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Thanks to Oisin Mc Conville for finally speaking out about this. Besides being the best community based organization on the planet, GAA sportspeople far outperform any other sport in Ireland. We have the largest spectator sports in Ireland yet rolled over when told by govt its not elite like soccer or rugby. I could ask why (obvious) but prefer to say Wake Up, Comments?
GAAK (Derry) - Posts: 14 - 30/04/2021 15:00:42
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Replying To GAAK: "Thanks to Oisin Mc Conville for finally speaking out about this. Besides being the best community based organization on the planet, GAA sportspeople far outperform any other sport in Ireland. We have the largest spectator sports in Ireland yet rolled over when told by govt its not elite like soccer or rugby. I could ask why (obvious) but prefer to say Wake Up, Comments?" Of course inter-county hurling and football are elite sports. They are the elite of the GAA, and are among the elite of Irish sport generally.
"Elite" was always a stupid term to use for the purposes of the current health crisis. They're trying to distinguish between sports people who can more effectively seclude themselves because they don't also work day jobs, and those who may also have jobs that involve more public interaction. But even that distinction is fluffy.
In any case, defining your terms is important, and using the term 'elite' in this context has lead to more confusion and bad feeling than it ever needed to.
Marlon_JD (Tipperary) - Posts: 1823 - 30/04/2021 15:18:41
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Replying To Marlon_JD: "Of course inter-county hurling and football are elite sports. They are the elite of the GAA, and are among the elite of Irish sport generally.
"Elite" was always a stupid term to use for the purposes of the current health crisis. They're trying to distinguish between sports people who can more effectively seclude themselves because they don't also work day jobs, and those who may also have jobs that involve more public interaction. But even that distinction is fluffy.
In any case, defining your terms is important, and using the term 'elite' in this context has lead to more confusion and bad feeling than it ever needed to." I héard also that it's because soccer and rugby have an international dimension to them too, though not really sure how that applies, surely teams flying in and out of the country could be a COVID risk to themselves and others. Hopefully they'll all be back playing soon at all levels and age grades and some supporters can follow soon after.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7359 - 30/04/2021 15:29:03
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Replying To GAAK: "Thanks to Oisin Mc Conville for finally speaking out about this. Besides being the best community based organization on the planet, GAA sportspeople far outperform any other sport in Ireland. We have the largest spectator sports in Ireland yet rolled over when told by govt its not elite like soccer or rugby. I could ask why (obvious) but prefer to say Wake Up, Comments?" Inter county hurlers and footballers should never have lost their elite status. Our hurlers and footballers both male and female were banned from training for and playing their sports on the basis that they were not professional athletes. That argument does not stand up to any scrutiny whatsoever. A number of teams in Division One of the League of Ireland are entirely amateur. Those teams include Cork City, UCD and Wexford Youths. There are others as well. Those teams are training since January and have been playing since March. The Women's National League in soccer is entirely amateur . Those teams have also been training since January and playing since March. The Irish women's rugby squad is overwhelmingly amateur. They have told us that they have had a record number of training camps this season. They completed their Six Nations campaign last weekend. Inter county hurlers and footballers were very poorly treated by the government. The leadership of The GAA allowed this to happen and didn't defend our players right to play. Certain commentators most notably Kevin McStay who said it was "inevitable" that inter county hurlers and footballers would lose their elite status also acquiesced in what was very unfair treatment. It was very wrong to ban inter county hurlers and footballers both male and female on the basis that they are not professional athletes.
Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 30/04/2021 16:23:38
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Replying To GAAK: "Thanks to Oisin Mc Conville for finally speaking out about this. Besides being the best community based organization on the planet, GAA sportspeople far outperform any other sport in Ireland. We have the largest spectator sports in Ireland yet rolled over when told by govt its not elite like soccer or rugby. I could ask why (obvious) but prefer to say Wake Up, Comments?" I think it's a tiny issue and not worth being overly scrutinised.
Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4235 - 30/04/2021 17:38:27
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Replying To Greengrass: "Inter county hurlers and footballers should never have lost their elite status. Our hurlers and footballers both male and female were banned from training for and playing their sports on the basis that they were not professional athletes. That argument does not stand up to any scrutiny whatsoever. A number of teams in Division One of the League of Ireland are entirely amateur. Those teams include Cork City, UCD and Wexford Youths. There are others as well. Those teams are training since January and have been playing since March. The Women's National League in soccer is entirely amateur . Those teams have also been training since January and playing since March. The Irish women's rugby squad is overwhelmingly amateur. They have told us that they have had a record number of training camps this season. They completed their Six Nations campaign last weekend. Inter county hurlers and footballers were very poorly treated by the government. The leadership of The GAA allowed this to happen and didn't defend our players right to play. Certain commentators most notably Kevin McStay who said it was "inevitable" that inter county hurlers and footballers would lose their elite status also acquiesced in what was very unfair treatment. It was very wrong to ban inter county hurlers and footballers both male and female on the basis that they are not professional athletes." Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2665 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
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Replying To Canuck: "Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect." And what was the "complete [sic] flawed reasoning" in your opinion ?
AfricanGael (UK) - Posts: 1947 - 30/04/2021 18:29:59
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Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 1182 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
Ridiculous to use phrases such as discriminatory?
Care to expand on how it is?
GAA isnt cowardly at all.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3511 - 30/04/2021 20:20:33
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Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 1182 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
Ridiculous to use phrases such as discriminatory?
Care to expand on how it is?
GAA isnt cowardly at all.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3511 - 30/04/2021 20:20:41
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Thanks to Oisin Mc Conville for finally speaking out about this. Besides being the best community based organization on the planet, GAA sportspeople far outperform any other sport in Ireland. We have the largest spectator sports in Ireland yet rolled over when told by govt its not elite like soccer or rugby. I could ask why (obvious) but prefer to say Wake Up, Comments?
GAAK (Derry) - Posts: 2 - 30/04/2021 15:00:42
The GAA is an amateur sport. Rugby and Soccer teams are professional or semi professional. Very different to amateur sports
I héard also that it's because soccer and rugby have an international dimension to them too, though not really sure how that applies, surely teams flying in and out of the country could be a COVID risk to themselves and others. Hopefully they'll all be back playing soon at all levels and age grades and some supporters can follow soon after.
GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 6036 - 30/04/2021 15:29:03or more the rugby teams are professional and being fully pro and can isolate more. the cases earlier in the year with rugby was primarily due to academy players and catching covid through university afaik...
Inter county hurlers and footballers should never have lost their elite status. Our hurlers and footballers both male and female were banned from training for and playing their sports on the basis that they were not professional athletes. That argument does not stand up to any scrutiny whatsoever. A number of teams in Division One of the League of Ireland are entirely amateur. Those teams include Cork City, UCD and Wexford Youths. There are others as well. Those teams are training since January and have been playing since March. The Women's National League in soccer is entirely amateur . Those teams have also been training since January and playing since March. The Irish women's rugby squad is overwhelmingly amateur. They have told us that they have had a record number of training camps this season. They completed their Six Nations campaign last weekend. Inter county hurlers and footballers were very poorly treated by the government. The leadership of The GAA allowed this to happen and didn't defend our players right to play. Certain commentators most notably Kevin McStay who said it was "inevitable" that inter county hurlers and footballers would lose their elite status also acquiesced in what was very unfair treatment. It was very wrong to ban inter county hurlers and footballers both male and female on the basis that they are not professional athletes.
Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 5330 - 30/04/2021 16:23:38 it completely stands up to scrutiny. Many of the LOI sides have some amateur players but theyre primarily professional set ups. Very different to the GAA,
FAI were able to get this in place for them. Nothing wrong with that.
Womens soccer national team were the same and its not unfair that GAA couldnt do it.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3511 - 30/04/2021 20:28:05
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Replying To KillingFields: "Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 1182 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
Ridiculous to use phrases such as discriminatory?
Care to expand on how it is?
GAA isnt cowardly at all." How many times does it have to be repeated. Amateur soccer players posed the same risk to in spreading the virus as GAA players. Just because there are less of them is a bad excuse. So a flawed selective restriction that was discriminating against hurling and football. The GAA should have objected to this in the strongest manner but cow tied instead. I have the greatest respect for the GAA but not on this issue. You have nailed your opinion to the mast long before now and I and many others have our opinion.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 2665 - 30/04/2021 21:44:47
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Replying To Canuck: " Replying To KillingFields: "Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 1182 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
Ridiculous to use phrases such as discriminatory?
Care to expand on how it is?
