National Games Development Centre

[From the Bunker]

I think even some of the Dubs are questioning it at this stage. What's the point in winning things if you haven't earned it? I wonder do supporters of teams in other sports question the validity of things they won? Like the soccer clubs with billionaires backing them or rugby teams with similar financial backing. I suppose the opportunity for other teams to do similar is possible in those sports but not in the GAA world. In fact, is there any example of another team that gets bankrolled by the actual governing body of a sport like we see with Dublin? It's crazy when you think about it.

It is the reason why attendances at Dublin games have somewhat collapsed in comparison to 10-15 years ago where Dublin Meath games would get 80000+ and a Dublin Kildare game wouldn't be far behind. Now a lot of their fans are waiting until the semi final at least before turning up while opposition fans have given up years ago.

You've no excuse. You pissed all your resources away paying managers

Kildare under McGeeney:

Highest paid and most expensive management team
Most expensive training sessions in the country
Centre of excellence
Still couldn't win a raffle

Other counties (especially those who's brief period of success coincided wth the 120m GBP windfall from Her Majesty) should concentrate on setting standards in their own counties.

Agree, with the setting standards in their own counties. But you have to admit that Dublin is now head and shoulders above all teams in regards to almost all counties in regards advantages. You have no concept of how far ahead you are in regards funding and sponsorship. It's a different world! This coupled with the home venue issue makes it impossible for nearly all counties to be even anywhere near Dublin.

[Dinny Breen]

Don't be stupid FTB, Dublin's success is based on volunteerism and hard work. If you look for equality and fairness in what is suppose to be a somewhat socialist and indeed altruistic organisation you get accused of petty jealousy and p*ssing money away. This sense of dogma among Dublin supporters is pretty consistent and has to be admired but as someone once said what do expect expect from a pig but a grunt, Animal Farm we are indeed.

[Main Street]

A poor man's Dunganny.

Net fixing method in Dunganny

[heffo]

Don't be stupid FTB, Dublin's success is based on volunteerism and hard work. If you look for equality and fairness in what is suppose to be a somewhat socialist and indeed altruistic organisation you get accused of petty jealousy and p*ssing money away. This sense of dogma among Dublin supporters is pretty consistent and has to be admired but as someone once said what do expect expect from a pig but a grunt, Animal Farm we are indeed.

I wouldn't expect more than a grunt from your likes alright.

Where are all the volunteers in Kildare? How many of the supporters who turn out when they feel they're favourites in a game are actively helping to raise standards in their club or for their county?

Why have Kildare underachieved so much with them having so many natural advantages (population, money, effectively a single code).

Aren't you the person who when told that Croke Park will arrange for a strategic planning officer to visit any club or county board and help develop a strategic plan for them asked why Croke Park have to be asked?

Are you happy Kildare are doing everything they can to ensure they set their own standards high or is the bar set so low it's comical?

[Stad]

^

Not even an attempt made to defend the money Dublin have got! As I said on the last page, even the Dubs now accept that their is no defence.

[heffo]

^

Not even an attempt made to defend the money Dublin have got! As I said on the last page, even the Dubs now accept that their is no defence.

I don't engage with trolls.

[Dinny Breen]

Don't be stupid FTB, Dublin's success is based on volunteerism and hard work. If you look for equality and fairness in what is suppose to be a somewhat socialist and indeed altruistic organisation you get accused of petty jealousy and p*ssing money away. This sense of dogma among Dublin supporters is pretty consistent and has to be admired but as someone once said what do expect expect from a pig but a grunt, Animal Farm we are indeed.

I wouldn't expect more than a grunt from your likes alright.

Where are all the volunteers in Kildare? How many of the supporters who turn out when they feel they're favourites in a game are actively helping to raise standards in their club or for their county?

Why have Kildare underachieved so much with them having so many natural advantages (population, money, effectively a single code).

Aren't you the person who when told that Croke Park will arrange for a strategic planning officer to visit any club or county board and help develop a strategic plan for them asked why Croke Park have to be asked?

Are you happy Kildare are doing everything they can to ensure they set their own standards high or is the bar set so low it's comical?

Can't remember the last underage game Dublin out-supported Kildare, majority of games Dublin were favourites, maybe the 2003 u21 final in Navan, Bryan Cullen was captain, same Bryan Cullen who is now working professionally for Dublin. How many other counties have a High Performance Manager?

