Tailteann Cup 2023

[Andy06]

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/gaa/1234356/something-has-to-change-urgently-in-laois-gaa.html

Fair play to Conor Ganly in the Leinster Express

We need more of this from our local press

Its about time, the pressure must start from the press. Call out the current county board as they have in the above example, at least get them to have the guts to be more open and indicate what (if any) plan is in place to address this.
The longer we dont hear a peep from the board it just adds to the feeling that they are happy to just carry on, either let Billy continue and let all the ire of the supporters be on him. Or, more likely, appoint another yes man and when that goes south next year they again can sit back safe in the knowledge they are shielded from the continued anger of the county.

[Chrimtain]

The silence from the County Board is deafening. We need to hear from them. Their reaction to Sunday's debacle should not be kept behind closed doors. They need to talk to the wider Laois GAA public.

They owe it to the people who buy the jerseys, the match day tickets, even those who support Laois GAA by entering the All County Draw. Most of these people do not have access to secretive County Board meetings.

[clonadmad]

The silence from the County Board is deafening. We need to hear from them. Their reaction to Sunday's debacle should not be kept behind closed doors. They need to talk to the wider Laois GAA public.

They owe it to the people who buy the jerseys, the match day tickets, even those who support Laois GAA by entering the All County Draw. Most of these people do not have access to secretive County Board meetings.

Every person in clubs in the county need to start speaking to their county board delegates and impress on their views as to how serious the current situation is

Hard honest conversations need to be had

[Joeythelips]

https://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/gaa/1234356/something-has-to-change-urgently-in-laois-gaa.html

Fair play to Conor Ganly in the Leinster Express

We need more of this from our local press

Speaking truth to power is the only way to drive change, well done Conor, hopefully more get involved and get the pressure on county board. As others have said on here there is a need for transparency so people in charge can be held accountable. Plans have been drawn up for change and the Laois public have a right to know what were the recommendations of the plan, how many of those have been implemented and what blockers are hindering their implementation if any. In other words was the plan rubbish or are we just sitting on our hands and hoping things get better.

We have to demand change, our players and people deserve better. Laois may not have an illustrious history in terms of winning trophies but we have produced some outstanding players in both grades down the years. We may not all agree with each other on here but the fact we are here at all shows we only want Laois to succeed.

[clonadmad]

Here's the 2018-2020 Plan

https://laoisgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Laois-GAA-Strategic-and-Action-Plan-2018-2020.pdf

Scroll down to page 19 to see how many of these have been implemented and these should have all been implemented 3 years ago at this point

[High Fielder]

The silence from the County Board is deafening. We need to hear from them. Their reaction to Sunday's debacle should not be kept behind closed doors. They need to talk to the wider Laois GAA public.

They owe it to the people who buy the jerseys, the match day tickets, even those who support Laois GAA by entering the All County Draw. Most of these people do not have access to secretive County Board meetings.

Sadly, the CB are accountable to nobody as things stand. That isn't going to change and they don't want it to. I cannot see the day when they take responsibility for what's going on around them; in fact I'm sure they're wondering why the focus is on them at all. I have less faith in the CB than I do in Billy Sheehan if I'm honest. Don't shoot me Joey!

[Chrimtain]

Here’s the 2018-2020 Plan

https://laoisgaa.ie/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Laois-GAA-Strategic-and-Action-Plan-2018-2020.pdf

Scroll down to page 19 to see how many of these have been implemented and these should have all been implemented 3 years ago at this point

In fairness, it is a lovely looking document.

[Laois Rising]

In our last serious strategic plan of 2018-2020 developed by a group of very respected GAA people within the county the following was noted: 

The Review Committee is very concerned at the
current range of activities for which GDAs are
responsible and the almost complete lack of input
and oversight from any volunteer members of the
Association in the county. The recommendations
which are outlined in this report are aimed at
addressing these shortcomings. In particular, they
are aimed at delivering clearer work programmes
for GDAs, improved supervision/monitoring of their
work, greater input from volunteer members of the
Association plus improved governance and oversight
of all coaching and games programmes in Laois. The
proposed new coaching and games structure for Laois
is shown in the schematic in Appendix B at the end of
this section of the report.

Over the last five years can the County Board really stand over what they have done and implemented to alleviate these serious concerns. From what I have seen in Laois GAA is that these concerns have only exasperated in that time or where some positive change has been made it has not been sustained or developed to the levels that it should (in some cases granted people have taken up positions to only move on again after a short time which is disruptive).

Mid rank counties like Cavan, Roscommon, Sligo, Down, Offaly, Kildare who have invested serious time, people, resources and money into juvenile coaching and player development in the last couple of years have started or will start to see the fruits of this over the next couple of years at senior level as these players filter into the senior set up. I fear that the gap from Laois to some of these mid rank counties will grow further if we do not tackle the concerns identified in a now 5 year old strategic report with both short and long term solutions.

