Cavan withdraw from senior hurling

Daysha

What do we make of this then?

Cavan county board chairman Tom Reilly has confirmed that the county will not take part in senior intercounty competition this year following the decision not to fulfil the Lory Meagher Cup game against Fermanagh on Saturday.

Speaking to Des Cahill on Morning Ireland on RTÉ Radio 1, Reilly explained that the county board had been considering not entering a senior hurling team in intercounty competition from 2012, but that a disastrous Allianz League campaign, dwindling numbers at training and a series of injuries to players had left them with no option but to withdraw from intercounty competition with immediate effect.

http://www.rte.ie/sport/gaa/championship/2011/0426/cavan.html

I don't know what to make of this. Personally I think representing your county is an honour and every team should always ensure the players get that experience regardless of how difficult things are, but if the numbers just aren't there there's little they can do.

60 available hurlers is a shocking statistic though.

Pride Fighter

Bad news and a disaster for hurling in the county. Neighbouring Meath, a footballing power have begun to get their act together in the small ball, no reason why Cavan cannot do the same.

Cavan should have their central grant halved if they cannot field a hurling team IMO.

The_Kew_Tour

Pride Fighter wrote: »

Bad news and a disaster for hurling in the county. Neighbouring Meath, a footballing power have begun to get their act together in the small ball, no reason why Cavan cannot do the same.

Cavan should have their central grant halved if they cannot field a hurling team IMO.

Yep, totally agree.

I was hoping they would win the U21 title, but after hearing this, if this is the way they are going to disgrace hurling then they deserve little respect.

Peace

Some of the scorelines against Cavan this year were terrible. 5-32 to 1-03 against South Down for example. Whats the point in incurring expenses to field a team that can't compete.

Cavan cannot field a proper hurling team at the moment with the pool of talent they have available at senior level.

I think they have actually made the smart move which is to withraw from intercounty hurling for a period of time. The idea is to invest in underage structures and develop players over the next 5 years. Its all listed in the wider article so if you've only read the snippet above you wouldn't have the full pitcure.

The_Kew_Tour

Peace wrote: »

Some of the scorelines against Cavan this year were terrible. 5-32 to 1-03 against South Down for example. Whats the point in incurring expenses to field a team that can't compete.

Cavan cannot field a proper hurling team at the moment with the pool of talent they have available at senior level.

I think they have actually made the smart move which is to withraw from intercounty hurling for a period of time. The idea is to invest in underage structures and develop players over the next 5 years. Its all listed in the wider article so if you've only read the snippet above you wouldn't have the full pitcure.

LOL.... I can imagine so many people would say the same thing if Cork were to pull out of Liam McCarthy cup because they felt they were not good enough to win AI.

I think this is going to do more harm then good.

adrian522

In fairness Cavan and a lot of other counties have no interest whatsoever in promoting or developing hurling.

The county board have been working against the hurlers for a while now and have jumped at the chance to get rid of the team.

Don't expect any investment in underage structures or any development of players.

There was a [pretty disgraceful comment attributed to the County board chairman earlier on RTE but it seems to have been removed.

Pretty sad day for hurling in weaker counties.

Here is the quote metioned above

"We took part in the league and got beaten by an average of 46 points. A lot of the lads are turning up because they want to be members of the GPA just to get their grant and their All-Ireland tickets. "

That's a pretty disgraceful attitude to have towards the sport.

After the last league game the county secretary was in the dressing room to make sure none of the players could take home any gear.

Royal Seahawk

An absolutely shocking decision. How any Cavan Gaa person can be proud of their county now is beyond me.
They should be ashamed of themselves for letting it come to this, I personally think that if you can't field a hurling team at inter county level then you shouldn't be allowed to field a football team either and vice versa.
All talk of Cavan being a great traditional Gaa county has being exposed as rubbish and I hope they get beaten out the gate on Sunday because it's all they deserve.

damoz

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

An absolutely shocking decision. How any Cavan Gaa person can be proud of their county now is beyond me.
They should be ashamed of themselves for letting it come to this, I personally think that if you can't field a hurling team at inter county level then you shouldn't be allowed to field a football team either and vice versa.
All talk of Cavan being a great traditional Gaa county has being exposed as rubbish and I hope they get beaten out the gate on Sunday because it's all they deserve.

lol. have a lemon...

flahavaj

They also make reference to concentrating on underage hurling and building from the grassroots up. If they mean this and it wasn't just said as a type of lip-service then I wouldn't be so quick to condemn them.

