I see Connacht have pulled out. What next for this once glamorous comp?
Ban Connacht teams from all AI competitions until they line out in the Railway Cup.
Ulster crowd love bans!!
Apart from the lads who get a free dinner no one in Connacht will be too bothered.
Is Connaught not part of Dublin now anyway?
"Connaught" might be alright.
Sure they hardly ever win it anyway
Quote from: lurganblue on November 21, 2017, 12:21:53 PM
Sure they hardly ever win it anyway
Mayo never win the AI .... doesn't mean they will pull out of it (no matter how advisable that may be😂)
Ending a farce. Aussie Rules took the prestige the Railway Cup once had.
150 souls in Carrick for the final. It's done.
Death of the Interpros?
With Connacht confirming that they no longer intend to take part, the Interprovincial Series could be dead in the water.
This year's competition was scrapped in August after Connacht revealed that they would not be putting forward a team and - speaking to RTE this morning - their provincial council secretary John Prenty may have sounded the death knell for the competition formerly known as the Railway Cup:
"We feel it has run its course and we decided at the beginning of the year that we wouldn't compete this year. I don't think we'll take part again but what the other three provinces will do again I don't know."
The Railway Cup used to attract huge crowds in its prime and it was viewed as the ultimate honour for a player to represent his province. But it has struggled to find a place in the GAA calendar since the club finals took its traditional St Patricks Day slot.
Things got even worse when it was switched from February to December, with only 150 people attending last year's football final in Carrick-on-Shannon, where Pete McGrath's Ulster took the silverware.
http://www.hoganstand.com/Article/Index/278383
Do no harm to get rid of it for a bit, clear up the fixture list or at least not add to it / put players under pressure to nearly have a 12 month season.
Maybe in the years to come the GAA Calender can be sorted once and for all and perhaps will coincidence with an appetite for it's return.
Quote from: GetOverTheBar on November 21, 2017, 01:16:51 PM
Do no harm to get rid of it for a bit, clear up the fixture list or at least not add to it / put players under pressure to nearly have a 12 month season.
Maybe in the years to come the GAA Calender can be sorted once and for all and perhaps will coincidence with an appetite for it's return.
Nah.
Quote from: Syferus on November 21, 2017, 12:59:36 PM
Ending a farce. Aussie Rules took the prestige the Railway Cup once had.
150 souls in Carrick for the final. It's done.
5,000 were in Armagh 2 or 3 years ago though.
Has it run its course because the "big 3" find it a inconvenience to take part? last year you had D Daly J Small (Dublin)
D Clarke,J Doherty,C O'Shea (Mayo) and A O'Mahony,T Walsh (Kerry) from those 3 counties and Walsh,Daly,C O Shea are hardly the cream of the crop from those counties. If it went ahead this December probably even less from Kerry,Dublin and Mayo would play.
Quote from: Captain Obvious on November 21, 2017, 02:27:20 PM
Has it run its course because the "big 3" find it a inconvenience to take part? last year you had D Daly J Small (Dublin)
D Clarke,J Doherty,C O'Shea (Mayo) and A O'Mahony,T Walsh (Kerry) from those 3 counties and Walsh,Daly,C O Shea are hardly the cream of the crop from those counties. If it went ahead this December probably even less from Kerry,Dublin and Mayo would play.
It ran its course because no one turns up to the games - player interest was always relatively strong. Can't believe anyone is pushing anything but the obvious on the this topic after all these years of evidence.
Quote from: BennyCake on November 21, 2017, 02:09:04 PM
Quote from: Syferus on November 21, 2017, 12:59:36 PM
Ending a farce. Aussie Rules took the prestige the Railway Cup once had.
150 souls in Carrick for the final. It's done.
5,000 were in Armagh 2 or 3 years ago though.
ThO'Sé unsophisticated people would watch anything......
Quote from: Rossfan on November 21, 2017, 03:56:08 PM
Quote from: BennyCake on November 21, 2017, 02:09:04 PM
Quote from: Syferus on November 21, 2017, 12:59:36 PM
Ending a farce. Aussie Rules took the prestige the Railway Cup once had.
150 souls in Carrick for the final. It's done.
5,000 were in Armagh 2 or 3 years ago though.
ThO'Sé unsophisticated people would watch anything......
