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Is it too late to prevent the islamization of europe. Not my question,but one posed recently by the Popes secretary

Browsing through the posts on this board over the last few weeks, it struck me how unrepresentative this forum is of 99% of the ordinary,average GAA fan. As a Downman i have stood amongst the Dubs on the hill, while our team thrashed them on the field, drank with Meathmen after defeating them in AI final, had the best of craic with Kerry,Galway,Tyrone,Armagh supporters and those from all the other counties we have encountered over the years. Never at any time have i heard views expressed of the tone or nature we read daily on this forum. It would appear that this discussion board has become the spiritual home of the 1% who have rejected the GAA ethos and adopted an ourselves alone policy, where every other Co.are deemed to Bastards,Thugs and Cheats. I seriously doubt that half the posters here ever attend a game,and i would have to say thank god for that small mercy.

Just wondering if the Gaelgeori on this forum believe that the awarding of grants to so called Gaeltacht areas where an Irish speaker can hardly be found, provides value for money or contributes anything towards creating an interest in the Language. Also where the value in sending hundreds of children to gaeltacht areas every summer, enriching land-ladies who themselves have no more than the cupla focal,and little interest in using even that. Surely whatever monies are available could be better targeted,and used to promote local iniatives and econimies. Why continue to support bogus Gaeltachts.

Quote from Garret Fitzgerald....The people of the 26 Counties are state orientated not Ireland orientated, and have been since the 1920s....a rare statement of truth from a free state politicians, and an end to the patronising bullshit and lying anti-partitionist rhetoric that southern parties have getting away for years. Northern Nationalist take note, the biggest obstacle to a united Ireland lies south of the border. Better to cement the bonds with Unionist friends and neighbours, with whom we have more in common. An item on the R.T.E. News tonight called for the cleaning up of Glasnevin Cemetery in time for the centenary of the rising. What rank hypocrisy. Having interred the Republic declared by the the executed leaders, they now propose to stand at their gravesides and salute them, while of course declaring to be their adherents. Full marks for honesty Garret, you are a Man among Minions

Any board members with an interest in Photography

Have just heard that the NFL. Final will probably not be played in Croker. Reasons cited are the need to renovate the pitch,and/or the likelihood of a less than maximum attendance. This is our second biggest national competition. If we have our major stadium fit to host it ,and give our best players the opportunity to play there,then whats the bloody poit of maintaining it. Far from being a source of pride,as it should be, it is instead becoming a subject of controversy and division. If the only way we can maintain it and make it pay is by renting it out to all and sundry,while at the same time limiting the opportunities for our own kids to play there, then we would be better off without it.  Giving the history and associations it would be a very painful decision, but a sound financial one. To sell and move to a green field site outside of Dublin,where a more modest Stadium could be constructed with better parking and access, A stadium which would not require such a large crowd to make it economic too use and where even our young Boys and Girls might have a reasonable expectation of getting a game. Surely its worth considering

I am becoming increasingly convinced that the pick-up rule is rarely enforced,is in fact practically unenforcable and is rapididly degenerating into farce as the game becomes faster. I would confidently wager that at least 80% of the pickups made during games at weekend did not comply with rules,and were not penalised.

DJ was interviewed on BBC Hardtalk last night. Spoke very impressively about what the GAA and in particular his local club meant to him. Discussed the GPA at lenght, was emphatically opposed to any form of pay for play and hoped it would never happen. Believed that endorsement payments to high profile players such as himself, shoul be shared with lesser lights at club and county level where possible. His biggest gripe was the lack of insurance for players., Quote....Every person sitting in the stands or on the terracing is covered by insurance should a disaster occur. The only people not covered are the players on the field, if i get get a skelp or a broken arm,i am not covered...end quote. Must admit i did not understand that last part myself, surely every club player is insured and presumably the County are required to insure the personell involved with County teams.

