We've heard for years about how an All-Ireland win would help promote football in Dublin. If I were involved in Dublin football, this development would really, really piss me off.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/rugby/dublin-skipper-cullen-joins-leinster-rugby-2882572.html
Independent.ie
Dublin skipper Cullen joins Leinster rugby
By Ruaidhri O'Connor
Wednesday September 21 2011
LEINSTER rugby chiefs have signed up Dublin's All-Ireland winning captain Bryan Cullen to coach their
next generation of stars.
Having made history by becoming the first Dublin skipper in 16 years to lift Sam Maguire, one of
Cullen's next big tasks will be to help deliver success for Leinster rugby.
The Skerries native will be overseeing the fitness programme of the province's next generation of
stars when he starts his new job as the Heineken Cup champions' sub-academy fitness coach in the
coming weeks.
The 27-year-old is in the process of completing a PhD in exercise physiology at DCU where he has
studied under sports science expert Niall Moyna. He is believed to be keen to develop his skills in a
fully professional environment.
Cullen has been working part-time at the Medfit Wellness and Rehabilitation centre in Blackrock, but
now he will form a key part of the successful Leinster Academy team under academy manager Colin
McEntee and former Ireland and Leinster full-back Girvan Dempsey.
The province's production line is impressive, with nine of Ireland's 30-man World Cup squad having
come through their ranks.
Based out of the Riverview gym in Donnybrook and UCD, the Dublin half-forward will provide
specialist support in the area of physical conditioning to age-grade and nominated development
players, implement the IRFU national fitness programme and work with schools and youths coaches
to develop young players with prospects of provincial success.
The job was advertised as an "exciting and challenging position," and Cullen was required to have an
IRFU conditioning certificate, strength and fitness coaching experience, his educational qualifications
and organisation and communication skills.
His decade playing at the top level of competitive Gaelic games is sure to have helped his cause,
and it will be regarded as a notable coup for rugby to appoint such a high-profile GAA star.
Leinster's gain will definitely be seen as the GAA's loss, with the association hoping to capitalise on
the huge goodwill in the capital following Sunday's momentous victory over great rivals Kerry.
However, Leinster manager and former Ireland scrum-half Guy Easterby believes that the city is big
enough for two massive sporting brands in blue.
"It's a huge positive, especially with Kilkenny winning the hurling and now Dublin the football -- it's
great for the area," he said.
"Their season doesn't run along our season and I just hope that the positivity that has come out of
Sunday that was plain for all to see, it was a fantastic atmosphere there, can be carried on."
Newly-crowned All-Ireland champions Dublin will play county champions Kilmacud Crokes in a charity
challenge in Parnell Park (7.45) this evening. Admission is €10 with the entire proceeds divided
between two charities that the Dublin team is involved with -- Crosscare and Temple Street
Children's Hospital.
- Ruaidhri O'Connor
How would you expect Cullen to give up an opportunity like this though? A full time job in the area he has trained in is great these days.
Until the GAA starts to pay players i cant see how anyone can stop people working in any job.
I can't see what the problem is. He is taking up a job that he has trained for. He isn't playing for them.
If the GAA don't have a similar position to offer then I don't see whats wrong with this. You have a young man playing a sport he loves at a professional level with amateur status and he is able to pursue a career in the sport and leisure sector.
I know different sports compete with one another, but I just don't buy this argument that we need to be looking over our shoulder at rugby and soccer. I come from what many would call a predominantly soccer city in Derry. Nearly everyone of our senior players would have played soccer at a competitive level when younger. Our current captain was the captain of the best youth side in the city and many of our players could have played semiprofessional. But not one single player is playing soccer at a competitive level now. The structure of our sport stands up to and betters anyother, which is down to the club ethos of "one life, one club" (well in most cases anyway). We just need to continually work on promoting the games and the rest will take care of itself.
Ha Ha no surprises there. Anyone in Nth Co Dublin will tell you Skerries have always been out n out D4 wannabees.
