AFL do some more scouting

Xavi6

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-football/aussie-rules-scouts-tout-for-talent-at-sigerson-cup-clash-1313105.html

AUSSIE Rules scouts unashamedly attended the Sigerson Cup weekend in Carlow IT last weekend, openly trawling for talent despite the massive debate currently raging in GAA circles about the AFL plundering Ireland's teen talents.

The attendance of Australian talent-spotters was viewed by some parties as particularly insensitive as county boards are currently in the midst of a hot debate on whether or not to resume official ties with the AFL.

"I had no personal contact with them and none of our players, to my knowledge, have received any approaches yet," said UUJ GAA President Tommy Farrell. "But there were strong rumours that scouts were there, and it didn't take me long to know what was going on when I heard two people in the VIP tent with very strong Australian accents," he added.

The issue of whether or not to resume the International Rules series is the hot topic up for decision at next Monday's Central Council meeting.

After initial talks between the GAA and AFL, a four-page document of proposals -- the so-called 'Dubai Agreement' -- has been issued to all counties for debate and there is clearly mixed feeling.

Kerry, Down and Antrim have already voted against a resumption of the Test series while Offaly and Mayo have voted to continue it.

Yet the issue of underage recruitment by 'Footy' clubs is a much more contentious area and likely to be raised by dissenters on Monday who will argue that the resumption of the senior series will only encourage it.

Many counties are meeting this week to debate the AFL question and give their Central Council delegates their mandate.

Carlow meet on Thursday and are expected to oppose resuming any ties after losing minor star Brendan Murphy to the Sydney Swans last autumn.

But surprisingly Laois, whose underage players have been so heavily recruited in recent years, has not yet debated the issue and will not have done so by Monday.

The irony is that Aussie recruiters may have been disappointed by the Sigerson weekend as the expected climax to colleges' blue riband was turned into a complete farce by questions about the eligibility of three Garda College players.

Garda's semi-final against GMIT was postponed to allow Cork IT to make an objection but that appeal to the third-level colleges' body, Comhairle Ard Oideachas (CAO), never went ahead after an unprecedented 11th hour twist.

Garda had previously been thrown out after Carlow IT objected to one of their players but were reinstated by Croke Park's Central Appeals Committee (CAC).

At the time Carlow IT did not take it further but late last Thursday they sought a hearing on the same issue with the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) and because that supercedes anything the CAO might decide Cork IT's appeal was postponed.

It is understood that Carlow left their DRA request to the last minute because, as the hosts and organisers of the Sigerson weekend, they did not want to do anything earlier that might stop it going ahead.

The DRA is expected to hear their case in the next 48 hours.

If Garda are thrown out, Carlow and Cork IT would have to play another quarter-final, but even if Garda stay in there will be further delays as Cork IT will then go ahead with their objection and the competition looks set not to climax until well after Easter.

Ridiculous article tbh. How dare them dirty Australians attend a public game?! The cheek!

Anyway, any thoughts?

Some discussion already going on about it here -

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055253101

kaimera

I don't think they should be taking our young talent tbh. If the player has a desire to go then its his choice but having the Aussies come over and put the idea there I'm not too fond of.

I'm prolly bitter about our two lads who went out [yea, Quigley came back but thats not the point]

What other sport has their young and upcoming players cherry picked?

Xavi6

kaimera wrote: »

What other sport has their young and upcoming players cherry picked?

The problem is though, most other sports are professional so the lure to leave one pro sport for another isn't so great. These lads can go live in luxury in Australia for a few years in their 20s as opposed to working 9 to 5 and training in the pissing rain in Ireland. Not nice but true.

kaimera

Yea I realise the lure is great and tbh, I'm really not sure what the GAA can do to convince players to stay.

Pay4play is a can of worms so I dunno.

blackbelt

I think the AFL have a right to look at the talent thats here but I think the whole approach and way they are going about it is wrong.I certainly think that there should be a quota and a contactual basis between GAA and AFL on the matter but in reality it is down to the player to make his decision.One could argue that its a free World and these recruiters can do what they like and leave the decision to the players scouted concerned but I think if the quota was set in stone and recruitment and scouting was organised between GAA and AFL there would be less uproar.

Carlton and Sydney Swans seem to be the two clubs that are pursuing an aggressive scouting policy.If the AFL and GAA want to keep relations sweet,this issue needs to be ironed out in order for the Int Rules Series to continue.

_blank_

kaimera wrote: »

What other sport has their young and upcoming players cherry picked?

Soccer tbh.

kaimera

DesF wrote: »

Soccer tbh.

I should have said with no reimbursement.

Welcome to GAA btw Des

_blank_

kaimera wrote: »

I should have said with no reimbursement.

Soccer tbh.

It's only in the last couple of years that clubs from abroad have been forced by UEFA and FIFA to pay comp to the schoolboy clubs that develop the players.

Different situation though.

