Twenty Grand wrote: » It's already got football and hurling. Why does it need discus too?
Computer Science Student wrote: » No upvotes yet, that must really hurt for a guy like you
Twenty Grand wrote: Why does it need discus too?
Computer Science Student wrote: » It's time the game got cleaned up, turned into a proper professional organization, and expanded its operation overseas. Dicuss
aidan24326 wrote: » So it can become like professional soccer? Soulless and money-driven? Nah, we'll pass on that one. But thanks anyway.
Computer Science Student wrote: It's time the game got cleaned up, turned into a proper professional organization, and expanded its operation overseas. Dicuss
Computer Science Student wrote: » Same old backward thinking as always. This is why the GAA will never be anything more than it is.
StupidLikeAFox wrote: » Show some ambition lads. I would be looking forward to seeing the AIG Dublin Blue Sox take on the Brady Ham White Knights of Kildare in the Adidas Hyper-Dome in Drumcondra. Half time entertainment could be provided by Katie Perry and the Artane hip-hop crew, 10 minute commercial break at the end of each quarter & pyrotechnics on Samsung Hill 16 everytime the Blue Sox put the ball in the goalbag.
Clareman wrote: » Say what you want about the GAA but they are getting the crowds to matches, the 2 All Ireland semi finals had more spectators at them than any Irish international Rugby or Soccer had in the Aviva.
Coillte_Bhoy wrote: » Thats a spurious argument in fairness, if the FAI had access to Croke Park for the World Cup play off i think we would have seen a sell out or near enough and the IRFU certainly would sell it out for the 6 Nations games and bigger tests
[Deleted User] wrote: » It can't. Professionalism means players become employees, with all that that implies...including the choice to move to new employers and transfer from club or county. The suggestion that the GAA is on its knees is nonsense. But professionalism would certainly hit it hard and possibly bring it to its knees as it would end the club/county allegiance. So here in Kerry, the best players can get jobs, sponsored cars and benefit dinners...but the GAA needs the fig leaf of amateurism. They sell it as a virtue, how often do we hear that the players have to get up for work on Monday. In fact it's a necessity.
Clareman wrote: » The GAA built a stadium around a bigger pitch for a bigger crowd because they knew they'd be able to fill it, the IRFU/FAI built a stadium around a smaller pitch to suit their needs. If I remember correctly the FAI didn't fill Croke Park for any match and that included a World Cup playoff against France.
Clareman wrote: » Ireland isn't big enough for a large professional sport at any level in my opinion. Rugby has 4 professional teams and for years they only had 3, the international game is what is keeping that afloat. Soccer can't cope with a 10 team top division, 2 of the teams can't even afford to play their players. Without an international market the GAA isn't going to grow, the Sky deal was a huge move for them, they seem to be getting traction in the US, especially for hurling, the 11 a-side thing in Chicago was a huge success. Say what you want about the GAA but they are getting the crowds to matches, the 2 All Ireland semi finals had more spectators at them than any Irish international Rugby or Soccer had in the Aviva. Finally, it appears to me that the GAA are finally getting an idea of the infrastructure that they have around the country and that they don't need to just use Croke Park, Ed Sheeran played in 2 stadiums that normally wouldn't have been opened up, hopefully they'll use the grounds more.
_brendand_ wrote: » I think you're right. One of Gaelic football or soccer needs to be gotten rid of. Getting rid of Gaelic games altogether wouldn't go down well so Hurling should be kept around, mighty sport as it is. Football is a big load of ****e so no-one will really miss it except for maybe the Kingdom. Dublin are winning it all the time anyway and the Dubs will be grand occupying themselves with just soccer and Rugby.
Coillte_Bhoy wrote: » Ya in fairness you're right about the France game. Were the IRFU constricted in some way with the redevelopment? It does seem a bit shortsighted in retrospect though at t he time im not sure we had the rugby bandwagon in full flow as we do now