Recent posts

#1

General discussion / Re: The OFFICIAL Liverpool FC ...

Last post by jcpen - Today at 01:31:12 PM

Dare I say it but it's a bit like Dublin. Financial advantage, an obviously brilliant manager and a well run setup in terms of actually using money well as opposed to just throwing money needlessly at stuff.

Money on its own won't buy you success. It's definitely a big help mind you.

Maybe not as big an outlier as the Dubs as I think there's plenty financial clout and resources in other clubs in the PL to match City. There's a reason Leister were 5000/1 to win the PL, it's essentially a closed shop to only the few unless an unusual set of stars align.

Problem with City is that their recent history meant they were unfashionable and easy to label "new money trash". It's pure snobbery and I like how much their success winds people up. Sure it's starting to become a bit boring and it would be nice to see someone like Arsenal pip them this year b ut fair play to them and their manager for what they've achieved. They'll come back into the pack soon enough when he leaves. They haven't racked up a billion in debt, don't owe hundreds of millions in unpaid transfer fees to other clubs and are investing in the local community. If some sugar daddy is willing to waste his own money doing that, so what.

You forgot they've done all this by breaking financial rules and have 115 charges against them.. but yeah fair play to them.

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#2

Laois / Re: Structures

Last post by From the Bunker - Today at 01:26:16 PM

Can anyone work out how Dublin are as good as they are? The template is there so why aren't other leinster counties copying it and competing with them?
My thoughts on it is that it's mostly down to an almost endless supply of money and a very good County board. The obscene amount of money they were granted by the GAA was used very wisely and they are still reaping the rewards of that investment, money is rolling in from sponsorship and things are only getting better for them. So what do other counties do or is it a lost cause.
Thoughts please.....

I have entered a token amount of links below. You look at these Dublin clubs, you look at the facilities, you look at the numbers, you look at the money involved, you look at their professional coaches.

All doing great work - but, you can't help but see the advantages.

Bring that onto the next level - Intercounty, and you see how high the bar to be reached is. Home games ALL the time added to this. It's a complete farce. The gas thing is that the Gaelic fraternity are in complete denial or just don't want to deal with this.

#3

General discussion / Re: Hamas attack Israel & sub...

Last post by PadraicHenryPearse - Today at 01:24:13 PM

Germans true to form anyway. They love genocide.

#4

General discussion / Re: Premier League 2023-2024

Last post by jcpen - Today at 01:17:49 PM

Liverpool players already on the beach it seems.

#5

Down / Re: Down Club Hurling & Footba...

Last post by Mourne Red - Today at 12:30:36 PM

Bar that blip at St John's, Saul started the season very well - Few big wins

#6

Down / Re: Down Club Hurling & Footba...

Last post by Ed Hardy - Today at 12:08:22 PM

Any reports from last nights games? Ballyholland had good win away to Kilcoo...

Best of luck to Down today, here's hoping for a big upset!

#7

Laois / Re: Laois ACFL Division 2 2024

Last post by The PRO - Today at 12:00:49 PM

O'Dempseys looking like bouncing straight back up to Division 1 and Emo doing very well despite being missing Greene, Kirwan and Costello.

#8

Laois / Re: Laois ACFL Division 3 2024

Last post by The PRO - Today at 11:56:54 AM

What's gone wrong with Ballylinan?
Usually teams get a bounce from winning the intermediate but they were beaten by a junior A team last night. No disrespect to Kilcavan either but Ballylinan seem to be struggling.

#9

General discussion / Re: Have many countries have G...

Last post by RedHand88 - Today at 11:54:19 AM

A lot of people have been to Oz. On paper it's a place I'd like to have visited but the getting there is very off putting for someone who hates flying. How many 1 hr flights would it take?!

Depending on route its 25-30 hours all in to the east coast. Look, its not nice, and it takes a few days at least to adjust to the complete reversal of night and day, but you get there in the end.
Airlines are very good and look after you as much as they can with the adjustment by making it look like night time in the cabin when it should be night time etc. But it's strange seeing the sun rise then sink 3 or 4 hours later.

#10

Laois / Re: Structures

Last post by The PRO - Today at 11:52:32 AM

Can anyone work out how Dublin are as good as they are? The template is there so why aren't other leinster counties copying it and competing with them?
My thoughts on it is that it's mostly down to an almost endless supply of money and a very good County board. The obscene amount of money they were granted by the GAA was used very wisely and they are still reaping the rewards of that investment, money is rolling in from sponsorship and things are only getting better for them. So what do other counties do or is it a lost cause.
Thoughts please.....

I'll play devil's advocate!
I think Dublin have hit on an exceptional seam of footballers.
Yeah, the money and good administration helped but I would say they've had a couple of superb managers and a generational group of players.
Their minor and under 20 record isn't all that and they've never really pushed on to the next level in hurling so I think at some point, they will come back to the field.