Grimley V Brolly, row in full swing

[AMayoFan]

Having not read back through the last 8 pages not heard what he said, I'm sure people are praising Brolly for "calling it as it is" while others are slating him for "calling it as it is".

Personnally, I find him and Spillane nothing more than a circus act now, both out to out do each other. Been a while since I've watched them in action and will only switch on for the game itself. If i wanted their opinions on the meaning of life I'd read their newspaper columns, which thankfully i don't.

They add nothing to the game but negativity.

+1

Well said, I couldn't agree more.

[Feckitt]

Brolly gets it right nearly all the time.  His articles in the Gaelic Life are brilliant.  Last week he had an article about Alex Ferguson and Man Utd, where he lamented grown men fawning over Alex, Man Utd, and all the other premiership stars, he summed up an elequent piece with the rather inelegant "Man Utd dont give two fucks about you".  He eventually tied it all back to the GAA by comparing the premiership nancy boys to his own personal hero  Big Anthony Tohill.

[Applesisapples]

I don't know why my fellow Armagh fans are so upset. Brolly was right, the two Grimley's were slow, hardly dynamic mid fielders but the best Armagh had at the time. Paul Grimley's on Sunday put paid to any illusion that he was the brains behind Joe. I don't know where to begin, from team selection to tactics he seemed not to have a clue. If he wants to play Harold or Lavery at midfield he needs Hannratty in there to scrap and win secondary possession. Defensively McKeever has always played best at centre half where his job is to sweep and cover allowing AK and ANO to break forward. Another point Brolly rightly made was that Armagh set up to play old style positional football, but when Cavan pulled 12 men back the Armagh players didn't know what to do and the line gave no direction. That said the team showed for about 10 minutes in the second half what they are capable of whilst Maurice Deegan again showed what a poor ref he is, and but for him Grimley's could have had the last laugh. Managing a team is quite a different task to coaching and I'm afraid PG is struggling. He can turn it around but he needs to be more adaptive and decisive. Joe Brolly is also right when he says the Armagh fan base deserves more than Sundays abject performance.

[Wildweasel74]

I always thought Mark grimley was fair handy to have around middle of the field for Armagh

[mackers]

I always thought Mark grimley was fair handy to have around middle of the field for Armagh

100% correct. Mark was more mobile than John.  Injury hampered Mark Grimley from fully realising his potential.

[GLfantasyfootball]

Brolly gets it right nearly all the time.  His articles in the Gaelic Life are brilliant.  Last week he had an article about Alex Ferguson and Man Utd, where he lamented grown men fawning over Alex, Man Utd, and all the other premiership stars, he summed up an elequent piece with the rather inelegant "Man Utd dont give two f**ks about you".  He eventually tied it all back to the GAA by comparing the premiership nancy boys to his own personal hero  Big Anthony Tohill.

Here it is...

http://gaeliclife.com/2013/05/joe-brolly-thank-god-anthony-tohill-never-got-that-tattoo/

[bennydorano]

I didn't watch TSG on Sunday Night, but I did watch it live during the day as I couldn't make the game, I heard Joe briefly mention the Grimleys in MF, I didn't think it was overly insulting - did he revisit the topic on Sunday night to 'insult' them further or has the story taken on a life of it's own?

For those saying Joe is always right - catch yourselves on, he's an excellent knowledge of GAA but his opinions are all over the shop. Muppet or someone memorably said one time that Eamon Dunphy doesn't have an opinion, he has a multitude of them - I think Joe is of the same ilk, he continually covers his tracks, some people obviously buy his revised backtracking version of events rather than his initial opinion.

He was 100% correct in his assessment on this occasion and I haven't heard too many people say otherwise, the trouble was in the delivery. I for one have never bought into Grimley. I've repeatedly made the point that we've been rebuilding since 2008/09, he pretty much shredded 4 years of rebuilding to start again - a nonsense approach, never mind anything else that's happened recently.

[orangeman]

Brolly gets it right nearly all the time.  His articles in the Gaelic Life are brilliant.  Last week he had an article about Alex Ferguson and Man Utd, where he lamented grown men fawning over Alex, Man Utd, and all the other premiership stars, he summed up an elequent piece with the rather inelegant "Man Utd dont give two f**ks about you".  He eventually tied it all back to the GAA by comparing the premiership nancy boys to his own personal hero  Big Anthony Tohill.

Here it is...

http://gaeliclife.com/2013/05/joe-brolly-thank-god-anthony-tohill-never-got-that-tattoo/

"Giving your loyalty to an English soccer club is like endlessly chasing a woman that has no interest in you."

