was a negative, in that younger players hadn't room to develop their full potential due the degree of pressure, media spotlight etc.

Cosgroves missed free kick last kick of the game in front of the Hill, ( 2002 against Armagh- I think) springs to mind.

Home field advantage has a proven correlation with refereeing decisions and win-rates favouring the home team as compared to games at neutral or away venues. The impact of home field increases the higher the attendance. It's true in all team sports, gaelic football is no exception and to try not to even acknowledge Croke Park for what it is to Dublin and instead make out it's been a hindrance at times is grating on me, I've heard that old donkey thrown out to many times in these sorts of debates. It's deflection and deflection not based on facts at that.

We can argue money and numbers all we want but Croke Park is exactly what it appears to be to everyone not wearing Sky Blue glasses - Dublin's home ground.

[Zulu]

Ah stop will ya? Comparing Dublin to Man U, the Lakers, The Steelers etc. is patent nonsense. The Dubs play in Croke Park for 3 or 4 league games, 3 or 4 Leinster championship games and 3 or 4 All Ireland series games (if they make the final). In a year where Dublin win the league, Leinster and all Ireland they might play 12 times there and they won't see the inside of the place from 5 months. Most home teams play in front of predominantly home crowds, the Dubs mainly play double headers so if a good portion of the fans from the first game stay they are probably outnumbered in terms of support. Either way it's nothing like a home Man U or Steelers game.

[Zulu]

Because you can't do it. What do you propose, that Dublin never develop GAA black spots, that they don't coach players to kick off both feet so they don't get too good? We have to try and develop all counties but certain counties will always be stronger due to their size. Dublin are doing everything right so I can't understand why people seem to want to punish them.

What you continue to ignore is money, I don't know why but you always avoid it. Dubl$n pay people big money to do everything right, they have almost unlimited resources to do so. No other county comes within 100 miles of the finance available to Dubl$n. That's why your calls for other counties to try and catch them is nonsense, the money isn't there for them to do that. It's as simple as that.

It isn't as simple as that. Dublin, due to its size, needs more money than Laois to just do the same things. There is no reason why many counties can't replicate a lot of what Dublin do at lower levels at least and that will go a long way towards producing better players at senior level.

[Syferus]

Ah stop will ya? Comparing Dublin to Man U, the Lakers, The Steelers etc. is patent nonsense. The Dubs play in Croke Park for 3 or 4 league games, 3 or 4 Leinster championship games and 3 or 4 All Ireland series games (if they make the final). In a year where Dublin win the league, Leinster and all Ireland they might play 12 times there and they won't see the inside of the place from 5 months. Most home teams play in front of predominantly home crowds, the Dubs mainly play double headers so if a good portion of the fans from the first game stay they are probably outnumbered in terms of support. Either way it's nothing like a home Man U or Steelers game.

And how many games do other counties play at their home grounds? It's less.

The number of games a season is defined by the schedule, it has no impact on the value of home advantage.

[Johnnybegood]

None of the teams Dublin have played so far this championship would beat them on any pitch in the country

Mayo outnumbered Dublin in last years all Ireland final

Johnny Doyle played 50 championship matches in Croke park

Wexford were drawn at home to play Dublin a couple of years ago and opted themselves to switch the tie to croke park

One of the worst Dublin teams of recent memory had Kerry beaten in an all Ireland quarter final in thurles a few years ago

The present Dublin team would win the all Ireland on any pitch in the country

The free ratio in Croke park for last years final was 3:1 in favour of Mayo

Games developement money is proportional to the amount of kids the clubs facilitate

Mayo took up their allocation for the hill last year and come in you boys in blue was louder in the stands ( support can't be silenced)

Tyrone and Kerry regularly silenced the hill and put pressure on the Dublin team, at the time the big Dublin support became a disadvantage

Dublin are not the only county with development squads

Most of dublins bright young stars come from family's steeped in GAA

None of the remaining counties would want to play their remaining games anywhere else other than Croke park, I suspect their supporters would hold the same view

Early Leinster rounds involving Dublin should be played in portlaois
The result won't matter, Dublin would win anyway
However I'm pretty sure every Laois supporter preferred beating Dublin in Croker in 03 rather than portlaois

Nearly half way through the decade and Dublin minor footballers have won 1 all Ireland

Dublin in recent decades didn't do well in football at u21 level
They didn't enter the competition

Dublin play a fantastic exciting simple brand of football that any team could copy and improve

The current Dublin squad put in huge effort and make massive personal sacrifices to better themselves on and off the pitch, they are true role models to the youth of the country

Win loose or draw the dubs are magic!