Seriously though, I dont see a problem. GAA is an amateur organisation, he is pursuing a professional career in sports, fair play to him.
I'm sur eif the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.
Where does this leave Dinny Breen ? Is Cullen working with him or instead of him ?
Quote from: fearglasmor on September 21, 2011, 10:06:32 AM
I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.
How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?
Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.
Quote from: Hoof Hearted on September 21, 2011, 10:14:59 AM
Where does this leave Dinny Breen ? Is Cullen working with him or instead of him ?
For me ;)
He got a job as a fitness coach working in rugby.
Don't see how it's any different than working in a bank tbh.
It's a day job, it's not like he's given up football.
Quote from: fearglasmor on September 21, 2011, 10:06:32 AM
Ha Ha no surprises there. Anyone in Nth Co Dublin will tell you Skerries have always been out n out D4 wannabees.
Seriously though, I dont see a problem. GAA is an amateur organisation, he is pursuing a professional career in sports, fair play to him.
I'm sur eif the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.
That's for sure. ;D
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on September 21, 2011, 10:16:44 AM
Quote from: fearglasmor on September 21, 2011, 10:06:32 AM
I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.
How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?
Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.
Can see where you are coming from alright, but the lad needs to get a good job or a high profle job to help boost his fledgling career. This is such a job. He wont be playing football in 10 years time. The GAA is an amateur organisation and the money paid to coaches wouldnt match what is available in the private sector.
Colm Brady - Ex Meath player was the first LeinsterGAA football coach (along with Harry or Lester ryan of kilkenny for the hurling) and he moved on to bigger and better things after a few great years at the job. Wouldnt begrudge Bryan at all as its a career opportunity.
the title makes it sound worse and indeed a pr own goal. imo it isnt.
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on September 21, 2011, 10:16:44 AM
Quote from: fearglasmor on September 21, 2011, 10:06:32 AM
I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.
How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?
Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.
Christ talk about sucking something negative out of a positive story!
The guy has a top qualification in strength and conditioning. Presumably he applied for a position in a professional sport? How could the gaa afford to match this in terms of renumeration and opportunity ?
He has every right to go for the position. The Gaa dont own him.
Best of luck to him. Tops a great week for the lad.
Quote from: ross matt on September 21, 2011, 11:03:39 AM
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on September 21, 2011, 10:16:44 AM
Quote from: fearglasmor on September 21, 2011, 10:06:32 AM
I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.
How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?
Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.
Christ talk about sucking something negative out of a positive story!
The guy has a top qualification in strength and conditioning. Presumably he applied for a position in a professional sport? How could the gaa afford to match this in terms of renumeration and opportunity ?
He has every right to go for the position. The Gaa dont own him.
Best of luck to him. Tops a great week for the lad.
I don't think ICC is having a go at Bryan Cullen in any way.
His criticism is for the GAA in that they didn't offer him a coaching role and keep his talents within the organisation (not to mention the media "GAA star joins rugby" type headlines).
But there are a lot of details that aren't publicy known:
- Maybe the GAA knew nothing about this - players would hardly be telling Croke Park when they're applying for a job.
- Maybe all current coaching roles in Dublin or Leinster are filled.
- Maybe Cullen was offered a role by the GAA and turned it down for his own reasons.
If there was a similar position in the GAA he'd probably still go for the Leinster job. A more professional organisation, chance to move to the Irish set up in future, chance to be recognised internationally, it's a no brainer. It's not like choosing to play rugby instead of football, it's a job and you have to analyse which gives the better experience and opportunities like any job
Quote from: Tubberman on September 21, 2011, 11:21:09 AM
Quote from: ross matt on September 21, 2011, 11:03:39 AM
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on September 21, 2011, 10:16:44 AM
Quote from: fearglasmor on September 21, 2011, 10:06:32 AM
I'm sure if the GAA offered a similar position he'd be happy to consider that too.