What every so-called "lesser" county needs first and foremost is to build from the bottom up. If a county can't field a senior team at the moment but is doing the hard work behind the scenes to ensure that in ten years time they can, then thats an acceptable compromise IMHO.

ShamoBuc

Disappointed this happened, but the county board must have seen numbers dwindling for a few years and did not step up their underage structure or promote the game in a way that would have propelled the game of hurling in the county.
It is of course hard for them with emigration etc but I do believe more could have been done Before this happened. Locking the stable door after the horse has bolted springs to mind. I hope they get their act together and are back playing intercounty hurling before too long.

Peace

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

LOL.... I can imagine so many people would say the same thing if Cork were to pull out of Liam McCarthy cup because they felt they were not good enough to win AI.

I think this is going to do more harm then good.

Its not that they don't think they can win its that they can't compete... 2 different things in my mind.

DB10

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

An absolutely shocking decision. How any Cavan Gaa person can be proud of their county now is beyond me.
They should be ashamed of themselves for letting it come to this, I personally think that if you can't field a hurling team at inter county level then you shouldn't be allowed to field a football team either and vice versa.
All talk of Cavan being a great traditional Gaa county has being exposed as rubbish and I hope they get beaten out the gate on Sunday because it's all they deserve.

What a bitter, pathetic post.

Location Meath, trying to stir it up are we? We should take pointers from Meath the hurling stronghold of Ireland.

DB10

If there was only 14 available players, for a game that means nothing, what do people want exactly? Of course the team must be withdrawn and if plans for underage are to be implemented then hopefully things will change.

Cavan is a football county nobody is interested in Hurling, I personally don't know one person that plays hurling at any level or attends games. Things need to happen at a younger age.

Anyway Hurling HQ needs to address things like this, there is really no interest in the majority of counties that don't get to enter the All Ireland. Sure they may be better than Cavan but the crowds speak for themselves.

Outside Munster, Leinster , Galway and Antrim, the crowds aren't interested because their counties don't compete at the same level as every other. It isn't inclusive of all counties.

You think players or supporters care about playing in the Lory Meagher final...

DB10

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Yep, totally agree.

I was hoping they would win the U21 title, but after hearing this, if this is the way they are going to disgrace hurling then they deserve little respect.

Disgrace hurling ....

Hurling is non existent here. If people are so worried about disgracing hurling then maybe National hurling could offer some alternative solutions... I don't see any other than the path chosen.

Of course it's easy to say behind your computer in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork or other hurling strongholds with bigger populations , that Cavan are disgracing hurling.

Some people work very hard in Cavan for hurling and are fighting against the tide. You think they are happy with the situation?

Put a sock in it, most people never gave two hoots when they were getting hammered this year, or in recent years when they were winning plenty of games, now suddenly, they cant field a team for one game and they are disgracing hurling?

Pull the other one. Alot of ignorance or trolling in this thread...:rolleyes:

And before I go further, I dont see how this some how damages the countys rich football traditions.

The_Kew_Tour

DB10 wrote: »

Disgrace hurling ....

Hurling is non existent here. If people are so worried about disgracing hurling then maybe National hurling could offer some alternative solutions... I don't see any other than the path chosen.

Of course it's easy to say behind your computer in Dublin, Kilkenny, Cork or other hurling strongholds with bigger populations , that Cavan are disgracing hurling.

Some people work very hard in Cavan for hurling and are fighting against the tide. You think they are happy with the situation?

Put a sock in it, most people never gave two hoots when they were getting hammered this year, or in recent years when they were winning plenty of games, now suddenly, they cant field a team for one game and they are disgracing hurling?

Pull the other one. Alot of ignorance or trolling in this thread...:rolleyes:

And before I go further, I dont see how this some how damages the countys rich football traditions.

So you would have no problem with Cavan funding being cut in half as you now have no hurling team?

The traditions of your football history should never come into this as it'snot the fault of teams gone by that this is the situation and would be childish to suggest it too.

I just don't think that pulling out of the hurling league will help one bit. Why not give your underage the chance to play at younger age then against senior sides let them gain experience.

I understand counties finding it hard to compete on both codes, I dont have problem with that, being from Cork we should be able to produce two teams but just giving up because you are not getting the right results is just utter stupid and lacks class.

The_Kew_Tour

Peace wrote: »

Its not that they don't think they can win its that they can't compete... 2 different things in my mind.

So what it still looks pretty bad on them that they have to pull out.

DB10

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

So you would have no problem with Cavan funding being cut in half as you now have no hurling team?

The traditions of your football history should never come into this as it's not the fault of teams gone by that this is the situation and would be childish to suggest it too.