The story of the GAA is largely one of success, there is however one area in which it has monumentally failed. The stated aims of our founders, which are still contained within our constitution, include a committment to promote the ancient game of Rounders. I am not aware of any current Rounders competitions, i do  not know anyone who plays the game, apart from children inthe school-yard, have never heard this sport mentioned in any GAA forum, so why do we persist with this patently absurd pretention. What led the founding fathers to consider it a national sport worth preserving, was there just too much strong drink taken in Hayes Hotel.

Anyone like to add to this list. before you do, remember that Tyrone or Armagh winning the All Ireland are not important in the grand scheme of things
Important Dates of the GAA

    * 1884 - the GAA is founded on November 1 in Hayes' Hotel in Thurles, Tipperary
    * 1886 - the Artane Boys Band gives its first GAA public performance on June 14 of this year
    * 1887 - Tipperary and Limerick win the first All-Ireland Hurling and Football Finals respectively
    * 1892 - goals are made equal to five points and teams are reduced fro 21 to 17-a-side.
    * 1896 - the value of a goal is reduced from 5 points to 3 points
    * 1912 - the junior championships are introduced at All-Ireland level
    * 1913 - the Jones' Rd. ground, Dublin, is purchased by the GAA and renamed Croke Memorial Park
    * 1920 - twelve spectators and a player, Michael Hogan, are killed in Croke Park during a Black & Tan raid
    * 1926 - the first radio broadcast of a GAA match took place when Galway played Kilkenny
    * 1931 - the name Cumann Luthchleas Gael is adopted
    * 1935 - the GAA enters its second half century: a crowd of 50,000 attend the All-Ireland Finals
    * 1938 - Micheál O Hehir commentates on fis first GAA match
    * 1939 - the Cork V. Kilkenny hurling match is remembered as the thunder & lightning final as the climax is played in a storm
    * 1947 - the Cavan V. Kerry All-Ireland Football Final is played in the Polo Grounds, New York.
    * 1954 - a record 84,856 attend Croke Park when Cork play Wexford in the hurling final
    * 1959 - 75th Anniversary of the GAA: the first cantilevered New Hogan Stand is opened at Croke Park
    * 1961 - a record 90,556 attend the Down V. Offaly All-Ireland Football Final at Croke Park
    * 1962 - the first GAA match is broadcast live on Telefís Éireann (RTÉ)
    * 1976 - Páirc Uí Chaoimh is opened in Cork City
    * 1984 - Centenary year of the GAA: the All-Ireland Hurling Final between Cork & Offaly is played in Thurles
    * 1993 - a grand plan to completely re-construct Croke Park was launched
    * 1996 - the new Cusack Stand was opened
    * 2002 - the redeveloped Cusack, Canal End and Hogan Stands were officially opened
    * 2003 - the Nally Stand was removed to make way for the refurbishment of Hill 16

Copied from website of Kilmoyley G.A.A.Club
   

For those of you who follow the GAA...
Knowing that the situation in Afghanistan can be a little confusing, here is the quick guide to the main GAA players in more global terms.

USA = Kerry - Utterly Arrogant and motivated by greed.
If they suffer the slightest injustice the whole world hears about it. Leader sees himself as bit of a visionary, most see him as bit of a tyrant.

Al Qaeda = Meath - Thugs who like to take out opponents behind the play.
Capable of upsetting just about anyone. Leader is a paranoid nutter.

United Kingdom = Galway - Had moved forward having been stuck in the past for decades.
Have a leader who loves the sound of his own voice, full of rhetoric whilst ducking the important issues.

France = Sligo - Perennial bridesmaids. Have a huge armoury but heavily criticised in the past for misfiring. More likely to bore you to death than to be a real threat toanyone.

Pakistan = Kildare - Trying hard to be one of the big boys, but has upset a large percentage of it's supporter base
through its over involvement with foreigners. Could soon experience a revolt within its own ranks.

India = Down - A sleeping giant, not a contender at the moment but with a huge supporter base.
Likes to think it's opinion is worth plenty, yet is largely ignored by non-fans. Local derbies can be a bit fier