How can they not have offered him a similar position? The GAA has paid coaches all over the country. You're telling me that they couldn't find a job for the All-Ireland winning captain?
Cullen has the right to do whatever he wants, of course. All I'm saying is that Dublin GAA should ask themselves how they allowed such a PR disaster to happen.
Christ talk about sucking something negative out of a positive story!
The guy has a top qualification in strength and conditioning. Presumably he applied for a position in a professional sport? How could the gaa afford to match this in terms of renumeration and opportunity ?
He has every right to go for the position. The Gaa dont own him.
Best of luck to him. Tops a great week for the lad.
I don't think ICC is having a go at Bryan Cullen in any way.
His criticism is for the GAA in that they didn't offer him a coaching role and keep his talents within the organisation (not to mention the media "GAA star joins rugby" type headlines).
But there are a lot of details that aren't publicy known:
- Maybe the GAA knew nothing about this - players would hardly be telling Croke Park when they're applying for a job.
- Maybe all current coaching roles in Dublin or Leinster are filled.
- Maybe Cullen was offered a role by the GAA and turned it down for his own reasons.
Thanks Tubberman. I have no problem with Cullen at all, any more than I have with Pearse Hanley or Tommy Walsh playing Aussie Rules. Everybody's got to make a living.
But there's no way between Hell and Bethlehem that Dublin GAA can let the positive publicity of an All-Ireland win be lost to rugby without putting up a big fight, and I'd like to know what that fight was.
If I were in charge of Leinster rugby, I'd have posters of Brian O'Driscoll and Bryan Cullen shoulder to shoulder in the RDS, and I'd call it Brothers in Arms. At least Hanley and Walsh are on the other side of the world.
I love rugby but I'm not stupid. This is a bad blow to Dublin GAA and a complete result for Leinster rugby. And I'm afraid to see it as any other way is naive in the extreme.
no different than the rugby coaches getting jobs with the GAA teams. McGurnn at armagh
Davis girls one at Down the other at kildare.
would be great if his own county or code could reap the rewards of his knowledge, maybe in the future.
I don't get the fuss tbh.
Good luck to him, strange timing I suppose with the week that it is. A lot of these guys work with various teams and sports over a career picking up invaluable experience that can be of benefit when moving between sports.
People need to live. Gaelic isnt a professional sport, it can never compete on level terms with those sports which are professional.
It's a bit of a coup for Leinster rugby, but I don't know what the GAA are meant to do about it. Give him an equivalent job? If Leinster then offer another Dublin star the post will the GAA have to make up a job for him too?
It's a only coup in marketing terms, for 1 day, he's hardly a world renowned fitness conditioning coach with several Olympic gold medal athletes under his belt...
He has worked with Blackrock RFC, has done the IRFU courses and his PhD was in adolescent conditioning. He applied for and got the gig. In fact apart from a teacher/student it's the perfect job for playing football, as it will be flexible working hours and he will have excellent gym access..
I'm sure he will bring some ideas from football over and considering that most of the other Leinster and IRFU conditioners have athletics background, I'm sure some of these ideas will be refreshing....
Now in the future I'm sure there is a role somewhere in the GAA for a strength and conditioning GURU to come in and design a program framework that all GAA under-age development squads have work to off, maybe with the experience he'll gain from the IRFU Bryan Cullen could be that man....
Anyhow, I'm sure the young man hasn't had a better month in a long long time....
I was looking through the programme on Sunday and whereas once upon a time it included people with "real" jobs, i.e farmers, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians etc, the Kerry and Dublin lads in the main are teachers, bankers or students. Ideal for playing football.
Changed times.
Quote from: orangeman on September 21, 2011, 02:06:07 PM
I was looking through the programme on Sunday and whereas once upon a time it included people with "real" jobs, i.e farmers, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians etc, the Kerry and Dublin lads in the main are teachers, bankers or students. Ideal for playing football.