I just don't think that pulling out of the hurling league will help one bit. Why not give your underage the chance to play at younger age then against senior sides let them gain experience.

I understand counties finding it hard to compete on both codes, I dont have problem with that, being from Cork we should be able to produce two teams but just giving up because you are not getting the right results is just utter stupid and lacks class.

Well I would guess they aren't getting an even split of the funding anyway, taking it away from the footballers will just make people angry .

There is only one game of the league left I think. We have 14 fit players according to the article withe probably half that training. There is one registered hurling club in the county. I really don't think pulling out for a while is the biggest of our concerns.

We don't have the players or the clubs. One proper club, theres 40 something football clubs.

As for your last point that is just off the mark, it's an understatement to say we aren't getting the right results. Players dont want to train, the good players all quit last year I'm led to believe which is why it's so bad this year, and we don't have the required amount.

Changes need to be made, I dont see the point in people getting up tight about the county not being represented.

We dont even have the numbers to make up the numbers! :pac:

The_Kew_Tour

DB10 wrote: »

Well I would guess they aren't getting an even split of the funding anyway, taking it away from the footballers will just make people angry .

There is only one game of the league left I think. We have 14 fit players according to the article withe probably half that training. There is one registered hurling club in the county. I really don't think pulling out for a while is the biggest of our concerns.

We don't have the players or the clubs. One proper club, theres 40 something football clubs.

As for your last point that is just off the mark, it's an understatement to say we aren't getting the right results. Players dont want to train, the good players all quit last year I'm led to believe which is why it's so bad this year, and we don't have the required amount.

Changes need to be made, I dont see the point in people getting up tight about the county not being represented.

We dont even have the numbers to make up the numbers! :pac:

Fair points and maybe I was bit harsh and apologise if I sound bit rash, you do know more then me on the subject.

I still just don't think that pulling a team out will do any good at all. I mean if every county took that approach then we only have about 10 teams maximum in both codes at best.

There has to be reasons why some these players left and hearing it's because the county board have been everything but supportive to the hurlers and that is not fair on guys training, but you have to understand where us hurling fans are coming from with this too.

Pete_Cavan

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

I understand counties finding it hard to compete on both codes, I dont have problem with that, being from Cork we should be able to produce two teams but just giving up because you are not getting the right results is just utter stupid and lacks class.

Not getting the right results! Are you serious? These are our results so far this year;

Cavan 1-3 South Down 5-32
Longford 6-23 Cavan 1-1
Cavan 1-6 Tyrone 4-23
Leitrim 3-19 Cavan 1-8
Cavan 1-8 Fermanagh 8-23

We get hammered by the weakest teams. There is no interest in hurling in Cavan, which is hardly surprising given those results. And losing by 41 points to South Down is not going to inspire many young lads to pick up a hurl. Having a senior team like this is actually counter productive. The county board is right to withdraw the team and focus its efforts on developing the game at under age level. Up until very recently, hurling was not a option for kids here (still isnt for many of them), it was either football or a foreign sport.

Its all well and good for people in Cork to but you come from a county with a much larger population (7.5 times larger in fact) and over 200 GAA clubs to say we should put out teams in both codes. This is not possible, given the fact that Cavan has two hurling clubs and less than 60 players - junior club teams in Cork are stronger than our county seniors. The current situation is not working and Cavan County Board should be commended for doing something about it. It is not good enough just to give a bunch of lads a blue jersey and a hurl and send them out to be humiliated. There are plenty of teams in our division who are crap by national standards (despite the fact that they hammer us) but are happy to send out an uncompetitive hurling team to be watched by a man and his dog while focusing 99% of their efforts on the football team. To me, this is doing a greater disservice to hurling.

DB10

Pete_Cavan wrote: »

It is not good enough just to give a bunch of lads a blue jersey and a hurl and send them out to be humiliated. There are plenty of teams in our division who are crap by national standards (despite the fact that they hammer us) but are happy to send out an uncompetitive hurling team to be watched by a man and his dog while focusing 99% of their efforts on the football team. To me, this is doing a greater disservice to hurling.

Spot on

Some cheek of the Meath fella earlier. The reality is nobody attends games for many of these counties, including Meath, should everyone settle for that? As long as 15 players are there, it doesn't matter about anything else?

The system is flawed and the weaker hurling counties have been rejected by all and sundry for too long. Maybe this wont work but at least they are trying something, which is more that can be said for other counties, and the paid chiefs in Croker.