The clubs in Laois do need to step up as well. A proper review meeting should be called and do what they do in Limerick- each club must be represented by their Chairperson, Secretary, Treasurer, County Board Delegate, Coiste na Nog officer and at least one current player. Identify what is achievable and be realistic in what change can be brought about-identify how the county board can support the clubs in coaching and player development. Provide the necessary supports and funding so that you gain the buy in from the clubs- clubs must respond in kind by implementing and supporting these initiatives/structures etc. Identify what has worked in clubs e.g. Ballyroan (football), the Harps (hurling)- can this be replicated in other clubs, can clubs like The Harps and Ballyroan be supported further to step up coaching even further to take it to a new level again. Small steps but it gets the ball rolling.

[blueandwhite1]

As is the case in most clubs, those in power are there because nobody else wants to do the job. Those with ability have little interest and with some exceptions, those with interest have little ability.

Look at Offaly - who have a visionary like Michael Duignan willing to take apart the old guard and inspire a new group of volunteers to step up. We can all say that 'things need to change' but people need to step up and be encouraged to do so. The insiders in the CB know that too well.

[clonadmad]

There's an onus on clubs to step up also as regards facilities

How many clubs in Laois have stands?

How many clubs in Laois have decent floodlights?

How many clubs in Laois have scoreboards?

How many clubs in Laois have decent level playing surfaces?

You go to most of our neighbours and clubs are well equipped and well appointed

It's not all the clubs fault here at the same time as in those other counties,they don't have all their club games rammed into the county ground

Instead games are played in the club grounds and those clubs get some of the gate which they invest back into their facilities

Club games for so many different reasons need to be taken out of OMP and played in grounds around the county

[clonadmad]

As is the case in most clubs, those in power are there because nobody else wants to do the job. Those with ability have little interest and with some exceptions, those with interest have little ability.

Look at Offaly - who have a visionary like Michael Duignan willing to take apart the old guard and inspire a new group of volunteers to step up. We can all say that 'things need to change' but people need to step up and be encouraged to do so. The insiders in the CB know that too well.

Duignan was the fugurehead for change in Offaly

But he was cute enough to know if he went in on his own

The system would swallow him whole

Instead he gathered 8-10 well qualified people to go in with him

Even at that it took 2 conventions and a lot of blood spilt to get all the right people in

Similar is needed here

A well known and reputable person to gather a cabinet

[Zooming around]

As is the case in most clubs, those in power are there because nobody else wants to do the job. Those with ability have little interest and with some exceptions, those with interest have little ability.

Look at Offaly - who have a visionary like Michael Duignan willing to take apart the old guard and inspire a new group of volunteers to step up. We can all say that 'things need to change' but people need to step up and be encouraged to do so. The insiders in the CB know that too well.

Duignan was the fugurehead for change in Offaly

But he was cute enough to know if he went in on his own

The system would swallow him whole

Instead he gathered 8-10 well qualified people to go in with him

Even at that it took 2 conventions and a lot of blood spilt to get all the right people in

Similar is needed here

A well known and reputable person to gather a cabinet

Who are ya thinking of? Niall Rigney maybe?

[Spiritof86]

The silence from the County Board is deafening. We need to hear from them. Their reaction to Sunday's debacle should not be kept behind closed doors. They need to talk to the wider Laois GAA public.

They owe it to the people who buy the jerseys, the match day tickets, even those who support Laois GAA by entering the All County Draw. Most of these people do not have access to secretive County Board meetings.

Deafening!!? Really ?Ah would you stop . It's  been three days ffs .  Yes they are  as culpable as anyone else in this mess but this is not the Premier league here .
Things will happen and Sheehan will be gone and the current CB will be come under scrutiny deservingly and be replaced .

However let's look at the alternatives lads . There is no one exactly putting their hand up here . There is a ballot and vote every year and I have seen no new individuals willing to put their lot in with Laois or even attempt too in the past 5-8 years . There has been a few half hearted attempts and when the going gets tough they feck off . These are all voluntary positions for the most part .

Saying that this whole concept in place of secret County Board meetings is absolutely ludicrous . This initially was meant to be a 6 month thing but yet here we are ..

[5times5times]

Item #1 is get the mouth of a manager out the door. He brings our county down with not only his antics along the line and opposition, but also in the media.

[clonadmad]

As is the case in most clubs, those in power are there because nobody else wants to do the job. Those with ability have little interest and with some exceptions, those with interest have little ability.

Look at Offaly - who have a visionary like Michael Duignan willing to take apart the old guard and inspire a new group of volunteers to step up. We can all say that 'things need to change' but people need to step up and be encouraged to do so. The insiders in the CB know that too well.

Duignan was the fugurehead for change in Offaly

But he was cute enough to know if he went in on his own

The system would swallow him whole

Instead he gathered 8-10 well qualified people to go in with him

Even at that it took 2 conventions and a lot of blood spilt to get all the right people in

Similar is needed here

A well known and reputable person to gather a cabinet

Who are ya thinking of? Niall Rigney maybe?

Say he's your Duignan

Who's your next 6/7/8 people in the Cabinet ?

Who is the Laois equivalent of Carina Carroll?