GAA What the real story should be

Frank Roche in de Herald recounts a history of the recent violence in the International Rules series. The appropriately titled "The Beast is Coming Back" is describes some of the outrageous Aussie carry-on, while also fairly exposing some of the hypocrisy of the GAA taking the high moral ground on violence in sport. We've seen it all before though and there's been at least two articles every day for the past two weeks speculating if the games will degenerate into something more appropriate for an American extreme fighting cage.

The real story is elsewhere, however, but receives little attention. According to Frank, himself, on another page -- ignore the piece about those Cork langours -- Wicklow SHC champions Glenealy are threatening not to contest this year's final against Carnew after the game was fixed for this Sunday, despite the presence of Leighton Glynn, Glenealy's star, in Australia with the International Rules squad. Glenealy have threatened not to appear on Sunday. Rightly so.

That's the real story. That's what the media should be writing about. An important final for serious GAA players, two clubs and thousands of real GAA supporters is being disrupted. And for what?  

But, that's only half the story. Why hasn't a county which got knocked out of the All-Ireland championship in early summer not yet played its county final? What the hell have they been doing all summer!? Why can't the GAA not put in place a proper scheduled season? When are they going to start paying more respect to the majority of its members? That's the real disgrace, not some bastardised nonsense thousands of miles away.

Liam Hayes for manager

Liam Hayes has the experience. All-Ireland medals in '87 and '88, finalist in '90, and '91 as captain. Three NFL titles, an All Star honour in '88 and three matches against the Aussies in '84, '86 and '87. Add to that a few county titles with Skryne and it makes a fine footballing CV. 

But, as a manager. Carlow for two years. 

Yup. That's all there is to say. 

He cited "business and family commitments" as the reason for quitting that position rather than his blatant failure to make any progress with the Carlow team, as was clearly signalled by defeat to Leitrim in the Tommy Murphy Cup just before his resignation.

Hayes at one stage even suggested Carlow change their colours reasoning that they hadn't been successful with their triple colour combo.  So it's not just in his newspaper columns that he puts forward ideas that make the rest of the country wonder if he pens his pieces from under a rock on Mars.  

His nomination as manager for the Meath position is totally out of the blue. Literally, as it was Skryne, his blue-jerseyed home club that reportedly proposed him.  I don't think there's many in Meath that fancy him for the job, although rumour has it that Meath's sponsor, Menolly Homes, is demanding a high profile man for the job. Maybe they think that's the only way they'll sell a few houses this year.

I'm sure it's all a misunderstanding. My theory is that Skryne, they too are looking for a new man to take over the team, phoned Liam inquiring whether he was interested in the manager's position. Liam, being Liam, am sure, presumed they meant the Meath job and of course, he'd be honoured if they put his name forward. 

They couldn't really turn around and say "No, not that manager's job", now, could they?

More nonsense from "Down Under"

Kevin Sheedy, who along with Jim Stynes, has probably done more damage to the International Rules series than any of the on field barbarism, has the shamelessness to preach fair play, honesty and integrity AND call Sean Boylan a leprechaun in the same breath. 

And then there's the naive hope that sitting the lads down for a bit of tucker together before the game will help to keep proceedings between the teams civil. 

GAA Clubs on Google Earth

This is a great initiative. Help him find the last few!

Not sure how to find the pitches on Google Earth though?

I'm locating all the clubs in the country and putting their locations on Google Earth/Google maps. I have the vast majority done now over 1600, with just 20 or so left to do. What I'm looking for is the exact location of the clubs pitch. 

The following links are to mapping sites, where aerial photographs can be used to pinpoint pitches. They both have a double 6 digit map reference, and this is what I am looking for(centered on pitch)

For Northern Ireland, follow this link HERE
For Rep Ireland, follow this link HERE

The following are the clubs I'm still trying to locate:

Antrim
Henry Joy McCrackens - Falls Park???, 
John Mitchels - Pantridge Rd?, Brians Well Rd?, Twinbrook?
Michael Dwyers - Falls Park?, Twinbrook?, 
Sean McDermotts - Cherryvale??

Cork
Grange GFC - around Fermoy somewhere, but I can't find it.
Youghal - can't find it.
Dripsey - new club, new pitch?
Ballyphehane GFC - around Tramore Rd?
Rochestown GFC - closer to passage???
Fr O'Callaghans - North side/south side???
Brian Dillons - Murmont Rd/Ave?
Shandun Rovers/Gurranbraher - Any Pitch?

Derry
Coleraine Eoghan Rua - University Pitches or do they have their own now???

Kerry
Gale Rangers - Near Listowel?
St Pats East Kerry HC - which pitch do they play on most regularily?

Kildare
Naomh Brid HC - same as Round Towers???

Tipperary
Glengar - Near Doon?
Knock - near Roscrea???

Wexford
St Josephs - any pitch in town, training even?

Waterford
St Pauls - near Waterford Crystal?

Bradley's bang on: Scrap Aussie nonsense

Colm Bradley usually has something sensible to say. This week is no different. 

"It is time to bin the International Rules Series. It does nothing to enhance or promote Gaelic Games or culture and is of zero benefit, except in monetary terms, to the GAA."

Hear, hear.

Look at all the disruption it causes.

International Rules folly to muck up club fixtures

There's many reasons why the International Rules series shouldn't go ahead. But the major one in my book is the disruption it causes to club fixtures at the most important time of the year. It's hard enough sitting on the sidelines for months waiting for your inter-county stars to return from the All-Ireland final so that your own club championship can continue. 

But, postponing matches to cater for the International Rules takes the matter too far. Surely the real GAA should come first?  

"Rewards" for Gaelic players

Would have liked to have commented on this earlier, but was prevented from doing so by my participation in a GAA tournament at the weekend. So, the excuse for my tardiness is a good 'un.

Isn't it great being an inter-county GAA star? 

Eh, no. Or so we were told not so long ago, during those heedy Celtic Tiger days. Back then the intercounty players were in a terrible situation. Terrible, terrible altogether. They, unlike everyone else in the country, were unable to surf the economic tsunami that swept over Ireland. You see their commitment and application to GAA prevented them from putting the extra hours in to advance their careers and earn some overtime. And some of them felt bitter about it. They were missing out and they were entitled to compensation for their efforts, something "tangible" for their dedication and sacrifice to GAA. 

But, now. Now that jobs in the construction industry drying-up and with Gar O'Donnell, along with some GAA players, packing their bags for Philadelphia, there's something that can save some of the lads a self-imposed exile on foreign soil, but only if they play GAA.

At least that's what Jason Ryan is hoping! Getting a small cheque for opening the odd Super Valu down the country doesn't seem so bad after all.