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Non-Gaa Forum - 3 Like(s)
Replying To galwayford: "Unfortunately Rugby is massive in Ireland now. We are a rugby nation now. One of the leading ones. Along with New Zealand. Every weekend people are watching and talking about say the 6 nations. Or even now the Heineken cup. I am GAA. But we are second fiddle now. Along with Irish football. Irish football has shot itself in the foot with failing to boycott Israel. It will struggle to beat Czechia in Prague in world cup qualifier because of it. Israel match is the focus, sad to say." GAA second fiddle? Don't make me laugh. We are not a rugby nation. We are a bandwagon rugby nation. Our media give far too much airtime to it.
I'll give an example…Troy Parrots goal to get us to the play off garnished much more hype and mass hysteria in the homes, pubs and general public debate than Rugby ever could. The soccer team capture the imagine of the nation.
I find the Rugby thing forced and plastic from the anthem to the "team of us" crap.
Then within the vast majority of individual countries, GAA isn't just the games, it's everyday life for us. Rugby is something you watch on tv.
yew_tree (National) - 26/02/2026 18:40:37
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McDonagh Cup Link To All-Ireland To Be Removed? - 3 Like(s)
Replying To carlo: "Preliminary Q/f is Championship, one big win away from making an Ireland Quarter Final. I remember the buzz in laois when they beat Dublin
League is League" Knew it'd only be a matter of time before that Laois victory over Dublin back in 2019 was brought up!!!
But as I pointed out all the way back on page 9 of this thread (in April of last year), if you leave that one sole solitary shock result aside:
- average winning margin of McCarthy Cup side over Joe McDonagh winners = 13.5 points
- average winning margin of McCarthy Cup side over Joe McDonagh runners-up = 20 points
Then last year, McDonagh Cup winners were beaten by 21 points. McDonagh Cup runners-up were beaten by 23 points.
It really is time this mismatches were brought to an end. And I for one am glad to see it's one of the McDonagh Cup counties themselves bringing the motion to do that.
Pikeman96 (National) - 26/02/2026 21:38:06
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Galway Football thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To Marooned: "They usually play much better away from home for whatever reason. But a big ask to beat Donegal on home turf at the moment. Even though rumour is that Jim will be rotating a few of his starters this weekend. They'll still have a good team out." I don't think we can rest many on Sunday, we are already without Shaun Patton, Daire O'Bhaoil, Ciarán Thompson and major doubts over Ciarán Moore and Shane O'Donnell. Safe journey and if you are coming via Sligo take the old Bundoran road to Ballyshannon, go off at the 2nd roundabout on the Bundoran bypass. The Ballyshannon club (Aodh Ruadh) have set up extensive car parking as you come into the town in free car parks that are easy to exit afterwards. These are about a 5 to 10min walk to the pitch. Will we see your all stars who've been missing lately McDaid, Silke, Comer, Daly, Walsh or Conroy.
Ulsterchamps72 (National) - 26/02/2026 20:32:44
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Leitrim GAA thread - 2 Like(s)
Replying To 3rdmidfielder: "I was in Australia when I set up the account many years ago, im not sure how to change it?
I was at the Waterford game and I was at the Antrim game. I seen bigger crowds at an underage blitz very little positivity in the crowd, i started going to Leitrim matches under the late PJ Carroll there was serious support back then. Serious buzz around Leitrim football. Its not true to say thats the case with this Leitrim team, but good results will bring the crowds, its the same in any county, the Dubs are an example of that. They have fallen back and so has their support.
There was no fire last weekend I am hoping for a good result against Tipp this weekend." I can relate to your post. I remember the 90s and naughties - great crowds for matches particularly Leitrim Roscommon games in Carrick. Proper local derby feel. That's gone as we have gone our separate ways as explained in above posts.
Too many times, we have had a great performance, we catch the attention of the fairweather people with a narrow win, they all come out for the next game only to see their team well beaten. They go off thinking waste of money, etc and you don't see them again. This crowd of people has grown and influenced more loyal people into similar thinking the crowd has slowly died away. An example that sticks out was beating Sligo against the odds in 2011 only to be blown away by Roscommon in Carrick in the semi final in front of a large crowd as well as on TV. As soon as there is a bit of hype, we shoot ourselves in the foot the next day. That's a killer. All of a sudden the brigade who say they wouldn't open the curtains if they were playing the front garden feel validated and justified. Trust is lost.
A separate contributing factor are the people are pacified with their phones at home. Same can be said for a lot of people at matches so the chit chat among the crowd and the rawness of supporters shouting in is gone.