GAA and AFL are different sports, so this couldn't really be implemented.

But, there'd be nothing stopping an AFL club from investing in a GAA club and taking the talent, would there?

Say if the Swans or somone said to Na Fianna, here, we'll give you €X Thousand per year if we can have your talented young players, would that be ok?

_blank_

kaimera wrote: »

Welcome to GAA btw Des

Thanks.

I spose I better post here, seeing as the sports are kind of related.

kaimera

But, there'd be nothing stopping an AFL club from investing in a GAA club and taking the talent, would there?

Say if the Swans or somone said to Na Fianna, here, we'll give you €X Thousand per year if we can have your talented young players, would that be ok?

Interesting.

It would be somewhat worrying tho for them to take the majority of talented players from home. Our game wouldn't have a whole lot left.

How often do we get to see AFL on tv here? Setanta or TG4 maybe?

_blank_

kaimera wrote: »

Interesting.

It would be somewhat worrying tho for them to take the majority of talented players from home. Our game wouldn't have a whole lot left.

How often do we get to see AFL on tv here? Setanta or TG4 maybe?

I posted this in the AFL Forum (come on over people, let us know what you think!)

Well, the AFL people obviously feel they haven't tapped the market fully, otherwise they wouldn't have sent scouts over. So I'd say more and more Irish lads will be tempted by the move in the future.

If the AFL are going to offering players money and whatever else to move out to Australia, you can be sure they'll be picking the best they see.

Choice.

Move to Aus for a couple of years. Get paid decent money to do so. Live in compatitive luxury.

Stay in rainy old Ireland, do a horrible 9-5er, train the evenings. Live with mammy and daddy.

There IS NO choice, imo.

In my opinion, the GAA probably needs to go pro.

blackbelt

That wouldn't work at all Des.If Na Fianna,St Vincents,Plunketts,Kilmacud Crokes or Boden were targeted for investment and recruitment/scouting then there'd be uproar from clubs such as Clontarf,Raheny,Brigids,Thomas Davis,St Judes for example.That would just be in Dublin.Think about the implications and reaction from clubs around the different counties both internally and externally.

Money in the GAA is a very sensitive issue.Look at the motions and debates being put to congress.Further investment from foreign sports to GAA clubs for recruitment may advantage the big teams and further disadvantage the other teams.

Personally,if money was invested from the AFL for compensation,I'd like to see that money being invested into the smaller clubs who need better facilities such as changing rooms and pitch improvements but then again this would be a controversial issue.

There is no perfect solution for this delicate situation.

Nalced_irl

I hate the fact they are doing it but why shouldnt they? If AFL was an amateur sport and GAA was professional you can be damn sure it would be happenning over there also. Maybe the GAA going at least semi pro is the answer, i dunno. I wouldnt like to see the GAA become about money but once its watched carefully it should still stay about club/county pride even with money involved.

TBH people can get in a strop and call it wrong but the Aussies are looking worldwide to try and develop their sprot whereas we're sittin on a century old ethos of being an "amateur" sport when in reality, in this day and age, professionalism or at least semi professionalism is the only way to stop this happening.


Either keep GAA amateur and quit moaning when professional outfits do their job and do whats best for their club and look for talent, or do something about it, turn it pro/semi pro, stop the exodus and then moan about how GAA is "ruined".




For the record Id HATE to see GAA go the route of Premiership soccer with a bunch of overpaid wimps gimpin around the pitch like prima donnas but at the same time professionalism hasnt turned MOST Rugby players into twwats so why should it with Gaelic Games?

Nalced_irl

The only reason football turned so wimpy and overpaid is because it is a worldwide multibillion euro sport. GAA will not grow to be as big as it so it wouldnt happen. GAA wouldnt even grow to be as big as AFL tbh so i dont think we have to worry about that aspect as the money would never be there to turn them into that type of premiership player. Also AFL gets tens of thousands to their games, which GAA can only match in big championship games. Ironically, its the fans that turn players into overpaid idiots. More fans = money = higher pay = tools playing for your club so i say boycott all GAA matches to keep the players feet on the ground

smashey

Fcuk me. DesF in the GAA forum.

*boggles*

Good points there Des. :eek:

In my opinion, and I know this will be controversial in here, the world is a smaller place these days and if a young player gets the offer of a professional contract in Australia, then they are perfectly entitled to give it a go.

I'd agree with what Neil1984 said.

betonit

DesF wrote: »

Move to Aus for a couple of years. Get paid decent money to do so. Live in compatitive luxury..

Disagree with this point. If a player is picked by an AFL club, he would probably be a top GAA player. A top GAA player at home willl earn far more than if he was an average AFL player. He'd have a much higher public profile many earining opportunities promotions, handing out medals, opening spars etc plus probably have a handy job. And when his playing career is over he's be well established.... this without play4play.

patmac

Interesting program about Martin Clarke on Season Ticket on BBC2 now.