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"I'M Finished With That Now, And Life Is Already Much Better"

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Alright alright paddy is getting a fair amount of stick. In truth if Meath are to make progress it would have been without him in the team. To be fair he has been in the panel a number of years and has been putting the effort in to remain in the team he isn't a professional he isn't getting paid to be there and he has chosen that he can't continue to make the same commitment with his work/life balance. I think some posters would want reminding of what is involved in training and preparation is needed to play inter county football even if you aren't going to win anything. Also these posters should note that they haven't made the effort themselves and are here on hoganstand and not with in an ass's roar of making county. Come lads have a bit of cop on!

Spoddgy (Mayo) - Posts: 660 - 22/02/2018 09:41:11    2079151

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Replying To Spoddgy:  "Alright alright paddy is getting a fair amount of stick. In truth if Meath are to make progress it would have been without him in the team. To be fair he has been in the panel a number of years and has been putting the effort in to remain in the team he isn't a professional he isn't getting paid to be there and he has chosen that he can't continue to make the same commitment with his work/life balance. I think some posters would want reminding of what is involved in training and preparation is needed to play inter county football even if you aren't going to win anything. Also these posters should note that they haven't made the effort themselves and are here on hoganstand and not with in an ass's roar of making county. Come lads have a bit of cop on!"
the Dream of winning an all Ireland title with your county is all but vanished with the introduction of the back door and now the super eights. under the old system if you're beating once you're out unlike now the better teams have a a second chance.let's say in the unlikely event that the dogs are beaten in the Leinster championship under the old system they would be out and there would be new all Ireland winners under the current system Dublin will regroup and finish strongly.

if I was from a weaker County I would give up as you seldom beat a good team twice.

Bernardo (Monaghan) - Posts: 595 - 22/02/2018 10:45:56    2079164

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That's the good and the bad of it alright.
The weaker counties get a second chance but so do the stronger ones.
There's always going to be an imbalance but Meath must accept a lot of the blame for their slide themselves.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 22/02/2018 11:12:51    2079167

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Just reading through the comments here, and my immediate taught is 'Is it any wonder players arent giving interviews anymore'. If people didnt have to be so harsh in their criticism of interviews ya might actually see more players putting themselves forward.

He clearly spoke his mind, whether people like it or not its his opinion and hes entitled to it. He has made a decision for his own well being.

I fore one wouldnt be willing to make the sacrifices that he has made over the past few years (not that I would have been asked anyway).

juicy (Meath) - Posts: 399 - 22/02/2018 11:36:22    2079174

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Replying To KildareKelly:  "But you're making it a personal issue as a Meath man. You might be right about him losing his place, you would know better than me.....but regardless that's completely not the point. Taking the interview at face value he makes some valid points about the demands on players. As someone else said, Shane Dowling from limerick has said similar things this week, and in fact was even more critical if anything...it could be any player from any county.
Things have gotten crazy for players & I've no idea why anyone would deny that."
Ya I'm looking it from a Meath point of view. From a Meath point of view by doing an interview about how he is happy to get away from panel as he thinks not alone are they not competitive but are going backwards he is potentially hurting morale in the panel and putting pressure on Andy McEntee the manager. That being the case its fair to point playing wise many last year felt he should be replaced in goal and he may have wondered would he be first choice this year. This puts a different perspective on his interview.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1352 - 22/02/2018 13:34:06    2079202

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On the 1 November 1884, a group of Irishmen gathered in the Hayes' Hotel billiard room to formulate a plan and establish an organisation to foster and preserve Ireland's unique games and athletic pastimes. And so, the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) was founded. It was set up for all to enjoy - men, women & children.

The current hierarchy in Croke Park have ruined that. They have allowed the game to become elitist, its no longer a game for everyone, its only a game for those willing to put their personal lives on hold. Gone are the days where every child in the local community represented their clubs, children are now turning to other sports for enjoyment. Gone are the days where teams gathered in the local after a match for a pint and a few sandwiches and socialised with the supporters from their community. Players are now expected to train like professional athletes, even on non training days they are told to got to the gym. The ordinary club footballer has been left behind because County Boards are under pressure to maintain their County Teams and for what, to feed the coffers in Croke Park, to satisfy the contracts with RTE and Sky.

