Early Doors dig at gaa.

[gallsman]

He isn't running the Gaa down in my opinion, he is stating that the fat cats at the top of the gaa get all the money and not the players who are attracting the crowds. Its better that the players at the top level in soccer get money than those running it! He does not say anything to do with the fact that they put money back into the gaa!

Where did he get this information? He clearly doesn't have a clue.

[supersarsfields]

He isn't running the Gaa down in my opinion, he is stating that the fat cats at the top of the gaa get all the money and not the players who are attracting the crowds. Its better that the players at the top level in soccer get money than those running it! He does not say anything to do with the fact that they put money back into the gaa!

That's the bit that isn't true. He's made a simplistic statement to try and validate his point. But the problem is that he hasn't taken into account that the GAA has a fraction of the supporters soccer has in England. Therefore the GAA is taking in a fraction of the funds soccer is. Despite that the GAA have still managed to build CP, develop all the other smaller level stadiums and develop clubs throughout the country (Speaking from experience there's hardly a club in Tyrone now that doesn't have impressive facilities what ever the division).

[gallsman]

He isn't running the Gaa down in my opinion, he is stating that the fat cats at the top of the gaa get all the money and not the players who are attracting the crowds. Its better that the players at the top level in soccer get money than those running it! He does not say anything to do with the fact that they put money back into the gaa!

That's the bit that isn't true. He's made a simplistic statement to try and validate his point. But the problem is that he hasn't taken into account that the GAA has a fraction of the supporters soccer has in England. Therefore the GAA is taking in a fraction of the funds soccer is. Despite that the GAA have still managed to build CP, develop all the other smaller level stadiums and develop clubs throughout the country (Speaking from experience there's hardly a club in Tyrone now that doesn't have impressive facilities what ever the division).

Simplistic or downright bullshit?

[haranguerer]

Its not much of a dig at the GAA, hes writing it from the point of view of professional sports, and uses that example to contrast.

Personally I think its great to see gaelic mentioned in articles like this (i.e. not irish based), it can only raise the profile of the game, which is a very good thing.

[supersarsfields]

I'd agree with you GM. There's no real substance to his point. He's obviously just heard something about the GAA and based his opinion on that. He's obviouly a soccer supporter (most likely English based), with no real idea about how the GAA works and has picked up one snatchet of information about the GAA and has tried to use it to make a point.

[NAG1]

Who are these Fat Cats you speak of? That is a total myth. The people who run the GAA are the same people who are in every club across the country.

Maybe Boycey you should get involved in these Grant schemes and demand more coaching from your County Board etc, I know my club have taken advantage of both and are the richer for it. Its more about the get up and go of the club itself to source funding to complete projects that drive the club forward. Take a drive through the North anywhere across it and see the great facilities, Croke Park/ GAA would have had a hand in 95% of these projects.

So tell me once again where do you think the money goes?

Im not getting at you personally but it drives me mad when this myth is perpetuated. Yes the players arent getting paid but they know that and still play the games and give their time up. Yes the stadiums are relatively full but thats because of people like you and me going to watch these players from OUR clubs.

[Norf Tyrone]

Who are these Fat Cats you speak of? That is a total myth. The people who run the GAA are the same people who are in every club across the country.

Maybe Boycey you should get involved in these Grant schemes and demand more coaching from your County Board etc, I know my club have taken advantage of both and are the richer for it. Its more about the get up and go of the club itself to source funding to complete projects that drive the club forward. Take a drive through the North anywhere across it and see the great facilities, Croke Park/ GAA would have had a hand in 95% of these projects.

So tell me once again where do you think the money goes?

Im not getting at you personally but it drives me mad when this myth is perpetuated. Yes the players arent getting paid but they know that and still play the games and give their time up. Yes the stadiums are relatively full but thats because of people like you and me going to watch these players from OUR clubs.

I agree with Boycey here, and I am prepared to be shot down as I don't have all the facts.

However is there not a host of officials in CP getting paid for administration work? If I recall there was a motion at congress to open that Pandora's box and it got shot down.

Also I too share his point about money at grass roots level. We are just completing a major redevelopment of our grounds (Two pitches) and got practically zero assistance for it.
All that money pumped into the GAA from the opening of CP got syphoned off before the clubs got a chance to sniff it.

[NAG1]

Im not having a go at anyone lads as I said I frustrated with the image that is protrayed at times of an organisation which is second to none in Ireland.

Yes I would agree there maybe excessive admin costs in certain areas, but if these posts had been appointed properly and filled properly then they should be developing the games and moving the organisation forward.

I think you will find if you delve a little deeper NT that very little support would be available for the development of pitches which really should be the basics and a club should be able to do this on their own.

The Sports Council had helped with numerous GAA projects across the North, but the GAA in Ulster actively helped clubs and ran information evenings and helped with form filling for any clubs interested in going for these grants. This is the type of Administration role that is being paid by the GAA and being put into good use IMO in this area specifically.

[lynchbhoy]

I dont think the article was having a dig at GAA at all. The English were just incredulous at how players that were athletically comparable to soccer players were playing for no money - when yu are not used to that, its hard to take in !

Boycey et al - the GAA isnt run for free. Croker and stadia etc cost money to run. Groundsmen and security staff plus admin staff have to be paid etc.

Some say their clubs are getting nothing from the gaa apart from a few coaches that come around the odd time - who the feck do you think pays their wages and keeps the kids interested and up to date with Gaelic games - the coaching of these kids is essential both for health physiologically and from a GAA perspective - these will be our intercounty players of the future.
I dont see corruption in our organisation. I see it being run very well.

[mikasas]

Sorry for saying Fat Cats in my earlier posts! I meant all the money was creamed off the top of the gaa and the players themselves do not receive anything for it! In Soccer on the other hand the players are paid for the crowds they attract, he wasn't attacking or having a dig at the GAA's structure more just saying that the top level gaa players attract such big crowds and dont get a penny for it!

[lynchbhoy]

Sorry for saying Fat Cats in my earlier posts! I meant all the money was creamed off the top of the gaa and the players themselves do not receive anything for it! In Soccer on the other hand the players are paid for the crowds they attract, he wasn't attacking or having a dig at the GAA's structure more just saying that the top level gaa players attract such big crowds and dont get a penny for it!

the counties attract the crowds irrespective of who is playing, despite whether the top star player is injured or not
its not the players that people support - its the counties !!

[lynchbhoy]

I dont think the article was having a dig at GAA at all. The English were just incredulous at how players that were athletically comparable to soccer players were playing for no money - when yu are not used to that, its hard to take in !

Boycey et al - the GAA isnt run for free. Croker and stadia etc cost money to run. Groundsmen and security staff plus admin staff have to be paid etc.

Some say their clubs are getting nothing from the gaa apart from a few coaches that come around the odd time - who the feck do you think pays their wages and keeps the kids interested and up to date with Gaelic games - the coaching of these kids is essential both for health physiologically and from a GAA perspective - these will be our intercounty players of the future.
I dont see corruption in our organisation. I see it being run very well.

From my perspective its us as a club thats providing these services for free to kids. We have extensive programmes for kids of all ages.

I haven't said there is corruption in the GAA and think it is being run reasonably well but its not beyond reproach every now and again

the coaches that are employed by GAA to go out to schools etc- thats what I am talking about.
theres fecking loads of them , these did not exist prior to the early 90's !
Its not cheap to pay all of these , and I think the money spent is very well spent on them !

not saying you were alledging corruption...just saying imo that they are not freeloading.
Deffo our organisation needs to be above board and all jobs/money/spending shoul dbe transparent.
Still think the GAA get great value for the money put back into grassroots training and building works etc