Liam O Neill and County Managers. Eugene McGee

[Catch and Kick]

There was a time when Presidents were figure heads of the Association but in recent years the post seems to have become very politicised and every candidate has campaigned on issues. Liam O Neill is leading the charge against the great evil of the GAA the 'Team manager'.  The cancer in the Association.......
I think it was Liam who was Co Secretary in Laois when the great Micko was appointed as Laois Manager. Micko could be considered the greatest Manager of all time by many and it was a great coup to get him on board. Can't help but think though that Liam himself contributed to the cult of the team manger with that appointment. Laois had a very active supporters club then too.....
Another keen to have a swipe at all things in the modern game is Eugene McGee.
There is no doubt the final report of the Football Review Committee could have been written in advance by Eugene - many of his gripes down the years featured in the conclusions. Another thing that grates is the excessive coverage he affords his native Longford in his reporting for a national newspaper...all counties should be given equal prominence or at least in proportion to their successes.
Last rant is on the politics of the inter pros. The selections are heavily influenced by the make up of the section committee and office holders in some of the provinces , if not all of them. It's the same year in, year out. There are players on the provincial squads who are not making their county's 24 man NFL panels....

[DuffleKing]

O'Neill is becoming a bit of a joke at this stage. Too fond of his proclamations without giving
them any thorough thought ( I hope).

He obviously decided that the FRC would be his legacy but more likely a weight around his neck. Who decoded we needed an FRC anyway?

[Catch and Kick]

Agree 100%. Our leaders are often led by what some journalists think.
The opinions of Team Managers, Club and County, top coaching figures were all dismissed nonchalantly. Imagine proclaiming that the managers had a vested interest - I've read that comment by McGee and heard it from officials. Administrators and journalists apparently are far more qualified to hold opinions than those actually coaching and training teams!!

[Orchardman]

Wise up lads, county managers for sure have a vested interest and seem to think their opinions are the only one's that matter

[theskull1]

OM ... have a bit of manners ...them boys are looking to create a consensus

[GalwayBayBoy]

Hope Liam O'Neill stays. I'd miss his cheery disposition.



And lovely smile.

[Rossfan]

This thread is totally ridiculous.

[Catch and Kick]

Dont see whats ridiculous about it. There has been a targeted  campaign against Managers in recent times. First it was about payments. Fair enough. Except that the vast bulk of managers do it for free. The distinct impression has been given that it's a gravy train.
We then have had their opinions on the games dismissed because they are currently coaching!!!! How ridiculous is that.
I pointed out the LON has this week come out about the cult of the manager while forgetting that he was secretary of a Board that appointed the highest profile manager in the game to manage his own county. Why didnt he develop or promote from within?
Dont get me wrong, I understand LON is a fantastic GAA man, totally committed but I do feel that career administrators are holding far too much influence. The role of president should not be to constantly court the media and set the agenda; he should imo be a figurehead as the role was originally devised.

[Zulu]

While I don't agree with some of what Liam O'Neill has said in recent times I disagree with the idea of a figure head. We need to people to lead and if the majority don't agree with them then it shouldn't come to pass but the top men (and women) should be pushing what they believe to be the best for the association.

[Catch and Kick]

Zulu I think that is the role of the Ard Stiuritheoir who is full time and can give direction and lead.
Presidential candidates on the other hand have to court votes, run campaigns, have issues to promote - to get elected. 
The problem then is the next President has another agenda and so on..
In recent times we have gotten President's taking on the role for their own self promotion....

I believe it should be an honorary and representative role only

[Zulu]

But that's just it they tell us what they think is important when trying to get elected so they should then follow up on that when in office. I'm not saying the president needs to be in the papers all the time but I feel he has every right to push the association in the direction he, and those who elected him, feels is right. Ultimately the clubs have the opportunity to vote anything in anyway so if the majority disagree it won't (or shouldn't) happen. Like I said I wouldn't agree with much of what he has said so far but he has the right to say it IMO. I think there is too much hostility to GAA folk who express opinions, especially those of a non-traditionalist slant but discussing and debating things is always healthy so I like to see our leaders expressing opinions.

[Rossfan]

we have gotten President's

2 mortal sins - -americanisation and the comma. 
Surely the Ard St.'s role is to implement the policy of the Assocoation as decided by Congress while the President as an elected individual should be trying to push improvements as he'd see them ??
If you want a figurehead -you go for some venerable old Gael along the lines of Clubs appointing someone as a President while the Chairman is the real head of the Club.

[ziggy90]

Liam o Neill is, as far as I know, the only President of the GAA to visit Warwickshire and as such you wont hear much criticism of him this side of the pond. Is he not allowed an opinon?

[Orchardman]

Do you mean visit the birmingham area? I know most of the last 3 or 4 presidents where there! these guys visit pretty much  everywhere during their term

[Catch and Kick]

Mea culpa Rossfan. Your English is splendid.