Nothing wrong with our volunteers if only we had an army of paid coaches to help compliment them. The gap only grows at senior, myriad of factors some cultural, some down to poor coach coaching (can't be denied) but providing the right support structures for players to develop needs money. Kildare players do a lot of their own fund-raising but an amateur set-up can't keep with the professionals, Kerry and Donegal have to get private investment into the millions to keep-up and it's literally just keeping up. Eventually that money will dry up for them and we will be left with Streau Dublin.

But hey maintain the Dogma, someday the penny will drop.

[Maroon Manc]

But for a poor tactical showing from Jim Gavin the Dubs would be on for 4 in a row this summer and their dominance would really be questioned all over the media. Its easy for everyone to say playing in Corker for every game is an advantage to them but it wasn't that long ago where they claimed it was proving a hindrance. It does look ominous for the rest for the next few years but that can easily change, Dublin dominating the championship and winning just for example 7 or 8 of the next 10 championships doesn't do the GAA any favours, attendances at games in Leinster are already suffering and will get worse. I don't know what affect this has on viewing figures but i'd imagine they are been affected and this in turn surely will affect sponsorship. Dublin's dominance has coincided with a poorest Meath team I've witnessed to make matters worse. They might won a championship for the next few years and all the talk of advantages will go away.

[JoG2]

But for a poor tactical showing from Jim Gavin the Dubs would be on for 4 in a row this summer and their dominance would really be questioned all over the media. Its easy for everyone to say playing in Corker for every game is an advantage to them but it wasn't that long ago where they claimed it was proving a hindrance. It does look ominous for the rest for the next few years but that can easily change, Dublin dominating the championship and winning just for example 7 or 8 of the next 10 championships doesn't do the GAA any favours, attendances at games in Leinster are already suffering and will get worse. I don't know what affect this has on viewing figures but i'd imagine they are been affected and this in turn surely will affect sponsorship. Dublin's dominance has coincided with a poorest Meath team I've witnessed to make matters worse. They might won a championship for the next few years and all the talk of advantages will go away.

agreed, how can it go any other way with one team a million miles ahead of their nearest rivals? Watching your team getting pummeled by Dublin in Croke Pk or watching them shadow box another county, with the winners going on to get the inevitable pummeling , I wouldn't blame any man nor beast from staying away . All Dublin's matches are also broadcast live on the box, but gone are the days I'd tune in to marvel at their attacking play and ruthless defending, instead your now watching a grizzly toying with a kitten with the kitten lying in 20 pieces after 15 mins, which holds zero appeal. Its a hard watch for a neutral, I cant imagine what it's like for a supporter of one of these counties. The Leinster championship is a complete non-entity and will be for a long time to come.

[Stad]

^

Not even an attempt made to defend the money Dublin have got! As I said on the last page, even the Dubs now accept that their is no defence.

I don't engage with the reality of Dublin's professional set up.

That's what you meant to say.

[Hound]

Gotta love the whinging.

Suck it up crybabies.

Are the same people complaining about Kilkenny's utter dominance in hurling?

What about Kerry winning 4 in a rows?

Dublin being good means Meath and Kildare have the excuse to be pants?
No excuse for Meath and Kildare to fall so far behind Mayo, Donegal, Tyrone. Sorry for bringing Meath into, as I know they are far more annoyed with themselves than the Dubs. But the flourbag whingebags are a laughing stock.

Was it money that produced Diarmuid Connolly and Paul Flynn? That makes them work their absolute boll*x off every game, that makes them catch high balls and kick monster points? Two of the best half forwards ever, that happened to come along at the same time, and instead of praising them people want to put them down because there is money being pumped into grassroots level?
Money produced Stephen Cluxton, the greatest keeper of all time, who has changed the way the position looked at? Seriously, do people actually think that money has even the slightest thing to do with that?

Dublin happen to have the greatest bunch of players they've ever had. Success also breeds success so we are building on it. But the really great players haven't got long left, and at underage we're not dominating in any similar way. Players coming through over the next few years will certainly be no better than Kildare's.

We won't be the best team for too much longer, so sit back and enjoy it while it lasts. Though I guarantee if/when Mayo, Kerry, Donegal, Tyrone play us in championship this year, all of them will feel they can beat us.

And Leinster will turnaround also, though I do dread it. When Meath get to 80% as good as us, they'll probably take us. When Kildare get to 120% as good as us, they might even take us too.

