|
Non-Gaa Forum - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Freethinker: "That is down to Donogh O'Malley. He introduced second level education for all. Prior to that, second level ed was for the well off. I was born a bit early for it, but my younger siblings benefitted. Anecdotaly, when he floated the idea originally he got no support from the civil service - it was a non runner, too expensive etc. He said, ok, then called a press conference and announced it anyway. Another who passed away too early." Telling reference to the Civil Service. Professional Irish middle class with private school background has been a huge barrier to progress in genuine equality of opportunity here for 100 years. They produce very few innovators and actively impeded industrial and social development for decades.
BarneyGrant (National) - 08/04/2026 15:57:00
|
|
Leitrim GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To moros: "Good to see you rightly praise the Rossies. We need Leitrim back too. Keep working hard. We love you peoples. Spirit of 95. Love the ball." Amazing coincidence how yourself and Bláthach appear here around the same time on a regular basis.
IronSleeve (National) - 08/04/2026 16:27:07
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 2 Like(s)
Replying To BarneyGrant: "Telling reference to the Civil Service. Professional Irish middle class with private school background has been a huge barrier to progress in genuine equality of opportunity here for 100 years. They produce very few innovators and actively impeded industrial and social development for decades." I know plenty of people who've come from "disadvantaged" backgrounds and have gone to become very successful because of the opportunities available to them. Opportunities that were available to everyone. What they did have was a work ethic. What they didn't fall back on was a myriad of excuses.
ThePowerhouse (National) - 08/04/2026 16:38:17
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 2 Like(s)
Replying To ThePowerhouse: "I know plenty of people who've come from "disadvantaged" backgrounds and have gone to become very successful because of the opportunities available to them. Opportunities that were available to everyone. What they did have was a work ethic. What they didn't fall back on was a myriad of excuses." You are quite right. I too know many such, but I think tour reply to Barneys post is a mile away from the gist of that post.
Freethinker (National) - 08/04/2026 19:59:27
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Doylerwex: "Ah the old bootstrap mantra. The tiny minority of people from disadvantaged backgrounds who become a great success do so in spite of the system not because of it." What 'system' is in place to prevent those people becoming successful?
Free primary education
Free secondary education
HEAR scheme (which allows them entry into a 3rd level course with LESS points than others)
Grants for 3rd level study (SUSI Grant, student assistance fund, 1916 Bursary, free fees initiative, etc.)
What exactly is it about the system, and not the individual, that holds them back?
cavanman47 (National) - 09/04/2026 08:19:25
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Freethinker: "You are quite right. I too know many such, but I think tour reply to Barneys post is a mile away from the gist of that post." It's not. Its the nonsense that's continuously spouted. People that have every opportunity available to them are quick to come up with the same old excuses as to why they can't or won't. Generations after generations of them.
ThePowerhouse (National) - 09/04/2026 10:01:22
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Doylerwex: "Do you think we have equality of opportunity here? Is financial gain the only motivator for working hard?" I think we have equal opportunities for education in Ireland, growing up relatively poor in Ireland in the 1980s, I was very fortunate to be able to pursue 3rd level education after my leaving certificate without fees and receiving a monthly grant.
I wouldn't have been able to afford to move further away, even with my part-time job and the grant, and my parents couldn't afford to pay that type of money, and I wouldn't have wanted to put that type of added burden on them. So I stayed local and worked weekends to support myself fully.
The opportunities are definitely there, its not necessarily easy, especially if holding down part-time jobs etc, but we are better off in this regard than many other parts of the world.
Commodore (National) - 08/04/2026 13:25:46
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Commodore: "I think we have equal opportunities for education in Ireland, growing up relatively poor in Ireland in the 1980s, I was very fortunate to be able to pursue 3rd level education after my leaving certificate without fees and receiving a monthly grant.
I wouldn't have been able to afford to move further away, even with my part-time job and the grant, and my parents couldn't afford to pay that type of money, and I wouldn't have wanted to put that type of added burden on them. So I stayed local and worked weekends to support myself fully.