[Dinny Breen]

Sunday Business Post Football is moving towards a stale monopoly, yet this is largely being ignored 26 July 2014

Everyone has their own memory of what it once was. But here, it's from 16 years ago, when Kildare finally walked over the line after a lifetime of crawling aimlessly in Leinster. At the final whistle, the man sitting behind the father lifted him out of his chair by the back of the jersey with such force that the fabric couldn't handle it. Meanwhile nearby, another pulled a shovel out from beneath him, charged the field and dug up part of the goalmouth into a plastic bag to bring home as a memento. Each county will tell their own tales, but for future generations the very real fear is that they'll just hear recollections of such outings but never experience them. We're not saying every Leinster final was as significant or moving as the above, but what we are saying is that there are no moving ones any more, such is the predictability, and that in itself is hugely significant. Last Sunday, where once there were pummelling heartbeats and often heartbreak when facing Dublin, there was just the capital having a kickabout. For their first goal against Meath, there weren't the wild celebrations that used to come with a derby final; instead there was a gentle applause at the presumed. Now it's a day out for Dublin, not even a day to remember. And for the rest, it's becoming a day to avoid: why pay to watch your own humiliated? This is just the beginning, though, because if Leinster has slowly been made redundant, the erosion is continuing nationwide. Let's be clear, Dublin haven't done anything wrong, indeed the problem is they've done nearly everything too well. But how they've done it means they are now Manchester City in the second tier, Wladimir Klitschko at middleweight, dual-Derby winner Australia in a grade three race. All in all, football is moving towards a stale monopoly and it's being largely ignored. Of course there are the figures in the east: four in a row and nine out of ten at senior level. But it's far from a once-in-a-generation coming together of great Dublin players. Already it's a ruthless conveyor belt, as anyone who knows their football in the capital will tell you there's better to come as their underage successes and talent show. But mere trophies can do an injustice to the situation, just as a certain rout can be the mistimed start of an argument about unfairness. This is bigger than any one victory or any sole piece of silverware, and needs to be recognised as such. A look at Dublin's corporate dealings gives you an insight into the juggernaut they are. In an environment where even larger counties struggle to get a main sponsor at times, the capital, outside of their remarkable five-year, €4 million deal with AIG, have nine other official partners and counting. These range from Toyota providing kit vans and cars, to water suppliers, a health food provider, performance gear provider, a hotel partner, a menswear partner, a nutrition sponsor, and all the while they've Aer Lingus as official airline. Obviously that alone doesn't bring success but it does provide one of the three pillars that makes them too strong. Outside of so much finance, they've the population too. Dublin not only has twice the number of people of Connacht and a greater population than Munster, it also has a greater population than the rest of Leinster and the Gaelic games playing community in the north. In short, Dublin as a province would be the biggest in the country as Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown matches Kildare for numbers while Fingal and South Dublin have populations that only Antrim and Cork are greater than. In this area, there's a notion they've other sports to contend with but, relatively, name a GAA club in any town that doesn't. Besides, where once money was pumped into Dublin due to a fear of Leinster rugby taking over swathes of the city, now the fear should be that rugby will take over large swathes of the rest of the province as others turn their backs on a game they can't compete in, never mind win at. What completes the triangle for Dublin is testament to their organisation, as they've the structures in place too. They've put their money and size to good use as well as their ex-players as they've a network of facilities and coaches unmatched elsewhere. It's little wonder that back in 2011 their 'Blue Wave' document spoke of dominating the game at all levels, and they are well on the way. Other counties can indeed learn from the best, but they can never be the best because to mimic Dublin means they can only ever follow at a much slower pace, having started way behind. Be sure to remember this isn't Kerry or Kilkenny in terms of glory as that's an argument as easy as it is flawed. Others can do what they've done and achieve just as much, but others can never do what Dublin have done. In the past they were flawed behind the scenes, and in the past the sport was different, but as the game becomes more about science than sweat and moves to a higher plane of professionalism, it'll expose the system more and pronounce Dublin's advantages more. It's a self-fulfilling prophecy too as the more they win, the more of its vast, young population will become interested in the sport, the more sponsors will want to be associated with a brand nearly as big as the GAA itself and the more they win again. Their dominance will become exponential. The GAA of course has an obligation to get more and more people to play the game and that includes in Dublin. But there's a conflict of interest there because they've also to rule over their premier competition without bias. They've done the former too well to the point that they're decimated the latter. Give Dublin their due, but all their rights have made this feel very wrong.

[Johnnybegood]

Not a mention of playing numbers at adult level
A very one sided unbalanced article IMO