Mickey Harte wants Gaelic Football in the Olympics

[dublinfella]

The European Board want to get Football and hurling recognised as olmypic sports. This dosent mean they'd be played in the olympics but that you get an official stamp of approval from the Olympic Commitee. This would free up grant aid in most European countries who link Olympic recognition to their sports capital grants. A very worthwhile idea in fairness and i see no reason why it couldn't be done.

so its all about finding a loophole to con money out of local authorities on the continent? 

All this thread shows is that Mickey Hart doenst understand what the European Board are trying to do.

[tayto]

Christ you're some muppet.

It's about getting legitimate grants that are open to any sport, i know i know, you soccer clowns can't get yer heads around this basic premise. Sher why would you when you can get the local authorities to build your facilities.

Mick Harte, god forbid, might have his own ideas.

[GalwayBayBoy]

"I call upon the GAA to make a proposal to the International Olympic Committee that Gaelic Football become an exhibition sport at the Olympic Games. People will then see the quality of the product that we have and we can then further appreciate the potential of our own games."

Good man Mickey.

Ireland v United Kingdom in the final me reckons 

I'd say this is a complete non runner. They couldn't get rugby 7's into the Olympics and it's played all over the globe with regular international tournaments.

[DUBSFORSAM1]

The European Board want to get Football and hurling recognised as olmypic sports. This dosent mean they'd be played in the olympics but that you get an official stamp of approval from the Olympic Commitee. This would free up grant aid in most European countries who link Olympic recognition to their sports capital grants. A very worthwhile idea in fairness and i see no reason why it couldn't be done.

so its all about finding a loophole to con money out of local authorities on the continent? 

All this thread shows is that Mickey Hart doenst understand what the European Board are trying to do.

Its not conning money out of the local authorities you f*cking w*nker.......the rules in place over there are in order to receive funding you need to be registered as an Olympic Sport - If you knew anything about the effort people put into playing/training etc over there you would know that they literally just want somewhere to officially play rather than using cricket/rugby grounds and for building the infrastructure....especially as they put in some amount of work in converting the locals also....

[dublinfella]

Christ you're some muppet.

It's about getting legitimate grants that are open to any sport, i know i know, you soccer clowns can't get yer heads around this basic premise. Sher why would you when you can get the local authorities to build your facilities.

Mick Harte, god forbid, might have his own ideas.

but the GAA are trying to get the local authorities to build them facilities?!? are you even reading what you are typing ffs.

where exactly do you need to be an olympic sport to get grants? the original article referred to Holland and I believe that isnt the case, there is a regional sport called nerfball which gets state funding.

[Leo]

There is a thread in Mickey Harte's thinking that is far more relevant and that is the proper promotion of GAA abroad to give it its own international dimension. I touched on this in another debate - the appalling waste of effort and talent that goes into shambolic hybrid Aussie game and the degrading circus that is GAA stateside.

If only a fraction of the Croke Park money could be used to properly develop our games in England, USA etc. Sadly as immigration strictures in some countries will see the Irish influence demise so these opportunities decrease. Think of the squandered riches when US cities were awash with Irish immigrants who were never given the tools with which to attract indigineous talent and instead just had their own little petty kickabout. Too late now  I fear.

[ziggysego]

Mickey Harte has been saying this for year. Usually around the time of the International Rules Series. He says those times, that is would be a great way to show-case our sport to the world and help in us encouraging other nations in taking it up, not just ex-pats.

[tayto]

Think of the squandered riches when US cities were awash with Irish immigrants who were never given the tools with which to attract indigineous talent and instead just had their own little petty kickabout. Too late now  I fear.

there's an upside and downside to everything. Think of the rural clubs that struggled when everyone had to emigrate. Us clubs will be forced to recruit locals now that the Irish are staying at home, long term that's a far healthier situation.

[scalder]

Ah lads why just Gaelic football when we have hurling, being a game that predates the Olympics themselves, surely this is a game worthy of exposition at the Olympics?

[thejuice]

Ah lads why just Gaelic football when we have hurling, being a game that predates the Olympics themselves, surely this is a game worthy of exposition at the Olympics?

Yes indeed,