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European Super League / GAA

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Look i get it. you dont like rugby and are trolling but who are GAA people to say to rugby fans what they deem as important in terms of matches. Theyre not challenges or friendlies.
When do you ever see top level gaa teams/players play to same intensity in friendlies as they would in championship games because the intensity in many of these tests are similar to 6 nations and world cup games."
Not a bit of trolling going on, I don't dislike or like rugby, it's irrelevant to me, however the media coverage it gets I feel is over the top for the numbers that play it. If every one of these tests are important then why do Ireland play a second or third string side against the US and A, Fiji or Canada in test games? They're trying out players they say... because yes they're challenges. If all tests were this vitally important they'd play their best team every time and not be disrespecting the opposition by fielding weaker sides. And they are never intense games because they are usually played in winter which is at the end of the southern hemisphere season and their players are tired, compared to the northern hemisphere ones who are just starting. When the southern hemisphere lads are conditioned for the important autumn/winter competition every four years we see the results

republicofcloone (Leitrim) - Posts: 375 - 22/04/2021 13:49:35    2338368

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Replying To republicofcloone:  "Not a bit of trolling going on, I don't dislike or like rugby, it's irrelevant to me, however the media coverage it gets I feel is over the top for the numbers that play it. If every one of these tests are important then why do Ireland play a second or third string side against the US and A, Fiji or Canada in test games? They're trying out players they say... because yes they're challenges. If all tests were this vitally important they'd play their best team every time and not be disrespecting the opposition by fielding weaker sides. And they are never intense games because they are usually played in winter which is at the end of the southern hemisphere season and their players are tired, compared to the northern hemisphere ones who are just starting. When the southern hemisphere lads are conditioned for the important autumn/winter competition every four years we see the results"
The media coverage the sport gets is a combination of factors including its the biggest team pro sport in this country. Soccer isnt because nearly all the best irish players are playing in England/Scotland.
Horse Racing has lots of stars here of course but wont get near the same media attention as a team sport.
The games against USA/Fiji are the same as games against New Zealand. Theyre tests. Yes they see weaker teams played but thats because these sides are weaker than us. They are important. The Southern Hemisphere season isnt as long as ours or as tough in terms of number of games played and November games are after a decent break for some/many of the southern hemisphere based players so its quite different to the June games which are directly at the end of the NH season which is longer/more intense.
The Southern Hemisphere sides do better in the world cup as the season is structured better for them to do well in a world cup
Saying the november games are never intense is a downright lie

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 22/04/2021 14:50:02    2338383

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Replying To republicofcloone:  "In the old days under Jack Charlton when Irish soccer was going well every friendly was a full house with them too. Makes no odds. Just because they name it a 'test' doesn't make it important. A challenge game in gaa is a test also, you're testing new players maybe and new ways of playing. NZ only travel up into this hemisphere for the appearance fees, why do they rarely play Ireland in their home country? Because the Irish rugby team are irrelevant and wouldn't fill their stadiums for tes....friendlies, and it's not financially beneficial either."
Ah c'mon that's not a good barometer. There was feck all at friendlies before Charlton and the same after him, and will never have those crowds again.
Meanwhile rugby will still be packing them out.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8586 - 22/04/2021 14:58:40    2338385

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Replying To KillingFields:  "The media coverage the sport gets is a combination of factors including its the biggest team pro sport in this country. Soccer isnt because nearly all the best irish players are playing in England/Scotland.
Horse Racing has lots of stars here of course but wont get near the same media attention as a team sport.
The games against USA/Fiji are the same as games against New Zealand. Theyre tests. Yes they see weaker teams played but thats because these sides are weaker than us. They are important. The Southern Hemisphere season isnt as long as ours or as tough in terms of number of games played and November games are after a decent break for some/many of the southern hemisphere based players so its quite different to the June games which are directly at the end of the NH season which is longer/more intense.
The Southern Hemisphere sides do better in the world cup as the season is structured better for them to do well in a world cup
Saying the november games are never intense is a downright lie"
That makes sense in fairness. Is that why New Zealand play weaker teams against us as we are obviously weaker than them??