There were some from Munster who made the trip too. And I seen people from most Ulster counties at the final, not just from my own.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on November 21, 2017, 12:38:21 PM
Quote from: lurganblue on November 21, 2017, 12:21:53 PM
Sure they hardly ever win it anyway
Mayo never win the AI .... doesn't mean they will pull out of it (no matter how advisable that may be😂)
Mayo not running in a 4 horse race ever year though
Quote from: lurganblue on November 21, 2017, 05:24:51 PM
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on November 21, 2017, 12:38:21 PM
Quote from: lurganblue on November 21, 2017, 12:21:53 PM
Sure they hardly ever win it anyway
Mayo never win the AI .... doesn't mean they will pull out of it (no matter how advisable that may be😂)
Mayo not running in a 4 horse race ever year though
Yeah, it's only a two horse race.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on November 21, 2017, 12:38:21 PM
Quote from: lurganblue on November 21, 2017, 12:21:53 PM
Sure they hardly ever win it anyway
Mayo never win the AI .... doesn't mean they will pull out of it (no matter how advisable that may be😂)
I have only two words for you my friend. The second one is 'off.'
A modest proposal:
- Find a fixed slot in the calendar and leave it there so people can get into the habit of watching it.
- Play the semis as as double-headers with the LGFA/Camogie teams playing as the first match, football or hurling teams as the second match. Have the draw for the men's and women's games done jointly so that the same provinces are matched up in both codes.
- Play the finals, again as double-headers, outside of Ireland in a place where the local GAA would appreciate it. If you played it in Boston or San Francisco you'd get a lot more than 150 people at it, and the game would be played with a bit of competitive bite and many of the spectators would actually have teams to support, which is more than can be said of the All-Star game. The prospect of an all-expenses-paid foreign trip would be a good motivator for players in the semis.
Fixed slot in calendar......where?
Quote from: Rossfan on November 21, 2017, 06:37:19 PM
Fixed slot in calendar......where?
If you really wanted to do it, it should be the weekend before the AI football final and then having the final on the Saturday before the AI final. But this ship has sailed. The days of legendary Railway Cup teams are long over.
Quote from: Eamonnca1 on November 21, 2017, 06:33:31 PM
A modest proposal:
- Find a fixed slot in the calendar and leave it there so people can get into the habit of watching it.
- Play the semis as as double-headers with the LGFA/Camogie teams playing as the first match, football or hurling teams as the second match. Have the draw for the men's and women's games done jointly so that the same provinces are matched up in both codes.
- Play the finals, again as double-headers, outside of Ireland in a place where the local GAA would appreciate it. If you played it in Boston or San Francisco you'd get a lot more than 150 people at it, and the game would be played with a bit of competitive bite and many of the spectators would actually have teams to support, which is more than can be said of the All-Star game. The prospect of an all-expenses-paid foreign trip would be a good motivator for players in the semis.
Pick 24 All stars from each province based on league and championship. Each provincial side has this as their squad for the railway cup. Fly all players to San francisco for the semi finals and finals. All could be played in one weekend in December or January. Semi finals on Friday evening, final on sunday. Pick your overall All star team after the railway cup final having had the opportunity to watch all players playing. This would give players from the weaker counties like gary brennan as an example a realistic chance of winning a deserved all star.
Have it in Ireland.
Provincial all-stars like someone above mentioned.
Basic advertising on TV/Radio/Online.
Don't know about a date, but have it fixed anyway.
30th February.
12th of never.
Competition had died already. More decisive leadership from the Connacht Sec. to ensure it was buried properly.
Very co-ordinated assassination of the Railway Cup. For many players they still see it as a huge honour to be selected for their province . Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
I used to get my back up when non-GAA folk referred to the GAA as teh Grab All Association but when there's no financial bonus involved then get rid of. Same with Masters football...the mental health & physical benefits for 40 year+ players & the benefits going forward of kids seeing their fathers wearing county jersey are ignored on a cost basis. Sad.
Quote from: Buckass on December 01, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
Very co-ordinated assassination of the Railway Cup. For many players they still see it as a huge honour to be selected for their province . Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
I used to get my back up when non-GAA folk referred to the GAA as teh Grab All Association but when there's no financial bonus involved then get rid of. Same with Masters football...the mental health & physical benefits for 40 year+ players & the benefits going forward of kids seeing their fathers wearing county jersey are ignored on a cost basis. Sad.
