QuoteGAA - Peter Creedon in the firing line as Laois players accused of drinking before games
Rory Delaney Rory Delaney18 Jul 2017Email: rory@leinsterexpress.ie
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Creedon in the firing line as players accused of drinking before games
Laois manager Peter Creedon.
Delegates at Monday night's Laois County Board meeting took aim at Peter Creedon after a disastrous year for the county's senior football team.
The players did not escape censure either, with some delegates laying the blame for the year at their door, with on delegate also alleging four of the starting team were drinking prior to games.
A wide-ranging debate on the 2017 season took place at the Laois GAA offices in Parkside, and it was kicked off by Arles-Kilcruise delegate JJ Conway, who spoke of his disappointment that men from outside the county had been drafted in to act as selectors.
He also criticized the preparation of the team. "It was a disastrous year. Against Kildare, if we had never brought the team together for the seven months before the game, left them to their clubs and brought them together the week before, they would have done as well. There was no passion in our team this year."
St Joseph's delegate Michael Moore then initially proposed that Creedon be removed from the role, but when it was pointed out that he was only appointed on a one-year term, and was not technically currently in the role, he then proposed that his term not be renewed.
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JJ Conway seconded the motion.
Portarlington's Niall Slevin informed the meeting that Creedon's performance had been discussed at committee level in his club, and they were not in favour of him returning either. "I'm speaking on behalf of Portarlington GAA Club, we had a meeting after the Kildare game and we are in no way in favour of him remaining on as manager.
"To think of bringing him back after this year should not be on the cards."
Emo delegate, and former Laois footballer and U-21 manager Mick Lawlor, also felt Creedon could not be allowed to continue. "Last year we played the All-Ireland champions down in Kilkenny, and after 15 minutes we were down to 14 men, John O'Loughlin was sent off, but we could still compete and put up a serious effort.
"To watch what happened this year, and to be even considering holding on to that man is suicidal*.
"From what I saw this year, to hold on to that man, you could be putting Laois football back five or six years."
The Heath's Philip Keane wanted answers from the players. "What is the situation with the players? Do they feel they didn't perform to the level they can? It's grand saying we blame the manager, he picks the team, but the players themselves, do they feel they played as well as they could have, or that they were below par in some of the matches, and they should shoulder some of the blame?"
He added. "I don't think we should be rushing to get rid of a manager until the players own up to how they felt the year went. If five players put their hands up and say I didn't go as well as I should, then you can't hold the manager responsible for that."
His sentiments were echoed by Timahoe's Willie Ramsbottom. "I think a few of the players need to look into their hearts" noted Ramsbottom.
"You can hang it on the manager, everybody makes mistakes and everyone in this room has made mistakes, but when you put on a jersey you're supposed to go out and give every drop of sweat you can for an honest effort, and our lads this year did not give an honest effort. The players have to stand up and be counted, and be honest with themselves."
Crettyard's John Burke also criticised the players, alleging some of them had been drinking in the run up to games. "Here is the place for an honest discussion, we're all adults here.
"I'd just like to make the point, and I'll ask the question here; is it the manager's fault that at least four of our senior football players congregate for drinking sessions? Everyone in the street is talking about that, is that the senior manager's fault? Or is it the players fault? Four of our starting team were involved in that."
Chairman Gerry Kavanagh responded that there is a "collective responsibility" on all interested parties.
Willie Ramsbottom agreed. "I agree with you 100% John, I said it before myself a year and half ago and I was told I was washing dirty linen."
John Burke continued. "If we want to come in here now and have an honest discussion, we'll have one. The discussion we'll have will be all over the media in the morning, Laois are doing this or Laois are doing that. You can't drink pints of Guinness and talk sh*te in a pub, and then play football."
To a query on whether this was the night before a game, Burke said it was "days before".
Stradbally's Eamon Delaney said anyone who is aware of county players allegedly acting in such a manner should make sure the information is passed on to Peter Creedon, or confront the players themselves. "If I was aware of it, I'd be letting them know. If anyone knew and did nothing about it, they are partly responsible as well.
"It's grand and fine to blame players, and they absolutely should apply themselves and give themselves every chance. But if a person here is out socially and you see them (county players), if it meant a thing at all to you, to be paying your €30 going into O'Moore Park or wherever to go and see them, the very least you could say, in a polite and manly way, is that 'you should be doing better than that.' And they should be doing better than that."
While the mood in the room would suggest that Creedon lacks support, Chairman Gerry Kavanagh informed the meeting that they would first have to meet the players representatives before reporting back to delegates.
That meeting with the players could potentially take place this week.
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* Emo delegate Mick Lawlor has subsequently contacted the Leinster Express to apologise for his use of the word 'suicidal', and he regrets using that particular term.
http://www.leinsterexpress.ie/news/sport/260276/creedon-in-the-firing-line-as-players-accused-of-drinking-before-games.html
Seems a fun meeting that. They don't pull their punches in Laois.
