Mickey Harte joins the Irish News

[Maguire01]

I liked the idea of bringing the Railway Cup to other countries, sometime just after the AIF. 

It gives the players the chance to be rewarded with travel abroad to represent their province and brings inter-county standard GAA to the ex-pats guaranteeing big crowds.

I doubt there would be more than a couple of thousand - if even that, no matter where the game was played abroad.

[Stall the Bailer]

I see Antrim have a motion to play the club finals before Christmas.
What about the Railway cup finals on St. Patricks Day with the semis on the same weekend as the Sigersons?

[Minder]

Lads no matter where & when the Railway Cup is played there is zero interest in them from the paying public. Fact.

[under the bar]

I liked the idea of bringing the Railway Cup to other countries, sometime just after the AIF. 

It gives the players the chance to be rewarded with travel abroad to represent their province and brings inter-county standard GAA to the ex-pats guaranteeing big crowds.

I doubt there would be more than a couple of thousand - if even that, no matter where the game was played abroad.

Have to disagree.   If it was played in cities like Boston, Philly, Sydney etc directly after the AIF there'd be big crowds if the admission price was right and kids free.

[Maguire01]

How many people attended the All Starts game in San Francisco?

Also, whilst obviously not a direct comparison, how many exiles from the 'away' county turn up to watch London and New York's championship games when in London or New York?

I can't see any evidence of the pulling power of such a suggestion.

[ONeill]

I agree about playing it before the AI Final - sure there are plenty of neutrals there and it'd be a chance for Derry and Armagh folk to taste AI day action in the modern era.

[SidelineKick]

I agree about playing it before the AI Final - sure there are plenty of neutrals there and it'd be a chance for Derry and Armagh folk to taste AI day action in the modern era.

The "modern era" starting in 2004 I take it? 

[under the bar]

I agree about playing it before the AI Final - sure there are plenty of neutrals there and it'd be a chance for Derry and Armagh folk to taste AI day action in the modern era.


The "modern era" starting in 2004 I take it? 

Don't be silly.  It was 2003!

[SidelineKick]

I agree about playing it before the AI Final - sure there are plenty of neutrals there and it'd be a chance for Derry and Armagh folk to taste AI day action in the modern era.


The "modern era" starting in 2004 I take it? 

Don't be silly.  It was 2003!

Yes, remind me who Tyrone were playing again 

[mountainboii]

Why did he not see the hypocrisy in continually emphasising the fact that the players love playing in the Railway Cup, while at the same time dismissing another competition the players love taking part in, the IR series?

[Puckoon]

How many people attended the All Starts game in San Francisco?

Also, whilst obviously not a direct comparison, how many exiles from the 'away' county turn up to watch London and New York's championship games when in London or New York?

I can't see any evidence of the pulling power of such a suggestion.

The all star game is low in attendance for the reason that it isnt competitive. Taking the competitiveness out of a gaelic game just makes it a terrible spectacle.

[corn02]

How many people attended the All Starts game in San Francisco?

Also, whilst obviously not a direct comparison, how many exiles from the 'away' county turn up to watch London and New York's championship games when in London or New York?

I can't see any evidence of the pulling power of such a suggestion.

The all star game is low in attendance for the reason that it isnt competitive. Taking the competitiveness out of a gaelic game just makes it a terrible spectacle.

Much like the Railway Cup.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

Why did he not see the hypocrisy in continually emphasising the fact that the players love playing in the Railway Cup, while at the same time dismissing another competition the players love taking part in, the IR series?

One is Gaelic Games, the other most definitely isn't. No hypocrisy. The players may well love shagging too, but not to be accommodated under the auspices of the GAA.

[mountainboii]

Why did he not see the hypocrisy in continually emphasising the fact that the players love playing in the Railway Cup, while at the same time dismissing another competition the players love taking part in, the IR series?

One is Gaelic Games, the other most definitely isn't. No hypocrisy. The players may well love shagging too, but not to be accommodated under the auspices of the GAA.

That's the rather simplistic argument that Mickey has been pushing onto people for a while. They're patently not the apples and oranges that you (and Mickey) like to paint them as. Players are selected to represent the Irish IR team based on their Gaelic footballing prowess. The IR may not be 100% Gaelic football but its as close as your realistically gonna get on the international stage. Its a real pity Mickey doesn't accept this.

[Fear ón Srath Bán]

But, the selection process is neither here nor there, it's the playing that is all that matters. And with a defeatist attitude like that, you may well be correct.