Its now crept into schools and colleges and as well. I've seen it as recently as this week with under age lads, they've trained 6 times out of 7 days, and thats only with their school and County development squad, they havent yet done anything with their club.

And people wonder why Paddy quit!

cavanblueman (Cavan) - Posts: 636 - 22/02/2018 13:34:21    2079203

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Its ironic, If a manager (who is paid) walks away its generally fine

The unpaid amateur walks away, he gets it in the neck, mostly from his own!

Ban (Westmeath) - Posts: 1415 - 22/02/2018 13:47:18    2079208

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Replying To Bernardo:  "the Dream of winning an all Ireland title with your county is all but vanished with the introduction of the back door and now the super eights. under the old system if you're beating once you're out unlike now the better teams have a a second chance.let's say in the unlikely event that the dogs are beaten in the Leinster championship under the old system they would be out and there would be new all Ireland winners under the current system Dublin will regroup and finish strongly.

if I was from a weaker County I would give up as you seldom beat a good team twice."
so you are saying that the best team shouldn't win.

s goldrick (Cavan) - Posts: 5518 - 22/02/2018 14:38:49    2079217

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Replying To Bernardo:  "the Dream of winning an all Ireland title with your county is all but vanished with the introduction of the back door and now the super eights. under the old system if you're beating once you're out unlike now the better teams have a a second chance.let's say in the unlikely event that the dogs are beaten in the Leinster championship under the old system they would be out and there would be new all Ireland winners under the current system Dublin will regroup and finish strongly.

if I was from a weaker County I would give up as you seldom beat a good team twice."
Unfortunately you have spoken a fair amount of truth there.

Spoddgy (Mayo) - Posts: 660 - 22/02/2018 17:34:39    2079272

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Replying To s goldrick:  "so you are saying that the best team shouldn't win."
I take your point but in a Knockout competition you shouldn't get a second chance.I think 13 County still have not won sam.

Bernardo (Monaghan) - Posts: 595 - 22/02/2018 18:54:10    2079304

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Tipp for Sam.

jimbodub (Dublin) - Posts: 20600 - 24/02/2018 23:15:36    2079862

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I can understand where he's coming from and this is where gaa needs to wake up.. In leinster, the goal is only to reach a leinster final...you play the dubs and move on to qualifiers...the super 8 is a money making exercise for the gaa in the immediate future.....they have no concern for the smaller counties and their development but not all the teams they will be competitive in say 5 yrs times, purely due to pick and playing population..in 10 years time you could have a situation where Dublin, Kerry and Mayo have a realistic chance of winning Sam and who wants to see the same faces win in any sport.....players from smaller counties, might not make the sacrifices required, with absolutely no silverware on the horizon...they will just concentrate on club football, who are applying pressure to stay with them....any that will make the sacrifices, are only doing so, for the love of the game and the love of their county....but gaa dismiss these players....media dismiss these players...these players and counties are sneered at every summer on the Sunday game.....these are the players the gaa should cherish because without them, you have a three or four team competition......players like Dermot Brady, Paul barden, Declan Browne, Mattie forde of old.....personally, I can see how rugby is taking a hold, with younger people dreaming of playing for leinster, connaght, ulster or Munster, rather than longford, louth, Sligo, fermannagh, or say antrim.....the competition needs an overhaul.....however there are ways of making it competitive in its current format....a small example would be if a div 3 or 4 team are drawn against a "superpower" they automatically get home advantage...give a glimmer of hope....but with this glimmer could comes the possibility of the "superpower" being knocked out...and what might that do to the GAA kitty.....which imo is more important to them than any development...rant over.

Longfordbaz (Longford) - Posts: 145 - 25/02/2018 11:27:38    2079938

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Replying To KildareKelly:  "But you're making it a personal issue as a Meath man. You might be right about him losing his place, you would know better than me.....but regardless that's completely not the point. Taking the interview at face value he makes some valid points about the demands on players. As someone else said, Shane Dowling from limerick has said similar things this week, and in fact was even more critical if anything...it could be any player from any county.
Things have gotten crazy for players & I've no idea why anyone would deny that."
He hasn't a clue.

