Gambling left Oisin Mc Conville with debts of £100,000

[Balboa]

Have to agree with 5iveTimes, gambling is not an illness, that is just a cop out. No body makes them spend all day in the bookies, why should he be bailed out now ? Would he have admitted to being addicted to gambling if he had of won a fortune? He is a cynical shite and i for one wont be putting a penny into his coffers.

[Rufus T Firefly]

i for one wont be putting a penny into his coffers.

Sure don't let it bother you Rocky - by starting this thread in the first place, you have done a lot more for the success of the book and than anyone person could have done with purchases - 4,100 visits and counting, eh?   

[armaghniac]

Spreading rumors about players personal lives will not be accepted on this board. It is inappropriate.
mod1

Moderator you posted this on this thread earlier. Time to ban posters who ignore the principles of the board. Balboa's post falls into this category.

Post removed. Thanks Moderator. 

[Puckoon]

Have to agree with 5iveTimes, gambling is not an illness, that is just a cop out. No body makes them spend all day in the bookies, why should he be bailed out now ? Would he have admitted to being addicted to gambling if he had of won a fortune? He is a cynical shite and i for one wont be putting a penny into his coffers.

Alright - Id posted earlier after 5 Times called it a weakness and then I deleted it, as I assumed no more than one person could think that way. Addiction (to anything, drink, drugs, sex, violence and so on) is absolutely an illness. Take a walk into the addictions unit of any psyciatric ward and sure - youll see those at the end of their rope with physical addictions to drugs and its brutal viewing. However psychological addictions can be just as tough - maybe more so, because you think that people will take the viewpoint handed out here by Balboa. It leaves you petrified to ask for help - but helpless to stop the addiction. You think Oisin is kiddin when hes talking about going out to the car to scrape together 8 quid for one last bet? Until you have been there - dont come on here belittling the absolute inner turmoil that it causes the gambling addict. Knowing you are throwing away your hard earned cash, and that those depending on you are going to hear the same lies from your mouth when you are asked why there is no money at the end of the week, but being absolutely powerless to stop yourself, or to even be honest with yourself? Its rock bottom alright and it shouldnt be made light off.
Now Im not defending Oisin the person - I dont claim to know anything about his life. But Ill certainly point out the realities of addiction and defend the addict.

[Rufus T Firefly]

i for one wont be putting a penny into his coffers.

Sure don't let it bother you Rocky - by starting this thread in the first place, you have done a lot more for the success of the book and than anyone person could have done with purchases - 4,100 visits and counting, eh?   

I think the BBC is probably more widely viewed than this thread/site, so i dont think Mc Conville was ever gonna have any problems publicising his new venture.

Which only further underlines the irrelevance of you not buying the book!!   

[new devil]

i for one wont be putting a penny into his coffers.

Sure don't let it bother you Rocky - by starting this thread in the first place, you have done a lot more for the success of the book and than anyone person could have done with purchases - 4,100 visits and counting, eh?   

I for one would never of knew he had a book out...iam going to buy it so thanks for that ballbag

[stephenite]

The sanctimonious claptrap of certain people on here is truly sickening

[new devil]

 

[haveaharp]

Rufus, if you want to class gambling as an illness, then so be it. I see it as a weakness, the same way as I see alcoholism. No one ever forced anyone to gamble/drink. Its a personal choice. At the end of the day Oisin chose to write this book for one reason or another. We can all have our own opinionjs on his motives, but we may be wrong. If he hadnt decided to write this book, we wouldnt be having this argument. We all know how good he was on the playing field, but now he will also be remembered for his weakness as a human being. I can just speak from my own experiences, but if I was in Oisins shoes, I would want to be remembered for being the man that scored the goal that beat the Kingdom in Croke Park, there was a book in that story alone.
Good luck to the lad, I hope he sorts himself out.

Is lung cancer from smoking a weakness and not a disease?

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

No one ever forced anyone to gamble/drink. Its a personal choice.

For some it is a compulsion.

[HalfFitHalfBack]

Have read this thread with interest. Thought I'd throw in my only Oisin story.

Have only met Oisin once and he was nothing short of a gentleman.

Shortly after Cross won the All-Ireland club title last season I was at a match with the wife and her parents

The wifes father, who is certainly not an Armagh fan and who had heard all the rumours about Oisin, found himself sitting in front of Oisin at the match. He congratulated Oisin on the All-ireland victory and the two of them struck up conversation.