Royal Seahawk

DB10 wrote: »

What a bitter, pathetic post.

Location Meath, trying to stir it up are we? We should take pointers from Meath the hurling stronghold of Ireland.

Just to clarify, I'm from south Meath, around these parts Dublin and Kildare are considered our rivals, Cavan wouldn't register as a rival around here, they're even in a different province.
The only championship game I can recall playing against them was when they beat us in 2005, I honestly can't think of another time they played us in the championship, so no, they're not a rival in my book, although I do admit that certain parts of Meath would see them as such.

I'm not blowing Meath huring's trumpet either, but it is a lot stronger than most people would expect and they are still building on that 2009 Nicky Rackard victory. The club championship is also keenly contested each year and the county board as no problem hiring outside managers in an attempt to boost the profile of the game here. Our current manager, Cillian Farrell, is a former All-Ireland winner with Offaly and most hurling people in Meath would agree that the County Board are making a decent fist of promoting hurling within what is a traditional football stronghold, not that it is something to be applauded, but rather expected.

And that's my problem, the whole point of the Gaa is to promote the two sports equally. Sure there is always going to be certain strongholds but at the very least every county should be capable of fielding a team in both codes at senior level. How the situation has got this bad in Cavan is beyond me. As a massive hurling fan I'm saddened and to be honest quite angry.

Did no-one see the warning signs? Did no one say 5 years ago that there's nothing being done at underage level and something has to be done? That two clubs won't be enough to sustain a senior county team? Any other self respecting Gaa county would have nipped this in the bud before it ever became a problem. I play hurling in Kildare and coach a kids team here too. Roughly 10-15 years ago there was a massive problem with underage hurling in Kildare, so they DID SOMETHING before it became a problem which affected the senior team.

Why didn't Cavan do something similar? Where were all the great gaels of Cavan when some real hard work had to be done? And I'm not talking the past year, I'm talking about the past 10-15 years. Did no-one in the entire county of Cavan realise there was a problem? Nobody willing to bring it up at a county board meeting and suggest a plan? Did they really celebate that Ulster championship win in 1997 so hard that they forgot about the future well being of the county in both codes?

It's a sad day for the sport I love so much but the fact that there's not enough interest in the county to field a team says a lot more about the attitude to our games in Cavan than it does about the sport of hurling. You're either a Gaa county or you're not. And tonight that's the difference between Cavan and the other 31 counties on this Island.

Agus

Royal Seahawk wrote: »

Just to clarify, I'm from south Meath, around these parts Dublin and Kildare are considered our rivals, Cavan wouldn't register as a rival around here, they're even in a different province.
The only championship game I can recall playing against them was when they beat us in 2005, I honestly can't think of another time they played us in the championship, so no, they're not a rival in my book, although I do admit that certain parts of Meath would see them as such.

I'm not blowing Meath huring's trumpet either, but it is a lot stronger than most people would expect and they are still building on that 2009 Nicky Rackard victory. The club championship is also keenly contested each year and the county board as no problem hiring outside managers in an attempt to boost the profile of the game here. Our current manager, Cillian Farrell, is a former All-Ireland winner with Offaly and most hurling people in Meath would agree that the County Board are making a decent fist of promoting hurling within what is a traditional football stronghold, not that it is something to be applauded, but rather expected.

And that's my problem, the whole point of the Gaa is to promote the two sports equally. Sure there is always going to be certain strongholds but at the very least every county should be capable of fielding a team in both codes at senior level. How the situation has got this bad in Cavan is beyond me. As a massive hurling fan I'm saddened and to be honest quite angry.

Did no-one see the warning signs? Did no one say 5 years ago that there's nothing being done at underage level and something has to be done? That two clubs won't be enough to sustain a senior county team? Any other self respecting Gaa county would have nipped this in the bud before it ever became a problem. I play hurling in Kildare and coach a kids team here too. Roughly 10-15 years ago there was a massive problem with underage hurling in Kildare, so they DID SOMETHING before it became a problem which affected the senior team.

Why didn't Cavan do something similar? Where were all the great gaels of Cavan when some real hard work had to be done? And I'm not talking the past year, I'm talking about the past 10-15 years. Did no-one in the entire county of Cavan realise there was a problem? Nobody willing to bring it up at a county board meeting and suggest a plan? Did they really celebate that Ulster championship win in 1997 so hard that they forgot about the future well being of the county in both codes?

It's a sad day for the sport I love so much but the fact that there's not enough interest in the county to field a team says a lot more about the attitude to our games in Cavan than it does about the sport of hurling. You're either a Gaa county or you're not. And tonight that's the difference between Cavan and the other 31 counties on this Island.