Of course O Rourke was keeping his place, he's one of best GK in Ireland. We now have a novice who is trying his best in difficult circumstances and a 40 year old who plays midfield for his club's second team as our goalkeepers. And he thinks Ireland's GK for 2 compromise rules series would be dropped for those 2? As I say, hasn't a clue and just being bitter.

O Rourke went over the top a bit as he didn't have to so honest but he's right in implying that intercounty football is dying. It is. In ten years it probably won't exist. You can thank the GAA for that.

Crinigan (Meath) - Posts: 1318 - 25/02/2018 18:00:07    2080120

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Replying To Longfordbaz:  "I can understand where he's coming from and this is where gaa needs to wake up.. In leinster, the goal is only to reach a leinster final...you play the dubs and move on to qualifiers...the super 8 is a money making exercise for the gaa in the immediate future.....they have no concern for the smaller counties and their development but not all the teams they will be competitive in say 5 yrs times, purely due to pick and playing population..in 10 years time you could have a situation where Dublin, Kerry and Mayo have a realistic chance of winning Sam and who wants to see the same faces win in any sport.....players from smaller counties, might not make the sacrifices required, with absolutely no silverware on the horizon...they will just concentrate on club football, who are applying pressure to stay with them....any that will make the sacrifices, are only doing so, for the love of the game and the love of their county....but gaa dismiss these players....media dismiss these players...these players and counties are sneered at every summer on the Sunday game.....these are the players the gaa should cherish because without them, you have a three or four team competition......players like Dermot Brady, Paul barden, Declan Browne, Mattie forde of old.....personally, I can see how rugby is taking a hold, with younger people dreaming of playing for leinster, connaght, ulster or Munster, rather than longford, louth, Sligo, fermannagh, or say antrim.....the competition needs an overhaul.....however there are ways of making it competitive in its current format....a small example would be if a div 3 or 4 team are drawn against a "superpower" they automatically get home advantage...give a glimmer of hope....but with this glimmer could comes the possibility of the "superpower" being knocked out...and what might that do to the GAA kitty.....which imo is more important to them than any development...rant over."
All sports are dominated by a few teams. That's a reality.

Tadhgmacda (Limerick) - Posts: 99 - 25/02/2018 18:35:14    2080143

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Replying To Longfordbaz:  "I can understand where he's coming from and this is where gaa needs to wake up.. In leinster, the goal is only to reach a leinster final...you play the dubs and move on to qualifiers...the super 8 is a money making exercise for the gaa in the immediate future.....they have no concern for the smaller counties and their development but not all the teams they will be competitive in say 5 yrs times, purely due to pick and playing population..in 10 years time you could have a situation where Dublin, Kerry and Mayo have a realistic chance of winning Sam and who wants to see the same faces win in any sport.....players from smaller counties, might not make the sacrifices required, with absolutely no silverware on the horizon...they will just concentrate on club football, who are applying pressure to stay with them....any that will make the sacrifices, are only doing so, for the love of the game and the love of their county....but gaa dismiss these players....media dismiss these players...these players and counties are sneered at every summer on the Sunday game.....these are the players the gaa should cherish because without them, you have a three or four team competition......players like Dermot Brady, Paul barden, Declan Browne, Mattie forde of old.....personally, I can see how rugby is taking a hold, with younger people dreaming of playing for leinster, connaght, ulster or Munster, rather than longford, louth, Sligo, fermannagh, or say antrim.....the competition needs an overhaul.....however there are ways of making it competitive in its current format....a small example would be if a div 3 or 4 team are drawn against a "superpower" they automatically get home advantage...give a glimmer of hope....but with this glimmer could comes the possibility of the "superpower" being knocked out...and what might that do to the GAA kitty.....which imo is more important to them than any development...rant over."
Blaming the gaa , and by that I presume you mean croke park, for the state of gaelic football at intercounty level is a bit rich. The counties themselves govern the playing rules and structures and they have repeatedly rejected any change to the structures that create a two or three tier system even though the game badly needs it.

