Joe Brolly columns .

[blackie]

https://www.independent.ie/sport/ga...playstation-or-alcohol-or-drugs-36808029.html

Todays 15/4


It's not just the kids that are getting pissed off.

 

[gallant1]

I usually enjoy his articles especially when he writes about elitism in the GAA. Hes spot on here in this article.Anybody whos involved with under age team in Cork will have a story about fixtures and devolpment squads.

 

[richiepurg]

I find Brolly hard to take, but he's bang on here. Elitism is alive and well in the GAA, going right back to the foundation of the GPA. Club players are now regarded as 3rd class citizens in the organisation and volunteerism is dying on its feet. Club players are expected to hang around until the inter-county season for their particular county's team is at an end and then there's a mad rush to get competitions completed. At under-age level, players will not hang around for the odd game while their soccer and basketball counterparts are guaranteed regular games.
In rugby, the club game is on life support for a while now as the event jockeys follow Munster and consider themselves experts if they can sing at least the opening verse and chorus of Athenry.

 

[Ethelred]

Here's an example.

U12 county development team set up. Parents pissed off as it is an extra night driving.

Kids that aren't picked to play shiver on the sidelines and have stopped turning up as they don't get a game.

The kids that are picked act like they aren't given enough free kit.

With Feile coming up the usual lads have started turning up for their weekend away, never to be seen again afterwards. But further pissing off the lads that don't get a game.

And then later coaches despair that they can't field a u16 team as they don't have enough players.

Meanwhile capital grants are given out for new clubhouses and hurling walls for clubs with deserted fields that can't even field a full team above Feile level.

 

[finbarrog]

Here's an example.

U12 county development team set up. Parents pissed off as it is an extra night driving.

Kids that aren't picked to play shiver on the sidelines and have stopped turning up as they don't get a game.

The kids that are picked act like they aren't given enough free kit.

With Feile coming up the usual lads have started turning up for their weekend away, never to be seen again afterwards. But further pissing off the lads that don't get a game.

And then later coaches despair that they can't field a u16 team as they don't have enough players.

Meanwhile capital grants are given out for new clubhouses and hurling walls for clubs with deserted fields that can't even field a full team above Feile level.

Fair Point Ethel

 

[Atlanger]

I love the games, but I can't stand the way the GAA is being run right now. There are some great materials out there for prospective coaches, and they pay lip-service to participation up to U-12, but let's be honest, the GAA is all about winning once people get into their teens.

Brolly is 100% right. Solutions for keeping involved should be looked at. Also, clubs that do a good job keeping people involved should also be held up as examples to other clubs of the way to do things regardless of whether a piece of silverware never crosses their threshold.

 

[Maw Maw]

I know of a game played recently
Competition is 12 a side as its B2 grade

One team only had 8 so it was 8 a side game
Picture that in a full size adult field

 

[Maw Maw]

Here's an example.

U12 county development team set up. Parents pissed off as it is an extra night driving.

Kids that aren't picked to play shiver on the sidelines and have stopped turning up as they don't get a game.

The kids that are picked act like they aren't given enough free kit.

With Feile coming up the usual lads have started turning up for their weekend away, never to be seen again afterwards. But further pissing off the lads that don't get a game.

And then later coaches despair that they can't field a u16 team as they don't have enough players.

Meanwhile capital grants are given out for new clubhouses and hurling walls for clubs with deserted fields that can't even field a full team above Feile level.

How many Cork teams get a weekend away for Feile hurling
Roughly I'd say 4 get the chance

 

[Choice is yours]

Two years ago the Feile was shared between Cork and Kerry and the finals were played in Kerry around Rathmore I think. Rebel Og had their development squad launch(team pictures) the same evening back in Cork

 

[Choice is yours]

How many Cork teams get a weekend away for Feile hurling
Roughly I'd say 4 get the chance

3 this year, same in football