So does this apply to handball and rounders too?

abregy

I feel people dont quite understand the level of hurling here in Cavan. It is non existent. There is only one club in the county that plays it. Its unfortunate but thats the way it is. I mean even very weak counties by national standard are streets ahead of us.

Money will be far better spent on getting good coaches in and concentrating on getting good development squads from under 12 right up to minor. Even adding another club or two to make a competitive championship within the county will be a great help.

I understand that looking in on this situation from a hurling county it seems like a disgrace but I honestly believe its a positive move. How can any young lad within the county be inspired to play hurling when they see the county team being beatin by an average of 40 odd points.

I think people need to have a hard look at the facts of Cavan football before calling this move a disgrace.

flahavaj

abregy wrote: »

I feel people dont quite understand the level of hurling here in Cavan. It is non existent. There is only one club in the county that plays it. Its unfortunate but thats the way it is. I mean even very weak counties by national standard are streets ahead of us.

Money will be far better spent on getting good coaches in and concentrating on getting good development squads from under 12 right up to minor. Even adding another club or two to make a competitive championship within the county will be a great help.

I understand that looking in on this situation from a hurling county it seems like a disgrace but I honestly believe its a positive move. How can any young lad within the county be inspired to play hurling when they see the county team being beatin by an average of 40 odd points.

I think people need to have a hard look at the facts of Cavan football before calling this move a disgrace.

Agreed, Cavan shouldn't have their funding cut, any of the money that would have spent on the senior hurlers should go into coaching under 8's and work from there up. A long term view of the code needs to be taken in counties that haven't a senior tradition.

Banging on about how Cavan people "should be ashamed" gets us nowhere.

Henno30

You'd have to be away with the fairies to think that this has anything to do with helping hurling in Cavan. There are three important points from the interviews the Cavan chairman has done. Two of these relate to money, the first where the examiner cite him as saying he'll be "wasting" no more money on the senior side, the second on the level of spending on hurling which he is proud of having cut since taking office. Finally, the third point was on the board having been encouraged to cut the senior team after Christy Cooney's comments recently that county teams from weaker hurling counties should be playing less games.

Now I know enough people who play or have played intercounty hurling with weaker counties. Some of these are in division 3 at the moment, but some are even in division 2. And every single one of them has stories about football county boards showing utter contempt for hurling. These range from refusing to pay expenses for a county coach, to forcing them to use the same sliotars for two consecutive years, to refusing to pay for transport, to refusing them access to county grounds for training. They merely see it as money they could be spending on football. Christy Cooney, consciously or otherwise, gave a license to football boards to cut their senior sides with the comments he made, and it is frightening that this has followed so hot on the heels of those remarks. This is an incredibly dangerous precedent to have set and who knows where it will lead.

derealbadger

why is it OK for KK not to field a football team but world ending for Cavan not to field a hurling team

Pride Fighter

2009 League Division 4
1 win 4 losses 7-50 for, against 9-61
League Position 6th

2009 Lory Meagher Cup

Donegal 0-20 Cavan 1-12
Cavan 3-9 Fermanagh 3-15

2010 League Division 4
2 wins 3 losses for 5-67, against 9-58
League Position 4th

2010 Lory Meagher Cup

Cavan 1-14 Leitrim 2-14
Fermanagh 0-19 Cavan 1-7


That was before this year. If you ask me there are no absolute hammerings there. It seemed as though the hurlers were doing well, competing well and gradually improving. The County Board have absolutely failed this year and should be punished. There is a competitive team in Cavan if they can do one thing, field it.

28064212

Pride Fighter wrote: »

There is a competitive team in Cavan if they can do one thing, field it.

From the article, it would appear they can't. 21 available players for the first game, and 7 are injured

Pride Fighter

28064212 wrote: »

From the article, it would appear they can't. 21 available players for the first game, and 7 are injured

The article is wrong. There are hurlers there, its just they are not playing this year due to a disagreement with the county board. Someone alluded to that earlier I believe.

28064212

Pride Fighter wrote: »

The article is wrong. There are hurlers there, its just they are not playing this year due to a disagreement with the county board. Someone alluded to that earlier I believe.

...so they are not available for the game?

celt262

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

I just don't think that pulling out of the hurling league will help one bit. Why not give your underage the chance to play at younger age then against senior sides let them gain experience.

I dont think putting a team of 12 year olds out would be the answer either.

