(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post
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Have we seen any new transfers as of yet? Heard plenty of rumours but haven't seen anything official yet Head4TheBlackSpot (Meath) - Posts: 20 - 15/02/2024 09:11:59 2526148 Link 0 |
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Ratoath lose another manager. Are any of their key players restless Ashrules (Dublin) - Posts: 518 - 18/02/2024 15:48:28 2526683 Link 0 |
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That's old news! Reilly was gone before Christmas and the new management have been working away since the new year Not hearing that anyone has left - expect them to be at close to full strength come championship! Royalblufill (Meath) - Posts: 481 - 18/02/2024 16:21:21 2526694 Link 0 |
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Any update on Eastern Gaels transfers ?
royaljackeen (Meath) - Posts: 37 - 18/02/2024 16:44:45 2526703 Link 0 |
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All 10 transfers granted , I hear , big move on Gaa's behalf .Is this to set a president one wonders ?
Oldsam (Meath) - Posts: 30 - 04/03/2024 10:03:41 2529629 Link 0 |
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Have you a list of the players and the clubs they have transferred to?
Meath4Sam2020 (Meath) - Posts: 132 - 04/03/2024 12:43:36 2529703 Link 0 |
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They are all to Eastern Gaels, majority if not all, from Cilles id guess
Belt (Meath) - Posts: 253 - 04/03/2024 13:52:38 2529727 Link 0 |
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That's great, 10 young lads back playing football. Best of luck to them.
royaljackeen (Meath) - Posts: 37 - 04/03/2024 18:59:27 2529810 Link 2 |
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That is good news and with new format, a team like Eastern Gaels might get 15 or so competitive games this year and hopefully continue to build. It is very difficult to keep a small club going let alone create a new one. I think the extra games and divisions are a benefit to all Meath clubs and hopefully participation continues to increase at all levels. This will ultimately increase competition and have a knock on effect at County level too.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 04/03/2024 22:24:02 2529853 Link 1 |
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It's totally the contrary. Meath has a proliferation of clubs, and its ruining Meath football. How games have EG forfeited last year? Just look at games that are conceded. Majority small clubs. And I'm from a small club! One large strong club, with facilities and multiple competitive teams for all level of abilities in an area is a far better and sustainable model, for all concerned. If your not good enough to play first team, well thats just it. If we keep diluting the standard we'll never progress. Clubs have reserve teams for a reason. Please don't start rolling out the indenity argument. Lads in Duleek Bellewstown, Donaghmore Ashbourne etc know who they are. Indenity isn't lost in an amalgamation, its strengthens it by making it a better team. #makemeathgreatagain Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 04/03/2024 22:53:52 2529862 Link 1 |
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If your theory was correct then we one could argue that if we divided the county into 4 teams we would improve football The more players playing, the more players to pick from and there are instances of clubs joining in the past but not improving the football inside their parish and I am assuming the reverse can happen as you say. I do not think that their is 'a one size fits all'. One of the biggest problem inside all counties is the standard of coaching/management and then we look at refs on TV who do not appear to know the basic rules where pulling and dragging is allowed throughout a game.
browncows (Meath) - Posts: 2342 - 05/03/2024 19:09:03 2529993 Link 2 |
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In that extreme example you put forward, yes you're correct it would work. But that's not my argument. My argument is where obvious and practical amalgamations should be supported in order to help Meath football. Oldcastle, St Bridgits, Moylagh Ballivor Longwood Boardsmill Gael Colmcille & Drumbaragh Ballinabrackey & Clonard Blackhall Gaels & Kilbride Nobber Kilmainhamwood That's 14 teams to make 5 solid teams with numbers, facilities and supports. I know several named teams are already senior but will struggle by looks of it moving forward, and have various challenges on and off pitch. Adam Flanagan didn't transfer to Summerhill for the scenery! What specific examples of amalgamations are there where its hasn't improved a team? Coaching is an issue, but it's not the root cause. You can't train a fish to climb a tree. In fairness to Meath Gaa they are making radical changes and improvements. Football is a numbers game....... simple. Be a hold on to your "identity" advocate or be a build to better, and become a consistently competitive team. Its not for everyone, but it is a very reasonable amd logical approach. Driving up county standards. 50-60 clubs in a county with a playing population of our size is to the detriment of all clubs. Splinter potest clubs are not positive developments. Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 06/03/2024 16:29:26 2530102 Link 0 |
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Disagree with you entirely here. Aside from Eastern Gaels who are very early in their development and St Paul's, I think if you look back most of the games conceded were from larger clubs 2nd teams that couldn't be bothered to take long journeys for Tuesday A leagues games. This wasn't just limited to the lowest division either. Eastern Gaels struggles were not helped by Cilles objection to transfers for players that weren't even getting games either.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 06/03/2024 17:03:27 2530107 Link 2 |