Women 50% off.
Laois shouldn't be in division 4
QuoteLaois players accused of drinking before games
I understand drinking before a game to mean drinking a few pints at lunchtime before a game.
Howevere, I was impressed by this delegate's on the fly Hall's Pictorial Weekly skit to liven up the proceedings.
"St Joseph's delegate Michael Moore then initially proposed that Creedon be removed from the role, but when it was pointed out that he was only appointed on a one-year term, and was not technically currently in the role, he then proposed that his term not be renewed."
Quote from: Main Street on July 18, 2017, 12:48:56 PM
QuoteLaois players accused of drinking before games
I understand drinking before a game to mean drinking a few pints at lunchtime before a game.
Howevere, I was impressed by this delegate's on the fly Hall's Pictorial Weekly skit to liven up the proceedings.
"St Joseph's delegate Michael Moore then initially proposed that Creedon be removed from the role, but when it was pointed out that he was only appointed on a one-year term, and was not technically currently in the role, he then proposed that his term not be renewed."
Best laugh I have had in a while.
Reminds me of a game where I was doing linesman about twenty years ago.
About Ten minutes into the second half, one of the managers (think he was from Armagh) asked me did I time it, my response " No I didn't I don't have a watch", about five minutes later, same character asks me "how long is left Hey"
On a more serious note, How can you criticize a manager with that carry on.
Good luck to Laois getting a new one.
I thought Emo was spelt Aymo
Quote from: seafoid on July 18, 2017, 01:49:23 PM
I thought Emo was spelt Aymo
You thinking of De Hayt?
Sure you'd have to drink plenty if you were playing for Laois these days!
Quote from: joemamas on July 18, 2017, 01:37:16 PM
On a more serious note, How can you criticize a manager with that carry on.
.
Even when he's no longer your manager.
Have those guys ever heard of a meeting agenda
From the minutes.
Michael ; I propose that Creedon be removed from the role.
Chairperson; But he's already gone, contract over, already sent back his boots, gone like a candle in the wind.
Michael ; Okay so, I propose that his term not be renewed.
Chairperson; Has anybody proposed that he get his job back?
Does he even want the job back?
Michael; Well regardless, I want to propose that Creedon not be proposed for the role
Chairperson; Here's the way it works, you can't propose that somebody be not proposed for the role,
if somebody does happen to propose Creedon and it's seconded, then you can place your objection.
That's before we get to the evidence of what the dogs on the street are alleged to be talking about re the drunken carry on of 4 county footballers.
No man has the right, bar management, to tell an amateur player to stop drinking. Talking about the €30 ticket in relation to this is ridiculous.
All these midlands counties seem to be in awful states.
John Burke for president.
Is Emo where the oil comes from?
It's where all the moody teenagers live.
It's pretty bad when the manager's own club ain't even backing him.
Willie Ram'sbottom seems a colourful character.
Quote from: Armamike on July 18, 2017, 08:57:28 PM
It's pretty bad when the manager's own club ain't even backing him.
Isn't Creedon from Tipperary? Where does it say his club wasn't backing him?
Oops, i read that wrong.
Quote from: Ball Hopper on July 18, 2017, 09:02:07 PM
Quote from: Armamike on July 18, 2017, 08:57:28 PM
It's pretty bad when the manager's own club ain't even backing him.
Isn't Creedon from Tipperary? Where does it say his club wasn't backing him?
He's from Roscarberry.
Quote from: Jinxy on July 18, 2017, 08:33:08 PM
It's where all the moody teenagers live.
It's where emojis were invented
Someone said "Emo! Jesus! and it was shortened to something a bit snappier.
They never concentrate on the fuball.
This was the job Jim McGuinness should have taken.
Always the same with Laois, so many internal stupid problems every year. Drinking is a massive one, it ruined the potential of s few of their great minor teams. They famously wrecked the Leinster U-21 cup by playing a match using it as the ball back in mid 2000s after a night out.
A lot of their best players are old or retired now too. So it's a tough ask for whoever takes over.
In saying that. there is still a decent side there, if the right man takes over and they get things together. No way should they be in Div 4, they are at worst a top 4 Div 3 side.
Next manager is a massive call, and getting out of Div 4 is not as easy as anyone that falls into it thinks. Carlow, Limerick, Antrim will all fancy the 2 top places too.
Quote from: Main Street on July 18, 2017, 12:48:56 PM
QuoteLaois players accused of drinking before games
I understand drinking before a game to mean drinking a few pints at lunchtime before a game.
Howevere, I was impressed by this delegate's on the fly Hall's Pictorial Weekly skit to liven up the proceedings.
"St Joseph's delegate Michael Moore then initially proposed that Creedon be removed from the role, but when it was pointed out that he was only appointed on a one-year term, and was not technically currently in the role, he then proposed that his term not be renewed."