I can't remember the last time I heard the 'Liatroim, Liatroim' chant. It would take a few decent results one after the other and maintain it before we get even close to this.
I can't make the Tipp game but I wish them all the best. As if Thurles wasn't far enough, they have to go on another bit to Clonmel. Get 2 points and get the show on the road again. Promotion unlikely but strictly still possible. The last thing we want is a dead rubber game against Carlow.
Liatroim abú.
P.S. Ignore the attention seekers and they will go away-simple as that.
Mugatay (National) - 27/02/2026 15:12:03
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Non-Gaa Forum - 2 Like(s)
Replying To KillingFields: "Maybe but its far from small or a minority sport likr so many here claim it is
Amd flaker ballina even mentioned crossmolina minis on their website this week. Its still running and likely to expand in time" And here you go again acting as if I don't know what's going on in Mayo. Cross mini rugby started 5 or 6 years ago. Ballina was my club from 6 years old to 18. Please stop trying to tell me about subjects you know nothing about. The mini rugby in Cross is great but it's not likely to expand in time. You just threw that out there even though you have zero knowledge on it. Ballina will take the best of them and if they stick at it then great. That's it.
TheFlaker (National) - 27/02/2026 09:28:40
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Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To galwayford: "Unfortunately Rugby is massive in Ireland now. We are a rugby nation now. One of the leading ones. Along with New Zealand. Every weekend people are watching and talking about say the 6 nations. Or even now the Heineken cup. I am GAA. But we are second fiddle now. Along with Irish football. Irish football has shot itself in the foot with failing to boycott Israel. It will struggle to beat Czechia in Prague in world cup qualifier because of it. Israel match is the focus, sad to say." "Irish football has shot itself in the foot with failing to boycott Israel"
I know you are not a teenager but that's what I think everytime when I read simplistic comments like this.
100% I would LOVE to see Israel punished and a massive global boycott of them for what they've done in Gaza but let's be real and fully grown up here.
To begin with, if Ireland refused to play against Israel in the forthcoming games they would be SEVERELY SANCTIONED by FIFA. Probably they would be banned from competing at any level in FIFA competitions for several years. It is absolutely certain that the FAI would be heavily fined. Whatever income they get at the moment would be slashed to nothing and Irish football would be driven back to the stone age.
The USA regards Israel as its greatest and most important ally. Politically it exalts its relationship with Israel above all others... it doesnt matter anymore whether it's the Dems or the Republicans , Israel is number one with them and far ahead of any others. And there has never been an American president to support Israel come what may more than Donald Trump.
Just look at the case of Drogheda Utd. It has been widely reported in the mainstream media that the US company that owns Drogheda Utd are reviewing their investment following recent calls within the club for a boycott of Israel.
This is a microcosm of what could and probably would happen to Irish soccer if a boycott was instigated.
We live in a world of Realpolitik. Israel has enormous influence in the USA , a multiplicity of times more than we as a nation think we have and they can and will use it against us if we were to move beyond virtue signalling. The Irish government know that, the FAI hierarchy know that and so do the GAA authorities in Croke Park.
PoolSturgeon (National) - 27/02/2026 01:14:31
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Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To galwayford: "Does Irish rugby have a problem or issue with alcohol. A lot of their competitions, Heineken cup, Guinness 6 nations seem to be associated with alcohol companies." Well you would struggle to watch a full game if you were sober.
updwell (National) - 27/02/2026 15:55:58
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Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Freethinker: "That ad drives me spare. Yer man, way he winds up, you'd think he was going to announce he had won the lotto." If you're talking about it then the ad has done it's job to a degree. Doesn't mean you have to like it. Some ads are just silly. Like the one portraying hurlers as modern day Cú Chulainns. Recent events have shown that they're mere mortals.
ThePowerhouse (National) - 27/02/2026 15:41:19
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Roscommon GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Rossfan93: "Fully agree with the Castlebar game. Though if we get a win Sunday, we have free hits against Donegal and Mayo with no fear of relegation and a chance of making a Division 1 League final. I know the Connaught Championship is the priority but we have time before the New York game unlike other seasons and for players like Diarmuid, Enda , Ronan Daly etc..a Division 1 League Title would something I'm sure they and Mark Dowd will want to add to the CV.
The club fixtures not being posted on the website is a bit of a joke or on any platform. I have a brother playing club football at a senior level (would hope to be in the mix for an inter county shout some day) - a bit of coverage shouldnt be too much to ask considering how strong our club scene is. Hopefully there is an aye on the club scene by Dowd and his management also" Should the Connacht Championship be the priority though given where ye are now? A win on sunday and Roscommon have a real opportunity to win Division 1 of the league. Surely that has to be given priority now. The championship will look after itself. Opportunity like this doesnt come around too often and may not come around again for these players. Go for it.