[AZOffaly]

Hound, if the money isn't a major factor, just give it back. Or even just take the same as Cork.

Of course there's more than money goes into it, but you cannot deny that money makes it an awful lot easier to get good coaches, get into the clubs and schools and help develop the players.

[DuffleKing]

Gotta love the whinging.

Suck it up crybabies.

Are the same people complaining about Kilkenny's utter dominance in hurling?

What about Kerry winning 4 in a rows?

Dublin being good means Meath and Kildare have the excuse to be pants?
No excuse for Meath and Kildare to fall so far behind Mayo, Donegal, Tyrone. Sorry for bringing Meath into, as I know they are far more annoyed with themselves than the Dubs. But the flourbag whingebags are a laughing stock.

Was it money that produced Diarmuid Connolly and Paul Flynn? That makes them work their absolute boll*x off every game, that makes them catch high balls and kick monster points? Two of the best half forwards ever, that happened to come along at the same time, and instead of praising them people want to put them down because there is money being pumped into grassroots level?
Money produced Stephen Cluxton, the greatest keeper of all time, who has changed the way the position looked at? Seriously, do people actually think that money has even the slightest thing to do with that?

Dublin happen to have the greatest bunch of players they've ever had. Success also breeds success so we are building on it. But the really great players haven't got long left, and at underage we're not dominating in any similar way. Players coming through over the next few years will certainly be no better than Kildare's.

We won't be the best team for too much longer, so sit back and enjoy it while it lasts. Though I guarantee if/when Mayo, Kerry, Donegal, Tyrone play us in championship this year, all of them will feel they can beat us.

And Leinster will turnaround also, though I do dread it. When Meath get to 80% as good as us, they'll probably take us. When Kildare get to 120% as good as us, they might even take us too.

Absolutely. Not understanding how eliminates you from the conversation

[westbound]

More money ensures that more players maximum their abilities and potential.

Most counties wouldn't have the same number of players with natural ability as dublin to start with (which I don't have a problem with), but Dublin (with more money) will also maximise a greater % of those players potential.

In my mind, to create a (somewhat) level playing field, every county should get the same amount of money per registered club player (or maybe per registered club team) in that county! (I'm ignoring sponsorship money here because I think that'll balance itself out over time if/when dublin regress and other counties become more successful, and in reality there is very little can be done about this anyway)

I actually think that the money given to Dublin should not necessarily be reduced. But every other county should have their funds from HQ increased.

In reality there will always be inequities - unless we completely rip up the whole association and start from scratch again!

[Croí na hÉireann]

Gotta love the whinging.

Suck it up crybabies.

Are the same people complaining about Kilkenny's utter dominance in hurling?

What about Kerry winning 4 in a rows?

Dublin being good means Meath and Kildare have the excuse to be pants?
No excuse for Meath and Kildare to fall so far behind Mayo, Donegal, Tyrone. Sorry for bringing Meath into, as I know they are far more annoyed with themselves than the Dubs. But the flourbag whingebags are a laughing stock.

Was it money that produced Diarmuid Connolly and Paul Flynn? That makes them work their absolute boll*x off every game, that makes them catch high balls and kick monster points? Two of the best half forwards ever, that happened to come along at the same time, and instead of praising them people want to put them down because there is money being pumped into grassroots level?
Money produced Stephen Cluxton, the greatest keeper of all time, who has changed the way the position looked at? Seriously, do people actually think that money has even the slightest thing to do with that?

Dublin happen to have the greatest bunch of players they've ever had. Success also breeds success so we are building on it. But the really great players haven't got long left, and at underage we're not dominating in any similar way. Players coming through over the next few years will certainly be no better than Kildare's.

We won't be the best team for too much longer, so sit back and enjoy it while it lasts. Though I guarantee if/when Mayo, Kerry, Donegal, Tyrone play us in championship this year, all of them will feel they can beat us.

And Leinster will turnaround also, though I do dread it. When Meath get to 80% as good as us, they'll probably take us. When Kildare get to 120% as good as us, they might even take us too.

Can you name the winners of the Leinster U21 championship for the last 3 years? It's the same county that have won 6 of the last 8 Leinster U21 chapionships. It's also the same county that have won 3 of the last 6 All Ireland U21 championships. That to me is dominating and probably the most important championship when it comes to transitioning players to senior level. And yes, I would also have an issue with Kilkenny's complete and utter disregard for football. The gap between Dublin and the rest is only going to increase, not decrease.