the creeler (Cavan) - Posts: 512 - 22/04/2021 15:02:21    2338386

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Replying To realdub:  "Ah c'mon that's not a good barometer. There was feck all at friendlies before Charlton and the same after him, and will never have those crowds again.
Meanwhile rugby will still be packing them out."
Does Irish rugby fill the ground when they play the likes of Fiji and Canada etc...I don't think so. Ya see a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon of the rugby recently...as they did in the soccer era under Charlton. Now these people sit in Lansdowne road taking selfies of themselves holding drinks etc while the rugby matches are going on, they don't know what's happening or care, but they need to be seen to be there.

republicofcloone (Leitrim) - Posts: 375 - 22/04/2021 15:04:19    2338388

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Replying To KillingFields:  "The media coverage the sport gets is a combination of factors including its the biggest team pro sport in this country. Soccer isnt because nearly all the best irish players are playing in England/Scotland.
Horse Racing has lots of stars here of course but wont get near the same media attention as a team sport.
The games against USA/Fiji are the same as games against New Zealand. Theyre tests. Yes they see weaker teams played but thats because these sides are weaker than us. They are important. The Southern Hemisphere season isnt as long as ours or as tough in terms of number of games played and November games are after a decent break for some/many of the southern hemisphere based players so its quite different to the June games which are directly at the end of the NH season which is longer/more intense.
The Southern Hemisphere sides do better in the world cup as the season is structured better for them to do well in a world cup
Saying the november games are never intense is a downright lie"
They may be intense for the Irish team and indeed if they win one of the friendlies they treat it as if they've won a world cup, grown men crying when they beat NZ in a challenge game, a lap of honour when they beat South Africa one time too if I recall correctly. Embarrassing really. The opposition laughing at them. Shur if all the tests are important then they'd play their best team every time unless there's injuries. You're on about a less tough season, don't NZ, Australia, SA and Argentina all have to travel to each other's country to play every year and in the club competition too. That's hard travelling. I'm sure the southern hemisphere sides chose that time of year for world cups to give the northern hemisphere sides a bit of a chance, and so far apart from England nobody has taken advantage.

republicofcloone (Leitrim) - Posts: 375 - 22/04/2021 15:11:43    2338390

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Replying To republicofcloone:  "They may be intense for the Irish team and indeed if they win one of the friendlies they treat it as if they've won a world cup, grown men crying when they beat NZ in a challenge game, a lap of honour when they beat South Africa one time too if I recall correctly. Embarrassing really. The opposition laughing at them. Shur if all the tests are important then they'd play their best team every time unless there's injuries. You're on about a less tough season, don't NZ, Australia, SA and Argentina all have to travel to each other's country to play every year and in the club competition too. That's hard travelling. I'm sure the southern hemisphere sides chose that time of year for world cups to give the northern hemisphere sides a bit of a chance, and so far apart from England nobody has taken advantage."
This is aan extremely petty post.
You realise the kiwis and Saffers etc all want to win these matches as much as the rest. You do see some rotation in the games against weaker sides as theyre some of only chance to try out new players to international set up just like the dubs will try out new players in championship against weak sides like wicklow or kerry with clare and waterford

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 22/04/2021 16:29:55    2338402

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Replying To KillingFields:  "This is aan extremely petty post.
You realise the kiwis and Saffers etc all want to win these matches as much as the rest. You do see some rotation in the games against weaker sides as theyre some of only chance to try out new players to international set up just like the dubs will try out new players in championship against weak sides like wicklow or kerry with clare and waterford"
Not petty at all, you're being very accusatory in your posts and clutching at strawers. Of course NZ want to win these matches...and they usually do at their ease against Ireland. They were unlucky to be caught out recently but normal service has resumed.

