Meath vs Dublin - 26/06/16

[Il Bomber Destro]

Lar, the point is the GAA has always been unfair, counties with the highest populations dominating but fans from those counties, like Kerry, Mayo, Cork etc. never complained about how unfair it was on the Leitrim's of this world. They are now complaining because Dublin are flexing their muscles more than they ever did before. The bottom line is Dublin's current strength makes no difference to over half of the counties chances of winning an All Ireland, it's zero now and was usually zero before. It's the likes of Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Tyrone etc. who have had their chances of ultimate success slashed from what it was.

The thing is the likes of Mayo/Cork/Kerry/Tyrone always looked like they could be got at it, they were always vulnerable and there for the taking in the past.

Dublin just go out and hammer every team in sight with the exception of a handful of teams who could give them a game but will still go into that match at the shortest 3/1 shots. When Dublin hadn't their house in order there was hope for counties with smaller resources and  little tradition to dream and break into that league - now there is none - Dublin have just pulled so far ahead of everyone else. The fact that this is being fueled by the organisation itself is bound to add disillusionment about the game.

[larryin89]

Im looking at these debates quite a bit over the last few years. 

What do ye want like?  A perfect utopia of fairness and 32 counties winning all irelands? 

Its a load of bollix what people go on about mostly " why  shouldn't  longfords children have days out in croke park" pfft sure why shouldnt i live in a big mansion and my brats go to private schools and fancy holidays?  Oh aye its called tough shit. 

Spare a thought for the people of altrincham in Cheshire watching United and city fans go to wembely and Europe every year whilst they get a trip to sunny southport.  Alti kids my  heart goes out to them.

[thejuice]

Larry, what you want as a sporting organization is things as even as possible off the field and the best teams come to the fore on the field. It's in the GAAs best interest to avoid one or a handful of teams being too far ahead of the pack.

[Mac2]

It's only a problem now because Dublin are winning, I remember Colm O'Rourke scoffing that Dublin were a team of athletes not footballers, now he wants them split. Why no hue and cry about the fortunes Kerry are putting in with a number of their players getting time out from their careers. There's always been a gap in terms of the teams competing for the ultimate prize.

[larryin89]

Larry, what you want as a sporting organization is things as even as possible off the field and the best teams come to the fore on the field. It's in the GAAs best interest to avoid one or a handful of teams being too far ahead of the pack.

No problem with that per se but  thats still not going to stop the dublin and kerrys rising to  the top.  Distribution of monies from the governing body should be equal of  course but you cant stop counties putting in the hard yards to raise funds  and maximising their advantages. 

[J70]

Would any of the North Eastern folks have any idea if the Nationalist population if those Counties ?
I'd hazard a guess of 33,000 for Fermanagh.

PS " Londonderry" J70....

Oops... Didn't even notice that when I copied and pasted it. Was more focused on editing out other columns.

[Jinxy]

It's only a problem now because Dublin are winning, I remember Colm O'Rourke scoffing that Dublin were a team of athletes not footballers, now he wants them split. Why no hue and cry about the fortunes Kerry are putting in with a number of their players getting time out from their careers. There's always been a gap in terms of the teams competing for the ultimate prize.

I dunno about a hue and cry but that was certainly commented on by a number of media figures.
Likewise in Donegal where the same issue reared its head.
Players will make certain sacrifices in their chosen career in order to get the most out of themselves but this thing of taking a break from work altogether is incredibly unhealthy and should be discouraged at all costs.

[Zulu]

Lar, the point is the GAA has always been unfair, counties with the highest populations dominating but fans from those counties, like Kerry, Mayo, Cork etc. never complained about how unfair it was on the Leitrim's of this world. They are now complaining because Dublin are flexing their muscles more than they ever did before. The bottom line is Dublin's current strength makes no difference to over half of the counties chances of winning an All Ireland, it's zero now and was usually zero before. It's the likes of Mayo, Kerry, Cork, Tyrone etc. who have had their chances of ultimate success slashed from what it was.

The thing is the likes of Mayo/Cork/Kerry/Tyrone always looked like they could be got at it, they were always vulnerable and there for the taking in the past.

Dublin just go out and hammer every team in sight with the exception of a handful of teams who could give them a game but will still go into that match at the shortest 3/1 shots. When Dublin hadn't their house in order there was hope for counties with smaller resources and  little tradition to dream and break into that league - now there is none - Dublin have just pulled so far ahead of everyone else. The fact that this is being fueled by the organisation itself is bound to add disillusionment about the game.

That's not really true though. Kerry, in particular, hammered many teams in the 70's and 80's. Indeed, for about 10 years in the late 70's early 80's Dublin and Kerry had very few competitors, certainly no more than the current Dublin team.

Tyrone also hammered quite a few teams during their best years. Granted, Armagh and Kerry probably had a better chance of beating them than anyone now has of beating Dublin but that is partly a consequence of Dublin having a truly great team while many others have teams that are average enough.

We do need a strong Dublin (cliché or not) but other counties should also get special investment to ensure they can still compete. However, it is incorrect to suggest what's happening is very different to what's happened before.