National Forum

Sligo GAA thread

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To muscles:  "I would like to see Sligo GAA doing something innovative to see if they can encourage these larger amalgamations whose populations have boomed in recent years to slowly unwind. I know it will be difficult especially when it comes to the development of club grounds over the past few years with both sides of amalgamation contributing and some great facilities now in so many clubs but I think a warm up competition next year where all amalgamations are excluded but invite them to enter based on the old club borders prior to amalgamation so Gurteen, Keash, Sooey, Knocklassa, Grange, Cliffoney and so on. See if we can encourage teams to show they can survive without an amalgamation and be a more of local feel where players are less likely to fall through cracks. Senior 15 a-side, intermediate 13 a-side and junior 11-a side maybe? They can amalgamate again for league and championship but anything that might be able to reverse the prior trends so there is more clubs in the county. Some other clubs are already struggling and will probably end up amalgamating but hopefully the trends can reverse for them somewhere down the line as what has happened for some of the current amalgamations"
Nice idea but it won't happen.
No club will have any interest in going back and splitting up for any reason, plus these new clubs (even though they are old) would have to get registered with Croke Park and have their own executive. Some of these clubs have probably 60 years of amalgamation behind them. They won't risk creating divides especially as they would all be reverting back to junior.

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2096 - 01/05/2025 21:31:52    2606138

Link

Good win for Molaise against a battling Enniscrone 1-11 to 1-8. Fair to play to Enniscrone showing well so far in Division 1. Coolera were 1-4 to 11pts down to Shamrock gaels at HT and cameback to win 1-14 to 1-11. Must have been a fairly strong wind. Harps had a good win over Curry and Marys scraped past Coolaney. Fair play to Geevagh bouncing back against Easkey in Div2. Molaise 2nd team going well in Div2 which shows our depth.

Mayo v Galway was a great game, for long spells I thought Mayo had them 2nd half. That last score by Galway was elite, from the block to Mayo trapping in the runners to Galway winning 2nd best battles to getting the ball off in traffic. Every kid should be shown that move as an example of where to get to. So much on display but the basics under intense pressure is where it is at.

Sligo v Tipp at 1.30pm on Sunday in Tubbercurry. It should be a good occasion to have a Sligo Senior Championship match in Tubbercurry. I am excited for the South Sligo folk. I can't imagine too much changing on the starting team from CSFC but I do hope some like Flynn, O Boyle, Deignan's and Casserly get some mins.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1846 - 05/05/2025 18:58:44    2606911

Link

Replying To Sligonian:  "Would you like me to?"
No

Bumblebee123 (Sligo) - Posts: 82 - 06/05/2025 00:17:32    2606971

Link

Replying To muscles:  "I would like to see Sligo GAA doing something innovative to see if they can encourage these larger amalgamations whose populations have boomed in recent years to slowly unwind. I know it will be difficult especially when it comes to the development of club grounds over the past few years with both sides of amalgamation contributing and some great facilities now in so many clubs but I think a warm up competition next year where all amalgamations are excluded but invite them to enter based on the old club borders prior to amalgamation so Gurteen, Keash, Sooey, Knocklassa, Grange, Cliffoney and so on. See if we can encourage teams to show they can survive without an amalgamation and be a more of local feel where players are less likely to fall through cracks. Senior 15 a-side, intermediate 13 a-side and junior 11-a side maybe? They can amalgamate again for league and championship but anything that might be able to reverse the prior trends so there is more clubs in the county. Some other clubs are already struggling and will probably end up amalgamating but hopefully the trends can reverse for them somewhere down the line as what has happened for some of the current amalgamations"
this is a crazy idea - I would have a good guess that you are not involved in underage with any of these clubs? Do you know the numbers available in these areas? In South Sligo, nobody from either Cloonacool, Tubbercurry , Bunninadden , Ballymote would argue - if they had numbers for their own club team they would be playing on their own. Look at the amalgamations like Geevagh/St Michaels, Easkey/St Farnans , Owenmore Gaels/ St Pats. It is very difficult to amalgamate with your local rival but it has to be done if you simply do not have the numbers.
Go into St Molaise and dividing the club, they are trying for so long to unite these areas and now you want to go in and split them up - crazy, shocked Sligonaian agreed to this. Probably shows how far away from underage teams that he is in with his own club. Same with Eastern Harps and Shamrock Gaels - nobody in their right mind from these larger clubs would agree to this. I have been at a lot of underage games this year and have not seen a team with 10-12 subs. Unless someone else has seen this. Harps are probably one club that have done a lot of work underage the last few years, same on a lesser extent with St Molaise & St Marys.

