Should the GAA seek compensation for AFL poaching?

Frankie Lee

http://www.thescore.ie/tadhg-kennelly-afl-858153-Apr2013/

I know it is a delicate issue and it is great for young lads to have the opportunity to make it in a professional sport but the level of poaching on an annual basis is having a massive negative financial impact on our game. The resources clubs, schools and county boards put into developing footballers deserves to be compensated in much the same way junior soccer clubs get a cut of transfers from players they produce.

My solution would be to request a fee of approx €60k per player signed with the money divided between club, county and school.

Could a case be brought before the Court of Arbitration for sport?

bruschi

no, just no. There is so much hype and anger and exaggerations as to the poaching and flocks of players leaving the shores. Players leave clubs and counties for other things too.

Should we get Canada to pay for the players they poached to work over there? Or should West Brom pay for Shane Long having been poached? Or Munster for Tomas O Leary? Or Diagio for players who drank too much and prop up bars now reminiscing about the old days?

There are far more players who go over, get some good experience, and come back better athletes and players. Michael Quinn for Longford is a prime example. Went to Essendon as a scrawny decent player, and has come back a tank of a centre back who steams up through the centre of teams.

Just to bring actual stats into the debate, since 2001, 36 players have been at AFL clubs. There are currently 7 players on AFL books this season, O hAilpin, Clarke, Hanley, Walsh, Tuohy, McKeever and Mooney. Of those, I expect at least 3 of them to return home very shortly.

I think the difference with soccer etc is that all the clubs are under the one banner i.e UEFA/FIFA so it's a bit easier to regulate.

It's just a bad coincidence that the skill sets needed are somewhat similar.
I watch a lot of the Aussie Rules myself, and regardless of how most of the lads were doing in these training camps, the actual Aussies tackle in a much different way then the GAA lads would have been here.

Marty Clarke would have been a very skillful GAA player, but over there he's usually a half back who's competent without being spectacular. Don't think he kicked a goal last year, but he doesn't do much wrong. I suppose in Man Utd terms he's Collingwoods Fletcher/Carrick.

You need balls of steel to play that sport, and thats something most of them won't figure out until they get over there and try it properly. There hasn't been many who've made it the entire way so it's not a massive problem yet.

On the basis of is it fair, they're offering professional contracts while we offer our lads training gear and some expenses.
Until we start offering professional contracts the lure to move over will always be there.

Clareman

No, just no, couldn't possibly stand up in any court. Players play so many games how could the GAA say that it was just their training that helped out, how about when the players play rugby/soccer/golf as well, surely they should be compensated as well.

Tom Joad

No - nothing further to say that hasn't been said already - where would you stop - Rugby, Soccer etc etc..

Mal-Adjusted

if the players were payed and contracted, then there may be a slight case for it, but realistically, no.

ciarriaithuaidh

Don't be ridiculous. Compensation to whom? The GAA?...We don't own these players. Their clubs (despite all the time/effort they put it) don't either...therefore any claim would be laughed out of court.

Can't believe Padraig Lucey from Killarney is on that AFL panel btw..he is red raw useless at Gaelic Football and is a very poor kicker of the ball.

tonc76

ciarriaithuaidh wrote: »

Can't believe Padraig Lucey from Killarney is on that AFL panel btw..he is red raw useless at Gaelic Football and is a very poor kicker of the ball.

Oval ball might suit him