Messages

Ref in the Omagh Slaughneil seems to be reffing the tackle on an "international rules" basis.

Any amount of dragging the player in possession seems to be allowed.

[Rugby concussion is going to be a far bigger issue IMO.]

Rugby concussion is going to be a far bigger issue IMO.

Not just concussion in rugby - was talking to one of the medical staff for one of the Irish provinces and he was saying that the first generation of professional rugby players are going to have an absolute raft of medical issues as they age, given the increased size and strength.  He was saying that the difference in terms of strength and the punishment the professional players take compared to the amateur rugby era is years apart and that it's likely to end up being responsible for a litany of medical problems down the line.

He was saying that if they follow the path of NFL players you are looking at seriously shortened lifespans - he had a stat that the current life expectancy for NFL players is almost 20 years less than for the average American male, which when you think about it is just mental.

That half goal chance sums up Ireland's problem.
Their instinct is not to expect a rugby tackle. As soon as they get close they bring you down. We still think jockey the man and don't dive in or give away a free. Our kicking is a bloody disgrace. Aidan O'Shea's close in free was a prime example.
Can you imagine travelling all the way from the East coast to Perth to watch that performance.
It's like watching the Dubs play Carlow in Leinster. Half the crowd will stay in the bar for the second half.
BTW normally I like watching this sport but thankfully I don't know any Aussies in Dublin any more.
Hopefully we hammer them in the rugby.

As far as I can see this is basically Aussie Rules with a round ball in terms of tactics and approach.

For the Irish players it's an entirely different game especially in terms of tactics; but for the Aussies the only difference is the round ball replaces the oval.

I don't agree with that at all. Its still far more difficult to execute AFL with a round ball.

The tactics are very poor - we didn't flood midfield early on. We missed some easy frees - Colm O Neill had two woeful efforts. Aidan O Se the same. He butchered a five man overlap- that is nothing to to do with the rules. Ciaram Mc Donald the same.

I wouldn't give the Irish any leeway for an excuse when the execution of basic skills is so so poor.

Oh yeah - I'd agree about some awful performances out there (a real lack of game intelligence being displayed by a fair few big names) in terms of the basic skills.

You'd have to wonder if Paul Earley will ever be given a role with a football team ever again after this

Stat from Twitter

Australia have kicked the ball 84 times. We've kicked it 58.

Have to think that this will completely kill the series dead - really can't see many lads wanting to face the Aussies in the future, especially if there is no trip to Oz on offer.

That half goal chance sums up Ireland's problem.
Their instinct is not to expect a rugby tackle. As soon as they get close they bring you down. We still think jockey the man and don't dive in or give away a free. Our kicking is a bloody disgrace. Aidan O'Shea's close in free was a prime example.
Can you imagine travelling all the way from the East coast to Perth to watch that performance.
It's like watching the Dubs play Carlow in Leinster. Half the crowd will stay in the bar for the second half.
BTW normally I like watching this sport but thankfully I don't know any Aussies in Dublin any more.
Hopefully we hammer them in the rugby.

As far as I can see this is basically Aussie Rules with a round ball in terms of tactics and approach.

For the Irish players it's an entirely different game especially in terms of tactics; but for the Aussies the only difference is the round ball replaces the oval.

"His towering rages, the way be behaves, the constant craving for publicity. The guy would walk over crushed glass to get to a mic."

No he's not talking about himself - pot kettle and black etc!!

Joe has very accurately described himself there.

I am Joe's complete lack of awareness.

It's not just a case of the pot calling the kettle black - I'd say it's almost a case of the kettle calling another kettle a kettle.

Anyone know if Joe's been back on RTE Radio since he had the row with Des Cahill during the summer?

[Connaught]

GAA Beo
Sunday, November 09 @ 13:30

Live coverage of Kilmallock (Limerick) v Sarsfields (Cork) in the Munster Hurling Club Championships Semi-Final from Fitzgerald Park and deferred coverage of Ballintober (Mayo) v St. Brigids (Roscommon) in the Connaught Club Football Championships from McHale Park. Presented by Micheál Ó Domhnaill with commentary by Brian Tyers.

Black card offence 

Hoping Naomh Bríd do the business.

I agree but this was cut straight from the TG4 site...should even be a red!

Looks like the TG4 folk are having language difficulties........

I'll see myself out

So do you really think 2 referees will make it better?

That would be a big yes - have you read my posts???

Why should we take it for what it is?, why not make it better.  He who fails to innovate gets left behind

My big problem with 2 refs is what happens when they disagree over something - who gets final say then?

