Laois footballers the Championship 2018 What went on and the review!

[Don Draper]

Maybe so and deep down I'm guessing that's how it will pan out. But maybe this is something worth fighting for and taking it as far as it goes. There is no legal obligation on Kildare (so far) to play in Croke Park and there wasn't on us to play in Kilkenny. The GAA will be embarrassed and humbled by a no show and they have needed that jolt for a long time

And I dont disagree with that but, I make these two points and let it go then:

They've done f**k all with Newbridge over the past 20 years and thats on them.
They had a chance stand with us in 2015 and turned their backs on us, like every other county in Leinster. Our CB shouldn't be slow in reminding them of that too when and if they come looking for support.

Kildare should take their hush money, do a deal on either selling Conleths or redeveloping it, and move on.

Kildare are snookered here. If they hold firm, you can imagine the response they'll get from Tom Ryan when they go with the begging bowl for redeveloping their "stadium".
As Don says, this will be sorted as the week goes on with the promise of a nice few quid for the homeless!

A few quid may satisfy the Kildare County Board, but what about O'Neill and the players? What do they get out of it?

A trip to the Japanese Gardens?

[Don Draper]

O' Neill is 100% right. But it shouldn't have been him saying it.
In many ways, he can't back down.
The Chairman/Secretary of the CB could have taken this stance, got something behind the scenes, got the game moved to Tullamore/Portlaoise and came out and said "we have been given assurrances regarding this matter into the future".
O' Neill can't do this because it's stuff that isn't within his remit.

I really think this has been a major tactical error. They picked the right battle, one in which they are technically right and will gather maximum public support- big slip up in the approach they took.

O'Neill cancelled his press conference at 5 today. The fix is in, Kildare have dipped into the greasy till and come out smiling. O'Neill meanwhile is left seething.

[Keyser Söze]

O' Neill is 100% right. But it shouldn't have been him saying it.
In many ways, he can't back down.
The Chairman/Secretary of the CB could have taken this stance, got something behind the scenes, got the game moved to Tullamore/Portlaoise and came out and said "we have been given assurrances regarding this matter into the future".
O' Neill can't do this because it's stuff that isn't within his remit.

I really think this has been a major tactical error. They picked the right battle, one in which they are technically right and will gather maximum public support- big slip up in the approach they took.

O'Neill cancelled his press conference at 5 today. The fix is in, Kildare have dipped into the greasy till and come out smiling. O'Neill meanwhile is left seething.

He's around long enough to have known better.
Kildare could win this one. He couldn't!

[blueandwhite1]

O' Neill is 100% right. But it shouldn't have been him saying it.
In many ways, he can't back down.
The Chairman/Secretary of the CB could have taken this stance, got something behind the scenes, got the game moved to Tullamore/Portlaoise and came out and said "we have been given assurrances regarding this matter into the future".
O' Neill can't do this because it's stuff that isn't within his remit.

I really think this has been a major tactical error. They picked the right battle, one in which they are technically right and will gather maximum public support- big slip up in the approach they took.

Just goes to show that it isn't just our county board that are a cowardly shower of Croke park pleasing bureaucrats. "We'll be right behind you all the way Cian. Go on telly and tell them what you think....."

[Don Draper]

O' Neill is 100% right. But it shouldn't have been him saying it.
In many ways, he can't back down.
The Chairman/Secretary of the CB could have taken this stance, got something behind the scenes, got the game moved to Tullamore/Portlaoise and came out and said "we have been given assurrances regarding this matter into the future".
O' Neill can't do this because it's stuff that isn't within his remit.

I really think this has been a major tactical error. They picked the right battle, one in which they are technically right and will gather maximum public support- big slip up in the approach they took.

Just goes to show that it isn't just our county board that are a cowardly shower of Croke park pleasing bureaucrats. "We'll be right behind you all the way Cian. Go on telly and tell them what you think....."

Cian needs no encouragement to go on telly

[BallyroanAbu]

Yep Kildare showing leadership

They owe Croke Park a fortune

Most of their supporters won't be able to attend the game due to Conleths being tiny.

Jesus the County Board in Laois as far as I can see are doing their best under tough conditions, no real sponsorship and we are not over run with volunteers in clubs.  They ain't perfect but they are a hell of a lot better than some.  I would argue we need more long term planning in youth development and the clubs need to face some realities.  I am not saying they are perfect but as things go they ain't too bad. 