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I'm not a regular poster, but definitely a regular reader. I'll put my cards on the table here and say that I totally and utterly disagree with your suggestions about amalgamating clubs and consolidating resources. That aside, I'm sure we could have an adult debate/conversation around this! I don't regard myself as a leftie/hippy/socialist or whatever other labels people like to bandy around these days. However, I do strongly believe that as a society we should be attempting to encourage as many people as possible to engage with one another in our local communities. And by that I mean on a "micro" level, where we cherish, preserve and take pride in those little aspects of our local area which make us unique and mark us out from the neighbouring parish or village. Part of that is doing everything in our power to keep the lights on in as many GAA clubs as possible. I think far too many people nowadays lose sight of the fact that most GAA clubs have local community at their heart. They aren't some sort of "feeder" or academy setting to develop players for county teams. I'm a parent, current player and underage coach. I try to perform each of these roles to the best of my abilities, and take special pride and care in trying to assist younger players improve their GAA skills. I believe in giving players the best opportunity we can so that they can enjoy our sports as much as possible, but not and never to the detriment of the local GAA club as a community organisation. I have read your posts on this topic with interest over the past few days, and am curious to know if there is evidence to suggest that consolidating clubs is a beneficial thing to do? oceanofnoise (Meath) - Posts: 44 - 06/03/2024 17:18:55 2530110 Link 3 |
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I absolutely agree with everything you say here and ultimately disagree with previous poster. The GAA at Club level is ultimately about community and participation and there are plenty of opportunities for the smaller club player to represent at a higher level through regional or county or if good enough for both, would get the chance. Amalgamations would be detrimental to parishes and decrease participation and support especially the examples of clubs that have been mentioned. If anything the population is increasing in many areas where the possibility of more clubs are required.
winatallcost (Meath) - Posts: 511 - 06/03/2024 20:21:21 2530128 Link 1 |
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Firstly this is my opinion. So it's as valid as you take it be. I definitely understand the concerns with regards to community etc However lots of these clubs players go to the same schools, live in the same parish. Maybe my point should focus more on clubs within the same parish. As I actually think it's farcical having multiple clubs in one parish drawing players committees and finances from the one area. If you go back far enough a lot of clubs are amalgamations of sorts, including St Colmcilles. I'd reverse your point, show me a proper amalgamation (two clubs at all levels) that's failed. Because if you look at Meath Gaa there are a lot of successful amalgamations. Turning off the lights in clubs is simply not what would happen. Ladies, Mens, Kids football requires lot of facilities. Therefore each clubs facilities could be given a specific use, or designation under the new amalgamations. Which would help with training schedules and fixture congestion. With conceding games, I think you really need to look more closely at past seasons. Concessions are not solely down to second teams. You can't simply exclude St Paul's and EG, to validate your counter argument on a debate based on the fact that there are too many small clubs in Meath! Together is better, in many cases. Kilmacud Crokes have membership in the 1000s. And I hate reference to Dublin Gaa. But facts are facts, bigger is better. Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 06/03/2024 20:42:02 2530132 Link 0 |
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I understand what you're saying. A lot of your points are well-reasoned, and I wouldn't for one second question anyone's right to an opinion! I'm also not suggesting that club amalgamations won't work, or that they shouldn't be considered a viable option. They can be highly successful in the right circumstances, and as you say there is a long tradition of this in Meath. I may be wrong, but I think we may both be approaching this topic with a different end goal in mind. I feel we need to improve player participation levels and continue to put GAA clubs at the heart of communities. I'm not convinced that reducing the number of clubs is going to achieve that. If the focus is more geared towards developing as many "elite" level players and teams as possible, then yes, I can see how having less "small" clubs would be beneficial. oceanofnoise (Meath) - Posts: 44 - 06/03/2024 21:47:36 2530141 Link 1 |
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Best of luck getting Ballinabrackey and Clonard to amalgamate or the others. Proud clubs in their own right. The village my parents live in has no football team for years now and lost a lot of its identity with it.
Amarach (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 06/03/2024 22:04:56 2530143 Link 0 |
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Participation levels are serious concern. Ireland has changed dramatically. Thankfully we are becoming a multicultural society. As a result gaelic games may not be something that some families have any interest in, or traditionally associate with. In addition sports like basketball, soccer, rugby, golf etc all have routes into professionalism or else scholarships (worldwide) That's competition! How do we fix it, I'm genuinely not sure. But again I do think small clubs pooling resources would help. Many teams are seriously struggling at under age. Again look at the underage teams and how many are the "a" word, loads of them from Div2 down. Traditionally it was lower Div teams that would be combinations, but its now creeping up to higher Divisons. This means one of two things, amalgamations work at under age making teams stronger, or two participation levels are dropping or maybe its both. Not to mention competing with hurling. If amalgamations do work at underage, why not adult. Everyone wants Meath Gaa to improve, but there is a cost. Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 06/03/2024 23:22:50 2530148 Link 0 |
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Possibly the reason it's lost its team is because its lost a lot of its population. Ballinabrackey Clonard just an example. Don't forget Clonard had a very very difficult couple of years. Best players leaving to other clubs
Meathooooo (Meath) - Posts: 49 - 07/03/2024 08:16:51 2530154 Link 0 |