republicofcloone (Leitrim) - Posts: 375 - 22/04/2021 16:51:27    2338406

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Replying To republicofcloone:  "Does Irish rugby fill the ground when they play the likes of Fiji and Canada etc...I don't think so. Ya see a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon of the rugby recently...as they did in the soccer era under Charlton. Now these people sit in Lansdowne road taking selfies of themselves holding drinks etc while the rugby matches are going on, they don't know what's happening or care, but they need to be seen to be there."
Sure that's what you get now at all stadiums. Lads and lassies with the phone out once they're somewhere they want to be bragging about or to be putting up on the interweb.
It'd be like a buck from Leitrim heading up to Westport and sure it'd seem like Las Vegas. You'd be going around with the gob open and the Nokia out taking photos.
Be gob ya would so ya would ya big eegit ya.

catch22 (USA) - Posts: 2148 - 22/04/2021 18:46:43    2338427

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Replying To republicofcloone:  "Does Irish rugby fill the ground when they play the likes of Fiji and Canada etc...I don't think so. Ya see a lot of people have jumped on the bandwagon of the rugby recently...as they did in the soccer era under Charlton. Now these people sit in Lansdowne road taking selfies of themselves holding drinks etc while the rugby matches are going on, they don't know what's happening or care, but they need to be seen to be there."
Ah I know what you mean, personally I have been a rugby fan since the early 70s. I used to love the soccer too, but that's gone to hell.

realdub (Dublin) - Posts: 8586 - 22/04/2021 18:48:40    2338428

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Replying To republicofcloone:  "Not petty at all, you're being very accusatory in your posts and clutching at strawers. Of course NZ want to win these matches...and they usually do at their ease against Ireland. They were unlucky to be caught out recently but normal service has resumed."
Not clutching at anything though strawers.... hahahahaha
And nothing to suggest normal service has resumed with Ireland New Zealand

KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3499 - 22/04/2021 19:11:21    2338433

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Replying To tonguey:  "Well I think it is and that's all that matters. If you think barging into people constantly is sport then off with you- not for me fair to say. But I suppose being from Kildare ye have to clutch at something seeing as the football team is atrocious. Sounds like deflection isn't it."
Barging into people continuously and keeping the ball for ages going backways and sideways sounds more like modern inter county football no?!!!

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 22/04/2021 19:41:51    2338439

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Replying To Bon:  "You learn something new everyday so."
Reigning Christy Ring champs, no less.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1550 - 22/04/2021 20:13:15    2338444

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Replying To Whammo86:  "I know it was only a joke post but the Munster Hurling championship counties are happy to push for anti-competitive practices also. When the new provincial group stages were being negotiated they wanted to protect the big 5 Munster counties from relegation. Is it the case now that Kerry go into Leinster so those 5 counties are ring fenced off and protected from relegation.

That actually isn't dissimilar to one of the worst aspects of the proposed Super League where 15 of the 20 teams are protected members that retain their place regardless of their performance."
I remember the '92 EPL breakaway - had similar characteristics as the ESL - when originally launched, it was a closed shop, money grab and no relegation. They finally agreed with the EFL to keep the 3 up/ 3 down link - ultimately, the only change was the distribution/retention of TV money to/by the rich - still evident 29 yrs later.

If the ESL got to really launch, UEFA would probably have negotiated a qualification link with the ECL.

While the ECL have voted in changes for 2024, I would prefer to have seen even greater ESL-type matchups within the ECL league phase.

omahant (USA) - Posts: 2573 - 22/04/2021 23:54:51    2338469

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Replying To omahant:  "I remember the '92 EPL breakaway - had similar characteristics as the ESL - when originally launched, it was a closed shop, money grab and no relegation. They finally agreed with the EFL to keep the 3 up/ 3 down link - ultimately, the only change was the distribution/retention of TV money to/by the rich - still evident 29 yrs later.

If the ESL got to really launch, UEFA would probably have negotiated a qualification link with the ECL.