Changed times.
You forgot Francies title, "shutterer" :D
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on September 21, 2011, 03:01:35 PM
Quote from: orangeman on September 21, 2011, 02:06:07 PM
I was looking through the programme on Sunday and whereas once upon a time it included people with "real" jobs, i.e farmers, bricklayers, plumbers, electricians etc, the Kerry and Dublin lads in the main are teachers, bankers or students. Ideal for playing football.
Changed times.
You forgot Francies title, "shutterer" :D
Ciaran McDonald was listed as groundworker for a good few years, didnt quite tally with the media image of a fancy dan softie!
Fancy Dan Softie? McDonald? Jaysus, that is one image I'd never have had of him. That lad is a ball of muscle.
Quote from: AZOffaly on September 21, 2011, 03:06:11 PM
Fancy Dan Softie? McDonald? Jaysus, that is one image I'd never have had of him. That lad is a ball of muscle.
He is for sure but there are load of people who would have said he was soft and a poser cause of the hair and tan. After he stood up to the Aussies a lot of people changed their opinion of him.
I don't get the poor mouth paranoia of some of the Gaa fraternity.
There is nothing to come close to the Gaa in this country, if Leinster want to try to get a piece of something by hiring Cullen then good luck to both of them. But to see it as a blow for the Gaa is simply psychotic.
Those that say the Dubs winning the All-Ireland is good for the Gaa (which seems to be universally accepted) must presume that the corollary is that the Dubs not winning from 1996-2010 was somehow not good for the Gaa. To my mind the Gaa has done pretty well in those years and in Dublin it has gone from strength to strength, particularly the hurling.
The Gaa is by a country million miles this islands foremost sporting organisation and its lead over the others is growing. While complacency wouldn't be wise obviously, paranoia doesn't do anyone any good and imho needs to replaced by realism.
its just media bull shit making a story where there is none. was there such an outcry when gaa "head hunted" mike mcgurn from rugby to gaa.
Was there an outcry when tommy bowe moved from playing for monaghan to playing from Ulster
Quote from: oisinog on September 21, 2011, 04:37:12 PM
Was there an outcry when tommy bowe moved from playing for monaghan to playing from Ulster
Hardly cause he never played football for monaghan, development squad at a very young age, if that.
Nonsense story this, fair play to the lad and its his choosen profession, so more power to him and may he further his position in coming years and go to a higher level.
Think ICC is been totally over the top and unreasonable.
A non-story. Don't know what ICC the drama queen is doing even bringing it up.
Looks to be an excellent oppurtunity for Bryan. Best of luck to him.
Does this mean he's going to be a professional gym monkey now?
Quote from: Jinxy on September 21, 2011, 10:22:19 AM
He got a job as a fitness coach working in rugby.
Don't see how it's any different than working in a bank tbh.
It's a day job, it's not like he's given up football.
Quote from: Jinxy on September 21, 2011, 12:42:55 PM
I don't get the fuss tbh.
Yeah. Christ shouldn't we just be glad a top GAA player can still get a job in the country and dont have to head off to Oz or the States.
As usual the Meath lads are the rock of sense are this board. ;)
Rocks of sense and manliness.
Can I just look in and say hello at this point?
Hello Hardy.
*firm manly handshake*
What ICC is saying is correct. From a PR point of view this is a coup for Leinster Rugby who, lets face it, are the biggest competition to the Dubs around. I think its naive to not see that there is competition for hearts and minds there but from past experience I know many don't see it or want to see it.
Thanks Magpie. I though the pitch-capping wasn't far away for a while there.
There's an interview with the Chairman of the Dublin Board in the Indo today where he says Dublin didn't have a job to give Cullen. With all the coaches they have on the books, hard to believe they couldn't find room for one more.