RealSouthSligo (Sligo) - Posts: 118 - 06/05/2025 10:35:03    2607024

Link

Replying To RealSouthSligo:  "this is a crazy idea - I would have a good guess that you are not involved in underage with any of these clubs? Do you know the numbers available in these areas? In South Sligo, nobody from either Cloonacool, Tubbercurry , Bunninadden , Ballymote would argue - if they had numbers for their own club team they would be playing on their own. Look at the amalgamations like Geevagh/St Michaels, Easkey/St Farnans , Owenmore Gaels/ St Pats. It is very difficult to amalgamate with your local rival but it has to be done if you simply do not have the numbers.
Go into St Molaise and dividing the club, they are trying for so long to unite these areas and now you want to go in and split them up - crazy, shocked Sligonaian agreed to this. Probably shows how far away from underage teams that he is in with his own club. Same with Eastern Harps and Shamrock Gaels - nobody in their right mind from these larger clubs would agree to this. I have been at a lot of underage games this year and have not seen a team with 10-12 subs. Unless someone else has seen this. Harps are probably one club that have done a lot of work underage the last few years, same on a lesser extent with St Molaise & St Marys."
That suggestion had nothing to do with underage teams, you can amalgamate at underage but still play as separate teams at senior as most of the clubs you listed are doing. You have been to a lot of underage games and not seeing many subs but do you not realise most of these clubs have a 2nd team entered in C which is why you aren't seeing many subs.

Go into St. Molaise and look at the population and the area it covers. They are top of both division 1 and 2 in the league. These larger amalgamations are going to dominate in the future and small rural clubs won't be able to compete and some of whom will look to amalgamate themselves so we will be left with nothing but amalgamations left at senior football.

muscles (Sligo) - Posts: 476 - 06/05/2025 11:44:34    2607053

Link

Interesting to see Molaise doing well so far in both leagues and makes the decision not to promote them last year from Div 3 all the more bizzare when they are more than able to handle themselves in Division 2. Similarly having 3 second teams on top of Division 3 doesn't bode well for the standalone clubs in that league. I know it's early days as only 2 rounds in but it is a symptom of clubs struggling. We're not unique though, other smaller counties are seeing rural clubs struggle so it's something at a nationwide level that needs attention as well as providing local solutions.

Sligoman1234 (Sligo) - Posts: 499 - 06/05/2025 12:19:41    2607061

Link

Replying To Sligoman1234:  "Interesting to see Molaise doing well so far in both leagues and makes the decision not to promote them last year from Div 3 all the more bizzare when they are more than able to handle themselves in Division 2. Similarly having 3 second teams on top of Division 3 doesn't bode well for the standalone clubs in that league. I know it's early days as only 2 rounds in but it is a symptom of clubs struggling. We're not unique though, other smaller counties are seeing rural clubs struggle so it's something at a nationwide level that needs attention as well as providing local solutions."
There are obviously a number of factors at play here. It's both a socio-economic issue brought about by a generation where nearly all students go to third level education and eventually move to Dublin or abroad. Additionally, planning restrictions are preventing young families from building or buying in rural locations with everyone being pushed into towns. I don't know what the GAA can do about this. Rural communities are being decimated.

johncreilly (Sligo) - Posts: 157 - 06/05/2025 13:44:45    2607094

Link

Replying To RealSouthSligo:  "this is a crazy idea - I would have a good guess that you are not involved in underage with any of these clubs? Do you know the numbers available in these areas? In South Sligo, nobody from either Cloonacool, Tubbercurry , Bunninadden , Ballymote would argue - if they had numbers for their own club team they would be playing on their own. Look at the amalgamations like Geevagh/St Michaels, Easkey/St Farnans , Owenmore Gaels/ St Pats. It is very difficult to amalgamate with your local rival but it has to be done if you simply do not have the numbers.
Go into St Molaise and dividing the club, they are trying for so long to unite these areas and now you want to go in and split them up - crazy, shocked Sligonaian agreed to this. Probably shows how far away from underage teams that he is in with his own club. Same with Eastern Harps and Shamrock Gaels - nobody in their right mind from these larger clubs would agree to this. I have been at a lot of underage games this year and have not seen a team with 10-12 subs. Unless someone else has seen this. Harps are probably one club that have done a lot of work underage the last few years, same on a lesser extent with St Molaise & St Marys."
Apologies I need to be clearer, I didn't agree to slowly unwinding the amalgamated clubs. I suggested an inner club underage tournament from u10 to u16 to try and maximise our pick and bring back some of the GAA family from Maugherow/Cliffoney that was lost in the amalgamation. I would of course not support splitting up the club at any level for league or championship. It was suggested that amalgamated clubs be split for spring league which isn't a bad idea imo but not possible as stated. All these would make us actually stronger at senior and maximise our pick for League and Championship. I am absolutely all in with Molaise and winning a first senior title.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1846 - 06/05/2025 16:38:44    2607164

Link

Replying To Bumblebee123:  "No"
Interesting, you wouldn't hire someone based on their opinion on football? An opinion on football doesn't define anyone's character on here nor what they would bring to the table to benefit Sligo GAA. Its an independent process for a reason to avoid the politics and prejudice's. Hopefully the best person gets it and can push us on.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1846 - 06/05/2025 19:34:22    2607209