GAA isnt cowardly at all." How many times does it have to be repeated. Amateur soccer players posed the same risk to in spreading the virus as GAA players. Just because there are less of them is a bad excuse. So a flawed selective restriction that was discriminating against hurling and football. The GAA should have objected to this in the strongest manner but cow tied instead. I have the greatest respect for the GAA but not on this issue. You have nailed your opinion to the mast long before now and I and many others have our opinion."
Soccer(FAI) treat them and the government treat them as elite so thats fine. GAA agreed with government for a change for 2021 season.
it isnt discriminatory. on what grounds is it discriminatory?
Gender
Civil status
Family status
Sexual orientation
Religion
Age
Disability
Race
Membership of the Traveller community
Where is the discrimination?
GAA were lucky to be allowed play their games in 2020 and were given an exemption when many other elite athletes were not able to train.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3511 - 30/04/2021 22:48:53
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Replying To Canuck: " Replying To KillingFields: "Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 1182 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
Ridiculous to use phrases such as discriminatory?
Care to expand on how it is?
GAA isnt cowardly at all." How many times does it have to be repeated. Amateur soccer players posed the same risk to in spreading the virus as GAA players. Just because there are less of them is a bad excuse. So a flawed selective restriction that was discriminating against hurling and football. The GAA should have objected to this in the strongest manner but cow tied instead. I have the greatest respect for the GAA but not on this issue. You have nailed your opinion to the mast long before now and I and many others have our opinion."
On What grounds would you consider not allowing GAA players train and play discriminatory?
Most of those soccer players are professional or semi professional and without the games going ahead are losing out on their livlihoods. Not the same as GAA players now is it?
GAA would have been crazy to object to it.
PR would have been terrible and for little benefit.
KillingFields (Limerick) - Posts: 3511 - 30/04/2021 23:34:38
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Replying To KillingFields: " Replying To Canuck: "[quote=KillingFields: "Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 1182 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
Ridiculous to use phrases such as discriminatory?
Care to expand on how it is?
GAA isnt cowardly at all." How many times does it have to be repeated. Amateur soccer players posed the same risk to in spreading the virus as GAA players. Just because there are less of them is a bad excuse. So a flawed selective restriction that was discriminating against hurling and football. The GAA should have objected to this in the strongest manner but cow tied instead. I have the greatest respect for the GAA but not on this issue. You have nailed your opinion to the mast long before now and I and many others have our opinion."
On What grounds would you consider not allowing GAA players train and play discriminatory?
Most of those soccer players are professional or semi professional and without the games going ahead are losing out on their livlihoods. Not the same as GAA players now is it?
GAA would have been crazy to object to it.
PR would have been terrible and for little benefit."]You said all this before the 2020 Championship started and yet it all passed without incident. A blueprint that the GAA could operate as well as any other sport on the island through these times. But we know you're not interested in dealing with reality. You'll just endlessly repeat your pre 2020 championship rant in moronic fashion no matter what happens. No point in anyone engaging in debate with you at this point.
SaffronDon (Antrim) - Posts: 2386 - 01/05/2021 09:35:08
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The GAA lost January - March but some activity was allowed to start in April; inter county competitions on the 8th May and hopefully clubs will start soon after.
I think the GAA should have objected more to this "elite", status but in reality I'm sure they were told the dates during behind the scenes meetings and were happy to go with that.
The government used the term "elite". Irish sports fans know LOI and Rugby players in this country are not "elite" compared to GAA players. The fact their sports want to pay them is fair enough but the standard of soccer and rugby in Ireland is highlighted by the lack of genuine interest, despite all the marketing compared to our national games; professional, semi professional yes but no way can players in these sports within Ireland be classed as "elite", certainly not to the extent of how that phase is being interpreted.
There is no need to be insecure about the strength of the GAA; many don't like it's success but whatever policy or media campaign they try it'll always be far, far ahead of rugby in particular and soccer and that will be shown during this summer; the country needs the GAA after a tough 18 months.
sam1884 (UK) - Posts: 999 - 01/05/2021 10:06:01
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Replying To SaffronDon: " Replying To KillingFields: "[quote=Canuck: "[quote=KillingFields: "Amen !!! Amen !!! I have said that over and over. Hypocrisy of the highest. You won't get much support on here for that view point and will be accused of not being in support of covid measures. Our national sports were discriminated against with complete flawed reasoning. The GAA coward and let down their members that will have a lasting effect.
