Too much thought of GAA Players

LoughNeagh2017

In relation to the question, I did view Derry GAA players as heroes when I was a boy but as I reached late teenage hood I realised they were just average men so it took the shine off them. In a sense I think it can be better that way as I don't even know who half the players are now by name, they are just a number on a shirt representing the county.

Swamp_Cat

mammyod wrote: »

I think their is way too much thought of GAA players.


Why is a GAA player who plays well often publicly referred to as a hero? (tv / radio / papers etc)

Why is a retired GAA player often publicly referred to as a legend?

Dont get me wrong - I think the GAA is great.

Great for getting a community together - for those interested in GAA.

Great for kids, who are interested in GAA.

I played myself when I was young, and was very good at it. Enjoyed it immensely.

But, had to move away to better myself, no jobs at home, went to collage etc.


Some people could manage to keep playing - worked for their parents maybe, or very lucky to find work near home. Great for them, No problems with that.

But , why are these people now often referred to as legends? Many still living with, or very close to mammy and daddy, working on parents business usually.

Why are they called hero's for playing well.

What about the kids who are good at say, art, or drama, or like reading? No one is publicly calling them "heros", and rightly so. Its not fair on them to be making so much of those who are into GAA.


What about the young person who's made a life for themselves elsewhere, got themselves well educated, good job - no one is publicly calling them "Legends", and rightly so. Standing on there own 2 feet, and not easy getting there .

GAA - its a game, with a ball, running around a field . . . all very good - but no need for it to be taking over, and so much in our face!!! There's other things out there, other interests.


:rolleyes::P

Someone sounds bitter towards those who have or made opportunities at home and were able to focus on the gaa.
They are referred to as they are for the joy & pride their hard work occasionally brings to a parish. Same goes for IC.
Sitting by a radio, pitch or television once or twice a week & forgetting about the future or whatever is going on is worth its weight in gold in this fast paced world.
Plus, they are amateurs!

When I see 2, 3, & 4 generations out in the back garden with a sliotar or football, cheering on from the sideline, or 4-5 siblings lining out for their club I'm overcome by what a wonderful thing the gaa is. As an American I look at it from a slightly different perspective. ...and I'm a bit envious if I'm honest. The gaa to me is not the political, financial, or whatever other aspect or controversy. It's the above.
+None of which would be possible without the hard work & many, many sacrifices they & oftentimes their families make.

When they use the words hero & warrior, etc. it can seem silly but I think everyone understands the difference between a 'hero' on the pitch & someone else like the pilot who landed his disabled commercial aircraft on an icy Hudson river saving every soul on board and other people who have done other incredible & or selfless acts. That example just happened to pop in my head.
So, within reason, I've no problem with it. Also, the gaa has some of the most humble and intelligent young men & women of any high level athletics that I've ever seen.

Enjoy the secret treasure that Ireland has & don't worry about the little things. The GAA is special. Seeing a hurl in the hand of every youngster I passed is special. Seeing grandma decked out in her counties kit & cheering alongside her grandchildren is special. And so much more. That is why the hero label is used & it's fine by me. There's a lot of different varieties of hero. Just like my quiet, unassuming father who is not known or hasn't performed some great heroic act is still MY HERO.

Swamp_Cat

mammyod wrote: »

so your saying it is different to other sports then?

Yes

ambasite

I played minor hurling for Tournafulla in 1988 - West Limerick Championship.

HERO.

Lefty Bicek

ambasite wrote: »

I played minor hurling for Tournafulla in 1988 - West Limerick Championship.

HERO.

Anyone who comes from a place which translated into English means -

'animal-enclosure of blood'...

... is a hero in my eyes.

Squareball

Wackiest post I have ever seen on here. I suppose at this difficult time people just have too much time on their hands.

Bishop of hope

Good job the club championships were finished earlier this year, there'd be a few disappointed hero's today but for it

Strumms

It’s none of the OPs business what I or anyone thinks of a GAA player, what kind of esteem we hold them in or how much praise or adulation they receive. Same as any other sports person or musician say playing and performing or anyone on the planet for that matter...