Osin chatted away and didn't mind at all that his personal time was being hijacked by a complete stanger.

It made the father in laws day, he left with a great opinion of Oisin and still takes great delight in telling people about the night he yarned with Oisin McConville.

P.S. Addiction of any kind is a disease. Have a read here:
http://www.medical-online.com/addict.htm

[stew]

It would be better for all concerned if he was remembered for his time on the field, not what he does off it.

Well said sir!!

Just a pity though, you happened to mention in the very same post...

Rufus, have you ever considered the fact that McConville just doesnt come across as a likeable person?
Myself and a few friends were out for a drink one night not too long after Armaghs 2002 victory. McConville happened to be in the same bar and ended up chatting to a girl who was sitting at our table, when asked to leave by this girls husband, he replied "do you know who I am?".He ended up being escorted from the premises after being picked up off the floor.

But you want Oisin to be remembered for what happens on the pitch, yes?  What pitch was that on then? 

Thanks for your insight anyway, but having been in Oisin's company on a few occasions myself, and on each occasion found him great company, I'll choose to make my own mind up! 

I was thinking the same thing myself.

[stew]

Rufus, if you want to class gambling as an illness, then so be it. I see it as a weakness, the same way as I see alcoholism. No one ever forced anyone to gamble/drink. Its a personal choice. At the end of the day Oisin chose to write this book for one reason or another. We can all have our own opinionjs on his motives, but we may be wrong. If he hadnt decided to write this book, we wouldnt be having this argument. We all know how good he was on the playing field, but now he will also be remembered for his weakness as a human being. I can just speak from my own experiences, but if I was in Oisins shoes, I would want to be remembered for being the man that scored the goal that beat the Kingdom in Croke Park, there was a book in that story alone.
Good luck to the lad, I hope he sorts himself out.

It must be great to never have erred, let someone down or hurt someone by vitue of your actions and deeds. I didnt think it was posible to have so many people live that way and for them all to post on this board is remarkable.

I have no time for Peter Canavan but if he was in the  financial shape Oisin was in I would pull for him all the way because I would rather see people suceed in beating their demons than further succumb to them and if mcConville has to write a book to pay off what he owes so be it, as long as he is not making personal attacks on others I am fine with it.

I have never been a gambler but i have known and loved those who are and it is a horrible disease and I hope and pray that Oisin gets himself sorted. To be honest 5times I dont think you give two shites if Oisin sorts himself out or not.

[Tyrones own]

Rufus, if you want to class gambling as an illness, then so be it. I see it as a weakness, the same way as I see alcoholism. No one ever forced anyone to gamble/drink. Its a personal choice. At the end of the day Oisin chose to write this book for one reason or another. We can all have our own opinionjs on his motives, but we may be wrong. If he hadnt decided to write this book, we wouldnt be having this argument. We all know how good he was on the playing field, but now he will also be remembered for his weakness as a human being. I can just speak from my own experiences, but if I was in Oisins shoes, I would want to be remembered for being the man that scored the goal that beat the Kingdom in Croke Park, there was a book in that story alone.
Good luck to the lad, I hope he sorts himself out.

It must be great to never have erred, let someone down or hurt someone by vitue of your actions and deeds. I didnt think it was posible to have so many people live that way and for them all to post on this board is remarkable.

I have no time for Peter Canavan but if he was in the  financial shape Oisin was in I would pull for him all the way because I would rather see people suceed in beating their demons than further succumb to them and if mcConville has to write a book to pay off what he owes so be it, as long as he is not making personal attacks on others I am fine with it.

I have never been a gambler but i have known and loved those who are and it is a horrible disease and I hope and pray that Oisin gets himself sorted. To be honest 5times I dont think you give two shites if Oisin sorts himself out or not.

An Armagh man having something positive to say about Peter would be a first, you'd have to admit Stew

[armaghniac]

An Armagh man having something positive to say about Peter

Canavan was a right bollix at times on the field, as well as being plain brilliant, both of which are annoying to Armagh people. However I have heard very positive things about his dealings with people off the field, which reflect credit on the man.

For well known players any adverse activity, real or imagined,  is repeated ad nauseam and their good work is overlooked.