IIRC when the Railway cups were in their pomp the finals were played on St Patricks day in Croke Park.
If the club calendar is shortened to the calendar year as is muted then surely this date becomes free again.
Quote from: Buckass on December 01, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
Very co-ordinated assassination of the Railway Cup. For many players they still see it as a huge honour to be selected for their province . Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
I used to get my back up when non-GAA folk referred to the GAA as teh Grab All Association but when there's no financial bonus involved then get rid of. Same with Masters football...the mental health & physical benefits for 40 year+ players & the benefits going forward of kids seeing their fathers wearing county jersey are ignored on a cost basis. Sad.
the worst about the masters ban is a lot of the players are the current general of coaches and parents . not the kind of people you want to be alienating
Quote from: rosnarun on December 01, 2017, 04:00:15 PM
Quote from: Buckass on December 01, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
Very co-ordinated assassination of the Railway Cup. For many players they still see it as a huge honour to be selected for their province . Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
I used to get my back up when non-GAA folk referred to the GAA as teh Grab All Association but when there's no financial bonus involved then get rid of. Same with Masters football...the mental health & physical benefits for 40 year+ players & the benefits going forward of kids seeing their fathers wearing county jersey are ignored on a cost basis. Sad.
the worst about the masters ban is a lot of the players are the current general of coaches and parents . not the kind of people you want to be alienating
Is it not an insurance thing?
I'm sure if it was set up where everyone involved has their own personal insurance then the GAA might entertain it.
Not an insurance thing...all paid up club members but they got own public liability insurance same as community games or any of concerts that use pitches. They're officially confined to community pitches tho many clubs & even county boards let them in despite getting direct communication from croker. Talking to a guy who said he couldn't play for masters on his club pitch he was central in fundraising for & coaches u-10s & 12s on yet free to go competing with 18 yr old in junior b game on any gaa pitch in county! Bonkers
Quote from: johnneycool on December 01, 2017, 03:53:28 PM
Quote from: Buckass on December 01, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
Very co-ordinated assassination of the Railway Cup. For many players they still see it as a huge honour to be selected for their province . Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
I used to get my back up when non-GAA folk referred to the GAA as teh Grab All Association but when there's no financial bonus involved then get rid of. Same with Masters football...the mental health & physical benefits for 40 year+ players & the benefits going forward of kids seeing their fathers wearing county jersey are ignored on a cost basis. Sad.
IIRC when the Railway cups were in their pomp the finals were played on St Patricks day in Croke Park.
If the club calendar is shortened to the calendar year as is muted then surely this date becomes free again.
It might but these now outdated games won't be getting it.
Their pomp days were when there were no televised games so if you wanted to see the top players your best chance was the Railway Cup.
Quote from: Rossfan on December 01, 2017, 04:38:29 PM
Quote from: johnneycool on December 01, 2017, 03:53:28 PM
Quote from: Buckass on December 01, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
Very co-ordinated assassination of the Railway Cup. For many players they still see it as a huge honour to be selected for their province . Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
I used to get my back up when non-GAA folk referred to the GAA as teh Grab All Association but when there's no financial bonus involved then get rid of. Same with Masters football...the mental health & physical benefits for 40 year+ players & the benefits going forward of kids seeing their fathers wearing county jersey are ignored on a cost basis. Sad.
IIRC when the Railway cups were in their pomp the finals were played on St Patricks day in Croke Park.
If the club calendar is shortened to the calendar year as is muted then surely this date becomes free again.
It might but these now outdated games won't be getting it.
Their pomp days were when there were no televised games so if you wanted to see the top players your best chance was the Railway Cup.
1. Railway cup : was well on the wane even before it switched from st Patrick's day . We should be concentrating on more football for all, rather than squeezing in extra games and training (often at long distance) for elite players who have enough to be doing concentrating on club and county. An adhoc setup playing against another adhoc setup in front of tiny crowds , with players not exactly having a strong provincial affiliation, Isn't attractive.
2. over 40s: risk increases with age . Only a very limited number of players in each county will maintain their conditioning , flexibility etc over 40 year's of age, and if they do their club will be glad to accommodate them. Such Intercounty competitions also open the door for over zealous veterans trying to prove a point .
