GAA Players Hypersensitive to Criticism

Historybluff

Why are GAA players and managers so sensitive to criticism? They are always giving out about commentators passing adverse judgements on their teams. Last week, Davie Fitzgerald was ranting about commentators on the 'Sunday Game' who has criticised his team's playing style. A few weeks previously, Jim Gavin was moaning about the coverage of the incident that resulted in Diarmuid Connolly being suspended.
They're giving out about comments on social media now as well.
It seems to me that GAA people have a victim complex. They view all criticism as illegitimate. It's a rather childish attitude. The games are public spectacles. Players, teams and managers are going to come in for criticism from time to time. They should just get over it.

Shurimgreat

My own view is its to do with deflection.

A team plays badly, some managers will blame everyone and anything but themselves. Davy seems quite good at this, making the story about something other than how bad his team might play. Having said that, I like Davy, and we need more people like him in the game, especially in the lesser counties.

Players do the same, instead of taking on board criticism, they deflect it.

One_Of_Shanks

For managers it's not specific to the GAA at all. Alex Ferguson banned certain journalists and newspapers from PR's and even refused to do interviews with the BBC for years over stuff that got said. And usually it was over petty things, a lot milder than the stuff you'd hear pundits spouting on the Sunday game.

And sure David Moyes threatened to punch a female journalist for asking if he was under pressure

It's not GAA specific at all in my opinion.

Gravelly

I think there are two main reasons why GAA players and managers appear to be more sensitive to criticism than those in other sports:

1. The fact that they are amateurs - if someone is being paid to do something, they are more likely to accept or at least tolerate being criticised. There is an attitude in the GAA, rightly or wrongly, that "I've to do a weeks work after this game, give me a break". Soccer players, rugby players etc. don't have this excuse. I do some charity work in my spare time and I've noticed something similar there - I can criticise a subordinate's work in my job and in the main they will take it on board, if I do the same in one of the charities I do work with, it is often taken as a personal slight, even when presented, and meant, as constructive.
   
2. The parochial nature of GAA - players are steeped in their locality, play for the same club all their lives, know everyone associated with the club since they were kids. It's one thing getting criticism in front of lads you will only play with for a season or two, and people in a club structure you will eventually move on from, but it is different when those people have been close to you since you were 4 or 5 years old, and will be, in all probability, until the day you die.

keeponhurling

Everyone wants to create a siege mentality, it seems.
I've seen players after winning games in which they were overwhelming favourites, come out with the "everybody had written us off", "we answered our critics" etc.
It's even seen as a big advantage by some going into a game, to be underdogs.

CrabRevolution

I often get the impression that victory isn't enough for many in the GAA. The real pleasure in winning is getting the opportunity to vengefully lash out at anyone who ever doubted you, even if they had good reason to.

One_Of_Shanks

Shurimgreat wrote: »

My own view is its to do with deflection.

A team plays badly, some managers will blame everyone and anything but themselves. Davy seems quite good at this, making the story about something other than how bad his team might play. Having said that, I like Davy, and we need more people like him in the game, especially in the lesser counties.

Players do the same, instead of taking on board criticism, they deflect it.

Not often I'd want to thank a post twice but you are so spot on.

The Davy bit especially. One of the greatest characters the game has ever had.

And without him you don't have this resurgence in Wexford hurling this year and we would have missed out on some cracking games.
I think he's brilliant. If Jim McGuinness is one of the best tactical managers we've seen then Davy is the best motivational manager we've seen.

So if he reacts to media then great. Why not. Bit of passion about him.

I listen to newstalk at 6am driving to work and usually they replay stuff about rugby but occasionally they discuss GAA and they complain about the lack of interviews from intercounty players and managers but here we are with a thread about how sensitive they are.

Historybluff

Shurimgreat wrote: »

My own view is its to do with deflection.

A team plays badly, some managers will blame everyone and anything but themselves. Davy seems quite good at this, making the story about something other than how bad his team might play. Having said that, I like Davy, and we need more people like him in the game, especially in the lesser counties.

Players do the same, instead of taking on board criticism, they deflect it.

I agree that deflection is a major issue. But surely the managers and players know that the general public realise that they are deflecting?

Historybluff

One_Of_Shanks wrote: »

For managers it's not specific to the GAA at all. Alex Ferguson banned certain journalists and newspapers from PR's and even refused to do interviews with the BBC for years over stuff that got said. And usually it was over petty things, a lot milder than the stuff you'd hear pundits spouting on the Sunday game.

And sure David Moyes threatened to punch a female journalist for asking if he was under pressure

It's not GAA specific at all in my opinion.

In terms of English football managers lashing out at the media, Alex Ferguson was the exception to the rule. Most are not petty-minded bullies like he was. Moyes' comment was a joke; it was not sincere. What I'm talking about does seem to be a GAA issue.

Historybluff

Gravelly wrote: »

I think there are two main reasons why GAA players and managers appear to be more sensitive to criticism than those in other sports:

1. The fact that they are amateurs - if someone is being paid to do something, they are more likely to accept or at least tolerate being criticised. There is an attitude in the GAA, rightly or wrongly, that "I've to do a weeks work after this game, give me a break". Soccer players, rugby players etc. don't have this excuse. I do some charity work in my spare time and I've noticed something similar there - I can criticise a subordinate's work in my job and in the main they will take it on board, if I do the same in one of the charities I do work with, it is often taken as a personal slight, even when presented, and meant, as constructive.
   
2. The parochial nature of GAA - players are steeped in their locality, play for the same club all their lives, know everyone associated with the club since they were kids. It's one thing getting criticism in front of lads you will only play with for a season or two, and people in a club structure you will eventually move on from, but it is different when those people have been close to you since you were 4 or 5 years old, and will be, in all probability, until the day you die.

I agree with you, especially on the issue of amateurism. Players and mangers seem to think that they deserve great credit when they perform well because they are amateurs. But when they perform badly they should not be criticised because they are amateurs. Regarding your experience in charity work: Maybe the mentality is an Irish one rather than being confined to the GAA.

Historybluff

CrabRevolution wrote: »

I often get the impression that victory isn't enough for many in the GAA. The real pleasure in winning is getting the opportunity to vengefully lash out at anyone who ever doubted you, even if they had good reason to.

Exactly! That is so cringe-worthy. The GAA portrays its games as being about physical exertion and county pride. For managers and players then to whinge about adverse comments in the media betrays an illfitting childish mentality.