Messages

I cannot believe the gaa are sitting back and letting RTE drag the name of the game through the muck. They say they're worried about attendances, well its hard not to believe the constant attacks from Brolly and Spillane for self gain are doing the games image significant harm. Both of them know exactly what they want to say before every game and throw it out no matter how good or bad the game is. This was evidenced by there attack on the Longford Wexford game which given the standings off both teams was a decent game.

I don't think there is another sport in the world analysed by the pundits in a similar way to gaelic football. No match is analysed on its own merit instead a series of generalisations about the game and comparisons to 30 given years ago are made. Its ridiculous that these guys get paid for it.

I 100% agree. It's not the blanket defense that is killing Gaelic football it is the constant negativity that is coming from the media.

Prior to the property crash how many people who knew zero about economics did you hear saying over their pints "ah sure twill be a soft landing ...". A few politicians voiced that opinion to keep people spending and low and behold the masses were only too happy to take it on as their own opinion.   

The media is very powerful and Tyrone Dreamer is spot on Gaelic Football is getting a very very raw deal from the Sunday Game pundits in particular. They are doing much more to demote the game than promote it. I agree the GAA need to act. The whole idea of TV coverage is to promote the game but if the people behind the mike are doing their best to run down the product then surely it is counter productive. Newstalk are getting a few championship games and are doing a fantastic job of creating a sense of occasion and promoting the game that they are doing.

It is interesing to look at what Gaelic Football is being hammered for too
- not enough kicking,
- too many behind the ball
- too much pulling and dragging.

Firstly the game is evolving tactically, that is a good thing. Secondly, how about Rugby Football? It has never been more popular, yet everyone is behind the ball, the vast majority of passes are by hand and is constant pulling and dragging, however it is a massively hyped and spun positively in the media..

Excellent idea. You can knock anything an people will but the fact is TV exposure would be fantastic for this. I have driven to Dungarvan from Cork City a number of times to give a bit of support to the Waterford Footballers after reading Damian Lawlor's superb book Working on a Dream. People would empathise with the Kilkenny players that took those hammerings but kept coming back for the cause.

I'd be pretty sure such a drive would lead to the Cats grinding out a win or 2 or at least a couple of near misses over the course of a season. It would make a good TV, I'd watch it and I could see it capturing the imagination. It is something people would talk about. As a GAA man it would make a nice change from hearing about Rooney, Gerrard and co  in the canteen every day!

Of course the GAA would never do something as radical as this.

["I will head back and be encouraging anyone who wants to come over here to give it a crack."]

I would worry Kennelly could be the biggest cancer ever to hit the GAA. I hate seeing the Aussies cherry pick our best talent.

It was annoying to see the O'Halpins leave Cork, Pearse Hanley leave Mayo but the real worry is for the weaker counties. In the successful counties a played has to decide between success and fame at home or possibly the same in Australia plus the chance to be a professional athlete. I would say 99% of players from the weaker counties (i.e. a footballer from Tipperary) will up sticks at the drop of a hat especially with the current economic climate in Ireland. Ian Ryan of Limerick could be a good example if offered a contract .. This would be a disaster for the GAA, weaker counties would find it impossible to close the gap and make progress if their best talent is going down under.

There was talk a while back that Kennelly was going to set up a rival recruitment agency to Nixon. He is a smart guy, Nixon is not trusted here or in Australia, Tadhg Kennelly is regarded as Mr Nice guy in both places. I see him setting out him self within a few years, then we will see a real talent drain ... A bit of a wolf in sheeps clothing I reckon, I wouldn't celebrate his return too much if I were a kingdom supporter.



From the examiner ***************

Kennelly expects more Aussie clubs to concentrate their attention on Ireland in the search for new talent.

"Without a doubt there are a lot of interest with two new clubs coming into the competition as well and clubs losing draft picks (because of draft concessions to new clubs)," said Kennelly.

"They are going to be looking for readymade talent and obviously Ireland has been a proven success at that and so more clubs are going to look for kids from Ireland.

"I will head back and be encouraging anyone who wants to come over here to give it a crack."

**********************