GPA exceptionalism

[Baile Brigín 2]

Is it any different from the international carding scheme? That provides grants to international athletes to help with the athletes living allowance. There's no requirement for the athlete to be professional/ full time. It's a performance based grant.

There is no ban on them taking money though. Athletics isn't amateur.

But funding Olympic athletes is to have a stronger olympic teams. We win more medals now. Giving the Sligo hurling sub keeper €2k won't improve hurling. And the GAA money is from that fund.

[In hiding]

Is it any different from the international carding scheme? That provides grants to international athletes to help with the athletes living allowance. There's no requirement for the athlete to be professional/ full time. It's a performance based grant.

There is no ban on them taking money though. Athletics isn't amateur.

But funding Olympic athletes is to have a stronger olympic teams. We win more medals now. Giving the Sligo hurling sub keeper €2k won't improve hurling. And the GAA money is from that fund.

Very arrogant stuff here. Should only the best Olympic athletes get funded then ?

[Baile Brigín 2]

Is it any different from the international carding scheme? That provides grants to international athletes to help with the athletes living allowance. There's no requirement for the athlete to be professional/ full time. It's a performance based grant.

There is no ban on them taking money though. Athletics isn't amateur.

But funding Olympic athletes is to have a stronger olympic teams. We win more medals now. Giving the Sligo hurling sub keeper €2k won't improve hurling. And the GAA money is from that fund.

Very arrogant stuff here. Should only the best Olympic athletes get funded then ?

That's how it works...

8m goes a long way in preparing Olympians. It does hee haw in terms of GAA standards.

[In hiding]

Is it any different from the international carding scheme? That provides grants to international athletes to help with the athletes living allowance. There's no requirement for the athlete to be professional/ full time. It's a performance based grant.

There is no ban on them taking money though. Athletics isn't amateur.

But funding Olympic athletes is to have a stronger olympic teams. We win more medals now. Giving the Sligo hurling sub keeper €2k won't improve hurling. And the GAA money is from that fund.

Very arrogant stuff here. Should only the best Olympic athletes get funded then ?

That's how it works...

8m goes a long way in preparing Olympians. It does hee haw in terms of GAA standards.

I that right because you said it is or is there any other evidence to back that up ?

[thewobbler]

I daresay that if you asked any sports follower anywhere in Ireland to name their 10 greatest Irish Olympians, it would take a while. The names just don't roll off the tongue, and the last few spots would be hard work for nearly us all.

Meanwhile ask same person to name thei greatest 10 footballers from their county (or hurlers, if a hurling county), and they'll be at it for a while again. Except this time the hour would be taken with thought processes like "ah I can't leave him out. Or him. Or him. Feck this is impossible."

Why someone who has chosen to dedicate their life to any amateur sport should expect to get remunerated in any shape or form is beyond me. But if it's going to happen, then those that bring the most joy to society should be at the front of the queue.

[tiempo]

Who was more pepped, Michelle Smith or Aidan O'Mahoney?

[magpie seanie]

Seanie's not arguing for anything of the sort.
He explained why the State is giving grants to inter County GAA players.

As usual your prejudices are blinding you.

Thanks Rossfan.

I absolutely wasn't arguing for the grants or semi professionalism. I think it's fairly clear I'd have never supported either of these and I opposed the grants before they were introduced. There was a double standard there which the GPA exploited to get money for their members which is their raison d'etre. The GAA should never have gone along with it though it was a difficult proposal to argue against given the benefits afforded to other sportspeople. Replying "they are amateur" didn't seem to cut much ice when you were asked "why should GAA lads not get something if its on offer?" The way of the world unfortunately.

While we're at it - those League of Ireland "academies" getting €4m a year is a wild waste of money. They are solely box ticking exercises to get a UEFA B licence so clubs can play in Europe (where the real money is). Flogging kids and destrying local leagues in soccer and other sports. Absolute farce.

[Baile Brigín 2]

So GAA players shouldn't get paid but how dare you say it?

We all ignored your rant about soccer the first time. But it puts how huge 8m is into context

[trueblue1234]

Is it any different from the international carding scheme? That provides grants to international athletes to help with the athletes living allowance. There's no requirement for the athlete to be professional/ full time. It's a performance based grant.

There is no ban on them taking money though. Athletics isn't amateur.

But funding Olympic athletes is to have a stronger olympic teams. We win more medals now. Giving the Sligo hurling sub keeper €2k won't improve hurling. And the GAA money is from that fund.

Funding

Is it any different from the international carding scheme? That provides grants to international athletes to help with the athletes living allowance. There's no requirement for the athlete to be professional/ full time. It's a performance based grant.

There is no ban on them taking money though. Athletics isn't amateur.

But funding Olympic athletes is to have a stronger olympic teams. We win more medals now. Giving the Sligo hurling sub keeper €2k won't improve hurling. And the GAA money is from that fund.

You've strayed into your opinion there. Which you're entitled to hold. I don't believe the athletes grant makes them professional. But it might aid their lifestyle to maintain their competitiveness. Same with GAA players.

[Baile Brigín 2]

You think two grand per player will improve the quality of Gaelic games?

[Rossfan]

Deflecting from your original incorrect "cut" at the GAA, that it was getting money off the State and giving it to players rather than coaching.

[Baile Brigín 2]

Deflecting from your original incorrect "cut" at the GAA, that it was getting money off the State and giving it to players rather than coaching.

I stand over that because it is true.

[trueblue1234]

You think two grand per player will improve the quality of Gaelic games?

Potentially. Same as any other grant to a sports person.

[Baile Brigín 2]

You think two grand per player will improve the quality of Gaelic games?

Potentially. Same as any other grant to a sports person.

And Olympic hopeful being able to take 2 years off work to train full time is not the same as paying for a weekend break for a hurler.

[trueblue1234]

You think two grand per player will improve the quality of Gaelic games?

Potentially. Same as any other grant to a sports person.

And Olympic hopeful being able to take 2 years off work to train full time is not the same as paying for a weekend break for a hurler.

You think an Olympic could take 2 years off on 8k?