"Father Andy Dolan, who pronounces one word in every five, said a beautiful mass (I think)"



Pure class.

[orangeman]

For all those who criticise Joe, here's a piece by Ryan Feeney of Ulster council fame about Joe and a Donaghmore Gael :

Last week I witnessed the GAA at its best in two very different circumstances. Firstly on Tuesday morning I received the news that Francie Donnelly, a man I revered and a St Patrick's Donaghmore stalwart, had died after battling illness. Francie leaves a strong legacy in every area of his life.

He was a man who was devoted to his family, his community and his club, Francie was one of the greatest Gaels I ever had the privilege of knowing. He was given an appropriate send off at his funeral on Thursday where the GAA represented at all levels paid tribute to man whose fingerprints are on every aspect of the Donaghmore community.
St Patrick's did an outstanding job supporting the family throughout the wake and funeral and in doing so reminded all those who visited the Donnelly house what the GAA is truly about.

Back in mid August one evening I called around to Brolly household to be entertained by Joe and his children for an hour. I would regularly visit Joe on a Friday evening for chat and a coffee – well, strictly speaking, Joe would talk and I would listen – while his wonderful wife Emma usually tries to make dinner and get the boys ready for training with St Brigid's.

Joe Brolly is someone I have looked up to all my life, a childhood hero, who is one of my closest friends he is without doubt one of the most decent, honourable and genuine people I know. Like Francie Donnelly he is a GAA believer who is constantly in awe of the GAA's ability to change lives, build communities and be a force for good.

The Brolly family have been at the forefront of Derry GAA for nearly a century. Joe's parents Francie and Anne have been leaders in the North Derry GAA community for many years. Both are teachers, musicians and Irish language enthusiasts and both became local councillors in their retirement, Francie moving on to become an MLA. They remain excellent company. Joe Brolly was raised surrounded by the GAA, it is the only way of life in the Brolly family.
On the Friday in question I was welcomed at the door by Joe shouting, "Come on in sir."

He then asked me to come in his living room and shut the door as he had something important that he wanted to tell me that he did not want the children to hear. I sat down thinking this was Joe carefully plotting a joke – he is the man after all who, after watching me play football, analysed my performance by telling me that I had a great future as a GAA administrator.

Joe opened the conversation by telling me about his friend Shane who coached alongside him in the St Brigid's u-10 team management. He explained Shane's had a health issue and he required a kidney transplant.

"I have been undertaking tests for about nine months, my kidney is a match so on 3rd October I am giving Shane my spare kidney," said Brolly.

He stopped talking and looked at me with a smile on his face. I sat in silence, probably the first time in my life as I was completely stunned.
Joe asked, "Well, what do you think?"

I asked him if had he thought through this unbelievable and compassionate gesture. His response was classic Brolly.
"Yes and you and I won't be having a debate on this as my intellect is far superior to yours, I am telling you this so you know."

He then smiled and let out a roar of laughter, I looked at him unsure of what to say or do next.
The conversation that we had after is one I will remember for the rest of my life.

He put it plainly, that this is what GAA people do. It is the GAA way. Our Association is about giving not taking. So when a seriously ill GAA man with a wife and children needed his help and he was in a position to help, there was the only one thing to do. There was to be no discussion and no debate. Joe was going to help his friend.

I am delighted to report that Joe and Shane Finnegan are recovering well in Guys Hospital London. Both men whose friendship was formed through their voluntary commitment to the GAA now have a bond that will last for the rest of their lives.

They have also been involved in something totally inspirational and uplifting. Joe's actions have given Shane and his family a second chance and a future, they will be forever grateful. When I was talking to Joe on Sunday night he was euphoric. All he could talk about was Shane's progress and how happy the doctors were with the operation. He never mentioned himself once.

Francie Donnelly leaves behind him a close family, a thriving business and a united and strong Club. His service to others and his selfless passion for doing good set a standard that the next generation of the Donaghmore Club members must follow.

As he said himself, "Our Club is about improving ourselves and getting the best from each other."

Over the years Francie and I had many debates and discussions all of them about the GAA he was a man who always had a clear opinion on the big issues and I can admit now he was always right. In the future when Francie's grandchildren Joey, Catherine, Eoghan, Molly, Evie and Jack put on a Donaghmore jersey not only will they be representing their club and community they will also be fulfilling the legacy of their Grandfather who left for them a strong GAA in Donaghmore.