Do you end up with 2 refs battering each over "it was a penalty; it wasn't a penalty"

I'd like to see umpires and linesmen being given more responsibility and more blame when mistakes are made. Compared to referees they seem to get off scott free pretty much all the time especially at intercounty level.

Ooohhh. Where's that michael Jackson popcorn gif?

The Conor Motrimer  one ? 

Agree Eamonn. This is not about brolly.

This is about the
-lack of transparency on GPA finance and operations,
-lack of info on GPA projects and results,
-lack of transparency on the GPA awards - and scholarships plus the recipients and award criteria/reasons ( although for players it seems ex players are scholarship recipients also - leading to suggestions of 'jobs for the boys/clique')

The GPA stands for intercounty players, those that are members.

As we have learned from successive governments in this country and the jobs for the boys methods they employ- we need to have transparency to ensure there is no corrupt practices and in doing so eradicate most begrudgery!

Exactly - I don't have any real issue with the GPA looking after intercounty players (I'd prefer if they were doing something about all players) but the fact that there is such a complete lack of transparency about their operations when there is stories about annual junkets to New York is a massive worry.

We've seen in the Irish charity sector folk who have no problem paying themselves ridiculous salaries - it would be a shame if the GAA became infected with the same sort of mindset

There's no mention of any financial records anywhere on the GPA site.

The GPA is an easy target, why doesn't Joe come off his moral high horse and take on the the issue of payments to managers and material benefits to club players particularly those in the Dublin club scene?

He has done so repeatedly, including a brilliant piece not too long ago, on the shambolic carry-on in Dublin club Parnells.

Good, let him continue that line and hopefully paid GAA managers as well.

Brolly's problem is that when he acts the eedjit on TV coming out with guff it makes it a lot harder to take him seriously when he does want to speak more responsibly about GAA matters.

The junior final is getting a lot of play in the media. Will be a big crowd at it I'd say.

Islanders to meet in novel Connacht club JFC final

03 November 2014

The Island men of Aran and Achill will face off in a truly unique Connacht club JFC final on Sunday week, November 16.

In the semi-finals, Aran Islands of Galway cruised to a 4-18 to 0-6 victory over Sligo's Owenmore Gaels at Markievicz Park, while Mayo representatives Achill Island defeated Roscommon's Michael Glavey's by 1-16 to 1-14 after extra-time in Elvery's MacHale Park yesterday.

While the final is set to take place on the mainland, Achill Island corner back Colm Cafferkey has joked that it could be played on one of the islands off the West coast.

"It might be Inishbofin and they've a good pitch in Inishturk as well," he remarked in the Western People.

"This is a novel final. We've seen them (Aran) in the Comortas Peil and we've played against them in Sevens tournaments and they're a serious outfit. We know how hard they work to keep football alive on the islands – we know how hard it is for us and we've got a bridge.

"We're looking forward to meeting them and we'll be confident and ready for battle."

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/aran-islands-achill-island-1759533-Nov2014/

Imagine the play it would get if my oil tanker suggestion was acted on.....

Westmeath – anyone know anything?   
Wexford – anyone know anything?   

Is that not a bit harsh?

I was asking about who the managers were/are - twas not intended as a slight against either county whatsoever.

[Generally agree. Regarding O'Donohue being a great 'find', he is certainly a terrific and exciting footballer, but I think he is about 2 years older than O'Connor and only 10 months younger than Murphy. He would have a lot to do very quickly to get to where Gooch is imho.]

Diarmuid isn't even in the top 3 according to this man who knows a thing or two :

http://www.gaa.ie/gaa-news-and-videos/daily-news/1/1710141506-oisin-mcconvilles-top-3-footballers-of-the-year/

Agree. Especially if it has to be a forward. Thought Neil McGee and Higgins were the 2 best overall.

Generally agree. Regarding O'Donohue being a great 'find', he is certainly a terrific and exciting footballer, but I think he is about 2 years older than O'Connor and only 10 months younger than Murphy. He would have a lot to do very quickly to get to where Gooch is imho.

Asked a Kerry lad about this- basically where did he come out of -  and he's suffered a fair chunk in terms of injuries apparently - He missed Kerry's first game this season and is supposedly going for a shoulder operation soon enough. Also Kerry's record at U21 and the like hasnt helped him out much either in terms of wider exposure. The lad was saying that the odds of him having a long intercounty career arent the best - apparently his father was a lovely footballer as well but had his Kerry career cut short due to a bad leg break in a league game when he was due to be Kerry's captain - this was back in the early/mid 80s. What he was saying was basically don't be surprised if he doesn't have the longest run in terms of an inter-county career because he's very injury prone.