Messages

The Kileen gaels is almost agreed although it may cause one or two defections from B/House.

Is there really any need for Barrowhouse to exist on their own anyway.

Even though you're clearly on a wind up, you make a valid point. There's a case for saying that clubs like Barrowhouse, Killeen and Kilcruise are fighting a losing battle. It will only ever be hard graft for small clubs to keep their ship afloat. The enjoyment that is gleaned from being part of a bigger set up is all but taken away when a small group of people are having to fund raise, train, organise , administrate and do the countless other tasks. I'm all for pooling resources when it has become so obvious that everything is a struggle. The GAA love this idea of volunteers giving up their time, but I don't think they have the first notion what that actually means

Anything that is worth anything is hard graft. I think if the basis for amalgamtions is that it's too hard to sustain a rural club because volunteers are no longer willing to give up and be generous with their very precious spare time then the backbone of the GAA is under threat. I think the frustration for me is when outsiders make judgements about certain clubs (more often than not rural ones) and wonder what is their point because they perceive it to be struggle. But sure it is a struggle but success sustains and success for rural clubs is much wider concept  for me than simply counting senior or even intermediate titles

The Kileen gaels is almost agreed although it may cause one or two defections from B/House.

Is there really any need for Barrowhouse to exist on their own anyway.

I'm not from Barrowhouse but I'm offended for them despite no offence I assume meant. Rural clubs are the essence of the GAA and where at all possible these clubs should be encouraged to continue to plough their lone proud furrow. Sure why should Leitrim, Louth or Laois exist on the intercounty scene.

In my view amalgamtions should be last resort only. We should look to maximise the numbers of young people playing GAA, not taking away avenues for them to play in the local community regardless of what that level may be. Of course ideally structures are in place to ensure ambitious and talented players have as some outlet to pit themselves against their peers but in any case the vibrancy of many rural communities throughout Ireland is underpinned by GAA activity and once sight is lost of that I think the GAA becomes a much different organisation.

Sexton is in another class to Owen Farrell, who is flakey as they come and quite limited too. Might be best for Sexton if he wants to make the next WC if the manager goes with Farrell though.

Farrell was nominated for world player of the year, undefeated this year for England and won Grand Slam, Champions Cup and Premiership. And I'm not sure where the flaky comment comes from? Think his international kicking stats are the second highest off all international kickers. And he has just turned 25 - Sexton's international career was only getting started at that age. So while I don't like him, I wouldn't dismiss him!

I thought Farrell was in the centre for England these last few games with Ford outhalf, no?

Why would Farrell be given the outhalf jersey if he can't even get it for England?

As for the Lions, apart from being a load of pish, Gatland is hardly the most expansive of coaches so I'd not get too bothered if Sexton wasn't included..

not arguing at all that Farrell should get the 10 jersey, as you say he wearing 12 for England at the moment - was just making the point that I don't think he is "quite limited" or "flakey" (in so far as I see anyway). Sexton's career performances over the last two years have taken him to a different level, similar criticisms were unfairly levelled at him as well. Certainly Farrell at 25 compares very favourably to Sexton at 25.

Sexton is in another class to Owen Farrell, who is flakey as they come and quite limited too. Might be best for Sexton if he wants to make the next WC if the manager goes with Farrell though.

Farrell was nominated for world player of the year, undefeated this year for England and won Grand Slam, Champions Cup and Premiership. And I'm not sure where the flaky comment comes from? Think his international kicking stats are the second highest off all international kickers. And he has just turned 25 - Sexton's international career was only getting started at that age. So while I don't like him, I wouldn't dismiss him!

RTE and others must have watched a different game than me if they thought that scrappy bad tempered contest was incredible. Dublin won because of a better bench and a management team that made less mistakes

Absolutely. As far as actual football went today's match was pure sh!te bar the odd decent point.

Keegans loss was huge and in the end Dublin had more on the bench who could come on and genuinely affect the game.

Incredible drama both days. If that was shite football (and I'm not saying it was a classic) then what sort of dross did we watch most of the year. I'd watch them go at it again for sure. Wouldn't say the same about Tyrone/Donegal this year as an example or Kerry Donegal final in 2014. It's very hard to keep us happy!

Have to agree with you there.i see St. Paul's there having a great run of success at the moment.i just think if they were together it would take a few years but they could have a good team out of it.for me is I can't understand how they go out at youth level and play together and at senior level there playing against each other.

out of interest are you proposing a new club amalgamtion or an amalgamation for purposes of playing senior football where clubs retain identity and play at lower level (Kerry system if you like).

If it's option 1, I wonder what appetite would you think might there be in Courtwood, Emo or the Rock would be willing to fold their current identity to create a new combined one?

Lots of valid calls on this forum for fresh thinking when it comes to re-invigorating senior championship but not always clear from people who want to see amalgamtions what form they want them to take.

Was at the Kilvcavan v Barrowhouse Relegation final

Barrowhouse won on a scoreline of 2-8 to 2-4

Kilcavan will do well to stay Junior next year on the basis of what I saw.

The ref could have sent off more of their players near the end as frustration got the better of them.

God I've never seen as many men over 40 on an Intermediate team ...

Barrowhouse were far better and could and should have won by more!

Yep a lot of 40 plus year olds - though each one of those 40 year olds are a credit to the club and damn good footballers!

A different narrative is 14 man Kilcavan missing 7 players come up short against a team they beat by 6 points only 4 weeks ago in the league final. Fair play to Barrowhouse, some very good young players and better team on the night. Hope they kick on next year and don't end up in a relegation battle. Kilcavan on the other hand will do our best to stay out of junior B!!

Applying this new proposal to this year's championship and this weekends games, we might have Donegal playing Mayo next weekend and Dublin playing Tyrone. If there were wins for Dublin and Mayo it would mean last two games would be pointless (why would Tyrone and Donegal bother playing each other at all.) what sort of game would Dublin Mayo be?

Some day for it lads.
Absolutely fckin disgusted these games are only on SKY.

Biggest games of the year and I wonder how many will see them? So much for much needed exposure.

Any one by any chance no anybody with two spare tickets? On my way into town now to have a look

http://www.irishtimes.com/sport/gaelic-games/jim-mcguinness-how-i-would-reinvigorate-football-championship-1.2241993
Jim's idea is still in my view the current best proposal - 2 tiered but every team can still win the All Ireland at start of championship. It's hard not to acknowledge his point that there is an issue moving from 5 current trophies in the current championship to possibly max 1 or 2 in other non provincial based ideas.

This is miles worse than the Connacht final.

Only thing worse than that game was having to listen to Tom Carr on co commentary.

Another walkover last night in Division 3A which has turned into a farce. I imagine we will have a few walkovers in all leagues with the Euros as most clubs will be down players over the next fortnight.

Kilcavan have played 4 matches to date in this league and have received 4 (possibly 5) walkovers already at this point. I know some may same it's only division 3 but its a reflection of the health of Laois club football is at the moment

Are goalkeepers not exempt from black cards?

Yes exempt. They should update the rule book

Not sure what I hate more - bad referees or blanket defences. Both blights on the game in equal measures

Hard to take much away from Ballyboden but this has been one of the biggest blow outs you will ever see in a final especially considering Castlebar were red hot favourites. Total systems failure