Kildare may win this battle but they will pay for it long term.

[Chrimtain]

I see that it has been tweeted that the Kildare County Board, or any any other CB in Leinster, did not stand with Laois when they looked to have their match with Dublin in 2012 played in Portlaoise rather than in Kilkenny.

[recyclebin]

Some people are awful bitter on here. From close to the border myself , I never like to see Kildare doin well but this time they are in the right and the GAA should follow it's own rules. They need to take a stand here or only the chosen few will actually get home games come the Super 8's.

[OTF]

Some people are awful bitter on here. From close to the border myself , I never like to see Kildare doin well but this time they are in the right and the GAA should follow it's own rules. They need to take a stand here or only the chosen few will actually get home games come the Super 8's.

Yes using the GAA's criteria all Dublin's super 8 games will have to be played in CP, which is what the want of course.

[BallyroanAbu]

No everyone else is fine bar a dump in Newbridge because no matter what Kildare say Conleths is not up to scratch.

[High Fielder]

Manchester United played in Yeovil. Similar sized stadium. I'm sure Mayo can play in Newbridge. I hope one day we have the balls to ask for a Leinster final to be played in Portlaoise. Its all a bit of a racket and I fully support Kildare in their stance. Of course they'll pay for it in the long run, but that's a racket too. This background stuff with a few CB members and hacks deciding everything has no place in an amateur sport and basically walks over the players and supporters. If they want to apply professional standards to their thinking, then they maybe need to start going professional full stop.

[Don Draper]

Its Wednesday- If it moves to Conleths it will have to be all ticket - The game is fixed for Saturday - This is the GAA - Its too late to move it - The game will go ahead in Croke Park - Kildare will wind their noses in and drink their yummy nourishing soup.

The real opportunity from this is to object to Dublins two home games in the Super 8's. This needs to be done now while there is still time.

[BallyroanAbu]

O Moore Park, Nowlan Park & O Conor Park are a different level to Conleths.  In fairness it would be right for an Leinster Final to go outside Dublin even for novelty but even a moderate crowd like last Sunday's would be difficult to accomadate anywhere else bar Croke Park. 

Exactly where else can accommodate Dublin bar Croke Park, so say you make Dublin go to Parnell Park circa 10,000.  It is still dominated by Dubs and you lose 1 1/2 to 2 million in revenue that makes no sense.  The only place that could take the Dubs in workable numbers is Cork.

Yep soccer is dominated by TV revenue so it's not such a big deal, also Yeovil's stadium is of a decent standard.  GAA revenue is built on attendances, not that this should be the reason that Kildare get denied a home game but I would see no problem if Kildare played in Tullamore or Portlaoise.  The fact is their Stadium is not near capable of holding 10,000 it will be more like 7,000 and I doubt their facilities toilets etc will cope.  I think we should let them all go to Newbridge they won't be in a hurry to do it again after sitting in traffic for 2 hours to get into the place.

[High Fielder]

Why are you worried about accommodating the Dubs? How many die hards do the Dubs have? 10,000 max maybe? If the players want to play on their home pitch, they should be let. It's still an amateur sport and I could give you a million examples where massive English clubs got tiny ticket allocations. That's just the way it goes sometimes

Liverpool played AFC Wimbledon. Look at the size of that ground. Come on Ballyroan. Think outside of your CB box here

[BallyroanAbu]

Laois have about 1200 die hard supporters would you like to see the 10,000 extra that showed up in Dublin last Sunday turned away because only those "lunatics" who go to everything are the only ones to be let in.  If you want to promote the game it should be to as wide an audience as possible, if Dublin can bring 60,000 to 80,000 to Croke Park then that is a good thing.  Kids love it, to go see Man UTD with children is next to impossibe cost wise.  The GAA is many things but I don't see a whole lot unfair about them.  They make some decisions we do not like but the majority are pretty decent looking in.

Its all well and good for Kildare to throw their toys out of the pram now but not so long ago they were cap in hand to Croke Park.  Don't bite off the hand that feeds you.  I would think Kildare should be arguing for more funding for GAA within the county not starting a populist argument for a ground that they failed to develop as they wasted money elsewhere.   I'd say they will be waiting a while for any more money from Croke Park after this, I wonder how long Cian will hang around if the money dries up?