Link

Replying To Sligonian:  "Apologies I need to be clearer, I didn't agree to slowly unwinding the amalgamated clubs. I suggested an inner club underage tournament from u10 to u16 to try and maximise our pick and bring back some of the GAA family from Maugherow/Cliffoney that was lost in the amalgamation. I would of course not support splitting up the club at any level for league or championship. It was suggested that amalgamated clubs be split for spring league which isn't a bad idea imo but not possible as stated. All these would make us actually stronger at senior and maximise our pick for League and Championship. I am absolutely all in with Molaise and winning a first senior title."
I think you will find Maugheraow part of Drumcliffe Rosses Point, Molaise plenty big enough as it is

onthefortyfive (Sligo) - Posts: 39 - 06/05/2025 19:38:58    2607212

Link

Historically children attending Maugheraow could play with Drp you might have noticed

onthefortyfive (Sligo) - Posts: 39 - 06/05/2025 19:40:32    2607214

Link

Replying To onthefortyfive:  "I think you will find Maugheraow part of Drumcliffe Rosses Point, Molaise plenty big enough as it is"
You are technically right in terms of parishes but its not clear cut as parishes overlap, my understanding is Maugherow are allowed to play with either Drumcliffe or Molaise, neither side object. Depends where you go to school for most part and friendships. Throughout the years most play with Molaise. My dad and his brothers played for Maugherow and when Maugherow disbanded most if not all of the players joined St Molaise. The McLoughlins are 100% Maugherow but play with Molaise as an example today. Ewing a Raghly man an example of the other way but my understanding is very few chose Drumcliffe. So my default is always to see Maugherow as St Molaise Gaels and I think they see themselves that way. The club changed the name to incorporate Maugherow at the time from Grange/Cliffoney.

Just to let you know, Drumcliffe have a bigger catchment area btw and Carney and Rosses Point have a bigger population than Grange and Cliffoney if you combine both. Not many people realise that. No complaints on our size.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1846 - 06/05/2025 22:05:38    2607241

Link

After the excitement of an absorbing Connacht final we are back playing this weekend against Tipperary . If Cummins is fit and ready to start it spells bad news for someone if everyone else is fit and good. I imagine it could be between Cox and McNamera for the subs bench. I'm expecting a win for Sligo. Now that our provential championship is done for this year it's interesting to see on social media that the name Tony MC Entee is appearing a lot as Mayo's next manager. It's not going to happen. Every manager that took that poisoned chalice of a job saw their profile go downhill as soon as they crossed the border. Incidentally Leitrim want Poacher gone and the Rossies can't wait to give their man the boot. Who would want to be a manager?

eoinog (Sligo) - Posts: 2096 - 07/05/2025 16:55:23    2607427

Link

Replying To eoinog:  "After the excitement of an absorbing Connacht final we are back playing this weekend against Tipperary . If Cummins is fit and ready to start it spells bad news for someone if everyone else is fit and good. I imagine it could be between Cox and McNamera for the subs bench. I'm expecting a win for Sligo. Now that our provential championship is done for this year it's interesting to see on social media that the name Tony MC Entee is appearing a lot as Mayo's next manager. It's not going to happen. Every manager that took that poisoned chalice of a job saw their profile go downhill as soon as they crossed the border. Incidentally Leitrim want Poacher gone and the Rossies can't wait to give their man the boot. Who would want to be a manager?"
Sligo should beat Tipp at home with a fair bit to spare but it will be interesting to see what shows on the field from the last few weeks work that meant our players couldn't play for their clubs. It is great that all the players remained committed. As you say they will want to get minutes into Cummins if healthy. I really want to see him bring his 2pt threat into our game.

Is it not a privilege to be county senior manager? You make it sound its some sort of great sacrifice. Roscommon people have always held their managers to account and a higher standard, that's why they have 20+ Connacht senior titles because they don't accept mediocrity. Burke got them promoted back to Div1 and they still hold him to account for the underachieving in championship. Fair play to them, they would never have accepted or hired the managers we did the last 10 years. Unless you are insecure you should be able to handle some criticism if your the manager and they aren't doing it for free. With regards McEntee, he has targeted winning the Tailtean cup and tbh we have the players to win it too imo so he is under pressure to deliver some meaningful progress beyond morale victories. If we win it, his stock will rise even further especially externally.

I am delighted to see the Leitrim V Sligo game is on GAA+.

Sligonian (Sligo) - Posts: 1846 - 07/05/2025 19:17:55    2607453

Link

Replying To Sligonian:  "Interesting, you wouldn't hire someone based on their opinion on football? An opinion on football doesn't define anyone's character on here nor what they would bring to the table to benefit Sligo GAA. Its an independent process for a reason to avoid the politics and prejudice's. Hopefully the best person gets it and can push us on."
I just think you've a career in politics awaiting instead

Bumblebee123 (Sligo) - Posts: 82 - 08/05/2025 18:59:21    2607693

Link