While the ECL have voted in changes for 2024, I would prefer to have seen even greater ESL-type matchups within the ECL league phase."
I'd love to see them try an old style European Cup with only European champions and league Champions of each nation in 2 leg knockout round to the final. Open draw with the chance of a few upsets. It'll never happen but sure nostalgia is getting the better of me. There have been some good Champions League games throughout the year but may more average to poor games in the inappropriately named Champions League.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7337 - 23/04/2021 09:18:07    2338481

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Replying To KillingFields:  "Not clutching at anything though strawers.... hahahahaha
And nothing to suggest normal service has resumed with Ireland New Zealand"
Last world cup, New Zealand 46 Ireland 14. When it really mattered Ireland collapsed...as usual.

republicofcloone (Leitrim) - Posts: 375 - 23/04/2021 09:36:47    2338484

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "I'd love to see them try an old style European Cup with only European champions and league Champions of each nation in 2 leg knockout round to the final. Open draw with the chance of a few upsets. It'll never happen but sure nostalgia is getting the better of me. There have been some good Champions League games throughout the year but may more average to poor games in the inappropriately named Champions League."
The ESL was rightly called out for what it was - an unashamed money/power grab by the 12 clubs. But lets not kid ourselves here, the hypocrisy and lack of self awareness from the likes of Sky Sports, BT Sports, ex players and pundits has been laughable as well.

All this rubbish about the people's game and fairness - lol. The way they've butchered the "Champions League" to suit the richer countries has been shameful. Allowing 4 clubs from the top 5 leagues into it automatically is a farce. Champions League indeed. Great Eastern European clubs such as Steaua Bucharest, Red Star Belgrade & Dynamo Kiev have to plough their way through I don't know how many qualifying rounds to even reach the group stage. Not to mention the likes of Ajax and Celtic as well. If they were interested in fairness at all they'd restructure the Champions League properly. It was interesting & telling to see how UEFA slyly slipped in their expanded CL amidst all the Super League furore. Enough said.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9116 - 23/04/2021 10:28:30    2338490

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "I'd love to see them try an old style European Cup with only European champions and league Champions of each nation in 2 leg knockout round to the final. Open draw with the chance of a few upsets. It'll never happen but sure nostalgia is getting the better of me. There have been some good Champions League games throughout the year but may more average to poor games in the inappropriately named Champions League."
Yea, it should never have been called Champions league. Total misnomer.

In the '60s there were Irish clubs getting as far as the quarter finals. The financial gap was already there but it wasn't helped when terracing was banned after Hillsborough and small clubs couldn't have their fans at their home leg. The gulf that now exists can never be closed again.

I think the champions league is a good 'product' and there have been many many class matches featuring the best players but I long for the romantic knock out FA cup style giantkiller results of the past.

Lockjaw, agreed. At the very least there should have been space for historic clubs like Ajax and Celtic.

Suas Sios (None) - Posts: 1550 - 23/04/2021 13:14:06    2338516

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Replying To Suas Sios:  "Yea, it should never have been called Champions league. Total misnomer.

In the '60s there were Irish clubs getting as far as the quarter finals. The financial gap was already there but it wasn't helped when terracing was banned after Hillsborough and small clubs couldn't have their fans at their home leg. The gulf that now exists can never be closed again.

I think the champions league is a good 'product' and there have been many many class matches featuring the best players but I long for the romantic knock out FA cup style giantkiller results of the past.

Lockjaw, agreed. At the very least there should have been space for historic clubs like Ajax and Celtic."
It was also amusing to see Chelsea fans out in force protesting against the Super League. Absolutely laughable irony.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9116 - 23/04/2021 18:54:24    2338561

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Replying To Suas Sios:  "Yea, it should never have been called Champions league. Total misnomer.

In the '60s there were Irish clubs getting as far as the quarter finals. The financial gap was already there but it wasn't helped when terracing was banned after Hillsborough and small clubs couldn't have their fans at their home leg. The gulf that now exists can never be closed again.

I think the champions league is a good 'product' and there have been many many class matches featuring the best players but I long for the romantic knock out FA cup style giantkiller results of the past.

Lockjaw, agreed. At the very least there should have been space for historic clubs like Ajax and Celtic."
Celtic have won more European Cups than Spurs and Arsenal put together.

Viking66 (Wexford) - Posts: 11734 - 23/04/2021 22:18:30    2338574

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