Leinster Senior Football Championship 2020

[Laois Rising]

By splitting Dublin into four you'd have some great games to enjoy in Leinster. Could you imagine the rivalry that would build up over a couple of years between a Dublin North side v Dublin South side meeting in Leinster semi-finals, finals. The numbers that are playing GAA in Dublin now are astronomical in comparison to twenty years ago. From looking at the division 1 scene in Dublin every single player playing at that level would easily hold their own at inter-county level. Clubs like Kilmacud, Boden, Ballymun, Na Fianna have subs who would make the starting team of intercounty panels in smaller counties. Dublin is never going to revert back to the GAA landscape it was in 90s/early 00s where the actually GAA playing population wasn't that much ahead of other counties. If Dublin is left as a singular entity they will continue to hoover up 10/10 provincial titles and perhaps 7 to 8 out 10 All-Irelands for the next decade. If traditionalists want to keep the county structure as it currently is that's fine but they then can't then complain of uncompetitive championships. 

[blueandwhite1]

And if you split Mayo in two and Kerry in 3 we would be flying...... 

I agree that football is in huge trouble but can't see a split. What would happen if one of the Dublin teams were to become weak? The clamour to put them back together would start.

[High Fielder]

Splits only happen if there's an appetite for them; not a need. It is absolutely necessary for Portlaoise to have 2 clubs, but there's no appetite for it. That has to be respected, and the same applies to Dublin. The supply lines ran dry in Portlaoise for many different reasons, but I can't see that happening the way things have evolved in Dublin. They have an infinite well of resources these days. So the choices are threefold here. Accept what it is and try to compete. Other counties amalgamate. Or just scrap intercounty.

[blueandwhite1]

Football in the future will be same as hurling is these days. The idea that a small county can make a breakthrough will disappear. Multiple tiers not just in terms of leagues but also standards and aspirations. And what care have the GAA ever given to the fate of hurling in Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan or Mayo? (or Laois for that matter. Imagine what a €500k annual coaching investment would do to hurling in Laois, Westmeath, Carlow, Antrim etc. where there is no shortage of appetite but no resources).

Not Dublin's fault; they are so good it is an embarrassment to the GAA. A joy to watch but they have no competition. It's a bit like having the All-Blacks in the AIL, Liverpool in the league of Ireland or Celtic in the Scottish premiership. I would guess that Meath would put it up to Tipp, Cavan or Mayo and look what happened to them on Saturday.

[clonadmad]

Football in the future will be same as hurling is these days. The idea that a small county can make a breakthrough will disappear. Multiple tiers not just in terms of leagues but also standards and aspirations. And what care have the GAA ever given to the fate of hurling in Leitrim, Cavan, Monaghan or Mayo? (or Laois for that matter. Imagine what a €500k annual coaching investment would do to hurling in Laois, Westmeath, Carlow, Antrim etc. where there is no shortage of appetite but no resources).

Not Dublin's fault; they are so good it is an embarrassment to the GAA. A joy to watch but they have no competition. It's a bit like having the All-Blacks in the AIL, Liverpool in the league of Ireland or Celtic in the Scottish premiership. I would guess that Meath would put it up to Tipp, Cavan or Mayo and look what happened to them on Saturday.

Laois cant even spend the budget allocated to coaching in the county by croke park at the minute

Maybe if we started there first before we go looking for more funds 

[Keyser Söze]

Just out of curiosity ClonadMad, is it that they are not drawing down the full allocation of funds?
Funds they'd have to match?
So basically are saving money but not doing so?

For example that there is funding there for a GDA. Croke Park would pay €18k as long as Laois pay the other €18k to pay their wages.
Is this the kind of situation you're describing?

[clonadmad]

Just out of curiosity ClonadMad, is it that they are not drawing down the full allocation of funds?
Funds they'd have to match?
So basically are saving money but not doing so?

For example that there is funding there for a GDA. Croke Park would pay €18k as long as Laois pay the other €18k to pay their wages.
Is this the kind of situation you're describing?

Just one clear cut example and I could give 2 more stark examples

There's a budget ring fenced and in place for 4 GDA's  and a games manager since beginning of 2018.

Those positions have never been fully filled at any point in the last 3 years.

[Keyser Söze]

So just to be clear, it's money that LCB would have to match that isn't been drawn down?
Or is there other "free money" also?

[clonadmad]

So just to be clear, it's money that LCB would have to match that isn't been drawn down?
Or is there other "free money" also?

It's money that they could draw down but haven't,they don't have to match it.

[Junior Ex Laoistalk]

Meanwhile the draw for the Senior Championship semi finals has taken place.

Ballyfin v Portarlington
Emo v Graiguecullen

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/11/23/laois-senior-football-championship-semi-final-draw-made/

[High Fielder]

So just to be clear, it's money that LCB would have to match that isn't been drawn down?
Or is there other "free money" also?

It's money that they could draw down but haven't,they don't have to match it.

Jesus. Compete with Dublin? I don't think we could compete with Dublin clubs at that rate. It becomes more obvious with each passing day that we're wasting our time here. I wonder what CB delegate has the balls to stand up at Convention and say that this intercounty system is bolloxed. I see poor old Louth decided to burn some good money too. The innocence of it. Jesus turned water into wine and Mickey Harte turned a Division 3 team into All Ireland contenders

[clonadmad]

So just to be clear, it's money that LCB would have to match that isn't been drawn down?
Or is there other "free money" also?

It's money that they could draw down but haven't,they don't have to match it.

Jesus. Compete with Dublin? I don't think we could compete with Dublin clubs at that rate. It becomes more obvious with each passing day that we're wasting our time here. I wonder what CB delegate has the balls to stand up at Convention and say that this intercounty system is bolloxed. I see poor old Louth decided to burn some good money too. The innocence of it. Jesus turned water into wine and Mickey Harte turned a Division 3 team into All Ireland contenders

Where did I say compete with Dublin?

[High Fielder]

No I was just drawing a comparison. I'd say some of the bigger clubs in Dublin have at least 1 GDA. I have long since been of the opinion that a Games Development Officer is needed for the Portlaoise area. It looks like we're determined to run this on a very thin budget without any room to manoeuvre. Zero innovation with little emphasis on development

[Silkyskillssunshinee]

Meanwhile the draw for the Senior Championship semi finals has taken place.

Ballyfin v Portarlington
Emo v Graiguecullen

https://www.laoistoday.ie/2020/11/23/laois-senior-football-championship-semi-final-draw-made/

Should be two cracking semi-finals. The club championship is miles more entertaining than this inter-county craic. I think Ballyfin could surprise Port. Some of the football they've played this season has been quality.

[redsetanta]

It's a very open championship and all teams would fancy their chances of winning the title.