An Cathaolach also chooses a touchingly innocent example of an Irish city where all games are equally cherished.
http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/the-gaa-are-not-in-a-position-to-offer-him-a-job-2884113.html
Independent.ie
'The GAA are not in a position to offer him a job'
Kettle insists Dublin could do little to prevent captain Cullen taking up Leinster rugby position
By Ruaidhri O'Connor
Thursday September 22 2011
DUBLIN County Board chairman Andy Kettle does not believe that the GAA have missed a trick in losing the skills of All-Ireland-winning captain Bryan Cullen to rugby.
The Skerries Harps man is one of the most marketable members of the Dublin squad, having become the first man from the capital to lift the Sam Maguire cup in 16 years.
But with the association in the capital looking to exploit their success last weekend, the image of Cullen wearing the harp of Leinster rather than the castle of Dublin on his tracksuit as he prepares the next generation of young rugby players is seen in some quarters as a lost opportunity.
The 27-year-old did not wish to discuss the new role he has been offered as Leinster Rugby's sub-academy fitness supremo when he paraded the Sam Maguire in front of his alma mater at Dublin City University (DCU) yesterday.
But after the spending around €2m on their inter-county teams this season, there are some involved in Dublin GAA who will see Cullen's move into rugby coaching as losing a marquee name to a rival sport.
However, Cullen is currently studying for a PhD in Exercise Physiology and is at the elite level of the strength and conditioning world after spending the best part of a decade under the tutelage of Niall Moyna in DCU.
limited
Kettle pointed out that employment opportunities within the field are limited, meaning Cullen needed to take the chance to develop his coaching skills at the elite level with Leinster.
"Not at all," Kettle said when asked if he felt Dublin GAA was losing out by the move. "Bryan Cullen is a person in the jobs market, he has a sports PhD and needs experience. He applied for a job that was advertised and we understand that he was offered that job.
"It is his chosen field and there are not that many jobs in that field. As an amateur organisation, we are not in a position to offer him that opportunity."
Leinster are not commenting on the story, but Cullen is expected to sign the contract that has been offered to him and begin his new role in the coming weeks. When he does, he will be charged with providing strength and conditioning training to the young members of Leinster's sub-academy and liaise with the coaches running underage school and club teams around the province.
Kettle does not see the GAA in Dublin as being in competition with the Heineken Cup champions, believing the two can live side-by-side, echoing the view of the province's manager Guy Easterby.
"Ireland is a sporting country," he said. "Look at Limerick city as an example where all sports live in harmony."
- Ruaidhri O'Connor
It's another classic example of the media generating an issue so they can write about it.
I was asked today by a lad I know that follows Leinster, "Why are the GAA so pissed off he got the job?" ::)
You should have shown him this thread Jinxy.
Or else there are more people pissed off than are letting on ...
Quote from: Jinxy on September 22, 2011, 04:45:58 PM
It's another classic example of the media generating an issue so they can write about it.
I was asked today by a lad I know that follows Leinster, "Why are the GAA so pissed off he got the job?" ::)
Yep!
Sure didnt Micky Ned teach the Springboks how to catch a ball over their head or something like that and sure wasnt it a source of great pride tha a little man from a little amateur sport like Gaelic football could teach something to them professional fellas.
Just so we're clear. Bryan Cullen can coach Leinster 'til the cows come home. Seeing Leo Cullen execute a correct solo is personal dream of my own.
Where the problem arises is if the captain of the All-Ireland champions is used in Leinster rugby advertising. If that happens, then the Dublin Board have a problem. That's all I'm saying. Nothing more, nothing less.
Have to agree with the meath lads here, its a non story in a sense that it's great for cullen that he's landed such a job. I read an interview with him back in may where he said what he was studying and that he wanted to work in a professional sport. This is the only job i can think that he could get in this country, or dublin anyway. So great news for the dublin team.