I’ve never personally referred to any sports person as a hero but if anyone wants to it’s a free country...they work hard to deliver success or try to, to entertain and enthrall, hero’s ? Who knows, to some people sure... nobody really has a place advocating that people should temper their respect, love, enjoyment etc..or how they describe their liking thereof... OP.. find something more worthwhile to be perplexed about... if you think the national tiddlywinks champion is a superhero to you, I’m not going to challenge or begrudge your feeling and opinion.

sasta le

I was crap at Gaa but love it but deffo they are becoming Divas and too much thought of them?
Look at how many are guards?Think they all in got without Gaa

Oops!

sasta le wrote: »

I was crap at Gaa but love it but deffo they are becoming Divas and too much thought of them?
Look at how many are guards?Think they all in got without Gaa

A certain Tipp player was complaining to the press a few years back about possibly having to emigrate due to not being able to find work.... Guess where he ended up after that...

Swamp_Cat

Oops! wrote: »

A certain Tipp player was complaining to the press a few years back about possibly having to emigrate due to not being able to find work.... Guess where he ended up after that...

Do guards in Ireland not have to attend an academy or need a 4yr college degree like they do in my state at least? Just curious.
Also cherry picking a handful of players that got employment due to their status as top GAA players isn't fair. The GAA has doctors, phd track athletes, guys like Tipp's Shane O'D who spent a year studying at one of America's/world's top universities. I think overall the GAA has a disproportionate number of very educated & successful participants for a sport played at such a high level.

sasta le

I know a person in that studied in Mary I said its a joke the amount lads going there the last few years just to play hurling and get a handy degree

sasta le

Id say there is very few of them worrying about rent and jobs

Oops!

Swamp_Cat wrote: »

Do guards in Ireland not have to attend an academy or need a 4yr college degree like they do in my state at least? Just curious.
Also cherry picking a handful of players that got employment due to their status as top GAA players isn't fair. The GAA has doctors, phd track athletes, guys like Tipp's Shane O'D who spent a year studying at one of America's/world's top universities. I think overall the GAA has a disproportionate number of very educated & successful participants for a sport played at such a high level.

They do... But all who apply don't get a place. It's like most things in Ireland, all about who you know...

seligehgit

Swamp_Cat wrote: »

Do guards in Ireland not have to attend an academy or need a 4yr college degree like they do in my state at least? Just curious.
Also cherry picking a handful of players that got employment due to their status as top GAA players isn't fair. The GAA has doctors, phd track athletes, guys like Tipp's Shane O'D who spent a year studying at one of America's/world's top universities. I think overall the GAA has a disproportionate number of very educated & successful participants for a sport played at such a high level.

Totally agree re the spotlight oft placed on a few sucessful players.Shane O Donnell and Jack Mc Caffrey are two that spring to mind that have been extremely successful academically and much of the focus on the great sacrifices they have to make to both play/work.

I do not think it is that surprising that there may be a positive correlation between sports people who play at the highest level and high achievement in their career pathways.

Not aware of any actual research outside the ESRI study and certainly not pointing to a disproportionate number of high achievers in the GAA.All players have to apply via the CAO system and require the points for their chosen field/be successful in any interviews.

sasta le

They moan about welfare,physical and mental health(that one while real is a bandwagon also)
Training matches etc
Why play so?If your not enjoying or its too much dont play

Oops!

sasta le wrote: »

I know a person in that studied in Mary I said its a joke the amount lads going there the last few years just to play hurling and get a handy degree

A sibling of mine was one of them, lasted a year! Never the cut of a teacher....

I always think of this sketch when i hear this sort of conversation...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGuc4E666F4

Lefty Bicek

sasta le wrote: »

They moan about welfare,physical and mental health(that one while real is a bandwagon also)
Training matches etc
Why play so?If your not enjoying or its too much dont play

But sure, you moan about them moaning ?

Why read about them so ? If you're not enjoying or it's too much, don't read.


Really, the mediocre begrudgery of some of you no-marks is something to behold.