Canuck (Waterford) - Posts: 1182 - 30/04/2021 17:57:56
Ridiculous to use phrases such as discriminatory?
Care to expand on how it is?
GAA isnt cowardly at all." How many times does it have to be repeated. Amateur soccer players posed the same risk to in spreading the virus as GAA players. Just because there are less of them is a bad excuse. So a flawed selective restriction that was discriminating against hurling and football. The GAA should have objected to this in the strongest manner but cow tied instead. I have the greatest respect for the GAA but not on this issue. You have nailed your opinion to the mast long before now and I and many others have our opinion."
On What grounds would you consider not allowing GAA players train and play discriminatory?
Most of those soccer players are professional or semi professional and without the games going ahead are losing out on their livlihoods. Not the same as GAA players now is it?
GAA would have been crazy to object to it.
PR would have been terrible and for little benefit."]You said all this before the 2020 Championship started and yet it all passed without incident. A blueprint that the GAA could operate as well as any other sport on the island through these times. But we know you're not interested in dealing with reality. You'll just endlessly repeat your pre 2020 championship rant in moronic fashion no matter what happens. No point in anyone engaging in debate with you at this point."]Nobody is objecting to soccer and rugby going ahead. I'm delighted to see the LOI, the Women's National League and the Irish women's rugby team training and playing. However you have to acknowledge that what you have said about the earning of livelihoods is wrong most especially in relation to women's sports. The Irish women's rugby team is almost entirely amateur. There are some Seven's players who play for the team. Their livelihood is not compromised. The Women's National League in soccer is entirely amateur. A lot of those players don't even get expenses. It costs them money to play. There are teams n Division One of The LOI who are entirely amateur. These include Cork City, UCD and Wexford Youths. There is no difference between the teams and players I have referred to above and inter county footballers and hurlers both male and female. The government made a grossly unfair distinction and treated inter county players very poorly. They banned them from training for and playing their sport. That was wrong.
Greengrass (Louth) - Posts: 6031 - 01/05/2021 10:17:46
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My perception was that the GAA was heavily involved in the decision making surrounding this. We were always going to have a tighter season this year.
We lost out on a back door in football otherwise there's been very little impact caused by the delay.
I'd imagine plenty of county boards were happy to reduce the costs associated with preparing their teams.
Honestly most of you are looking for offence here where there shouldn't be.
Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4235 - 01/05/2021 11:24:08
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Replying To Whammo86: "My perception was that the GAA was heavily involved in the decision making surrounding this. We were always going to have a tighter season this year.
We lost out on a back door in football otherwise there's been very little impact caused by the delay.
I'd imagine plenty of county boards were happy to reduce the costs associated with preparing their teams.
Honestly most of you are looking for offence here where there shouldn't be." I think you are missing the forest through the trees. What is the GAA ? My opinion, it is a huge part of Irish culture. I see it as an assault on Irish culture
GAAK (Derry) - Posts: 14 - 01/05/2021 12:39:26
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It's a pure numbers game. Bringing back elite soccer means bringing back 20 men's squads and 9 women's squads.
Bringing back elite rugby is a fraction of that again. Only 5/6 squads maybe.
Bringing back elite Gaelic Games is a whole other kettle of fish. Football squads (both men and women), Camogie and hurling squads in every county in Ireland. 120 or so different squads.
Soccer, at an elite level in Ireland is not even hitting 25% of the amount of people that would be involved. Probably less as soccer squads are smaller. Rugby maybe 5% of the numbers if even.
MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13717 - 01/05/2021 13:40:59
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Replying To GAAK: "I think you are missing the forest through the trees. What is the GAA ? My opinion, it is a huge part of Irish culture. I see it as an assault on Irish culture" Yeah I gathered that and I think it's hyperbolic nonsense.
Why would the Irish government be trying to attack Irishness. I know there's an Anglophile roots and legacy to FG but still they're not out to bring down the GAA/attack Irish culture. FF certainly aren't given their base.
You're seeing offence where there isn't any.
There's has to be a sport at the margins of being included, this time it was the GAA and as I say I believe there were plenty in the association happy to have another very condensed inter-county season because of the financial implications.
Whammo86 (Antrim) - Posts: 4235 - 01/05/2021 13:46:05
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