Quote from: Buckass on December 01, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
It was Connacht GAA decision to withdraw from the Railway cup and it was also their decision removing colleges from the FBD and making next years Minor (U17) championship a round robin competition instead of a straight knock.
Yes 6th Sam...no money in it so kill it off. I suppose provincial identities have dropped of but kno many players who competed in & valued it. Does everything have to be bottom line?
Dunno what county ur from but many clubs in west have one team & over 40s would have to b exceptional to make it. Think a competition where guys play against own age group using rolling subs is good. Us dont see why guys oer 40 not good enough-fit enough for60 mins with club but love game should have to quit playing. See they've 15 county teams now & growing. Fully understand gaa not wanting to run it but to discriminate against them using pitches when they've their own insurance?
Quote from: Cunny Funt on December 01, 2017, 05:13:34 PM
Quote from: Buckass on December 01, 2017, 12:27:36 PM
Prenty just the messenger on a decision made at headquarters...there's no solo run in Ballyhaunis.
It was Connacht GAA decision to withdraw from the Railway cup and it was also their decision removing colleges from the FBD and making next years Minor (U17) championship a round robin competition instead of a straight knock.
Leinster U20 has group stages next year. Connacht straight knock out.
While it's geographically difficult for semis and finals, and scheduling into the calendar, the AI weekend would be ideal. Play it all over a weekend with unlimited interchanges to deal with the 2 games.
What part of "It's dead" don't you get. There is a bigger turn-out for U-10 training on a Saturday morning than there is for this competition. It's not the first competition to die and it won't be the last. It's just changing times. Embrace it.
Quote from: mrhardyannual on December 01, 2017, 07:06:40 PM
What part of "It's dead" don't you get. There is a bigger turn-out for U-10 training on a Saturday morning than there is for this competition. It's not the first competition to die and it won't be the last. It's just changing times. Embrace it.
And I played schools football with zero attendance. Should that have been scrapped too?
Schools games were ordinary lads playing basic stuff.
Inter pros was elite players with nobody watching.
Quote from: Rossfan on December 02, 2017, 12:04:45 AM
Schools games were ordinary lads playing basic stuff.
Inter pros was elite players with nobody watching.
We played schools football to represent our school. Elite players play to represent their province. We were happy to represent our school regardless of attendance. What's difference does the attendance make as long as players want to play in the Railway Cup and represent their province?
Start a protest movement or something.
Meanwhile the rest of the GAA world will carry on with their busy schedules.
Quality rossfan...no point arguing with that level of intellect
Quote from: Buckass on December 02, 2017, 07:19:59 PM
Quality rossfan...no point arguing with that level of intellect
There's a requirement by some here not to accept the fact the Railway Cup is dead and has been for two decades. Forgive people for being tired of the same stale arguments being brought up as if there's anything left to save.
Over 4,000 at match for Seán Cox. Dublin v Meath.
Goes to show that if games are for a good cause, interest can be got. Homeless charity, air ambulance, RNLI, hospice etc. All good causes that a lot of Gaels would support in a railway cup match or AI champs v Rest of Ireland etc.
If a severely weakened Dublin v div 2 Meath team in December can get over 4,000, anything is possible.
That was a special fundraiser game.
How many at Meath's O'Byrne Cup games?
Quote from: Rossfan on December 20, 2018, 11:26:06 AM
That was a special fundraiser game.
How many at Meath's O'Byrne Cup games?
Read the comment above
Killer line -
'Goes to show that if games are for a good cause, interest can be got'
Railway Cup could be run for the GPA
They are a needy bunch
Scrap the Compromise Rules debacle.
Talk at GAA Congress this morning about returning the Railway cup and playing it in Croke Park before the senior All-Ireland finals.
Quote from: Blowitupref on February 24, 2024, 02:07:22 PMTalk at GAA Congress this morning about returning the Railway cup and playing it in Croke Park before the senior All-Ireland finals.
When the Railway cup was prevalent
- Championship was knockout - half the intercounty teams were out after one game.
- There was no Tailteann Cup
- County Club Championships were Knockout
- There was no Intermediate and Junior Club Provincial or AI Championship
- There was a hunger to see the top players represent your province.