Tadhg2020 (National) - 27/02/2026 11:52:10
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Roscommon GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Sundays game is going to tell us a lot where this team is mentally, dublin will be fighting to stay up bar the monaghan game we have been rank outsiders against d1 teams. It will be interesting how we cope as favorites and against a team we haven't beaten since 2002
hontherossie (National) - 27/02/2026 11:24:11
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Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Drax_the_destroyer: "Had Donegal beaten in Pearse Stadium this time last year in the 1st half when leading 0-17 to no score. A lot will depend on how serious Jim will approach this game with 8 points and Division 1 status secured. Galways need is greater for this game and are well capable of beating Donegal again" I highly doubt ye will .
S1234 (National) - 27/02/2026 10:54:59
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Motion Of 4 National League Games To Play - 1 Like(s)
Replying To legendzxix: "When Mayo were knocked out of Connacht a week after winning the league, their players were released back to their clubs. County players could be released back to their clubs during the gap weeks of the national league. If some counties opt for that approach, it should be no problem without any motion required." It already happens in alot of counties, not just Mayo, especially with lads who arent making the matchday 26s.
Viking66 (National) - 27/02/2026 10:28:21
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Galway Football thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To Jimmymark2: "Galway well capable of beating Donegal but I would not use that game as a barometer. Gale force wind that evening that favoured Galway in the first half. 17-01 at half time (7 x 2 pointers from Galway in the first half) and 21-14 at the end. Donegal will rest a few due to injuries and giving other lads a run out. I'd say for Donegal it's a case of if the team they put out wins then great, if not so what." That game in salthill last year was a farce. I was waiting on one of the keepers kickouts to blow back over his own bar for a point. We'll probably see a wee bit of Murphy this week as he seems to play in home league games only and he'll be looking to slowly build his match sharpness. As others have said, we're down a couple with injuries since last week so would be nice to see a few different men tried. I'm not sure what the story with caolan mccolgan is but hoping to see him take the field again soon. We've drawn or lost a few matches with Galway at home over the last number years that we really let slip so I'd personally love to get a win.
WeGoAgain (National) - 27/02/2026 10:18:06
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Leitrim GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To leitrimabu1: "Contrary to your view it's from down under & far fro from the positive mood in the County. There is a real belief among the squad & the County that we can progress. Look at the age group it's got great potter & Stephen is fully supported here. One thing we do agree on is that we have the most talented squad in years & all being injury free can compete. Will we beat Tipp? I don't know but if we turn up with fire in our bellies- yes we can!" I was in Australia when I set up the account many years ago, im not sure how to change it?
I was at the Waterford game and I was at the Antrim game. I seen bigger crowds at an underage blitz very little positivity in the crowd, i started going to Leitrim matches under the late PJ Carroll there was serious support back then. Serious buzz around Leitrim football. Its not true to say thats the case with this Leitrim team, but good results will bring the crowds, its the same in any county, the Dubs are an example of that. They have fallen back and so has their support.
There was no fire last weekend I am hoping for a good result against Tipp this weekend.
3rdmidfielder (National) - 26/02/2026 17:41:55
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McDonagh Cup Link To All-Ireland To Be Removed? - 1 Like(s)
I enjoyed the occasion of Wexford visiting Tralee for a preliminary quarter final, despite the result. The travelling Wexicans brought great colour. Division 1B is now the fair place for these encounters.
legendzxix (National) - 26/02/2026 23:16:32
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Non-Gaa Forum - 1 Like(s)
Replying To yew_tree: "GAA second fiddle? Don't make me laugh. We are not a rugby nation. We are a bandwagon rugby nation. Our media give far too much airtime to it.
I'll give an example…Troy Parrots goal to get us to the play off garnished much more hype and mass hysteria in the homes, pubs and general public debate than Rugby ever could. The soccer team capture the imagine of the nation.
I find the Rugby thing forced and plastic from the anthem to the "team of us" crap.
Then within the vast majority of individual countries, GAA isn't just the games, it's everyday life for us. Rugby is something you watch on tv." Cuala and Kilmacud Crokes have swamped Sth.,County Dublin.IMo nearly every good player throughout the Country is playing football or hurling.
gerry1414 (National) - 26/02/2026 21:54:09
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Donegal GAA thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To CCFabu: "Patton is an excellent shot stopper, I would back him in many one-on-one situations and in penalties. We're lucky that both keepers are so good in that area.