For all cynics that say that society is broken, that there is no such thing as community and that the only way to get ahead in life is push a harsh, individualistic and selfish agenda, it is men like Francie Donnelly and Joe Brolly who prove that there is a better way, a positive way, a selfless and honest way. There is the GAA way.

A final thought. What if medical science developed the capability to transplant the spirit, ethos and style of men like Joe Brolly and Francie Donnelly? Think of the benefits.

On second thoughts though, there's no need for the medics to go down that path. We already have that transplant vehicle in place. It's called the GAA. Cherish it. Rejoice in it. Be part of it.

ryan.feeney.ulster@gaa.ie

Ryan Feeney is head of Community Development, Strategy and Public Affairs with Ulster GAA

[lynchbhoy]

The facts are Joe was right. Big Paul was obstinate. He reinforces his obstinacy in today's Irish News.
You and the blinkered crew, take a wake up tablet realspiritof98. Please make relevancy your objective
and refrain from silly soundbites.

Lots of new posters supporting Joe this week. 

However, I would say Joe could do with listening to your last sentence.

Is it only in the black North, that someone resembling a lunatic having a fit of pique on TV, is regarded as a normal event, perhaps even worthy of applause about some sense he might have ranted on about?

To be fair MS there's a few of them on Telly accepted as normal down here - dunphy, hook etc

As for orourke he was as bad to several counties notably the flourbags when he was first on the Sunday game.

IMO Joe was a bit unmannerly in how he phrased things on Sunday.
A bit ott. There's no need for that really as he is insightful without having to use that kind of terminology. If I bump into him I'd say it to him. Joe however won't give a sihte and prob will laugh!

[Orchardman]

I didn't watch TSG on Sunday Night, but I did watch it live during the day as I couldn't make the game, I heard Joe briefly mention the Grimleys in MF, I didn't think it was overly insulting - did he revisit the topic on Sunday night to 'insult' them further or has the story taken on a life of it's own?

For those saying Joe is always right - catch yourselves on, he's an excellent knowledge of GAA but his opinions are all over the shop. Muppet or someone memorably said one time that Eamon Dunphy doesn't have an opinion, he has a multitude of them - I think Joe is of the same ilk, he continually covers his tracks, some people obviously buy his revised backtracking version of events rather than his initial opinion.

He was 100% correct in his assessment on this occasion and I haven't heard too many people say otherwise, the trouble was in the delivery. I for one have never bought into Grimley. I've repeatedly made the point that we've been rebuilding since 2008/09, he pretty much shredded 4 years of rebuilding to start again - a nonsense approach, never mind anything else that's happened recently.

Eh, really what rebuilding was done that he has shredded away though? He's had a poor year right enough but the guys that came through after the 07/08 retirements are the likes of toner, vernon who are injured and still have to step up to the plate in the big time anyway. Brendy donaghy: injured as well. Grimbo has give plenty of people a chance this year and he played a young team on sunday with still plenty of the 09 minors to come through.


As for that long essay above from feeney about joe brolly: I usually like and agree with brolly and that that's a nice story that we've heard before. He deserves plenty of praise for what he did with the kidney but doesn't need to be invloved in this thread IMO, he's still there to be shot down fairly if people think he has said or done wrong

[muppet]

Time and time again, it's been proven that slating Joe Brolly doesn't decrease the viewership of the Sunday Game but increases it.

Link please.

[Main Street]

Time and time again, it's been proven that slating Joe Brolly doesn't decrease the viewership of the Sunday Game but increases it.

Link please.

While you're waiting for that link here's a link to Brolly (or someone similar) on Turkish TV, demonstrating in typical ott fashion, the Dooher dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkKX24z1fVo

[muppet]

Time and time again, it's been proven that slating Joe Brolly doesn't decrease the viewership of the Sunday Game but increases it.

Link please.

While you're waiting for that link here's a link to Brolly (or someone similar) on Turkish TV, demonstrating in typical ott fashion, the Dooher dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GkKX24z1fVo

I can see why that reminded you of The Sunday Game!

[brian gorman]

well i think whoever name him joe brolly ,got it wrong it should be wolly, the way joe layed into paul grimley on sunday before a ball was kicked was very low. joe i think  you should take time out and think about your  future with rte because paul grimley takes  time out and trains armagh team for buttons and for joe to sit back and make remarks about grimley is  a low point in gaa terms . all a man can do is his best , and by the way joe you should have had your home work  done as you didnt even know who was the kerry football manager was untill pat spiiliane told you . so before you start running down someone else look at your owen door step.{orange man from keady}