Martin567

derealbadger wrote: »

why is it OK for KK not to field a football team but world ending for Cavan not to field a hurling team

What do you mean? Kilkenny are fielding a football team, albeit a very bad one.

If you mean in the All Ireland Championship, there are 19 counties which don't field a hurling team. These counties have lower level competitions available to them which Kilkenny don't have in football. What would be the use of Kilkenny playing in the Leinster Football Championship when more than half of all hurling teams are not required to do likewise in their respective provinces?

jamsieboy86

Hopefully more County Boards follow Cavan's lead and stop playing hurling altogether. Redundant insignaificant sport.

Clareman

Infraction given for previous post.

The_Kew_Tour

celt262 wrote: »

I dont think putting a team of 12 year olds out would be the answer either.

I like to think being between 18-21 is still young, give them guys a chance

Lemlin

Tbh I can't get over the rage of some posters. Stating that you want the Cavan U21 footballers to lose because the county board has pulled the hurling team is just downright wrong.

I tackled the issue of Cavan hurling on a post over on the Cavan GAA thread:

I'll be honest, I know nothing about hurling and I have no wish to know anything about Cavan hurling. Like alot of Cavan people, I've no interest in the sport and, to be honest, I don't see the point of having a hurling team either. I'd watch the odd game on television but wouldn't go out of my way to make sure I see it.

There are something like 2 or maybe 3 hurling clubs in the whole of Cavan. Cavan is a county of only 64,000 people. Only Leitrim, Sligo, Roscommon, Monaghan and Longford have a lower population. Have you seen any of them exceed at hurling?

The population just isn't there to support two sports in counties like Cavan. The GAA should focus on getting hurling going in counties like Meath where only one sport is strong despite a population of 160,000 people.

Also, because population is low, alot of teams struggle to field 15 players at some levels in football. I've often seen lads playing minor, U21 and senior football or U10, U12 or U14 for example. Do you think these lads have time for all these training sessions, matches and then hurling as well? It'd lead to total burnout and burnout is a big problem in Cavan as it is.

I think the county GAA board are right. Take the money and invest it in the game at grass roots level to try and get it up and running. TBH I even see that as a waste of funding because hurling will never take off in Cavan but it is the best strategy in the circumstances if you ask me.

All the outrage is over the top though, who'll even notice that Cavan aren't fielding a hurling team this year?

premierstone

Lemlin, I agree with you that the negativity towards Cavan U-21 footballers is pathetic, but you then proceed to declare that you have no interest in hurling, or its development and you have no wish to know anything about Cavan hurlers, yet a few of your fellow county posters have been on here declaraing that Croke Park has let Cavan Hurling down and is to balme for this scenario, they cannot help those who do not want to be helped! And if anyone actually believe that this decision will result in a big investment in underage hurling in Cavan their deluded.

celt262

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

celt262 wrote: »

I like to think being between 18-21 is still young, give them guys a chance

There aint many at that age playing hurling and i would hope if the team do drop out of competion for 5 years that there will be players developed in that time to go on and play on the county team.

Some clubs are making an effort at underage level but this will be worthless unless it is followed through. Majority of people in cavan would never have even held a hurl so its a unhill job.

DB10

Martin567 wrote: »

What do you mean? Kilkenny are fielding a football team, albeit a very bad one.

If you mean in the All Ireland Championship, there are 19 counties which don't field a hurling team. These counties have lower level competitions available to them which Kilkenny don't have in football. What would be the use of Kilkenny playing in the Leinster Football Championship when more than half of all hurling teams are not required to do likewise in their respective provinces?

The situations are very similar, Kilkenny people dont care for Football and Cavan don't care for hurling.

Yet one is being strongly criticised and the other never is?

Also am I right in saying there is only one game left this year with 14 players available, not much else can be done in the short term is there. Although I agree it should never have got to this point.

On the other hand camoige is fairly big in Cavan, good set up I think. If that is relevant. Also arguably handballs best ever player Paul Brady is in Cavan and it is the handball stronghold of Ireland.

There is also dozens of All Ireland rounder titles and teams are sent every year without fail to compete in Ulster and then Mosney. Erne Eagles also have a good set up club.

So it's very hypocritical to say Cavan is disgracing GAA, ignorant almost. Ala Mr Meath earlier on.What are the set ups like for rounders, camoige and handball in every other county? What are they like in Meath?

Are Meath a disgrace for non existent handball and rounders? No didn't think so.:rolleyes:

Easy forget it isn't just a two sport organisation! Check and mate Mr Meath.

28064212

DB10 wrote: »

The situations are very similar, Kilkenny people dont care for Football and Cavan don't care for hurling.