The way I see this, a fully fit and in form Patton is a bit better than Mulreany in every area except for the 2 point frees. That is not a slight on Mulreany who is an excellent keeper in his own right, but Patton is better than him in my opinion.
Now what remains to be seen is how Patton plays when he comes back from injury. Will he still have the big boot and ability from kickouts? Will he still be as confident under the high ball (the part of his game he has developed the most in my opinion).
And another factor is - do you take Mulreany because of the chance for 2 point frees, and accept a slightly lower quality goalkeeper in the other areas versus Patton? They are a big addition to the team and I think in every game so far in the league he has hit at least one 2 pointer from the ground, and often has been at a key moment in the game - against Armagh it stopped their momentum and I remember similar against Kerry.
Overall I'm picking Patton so long as he is fully fit but Mulreany has proven himself this year to be a great option." Don't want to get too much into this debate. We do miss Pattons ability to catch a team out with the long kick out he has and mulreanny has struggled with a few medium range kicks outs.
With that said an accurate two point free taker is pretty much must have. The two pointers against armagh and particularly the one in the second were very tricky and he nailed them. We won the game by four points and these two frees are those 4 points.
I just don't quite understand that he didn't hit the one gallen hit short in the first half.
And sure Sean ose kept a second string Kerry team in the game against us by hitting two points frees. It's really crucial to have this kicker.
Ulsterchamps_32 (National) - 26/02/2026 21:51:49
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Wexford Hurling Thread - 1 Like(s)
Replying To theboys: "Reading post here my opinion is we have no full back,centre back or centre forward and full forward no solid spine to our team at all,no size to our back or forwards really!!! No real ball winner in the forwards bar chin but its all so predictable big physical man will just spoil him,might catch the odd one!!! For me we are still masking over things and to be honest getting away with it!!! Chin very limited when not on frees its to easy for teams to stop him considering we have no real other ball winner!!! Playing him centre back might not be a bad idea might contribute more to a game from there!!! I think the likes of tucker and carley are simply not good enough when it comes down to it and id put lawlor and donohue,codds and dempsey in the bracket now aswell!!! Massive transition going on and we have what we have but as rory jacob said are these lads goin to develop into real top hurlers i dont think so they are just your average county hurlers,good lads putting the shoulder to the wheel which has to be comended for little or no chance of actually winning anything!!!we find it hard to get over dublin,i think they are a better team than us slightly but i wouldnt be getting excited about them either!!! Odonnell is a serious addition felt he handled chin simple enough!!! I think clare will open us up big time!!!kildare obviously arent to bad have no fear of anyone which i like,the just seem to want to have a go which is brilliant,none of this rubbish of playing to not be hammered!!!" Well that's the most negative post I've seen in a while. How about a bit of positivity? We're a really young, inexperienced team but they are showing some amount of effort. It may well be a dire season, but at least we're trying to build something positive for the future and personally, I find that more exciting than trying the same tried and tested players over and over and expecting different outcomes.
YellowShadeOfPurple (National) - 26/02/2026 20:04:01
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Looking Forward To 2026 - 1 Like(s)
Replying To tirawleybaron: "You can nearly trace current form to the provincial championship draw.
Part of the reason Kerry love a Cork/Kerry Munster final - is that they can aim to be hitting their straps for the 10th May (used to be June).
Feb& March is getting lads fit - April is getting tuned up and the serious stuff is 8 weeks and done.
Donegal are out at full pelt in February - going for the league - knowing they don't have a to play a Div1 or 2 team until May bank holiday. They could be taking it easy altogether (like Kerry) but the need to win a national title in Croke Park is high as Jimmy has stopped winning matches there.
Time will tell if the league efforts are worth it.
Armagh & Tyrone are out against each other on 12th April - so are not anywhere near full pelt in February - but they will be building for the last 2 rounds of the league in March to tune themselves in.
One of Cavan/Monaghan/Derry will be in the Ulster final - so all their efforts are focused on Ulster championship hence not showing well in February.
Galway are taking it easy with a handy route to a Connacht final on 10th May. Mayo and Roscommon are showing earlier as they face off in April.
In Leinster - Dublin don't have a real game until 2/3 May - hence not too bothered at the minute.
Carlow and Wicklow are aiming to be at full throttle for facing each other on 12th April and then Dublin on 19th April - so have 7 weeks to be at their peak - hence they are ahead of all other div 4 teams as they aren't looking past that date - having a right cut off a weak Dublin team isn't an opportunity that comes around often." You are sadly mistaken if you think the majority of counties are aiming to be peaking for Championship at all. The League is the most important gig in town for most of us these days in Football.
Viking66 (National) - 26/02/2026 17:57:25
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