Replying To brisbane:  "Imagine the great Kilkenny team played all there games at home? how many all irelands in a row would the have won?"

Replying To TheFlaker:  "Of all the posters that there is no point debating this with, you are number one. You haven't a clue. I always defend Dublin and praise them but at least try and understand my post. Because your post is like something my auld lad would say, and he's nearly 80."

Replying To brisbane:  "Imagine the great Kilkenny team played all there games at home? how many all irelands in a row would the have won?"

Replying To clondalkindub:  "Not trying to be smart but did Kilkenny not play all their games in CP the last 15 years when they were dominating?"

Replying To TheUsername:  "Im thinking more Macro on the funding model really and not just GDF. On that though, i would be pretty firm that Dublin get pretty much like for like, per euro to population as other counties. I think to a degree Dublin were underfunded for years based on their population until the ISF stepped in. Has it made a difference, certainly, the game has grown exponentially across the county and probably will continue. I think the model i use is flawed as im sure its not wholly down to population, but i think comparing Dublin to any other county for funding needs or registered players with is flawed as well i.e. The Ewan Mkenna model.

The GAA dont make known what motivates the criteria for funding GDF and for that reason everyone is shooting in the dark a bit, they really should as it would be immensely helpful for the integrity of the sport to have a rationale.

My own take is that in funding Dublin properly probably for the first time in its history, its unlocked many of the natural advantages Dublin have population and breath. It not unreasonable to expect that if you grow games and participation in an area of such a high population under one county banner that, that county isnt going to be strong. It Yeats terrible beauty stuff. Maybe it was always destined to be so if Dublins full potential was ever unlocked.

In analysis the issue presents the GAA with a number of dilemmas in my opinion:

1) The GAA actually dont supply Dublin with much of the 1.3 in GDF, the ISC provide 1 mill to grow Gaelic games in Dublin annually. So essentially Dublin take .3 in GDF from central funds. That presents difficulties in many ways, do the GAA decline this grant and loose 1mill? Do they take on the burden of funding Dublin? Is it right to undermine the investment already made, with the progression of Gailic games in a key area of the coutry? Is it likely to make a difference to the Dublin senior team as its run from sponsorship money? is it ethical to handicap a county? etc. Its soul searching stuff.

2) The value of Dublin, Dublin biggest strength and problem to the GAA is its largeness. a strong profile of identification with Gaeilic games in Dublin is a big market that reaps money. In three weeks between hurling and football Dublin is providing a gate of about 65k at 35 euro a ticket in the early stages of the championship less costs, that is very appealing if you do the matchs. Away form lads actually playing for the county if you have a population that big identifying and interested in gaeilc games and attending through historical interest participation commercially its important. Thats before you look at the likes of corporate sponsorship of the GAA with Dublin on the ticket as a big market to reach, corporate boxes in Corke Park Premium tickets etc. To lessen the profile of gaeilic games in the capital is ceding commercial battle ground to rugby and soccer.

Yet on the flip side Dublin is unique in that fully mobilized and natural advantages triggered its clear it makes it very difficult in the future for others to compete. Population, sponsorship no one can get or will get close. There is a strong case there to say if Dublin realise its full potential, then dominance can be expected, maybe it always was going to be this way. So you cut the funding to disenfranchise the growth of the game in Dublin to regress or you continue to fund and grow the huge potential. Its a big dllema.

People talk of redistributing the money. Where does this money come from? The GAA accounts are audited, every cent is generally accounted for. when you look at a population distribution of GDF, Dublin arent even the best, they do have more source population though. If the ISC cut there grant tomorrow on Dublin 1 mill, there would be less for every one then more. So massive dilemmas for the GAA.

3) The model, the GAA has a communal funding model, well really a hybrid model of money allocated from central funds for aspects like GDF and county let of loose for things like sponsorship etc. This horse has bolted in my opinion with contracts etc signed by every county. The era we are facing into now is we see counties and players maximize their commercial funding through market and profile. Some will be better and others will be worse. A dilemma for the GAA is to stick or twist and what to with Dublin in my opinion. Dublin will dominate this area, on merchandising, commercial sponsorship and if they were even bothered fundraising. Scarily now Dublin clubs are entering this arena with more vigor.

