Messages

[GAA rules can only change every year at congress.]

I want to start off by saying how sad I was to hear of Liam Miller's death. Really admired him as a player and seemed like a good lad. The reaction of his fellow pros and the big names getting involved in this event is testament to this. I hope the venture is a huge success and fitting tribute.

However I have to say this is a clear case here of the blame being put in the wrong place.

The GAA rules are clear and have been spoken about at great length over the years. In fact, so much so that a previous iteration of this rule has lent itself to the name of one of if not the biggest online sports journals in the country. GAA rules can only change every year at congress.

Unfortunately, GAA rules as currently stated, do not allow for a game like this to take place anywhere (bar Croke Park if Central Council agree).

Soccer in this country is administered by the FAI. By and large they do a shocking job. As we see today, their biggest soccer stadium in the second biggest city in the country has a capacity of 7000. Lansdowne Road, owned by the IRFU, was redeveloped with the government paying 2/3 of the cost. League of Ireland clubs can't pay wages. They have a CEO on astronomical money for doing a terrible job. They have a national team that are unwatchable with the coaching team getting paid colossal money.

Yet it's the GAA's fault that there isn't a ground of sufficient size in Cork to host this charity match? In typical Irish fashion we want to bend the rules when it suits and tomorrow we'll be giving out about corruption and rule bending that we don't favour. Maybe we should break health and safety rules and let 20000 into Turners Cross? Of course not. As a nation we seriously need to cop on to ourselves and do a bit of thinking rather than reactionary barstool yapping.

Except the rule that about home draws. Where the game would have gone ahead in Croke Park only for Kildare to kick up.

That's what I mean. You're making my point for me. The CCCC misapplied the rules and Kildare forced them to apply them correctly.

I want to start off by saying how sad I was to hear of Liam Miller's death. Really admired him as a player and seemed like a good lad. The reaction of his fellow pros and the big names getting involved in this event is testament to this. I hope the venture is a huge success and fitting tribute.

However I have to say this is a clear case here of the blame being put in the wrong place.

The GAA rules are clear and have been spoken about at great length over the years. In fact, so much so that a previous iteration of this rule has lent itself to the name of one of if not the biggest online sports journals in the country. GAA rules can only change every year at congress.

Unfortunately, GAA rules as currently stated, do not allow for a game like this to take place anywhere (bar Croke Park if Central Council agree).

Soccer in this country is administered by the FAI. By and large they do a shocking job. As we see today, their biggest soccer stadium in the second biggest city in the country has a capacity of 7000. Lansdowne Road, owned by the IRFU, was redeveloped with the government paying 2/3 of the cost. League of Ireland clubs can't pay wages. They have a CEO on astronomical money for doing a terrible job. They have a national team that are unwatchable with the coaching team getting paid colossal money.

Yet it's the GAA's fault that there isn't a ground of sufficient size in Cork to host this charity match? In typical Irish fashion we want to bend the rules when it suits and tomorrow we'll be giving out about corruption and rule bending that we don't favour. Maybe we should break health and safety rules and let 20000 into Turners Cross? Of course not. As a nation we seriously need to cop on to ourselves and do a bit of thinking rather than reactionary barstool yapping.

Moving the AI Finals out of September was pointless without an overarching plan to tackle the fixtures problem. A band aid to cure a broken leg.

Whatever the reason it seems a terrible shame. One of the legends of the game it seems will not play and that might mean we've seen the last of her for her county. Hopefully common sense can prevail and a solution is found.

I'd expect Kerry v Galway to be much more entertaining that the World Cup final.

[Sf possibly putting forward Francis Black was one I read.]

QEII does her job rightly, and she is well over 84.

I might be wrong because I'm not an avid Royal follower but wouldn't Micky D be at a lot more events that the Queen?

Personally I would like to see an election and I hope that he wins it again. I also hope it's not the same shambles as the last one we had for President. Sf possibly putting forward Francis Black was one I read. That nutjob Fergal Sharkey also wants a run on a right wing anti immigration agenda.

She categorically ruled herself out in the last few days.

I hope he stays on. He's a great ambassador for this country and cares deeply about our culture and language.A man of integrity.

Would agree. A change is not necessary when the incumbent is doing a decent job. Lots of other things to worry about.

Great news.

Really looking forward to this one. I think Galway are a really good side and look by far the most improved team in the country. I think Kerry are on the way to being a serious side....I'm just not exactly sure how far down that road they are. This game will give clues. I'm wondering will this vibrant but inexperienced Kerry attack be able to decode the Tally blanket? How long in the game will Galway opt for ultra defence this before they go toe to toe? Will Walsh start his best players or look to improve as the game goes on by bringing in quality replacements? And if he opts to go defensive from the outset and bring on power and pace in the second half can Kerry get ahead enough to short circuit his plans?

My head tells me Galway will win this but I've a funny feeling about this Kerry team. They could be on to something down there. Galway will need a better performance than they gave in Connacht but might just get there.

A very good player. When Cork looked to be handing that final to Down he stepped up (along with Goulding) and did the business. Always showed for the ball and worked hard. Kind of guy you'd love to play with.

Weird championship for Monaghan and hard to gauge where they're at. Beat a decent Tyrone and lost to a less decent Fermanagh. Then a few strolls. You'd have to think they'll be fired up for this one and their manager will be saying "Fermanagh" quite a few times this week to them. Kildare look like the whole struggle with HQ has liberated them and they're playing somewhere near where we'd expect them to be at after several seasons of underperforming in most peoples eyes. The wind is in their sails so I think they'll be heard to beat and should have a good crowd supporting them.

Very hard to call....I'd say it's close to 50/50. Both have poor records in Croker. If Kildare are disciplined at the back I think they can just get over the line but I wouldn't be very confident either way.