The opportunities are definitely there, its not necessarily easy, especially if holding down part-time jobs etc, but we are better off in this regard than many other parts of the world." That is down to Donogh O'Malley. He introduced second level education for all. Prior to that, second level ed was for the well off. I was born a bit early for it, but my younger siblings benefitted. Anecdotaly, when he floated the idea originally he got no support from the civil service - it was a non runner, too expensive etc. He said, ok, then called a press conference and announced it anyway. Another who passed away too early.
Freethinker (National) - 08/04/2026 14:28:26
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Commodore: "I think we have equal opportunities for education in Ireland, growing up relatively poor in Ireland in the 1980s, I was very fortunate to be able to pursue 3rd level education after my leaving certificate without fees and receiving a monthly grant.
I wouldn't have been able to afford to move further away, even with my part-time job and the grant, and my parents couldn't afford to pay that type of money, and I wouldn't have wanted to put that type of added burden on them. So I stayed local and worked weekends to support myself fully.
The opportunities are definitely there, its not necessarily easy, especially if holding down part-time jobs etc, but we are better off in this regard than many other parts of the world." Good post.
We're one of the most equal societies on the planet.
People will use any excuse to claim we're not, whereas your own story (and 1000s of others) prove otherwise.
cavanman47 (National) - 08/04/2026 14:36:00
|
|
Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To ThePowerhouse: "I know plenty of people who've come from "disadvantaged" backgrounds and have gone to become very successful because of the opportunities available to them. Opportunities that were available to everyone. What they did have was a work ethic. What they didn't fall back on was a myriad of excuses." Ah the old bootstrap mantra. The tiny minority of people from disadvantaged backgrounds who become a great success do so in spite of the system not because of it.
Doylerwex (National) - 08/04/2026 17:52:13
|
|
Does Anyone See Past Limerick Winning The Hurling All Ireland? - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Doylerwex: "Just to note since the introduction of the round robin we've qualified more often than Dublin or Galway.
I expect Kilkenny will be in an Ireland semi final. They usually are.
Dublin are the most settled team in Leinster, but I don't see them beating Kilkenny in a final.
Galway are a match for anyone but you never really know what you're going to get. That being said I've been impressed with them this year.
I have no Idea what we're going to do. If we somehow get to a Leinster final we'll win it. We could just as easily finish 5th." Silly contradiction to say that a team is a match for anyone, but you never know what you'll get.
You double down on the irony then, claiming that Wexford are capable of winning the Leinster title, but 'could just as easily finish 5th'. Isn't that 'you never really know what you're going to get' on steroids?
Pope_Benedict (National) - 08/04/2026 23:24:48
|
|
Roscommon GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Safe travelling to all Rossies who are making the trip over to New York today and tomorrow. No doubt there is a good run on the bars in Dublin and Shannon airports at the moment!!
letsgetgoing (National) - 09/04/2026 10:19:46
|
|
Wexford Hurling Thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Viking66: "Agree that we are in general too nice. Some of that is due to the way our refs ref the games too. Bringing ingredients the young lads up to tournaments in Tipp and Kilkenny last year really opened our eyes to this, and reinforced something Ive been saying for years.
As regards our u14s we have had 2 good u14 teams in a row, hopefully this years will be a 3rd good team. We werent hectic before that at u14. We were OK, competitive, but didnt reach finals like we did the last 2 years. The current minor team were decent at u14 for example.
It would be great to get a group like Offaly did that wins all the way up, but thats hard to get. Every county is hoping to get that. And it doesn't always work out at minor anyway. The last group that were a bit like that from u14-u16 were Tipps minors of last year, and they never made it out of the Munster Minor Round Robin and lost all their games." Everyone in Wexford GAA is too nice. I'm not encouraging dirty play or anything but I know people involved in Dublin underage teams always say to hit Wexford, annoy them, lay down a marker, they don't like it.
I think this is true, Wexford need to develope more kill or be killed attitude. This is a competitive arena and if you don't like being hit or hitting, maybe GAA is not for you. Some parents are the worst in this regard.
I am not advocating off the ball hitting, dangerous play, etc but nice guys finish last. If you are giving a free, as storeytash says make the opponent feel it don't just pull his jersey and let them get the point from the free.
ExiledInWex (National) - 09/04/2026 10:35:51
|