Its likely Dublin contribute more to the communal fund then they take out, take last weekend, 36k in Croke park, 35 euro a ticket, before you count premium and corporate boxes less costs. You are looking at millions. Thats one game in the early stages of the championship and essentially a dead rubber, the last two hurling games were full houses too. Do you try and keep Dublin in the communal model, grow the games there and let them contribute commercially for the good of the game. Huge revenue for the GAA.

Alternatively as Dublin are unique to you cut them loose and focus a communal money on other counties and let Dublin fend for themselves and fund the whole kit and caboodle in the county. Let them develop there own ground, corporate seating, hospitality, merchandising, sponsorship and let them keep the proceeds of their own endevours.

Huge dilemmas for the GAA. in my opinion.

The argument seems circular to me, everyone says Dublin have unique advantages like population and yet resent Dublin being treated uniquely, you cant have it every way.

Im very open minded by the debate and the solution. But i think its far delicate then people realize when these debates become binary on Dublins funding, good or bad or fair or unfair."

Replying To clondalkindub:  "Not trying to be smart but did Kilkenny not play all their games in CP the last 15 years when they were dominating?"

Replying To clondalkindub:  "Well said great post , but they won't listen they've made up their minds already Jimbo."

Replying To Gator:  "My perspective is there is very little that needs to change with respect the funding directly provided from the GAA to any county. Its typically variable and tied to specific needs at any one time. What is more important is that specific guidance on how to apply for additional funds and how to use those funds is made very clear to all counties. It would be also advantageous for various CB to have savvy people appointed (when does that happen?!)

The commercial aspect as you outlined is a quandary and if left unresolved will perpetuate the disparity we already see."

Replying To Royal.Legend:  "Is it just me or is anyone else fed up with all these anti dubs treads been set up almost daily by the exact same posters spreading the exact same nonsense."

Replying To GeniusGerry:  "Tongue in cheek comment Clon. I prefer to stay out of the money debate, it doesn't really interest me."

Replying To neverright:  "Now weaker counties know what to do to get up to Dublin's standard - get voluntary coaches. Thanks John for the tip."

Replying To clondalkindub:  "Who hasn't a clue? don't be some key board warrior who gets smart on here , you wouldn't say boo to me if I seen you in person. keep the personal insults out of it."

Replying To Jack_Goff:  "link

Interesting interview with John Horan Regarding Dublin. A few snippets.

"GAA president John Horan has said the chief reason for Dublin's dominance is the work of voluntary coaches and not the funding the county has received over the past decade."

"Almost €18m in games development funding, with Kildare and Meath receiving just over €1m over the same period. Accounting for population the rate of investment in Dublin was still more than double that of any other county".

Good to get the view of the president who doesn't believe the amount of money invested into the development of underage players has much effect on counties like Meath, Kildare or Dublin."

Replying To Mobot:  "That's fair enough and I posted earlier in this thread about how this is an exceptional Dublin football team that would have probably have come through anyways.

Give me an honest answer to this question though:
Do yo think Dublin get advantages over other counties whether it be financial or use of croke park etc.?"

Replying To Jack_Goff:  "The bigger question is do they have the fitness or the strength and conditioning to do it."

Replying To Jack_Goff:  "Do you really believe what you write? Without the green stuff you wouldn't have been pumping out underage hurling teams of the quality you currently are. Clubs like Cuala wouldn't be dominating the club championship and your senior team wouldn't be within a few points of the best teams in Leinster and sometimes better.

The green stuff has had a massive effect on hurling in the capital and imo this is fantastic. Unlike your footballers the hurling and I presume camogie badly needed this investment.

When Dublin finally win a hurling all Ireland which will happen the GAA need to reduce the money big time so we don't get a similar situation where your hurlers dominate. The likes of Wexford, Waterford, Antrim, Meath, Ofally, Kildare, Wicklow, Down, Clare, Kerry all have great hurling potential and the Dublin hurling funds would be better spent investing in these then helping Dublin dominate the hurling."

Replying To brisbane:  "Imagine the great Kilkenny team played all there games at home? how many all irelands in a row would the have won?"

Replying To Mobot:  "That's fair enough and I posted earlier in this thread about how this is an exceptional Dublin football team that would have probably have come through anyways.

Give me an honest answer to this question though:
Do yo think Dublin get advantages over other counties whether it be financial or use of croke park etc.?"

Replying To DUBJOHN:  "You're on record Gerard suck it up!"