Messages

"Coaches, before you commit to taking a juvenile team, check not the ability of your players but the sanity of their parents."

If seven people cannot control a game and accurately identify, report and decide on incidents...e.g. Penalty claims, violent conduct, black cards...then it's time to employ the Television Match Official.

Does the typical GAA man get wiser with age or does he simply become more set in his ways? Consider the age profile of those we send off to Croke Park as reps for our counties. It may be getting younger but it is still dominated by the elder statesmen who are given the role as a reward for remaining in post for years and years.
Is this chapter of canons likely to embrace change? Are its members likely to be open to using ideas from other sports to settle on field disputes in big games?
I doubt it very much. Conservatism rules.
We need a TMO (Television Match Official) or, as a few may rename it this week, a Tyrone Match Official...to whom the referee may go for a final decision on something that will be game changing. Black cards and red cards would top the list. A TMO would not only help with accuracy of calls, his deliberation would also allow for some excitement and debate for a minute or so....and perhaps a quick bet among friends.

A FRESH START
National league fixtures for 7 weeks in a row Feb and March. No finals.
Finishing positions for Div 1 and 2 teams determine 16 seeds to play for Sam Maguire in the first part of the competition i.e.  Two rounds of SEEDED DRAWS (as set out below) leaving 4 teams.
These games to be played from mid April through May.

1v16
9v8
...............
12v5
13v4
..............
14v3
11v6
.............
10v7
15v2

Competition then put on hold at that point while Provincial Championships are run in June and July.
If any of the four winners of the provincial championships are not already in the last 4 of Sam they get a Wild Card place, so there could be 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 in the second part of Sam...the OPEN DRAWS

So, if the 4 provincial winners are different from the 4 left in Sam, they all get Wild Cards and we have a quarter final draw for Sam (unlikely).
If 2 of the provincial winners are different from the 4 left in Sam, they get Wild Card spots and we have a draw involving 6 counties ( first two out will play, next two out will play, next one out gets a semi spot, final one out gets a semi spot) Work out the permutations for 5 and 7 yourselves.

Sam then resumes and is completed in August. Croke Park only used for semi finals (over one weekend) and final

This gives credibility to the National League, keeps a narrower base of top teams and keeps the provinces happy.

The same happens with Div 3 and 4 teams with a tweak or two to involve New York and London. They play for the Paudi O'Se.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch, all club leagues are set up with no relegation or promotion. Clubs can opt to play at a grade (within reason) and get plenty of game time for non-county players. Underage leagues work well enough without relegation or promotion so why not adult ones?

Club championships to be played in September and October with no interruption.

Nothing new then.....we are well used to Orangemen fighting over where they should march!

Oh dear, I have just read your reference to wanting Malachy or Brian to take the reins at Antrim when they were available. Neither of these men would have touched the Antrim job, even when unemployed. Can you think of at least five reasons why? If you can, you are in touch with reality. If you cannot......

Capitalist or closet socialist then?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?

So, what can we do on the discussion boards to check the validity of the Sunday Times story that O'Neills has been outsourcing some of its manufacturing to Bangladesh and to implore the GAA to do something about it if true?