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Historically Derry have not faired well playing Laois in portlaoise. McEneaney is a good ref and I cant recall him being that bad to Derry in the past.

Just to tidy up that earlier post, do you (Lynchbhoy) not remember 1997.  Ref gave a double bounce(resulting in a pont by Cunningham) and two wide balls to Cavan's cause to won an Ulster title.  Cavan sponsored by Kingspan who, it was allegded empoyed Pat McEneaney.   

was thinking of going but not now that I find out its on a sat night. We will see but I have a game earlier that day..

The trip isnt that long, sure you have to park 10 miles away from omoore park , theres no fecking decent parking nearby.

Historically Derry have not faired well playing Laois in portlaoise. McEneaney is a good ref and I cant recall him being that bad to Derry in the past.

Something serious must have happened during Billy Morgans reign whene the CCB decided that they would select the Manager and as a seperate act decide who his selectors would be.   I am not aware of any other County Board in this 'day and age' that use this proces.  I would have a wide knowedge of selection procedures and the appointment of Managers and I do not know of any Manager who would even be expected to consider this procedure.

There is one thing for SURE if any Ulster team had refused to play a scheduled NFL game they would have been thrown OUT!!!!!   Frank Murphy would have implemented the Official Guide and that would have been the end of it.

Its a pity the Cork players didn't  strike before last years championship .... then we might have had a descent All=Ireland Football Final !!!!!

Meath sholud have been awarded the points.

I can't understand why Meath are not awarded the points if Cork fail to field ... (what does the Official Guide say on that ).  I think the footballers are in the wrong,   the hurlers should not be involved but I also think that Frank Murphy has in the past and still wield too much power both at County and National levels.  What about letting the DRA make a rulling on this issue.

[are]

Folks it's 2008 and paying managers is an irreversible trend.  There are fewer Managers than Clubs and the Supply and Demand theory applies.  Most Clubs these days are Chaired by Business men or close associates of people with money.  I am aware that Clubs find it very difficult to get 'insiders' to manage their senior team because of the amount of time and expertise required to do the job and at the same time command a high level of respect man-managing people from your own parish.  D Cassidy is one person who has been extremely successful in this regard because he has working very hard (leave the money out of it) at developing a high level of competence.  It has been also brought to my attention that he also works very hard in a voluntary capacity coaching at under-age level for his club.  As in all aspects of life some people are worth more than others.

It's not Barton or any other Manager's fault getting 'big bucks' for Club jobs.  It is solely the blame of the Clubs for either directly or indirectly paying it.  On the other hand do you really expect a Manager to to give up at least 2 nites and a Sunday plus a host of other associated jobs for free!!!!!

I believe the opposition to the Grants issue should be stopped.  This has the potential to become an unnecessarily divisive issue which will have NO long term benefit to the GAA.  It has originated from an essentially Ulster says NO mindset and we all know some examples for that:  
Paisley says 'No to truck with the 'Road to Rome and C Haughey',  SF says no to 'Stormont and Policing' and politically where are we now?  
I don't think any part of the GAA has any intention of EVER agreeing to Pay for Play and that is the bottom line, and from a positive point of view, whether intentional or not the GPA and the 'Against the Grants pressure group' has consolidated that.  The Government will be delighted to know that there is opposition to the Grants so that they will after this year 'drop it like a hot brick'.  There are many elements within the GAA getting paid at different levels and this has been the situation for many years.  Being a volunteer is very much a 'voluntary' decision, and I am one of those people but I also believe that each year there are fewer people WILLING to give of there energy and time for 'free'.  However, I don't think that an internal revolution will change  that fact.  Our Association is very strong but it is still capable of imploding and how are Sporting and Political enemies would love to see that.  It is a time for COOL and WISE heads to take control of the situation and look at the BIG picture.  I think Enda Gormly's analysis was not far away and I also know that Mark Conway would certainly not want to see a 'fragmented' GAA.

I'd say it's not likely Sean Boylan would ruin his reputation by going to Kildare!!!

However Turkeys if given the chance would not vote for Christmas and there is no way that something like this would ever be allowed to pass by those with the power as it is now

Perfect analysis of the reality of the likelyhood of progessive change to a 'fair system'

[Finance]

Because of Finance it is unlikely fair play with for example a 'seeded opendraw' based on the last 5 year League performances being adopted.  The Provincial Councils use their championships as their main source od finance and are unlikely to relinquish this grip in favour of a more balanced and fair system.  The Qualifier system has deminished the importance and the desire to win a Provincial title.  Money will always win over Equality

Its is impossible to answer that.  Canavan was oustanding and at his best in 1995 AI final when he almost defeated Dublin singlehanded on an average Tyrone team.   Gooch is always likely to be on a Kerry team whose players are all top quality, Canavan had never that opportunity.  Gooch is still only 24.   Impossible to differentiate between them, not a level playing field

I can offer up an opinion on who gets the county managers job, as they should NOT be some novice intercounty manager, Derry needs a man with intercounty managerial experience.
eg Cassidy has not covered himself in glory with cavan , and until he proves himself in the intercounty managerial stakes, he is obv unproven and not what we need right now with such a panel of great talent (glad to see you have at last realised this BTQ)

I thinnk the Derry situated is unique in that the Club culture is VERY strong .... therfore as I have said many times before we need a Derry man from a big club who understands the problem.   Cassidy with his previous experience with Derry and his knowledge and success with an 'unusually average talented' Bellaghy makes him the best option for us. His proffesional  panel preparation is (according to players who worked with him) is outstanding.   Now he may not be a 'gentleman' but more importantly he 'instills a winning ethos'.  As far as Cavan is concerned he was not the actual manager and he had very few quality players ... what quality he had was too old or injured ...FACT.  What did the much aclaimed Grimley achieve with them in a similar role this year? There is not a 'bank' of quality managers in Ireland with intercounty experence.  So Lynchbhoy you and I are quite rightly not Crozier fans for the same reasons as Max. 

I will reirerate 'the County Board' are the problem and I really thought S McCloy was much more ambitious for his county but it seem to be a 'done deal'  amd it's a waste of time even discussing it !!!!!

As a neutral from Derry it's very difficult to assess Kerry because of their performance against Monaghan.  M are an team who are very physical and prevent the other team from playing ball and then hit them with a few counter attacks.  I thought Kerry's left side of defense was very weak and they certainly would miss the power and 'dirt' of Galvin but they will be allowed to play more football against Dublin and all of their forwards can perform provided they vary their game plan (not just bombard Donaghy with high balls (although that could be more effective) against McConnell who I don't rate.   On the other hand Dublin, if they position their forwards better, could benefit by attacking up the RHS where Kerry are weakest.  I would also agree that Cullen does not attend to his 'primary' defensive and this would be exposed by Brosnan's direct running (remember the 'roasting' a half-fit Paul Murphy gave him).  I'd expect mid-field to be 50/50.  However Dublin are unlikely to get another sympathetic referee which may reduce Vaughan's influence on the game.  Overall I think Derry played them well and created good chances,  Kerry's defence is not as good and I fancy the Dubs to won a very entertaining game.