To Make it work you need
- A defined window to free up players
- Buy in from the Top players
- Buy in from the public
- Buy in from a Top sponsor
- To market it as a top competition to win.
The reality is
- There is no hunger for such a competition
- Top players are over loaded with competitions
- There is no where on the calendar to fit it in
- There is no money to be made from this by the GAA
Flogging a dead horse.
You would need an incentive to win it for players to care and you cant really offer prize money incentive
It's just two rounds of matches. Semi finals probably played the week before All-Ireland finals.
Having those matches in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day will be enough incentive HQ are thinking
Quote from: Blowitupref on February 24, 2024, 03:08:26 PMIt's just two rounds of matches. Semi finals probably played the week before All-Ireland finals.
Having those matches in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day will be enough incentive HQ are thinking
Could be a runner as we're talking last 2 weekends in July.
Would totally depend on player buy in.
All expenses paid weekend in Dublin, Semis Friday night in Croker?
Quote from: Rossfan on February 24, 2024, 03:42:23 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on February 24, 2024, 03:08:26 PMIt's just two rounds of matches. Semi finals probably played the week before All-Ireland finals.
Having those matches in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day will be enough incentive HQ are thinking
Could be a runner as we're talking last 2 weekends in July.
Would totally depend on player buy in.
All expenses paid weekend in Dublin, Semis Friday night in Croker?
There were many complaints last year about the
strangeness of all Ireland final day - no minor match beforehand, the timing of the 25 year thing was arseways, the event was suboptimal. So the GAA need a match beforehand. Railway Cup would give players from weaker counties recognition and fans would watch it. Even provincial flies on a window would get the attention of fans.
How many of the smug annual All Ireland Final attendees would bother their rear ends coming in to watch such a game?
Used even 20k of the 82,300 ever get in before the end of the Minor Finals in the past?
Quote from: Rossfan on February 24, 2024, 03:55:29 PMHow many of the smug annual All Ireland Final attendees would bother their rear ends coming in to watch such a game?
Used even 20k of the 82,300 ever get in before the end of the Minor Finals in the past?
It doesn't matter. Giving say players from Fermanagh, Antrim , Carlow or Sligo the chance to play in Croke Park on all Ireland final day- players from weaker counties certainly deserve this honour.
It also ties in with the hurling development goals around recognition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sz3ZjcJ1To
Aguisin : Farrandeelin RIP
Quote from: Rossfan on February 24, 2024, 03:55:29 PMHow many of the smug annual All Ireland Final attendees would bother their rear ends coming in to watch such a game?
Used even 20k of the 82,300 ever get in before the end of the Minor Finals in the past?
It all depended on if their county was involved.
I don't see any other sport do double headers in the case of a Final. Especially when the main event is a sell-out!
Quote from: Rossfan on February 24, 2024, 03:42:23 PMQuote from: Blowitupref on February 24, 2024, 03:08:26 PMIt's just two rounds of matches. Semi finals probably played the week before All-Ireland finals.
Having those matches in Croke Park on All-Ireland final day will be enough incentive HQ are thinking
Could be a runner as we're talking last 2 weekends in July.
Would totally depend on player buy in.
All expenses paid weekend in Dublin, Semis Friday night in Croker?
There would be no football the AI final weekend anyway , so players are free. So, have semis on a Friday, unlimited subs.
Players just turn up and play the game. No need for any training sessions weeks in advance. And that way , you might actually get an entertaining game without any the usual tactics
Railway cup final wouldn't impinge on tickets either. Two different minor counties as a curtain raiser demands those two are given a share of the tickets. A railway/Senior AI final double header , you still have a big percentage of the attendees from the two senior finalists
Quote from: seafoid on February 24, 2024, 04:00:00 PMQuote from: Rossfan on February 24, 2024, 03:55:29 PMHow many of the smug annual All Ireland Final attendees would bother their rear ends coming in to watch such a game?
Used even 20k of the 82,300 ever get in before the end of the Minor Finals in the past?
It doesn't matter. Giving say players from Fermanagh, Antrim , Carlow or Sligo the chance to play in Croke Park on all Ireland final day- players from weaker counties certainly deserve this honour.
It also ties in with the hurling development goals around recognition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Sz3ZjcJ1To
Aguisin : Farrandeelin RIP
With all due respect, it's not really appetising is it.