Hammer Archer wrote: » Whatever about McBride, by all accounts Nash is doing very well at Hawthorn. And chances are, even if he did leave Australia, he'd probably be more likely to get into rugby than football. Looking it up, it's a nice earner for a young player. Minimum $80000 per year, free car and rent for two years and three free return flights between Ireland and Australia per year for him and his parents. Honestly, if it's offered to you in your late teens, why wouldn't you take it?
Hammer Archer wrote: » Another good prospect lost to the Aussies as Cian McBride has been signed by Essendon.
Hammer Archer wrote: » But it's the case in more built up areas. People generally don't care much about the adult GAA teams. People would be involved at underage when their kids are involved but they've no connection with the adult side. The Dublin semi finals double header at the weekend probably had around 1000 people at it and you had teams from Stillorgan, Tallaght, Ballyboden and Tempelogue competing.
sc86 wrote: » not sure they are valid excuses to justify the poor turnout ,it does surprise me how poorly ratoath games are attended in both codes with the huge numbers playing gaa in the area and how well the club is going. It was ratoaths first senior final in decades and summerhill is a big football area. 4000 was very very poor but the ticket prices have a huge part to play aswell as general lack of interest from joe soap in the county.
Hammer Archer wrote: » The fact that the final was on a bank holiday weekend and coincided with the Dublin Marathon would undoubtedly have had an effect as well. The final in 2003 was a bit unique in that in contained two sides that had never even been in a senior final before. I don't think there were as many Summerhill supporters there on Sunday either given that it was their third final in a row.
Hammer Archer wrote: » Very good year for Clan na nGael in both football and hurling. Some of their players are going to have a busy month or so if they progress in Leinster in both codes.To be fair, lots of the newer people would be helping to coach the underage sides but wouldn't necessarily have much interest in the adult teams. And sure our manager is a Dub and he's helped us win two junior championships and now a senior championship. The fact that the final was on a bank holiday weekend and coincided with the Dublin Marathon would undoubtedly have had an effect as well. The final in 2003 was a bit unique in that in contained two sides that had never even been in a senior final before. I don't think there were as many Summerhill supporters there on Sunday either given that it was their third final in a row.
vapor trails wrote: » I was going to ask was there much of a show of support from the Dubs living in Ratoath but I suppose the poor turnout tells me there wasn't much of a buy in from the new populace.
sc86 wrote: » Congrats to ratoath ! Surprised at the poor turnout for a meath senior football final , with 2 big clubs involved Hurling final wasnt a million miles away from same numbers which is crazy! 10k at 2003 final , how times have changed I would think the price and standard of recent finals has put off many neutral people
Hammer Archer wrote: » Absolutely incredible performance. Can't believe we're senior champions. Less than 10 years ago we were failing to get out of the Junior championship group stages. Hats off to all the players. Hats off to Davy Byrne who seems to have added something extra this year. Feared the worst after conceding the early goal but they showed great maturity not to let the heads drop. They had a bit of a blip early in the second half but were able to keep the scoreboard ticking over and kill any momentum that Summerhill had.Some people will say that it's the population increase but they'd be ignoring the huge amount of work that's gone on behind the scenes. There are underage coaches who have been there for around 30 years at the club. They coached me as a juvenile and they're still doing it today. Pretty much the entire squad today (bar Duffy and O Fearraigh) were coached underage by these guys. Onto Leinster now against Garrycastle. I hope we can give it a lash as it's been way too long since a Meath team has made an impact in Leinster. Commiserations to Summerhill. Can't be easy to lose three finals in a row but you don't make it to three finals in a row if you're not an excellent team. They were just second best on the day. Wouldn't bet against them next year.
dobman88 wrote: » That was some match. I think that's the best game I was at all year tbh. And I include 2 all Ireland finals in that. 2 teams just going at it with fast attacking free flowing football, proper tackles and ferocious defending. Hugely impressed with Ratoath. Best team all over the pitch imo and fully deserving winners. One player that stood out for me was Joey Wallace. Kicked some unreal scores 1st half and then ran the show 2nd half when he came out around midfield. Surely has to be close to the county panel next year?
dobman88 wrote: » Replay on Wednesday in Ashbourne..8pm throw in