And this craic of giving him a job is nonsense. For example, down have 3 or 4 of their lads given handy coaching jobs around the school, the likes of clarke and coulter, and fair play. Cullen i would imagine didn't do a PhD for a handy wee number like that. I'm glad he's just finally working, he always seemed like one them clowns who was forever playing sigerson football. I did 5 years of messing about at uni, so i can talk!
As for rugby, it's a huge city, their is one professional sports team in the whole province, the leinster rugby team. For this there elite football counties like dublin, meath, kildare etc. There is all the room in the world for the 2 sports to co exist and everyone be happy. And I think rugby is shite despite all that!
Quote from: Orchardman on September 22, 2011, 10:59:11 PM
Have to agree with the meath lads here, its a non story in a sense that it's great for cullen that he's landed such a job. I read an interview with him back in may where he said what he was studying and that he wanted to work in a professional sport. This is the only job i can think that he could get in this country, or dublin anyway. So great news for the dublin team.
And this craic of giving him a job is nonsense. For example, down have 3 or 4 of their lads given handy coaching jobs around the school, the likes of clarke and coulter, and fair play. Cullen i would imagine didn't do a PhD for a handy wee number like that. I'm glad he's just finally working, he always seemed like one them clowns who was forever playing sigerson football. I did 5 years of messing about at uni, so i can talk!
As for rugby, it's a huge city, their is one professional sports team in the whole province, the leinster rugby team. For this there elite football counties like dublin, meath, kildare etc. There is all the room in the world for the 2 sports to co exist and everyone be happy. And I think rugby is shite despite all that!
Welcome aboard Orchardman.
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on September 22, 2011, 10:29:34 PM
Just so we're clear. Bryan Cullen can coach Leinster 'til the cows come home. Seeing Leo Cullen execute a correct solo is personal dream of my own.
Where the problem arises is if the captain of the All-Ireland champions is used in Leinster rugby advertising. If that happens, then the Dublin Board have a problem. That's all I'm saying. Nothing more, nothing less.
I thought the world was about to end because the guy took a job. Marketing maybe an issue or will he be allowed to continue to give the dedication to his GAA? The media attention on the Dublin players will now be huge.
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on September 22, 2011, 10:29:34 PM
Where the problem arises is if the captain of the All-Ireland champions is used in Leinster rugby advertising. If that happens, then the Dublin Board have a problem. That's all I'm saying. Nothing more, nothing less.
Somehow I can't imagine Leinster sticking one of the fitness coaches for their academy players up on billboards when they have literally a multitude of international rugby players to choose from.
can we not just be happy for the man to have a feckin' job please.
Eh, we are.
eh, you could have fooled me.
Who's not happy?
Quote from: IolarCoisCuain on September 22, 2011, 03:59:51 PM
There's an interview with the Chairman of the Dublin Board in the Indo today where he says Dublin didn't have a job to give Cullen. With all the coaches they have on the books, hard to believe they couldn't find room for one more.
Why is it so hard to believe? If the Dublin County Board has a slush fund that they can dip into for this type of eventuality then that'd be the real outrage
Quote from: Jinxy on September 23, 2011, 12:49:58 AM
Who's not happy?
you can be unhappy with me. i don't actually mind.
I reckon fair pay to him, he has got a fantastic job doing something that he has studied many years for and in a professional environment, im sure the money aint bad either
Quote from: Onion Bag on September 23, 2011, 02:15:40 PM
I reckon fair pay to him, he has got a fantastic job doing something that he has studied many years for and in a professional environment, im sure the money aint bad either
It's actually sh*t..
I don't see a problem with it at all and think it's a bit of a non story. The guys now got a job unlike a hell of a lot of people around the country.
But to go off on a tangent, will his GAA knowledge and experience not benefit Leinster rugby? On the flipside, I know of clubs who have used guest coaches from other codes to "spice up" training and does bring an extra something to training. I played college football in Britain many moons ago and we brought in a coach with an athletics background and it added more structure to fitness training and certainly beat running for what seemed like hours on end in the pissing rain. I'd be interested what others think.