Yet one is being strongly criticised and the other never is?

In fairness, Kilkenny football received much of the exact same criticism in a thread earlier this year

Lemlin

premierstone wrote: »

Lemlin, I agree with you that the negativity towards Cavan U-21 footballers is pathetic, but you then proceed to declare that you have no interest in hurling, or its development and you have no wish to know anything about Cavan hurlers, yet a few of your fellow county posters have been on here declaraing that Croke Park has let Cavan Hurling down and is to balme for this scenario, they cannot help those who do not want to be helped! And if anyone actually believe that this decision will result in a big investment in underage hurling in Cavan their deluded.

And what's wrong with me giving my honest opinion?

I'm a football supporter. My local club play football. They don't have a hurling team. Apart from the odd game of hurling, I wouldn't even watch the sport on TV.

I do realise that it takes great skill to play it etc. and, as with any gaelic sport, I admire those who play it but I have about as much interest in hurling as I do in darts or cricket. That's my personal preference. I'm sure there are people in other counties would say the same about Gaelic football or hurling also so I don't see what the problem is?

I'm not declaring anything about Cavan football because I don't know much about it. Croke Park may have let it down. I don't know.

I don't think I need to be helped either and I haven't asked for help.

My own opinion is that there isn't the population in the county to support two codes of play. There are more people in Blanchardstown than there are in Cavan for example.

riffmongous

28064212 wrote: »

In fairness, Kilkenny football received much of the exact same criticism in a thread earlier this year

I think this discussion has a long way to go before it reaches the 19 pages of the KK thread.

Speak Now

DB10 wrote: »

The situations are very similar, Kilkenny people dont care for Football and Cavan don't care for hurling.

Yet one is being strongly criticised and the other never is?

ha you're joking right

ShamoBuc

28064212 wrote: »

In fairness, Kilkenny football received much of the exact same criticism in a thread earlier this year

I would have to disagree with you. There are plenty of footballers in kk and they are playing the game. The kk county board pay little or no attention to football in that county. Whereas in Cavan - as the scores listed earlier in the thread from 09 and 10 - the team was competing. The problem is - as has also been mentioned - that there is some problem with players and the county board ( don't know what it is, just that it is there), add in a long injury list currently and the problems with emigration have got them where they are now.
If there wasn't a problem between the CB and the players I don't think this thread would exist whereas the KK situation you mention is different, the kk CB seemingly do not care about football.

28064212

ShamoBuc wrote: »

I would have to disagree with you. There are plenty of footballers in kk and they are playing the game. The kk county board pay little or no attention to football in that county. Whereas in Cavan - as the scores listed earlier in the thread from 09 and 10 - the team was competing. The problem is - as has also been mentioned - that there is some problem with players and the county board ( don't know what it is, just that it is there), add in a long injury list currently and the problems with emigration have got them where they are now.
If there wasn't a problem between the CB and the players I don't think this thread would exist whereas the KK situation you mention is different, the kk CB seemingly do not care about football.

I wasn't claiming the situations were the same, just countering the false assertion that Kilkenny aren't receiving criticism

munchkin_utd

28064212 wrote: »

In fairness, Kilkenny football received much of the exact same criticism in a thread earlier this year

Cavans exposure to critisism is due to the fact that they havent a few hurling only clubs there with a traditional hurling base to provide players for a county team and paper over the fact that theres swathes of the country without any hurling activity in the slightest.
If Kilkenny had 3 or 4 reasonably strong football only clubs then their problem also wouldnt be so aparant.

The inlaws are from up Ballydesmond direction in Cork.
ZERO interest in playing hurling up there. All football. And its the same in Beara I hear too.
Yet is Cork county board getting the slack that Cavan is for not getting Hurling played in places where it currently isnt?
Because thats basically what the problem is, or better, the only solution to going from NO hurling to SOME hurling at club level. Bringing hurling to the football only clubs.

Cavan has next to no hurling and is being expected to be evangelist, spread the good news and bring the gospel of Hurling to places that haven't ever (yes EVER) had a hurling team and only very recently, thanks to the efforts of the county board and people on the ground, had underage activity.
When I was a teenager in the '90s I didnt have the option to play hurling, it wasnt there. That's a little different now, but it takes time for the youngsters to get to senior playing age (or indeed, should we play the 14 year olds!!?)

Yet Cork/ Galway/ Offaly and other places that have patchy hurling but good county teams are doing a brilliant job and can rest on their laurels and allow swathes of football only clubs to remain that way?