Tadhgmacda (Limerick) - Posts: 99 - 25/02/2018 18:38:35    2080144

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Replying To Crinigan:  "He hasn't a clue.

Of course O Rourke was keeping his place, he's one of best GK in Ireland. We now have a novice who is trying his best in difficult circumstances and a 40 year old who plays midfield for his club's second team as our goalkeepers. And he thinks Ireland's GK for 2 compromise rules series would be dropped for those 2? As I say, hasn't a clue and just being bitter.

O Rourke went over the top a bit as he didn't have to so honest but he's right in implying that intercounty football is dying. It is. In ten years it probably won't exist. You can thank the GAA for that."
O'Rourke played outfield for his club also (as did many former Meath goal keepers) so that is not an issue with any replacement. Modern goalkeepers most important role is now kicking the ball out. O'Rourke has a huge kick (which when he first joined Meath was a huge advatage) but as the game has moved to trying to pick out players many of his kickouts go over the sideline or are passed to the opposition. His kickouts usually gifted the opposition scores in most matches. Last year Joe Sherdian being brought back into squad as a possible goal keeper was a reflection of how important kicking the ball out has become in recent years. Just because he played Compromise Rules 5 years ago does not reflect much on what is happening today (His large size also would have helped him with this). Go back on Meath hogan stand threads over last year or 2 and see loads of comments questioning should he be goal keeper any more. Not necessarly saying he should have been dropped just pointing out the last year or 2 have not went as well for him and this probably was also a factor in his decision which he failed to mention in his interview.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1352 - 26/02/2018 10:43:54    2080371

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What guys post about POR goal keeping ability on the Hogan Stand is irrelevant as it is quite obvious quite a few of them lack any sort of decent analysis -with the blinkers on. Goal keepers primary job is to stop goals going in and that is why the are called goalkeepers. Being able to place good kick outs is very good secondary skill but that skill is helped by having good outfield players who can win ball.

'blaming Croke Park'! - I thought the rules come from there so who else should we blame?

browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 26/02/2018 20:01:07    2080719

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Replying To Tadhgmacda:  "Blaming the gaa , and by that I presume you mean croke park, for the state of gaelic football at intercounty level is a bit rich. The counties themselves govern the playing rules and structures and they have repeatedly rejected any change to the structures that create a two or three tier system even though the game badly needs it."
I think there is some merit to what Longfordbaz is saying.

The reason there isn't a 2 or 3 tier structure at football is because the players made it 100% clear they don't want it and their county boards, even the hurling dominated ones, have listened to them.

county man (Limerick) - Posts: 1102 - 26/02/2018 22:44:33    2080779

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Replying To browncows:  "What guys post about POR goal keeping ability on the Hogan Stand is irrelevant as it is quite obvious quite a few of them lack any sort of decent analysis -with the blinkers on. Goal keepers primary job is to stop goals going in and that is why the are called goalkeepers. Being able to place good kick outs is very good secondary skill but that skill is helped by having good outfield players who can win ball.

'blaming Croke Park'! - I thought the rules come from there so who else should we blame?"
If your goal keeper is attempting to find a team mate with a short kickout and it goes wrong it is a problem as if the opponent gets the ball in space 40 meters out from goal it usually ends up leading to an easy score. This had become an issue. The goal Louth got in the Championship game was an extreme case of it as started with one if this type of kickout.

bdbuddah (Meath) - Posts: 1352 - 27/02/2018 10:26:05    2080856

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Replying To Tadhgmacda:  "Blaming the gaa , and by that I presume you mean croke park, for the state of gaelic football at intercounty level is a bit rich. The counties themselves govern the playing rules and structures and they have repeatedly rejected any change to the structures that create a two or three tier system even though the game badly needs it."
The game needs an improvement in standards for those in Division 3 and 4 and tightening the gap in standards between top and bottom. Definitely easier said than done but a two or three tier intercounty system only increases the gap in standards and the Super 8 will be the start of an elite division and the non-contenders.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7346 - 27/02/2018 10:36:28    2080861

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