A future in Irish politics beckons.
as someone who was at the county board meeting, those of you making a laugh of the proposal by Mick Moore to sack the outgoing management, an element of context is required, and the motion was in keeping with the mood of the majority of the delegates.
Some time before the discussion was opened to the floor, the county secretary gave out details of a meeting held last week between members of the executive and creedon in reviewing the dreadful year.
amongst the gems offered by creedon at that meeting included:
"He replied to queries on all matters relating to our indiscipline particularly in (the) league, stating it had resulted in a breakdown in trust with some players"
"GPS data results displayed our fitness levels to be only standard during the league, resulting in a five week block of fitness training being introduced after (the) league, which showed an improvement for championship, but levels dropped for second half performances against Kildare and Clare".
"Unaware of alleged rumours of a certain culture not befitting of an intercounty panel"
"Backroom team and their roles and acknowledged that as a management team some mistakes were made and they are aware of that".
"In reply to a query as to the future of Laois GAA football, he stated that it was his opinion that an incoming manager must make hard decisions into the composition of his panel in both retaining balance and with a view to a complete rebuilding process and youth policy, in preparing 2016/2017 minor panellists for intercounty football, and that is providing these players are willing to commit and that our pre league training programme should be structured 80% fitness and 20% coaching".
and the secretary's notes on the meeting concluded with
"It was agreed that we engage in reviews with all stakeholders and that Peter Creedon's opinion also be sought as to if he would consider continuing in role and if so, his plan for the year."
the last sentence is key, because the only Laois selector with Creedon is the county chairman's son.....said chairman, Kavanagh, is batting heavily for the retention of Creedon.
There are nuances and tones which happen at county board meeting, frequently there is tension between the executive and the club delegates. The clear impression given between the briefing on the meeting with Creedon and the sounding from the executive was they want to retain Creedon. It was in that context that Mick Moore tried to move his motion for dismissal, and was shot down by the smart ass answer that Creedon only had a one year term and therefore could not be sacked. In hindsight, perhaps the easier option would have been for Moore to move a motion that Creedon and the outgoing management be excluded from consideration for 2018.
As you can see from the Creedon briefing, he had trouble with discipline, fitness and awareness of external troubles.....totally out of his depth........the fact that this gentleman has not copied the approach of Kevin Ryan(Offaly) and move aside, lends me to believe that he is just another useless gravy train manager.
The club delegates have a significant voting majority over the executive in Laois, and judged on the soundings last night, the chances of the executive getting through a second term for Creedon are nil, as at a max 2 out of the 30 odd clubs would vote to retain him.
Laois had an awful year with relegation to D4 and a crap championship.
Really?
I saw somewhere else that Creedon is the county's 3rd manager in 4 years
"The meeting acknowledged that if we continue to do the same thing year in year out and appoint another manager, our fourth in five years and he discovers similar problems as the previous two outgoing managers, and we are back to square one again and another year wasted! "
It is very satisfying to get rid of a badly performing manager and stride confidently into the future. And repeat the next year. But it usually means there is a problem that isn't the manager.
Quote from: seafoid on July 19, 2017, 08:39:09 AM
I saw somewhere else that Creedon is the county's 3rd manager in 4 years
"The meeting acknowledged that if we continue to do the same thing year in year out and appoint another manager, our fourth in five years and he discovers similar problems as the previous two outgoing managers, and we are back to square one again and another year wasted! "
It is very satisfying to get rid of a badly performing manager and stride confidently into the future. And repeat the next year. But it usually means there is a problem that isn't the manager.
Appointing him originally for only a 1 year term is hardly a ringing endorsement from the county board. I would have thought any new manager should get a 3 year term to allow to build a team. With all the managerial changes and different tactics each year is any wonder the team is struggling. No chance to put medium/long term plans in place
Time to amalgamate LaoisOffaly.
Quote from: Rossfan on July 19, 2017, 10:47:56 AM
Time to amalgamate LaoisOffaly.
That would be Loffaly stupid😂
Biffois
Quote from: dublin7 on July 19, 2017, 10:01:51 AM
Quote from: seafoid on July 19, 2017, 08:39:09 AM
I saw somewhere else that Creedon is the county's 3rd manager in 4 years
"The meeting acknowledged that if we continue to do the same thing year in year out and appoint another manager, our fourth in five years and he discovers similar problems as the previous two outgoing managers, and we are back to square one again and another year wasted! "
It is very satisfying to get rid of a badly performing manager and stride confidently into the future. And repeat the next year. But it usually means there is a problem that isn't the manager.
Appointing him originally for only a 1 year term is hardly a ringing endorsement from the county board. I would have thought any new manager should get a 3 year term to allow to build a team. With all the managerial changes and different tactics each year is any wonder the team is struggling. No chance to put medium/long term plans in place
It looks like there is more to this than meets the eye