At least Cavan is developing hurling from the ground up.
I'd love to hear other counties success stories of where they started up hurling from a complete non-existance of the sport, especially in the countryside in clubs that barely have enough players in the locality to field more than the senior team and a reserve team made up of 40year olds and minors.

ShamoBuc

28064212 wrote: »

I wasn't claiming the situations were the same, just countering the false assertion that Kilkenny aren't receiving criticism

my apologies:D - I think anyone who read that thread would agree criticism was given:D

premierstone

Lemlin wrote: »

And what's wrong with me giving my honest opinion?

I'm a football supporter. My local club play football. They don't have a hurling team. Apart from the odd game of hurling, I wouldn't even watch the sport on TV.

I do realise that it takes great skill to play it etc. and, as with any gaelic sport, I admire those who play it but I have about as much interest in hurling as I do in darts or cricket. That's my personal preference. I'm sure there are people in other counties would say the same about Gaelic football or hurling also so I don't see what the problem is?

I'm not declaring anything about Cavan football because I don't know much about it. Croke Park may have let it down. I don't know.

I don't think I need to be helped either and I haven't asked for help.

My own opinion is that there isn't the population in the county to support two codes of play. There are more people in Blanchardstown than there are in Cavan for example.

Wasnt meant as a dig at you Lemlin, I personally have little or no interest in football so know exactly where you are coming from, it was just the perception that some of the earlier Cavan posters had given that Croke Park had in someway held back the development of hurling in counties like Cavan, it simply isnt true.

ShamoBuc

munchkin_utd wrote: »

The inlaws are from up Ballydesmond direction in Cork.
ZERO interest in playing hurling up there. All football. And its the same in Beara I hear too.
Yet is Cork county board getting the slack that Cavan is for not getting Hurling played in places where it currently isnt?

.

Interesting point you are trying to make but you are distinctly wrong! The environs around Ballydesmond being a Football Only Zone??? No interest in hurling???
A mere 10 or so miles away from Ballydesmond are the current Cork, Munster and All Ireland Junior HURLING Champions - Meelin - should I get onto the Cork county Board and give out about them now?

munchkin_utd

Lemlin wrote: »

My own opinion is that there isn't the population in the county to support two codes of play. There are more people in Blanchardstown than there are in Cavan for example.

I'd have to agree.
And you'd nearly have to start getting down to the local level to see how difficult a task it would be.

Cavan town, Virginia and maybe Balieboro/ Kingscourt have the populations there to sustain both Football and hurling.
Elsewhere like Killeshandra parish where theres 3 clubs within 7 miles of each other mobilising almost the entire fit male population to put on the jersey. I cant see how any other code can be supported.

And I also mean soccer by "other code". If a soccer club took off in the area you'd wonder about the viability of having 3 GAA clubs - theres that few players in the first place.
Maybe on average 10 boys in the primary school class in Killeshandra, and of that even some might be alligned to Cornafean or Kildallon so not certs to play for you!!
Which indeed for fielding an under14s team or the likes means mobilising the entire two year spread of the U14 male population to get your 15 + 5 subs!

If literally you are stretched to bursting point trying to field a gaelic team, where - how - why - stretch it double again and try to field a hurling team??

The only realistic way would be to abandon Gaelic completely for Hurling at a club level.
And that'd be the same for rural clubs in Leitrim/ Sligo etc not blessed with a catchment like Dublin or other urban clubs.

Pete_Cavan

premierstone wrote: »

Wasnt meant as a dig at you Lemlin, I personally have little or no interest in football so know exactly where you are coming from, it was just the perception that some of the earlier Cavan posters had given that Croke Park had in someway held back the development of hurling in counties like Cavan, it simply isnt true.

First of all, where are the post from Cavan posters that say that Croke Park has held back the development of hurling in counties like Cavan because I havent seen them?

The main issue for Cavan is that hurling is not played by young lads. As everyone knows, hurling is not the kind of sport you can take up at any stage and expect to be good at it. The skills involved in hurling have to be developed and nurtured from a young age. This does not happen in Cavan and seeing the senior county team being humiliated in every game will not inspire players to put up a hurl. If you dont have young fellas playing the game you will never produce a decent senior team, no matter have hard that senior team trains they will still be crap because the basic skills have not been developed properly.

It is easy for people from strong hurling counties to say what Cavan is doing is wrong, but put the shoe on the other foot and ask yourself do people think that the standard of handballers your county produces will be best improved over the long term by (a) having our best players constantly destroyed by superior players or by (b) teaching kids the core skills of the game and developing these as they grow?