LGFA Issues

jimd2 · 07-12-2020 11:10am #1

I am surprised that there has not been a thread about this.

https://www.the42.ie/all-ireland-ladies-football-semi-final-venue-controversy-5290451-Dec2020/

I really feel for both teams here and also their families who did not get to see the game.

The president of the LGFA was on the radio this morning and defended the situation as best she could but a few issues I think need to be clarified.

1. When Limerick qualified for the All Ireland semi final then it was becoming clear that there was a very strong chance that the pitch would not be available. However, it was only after they qualified that the issue arose.
I am not sure if it was a poor communication from Limerick but the issue seems to have been very late arising.
When that was clear could the LGFA have changed the venue or even the timing of this game?

2. Pitch situation in Parnell Park was probably very unlucky and its hard to blame the LGFA on this one.

3. I think bringing the game forward like that - especially on a cold day when a warm up was really important - was a no no. The president of the LGFA mentioned player welfare on the radio this morning - surely bringing it forward like this was contrary to player welfare?

4. It seems the reason that the reason that the game needed to be brought forward was to accomodate possible extra time and possible penalties - we all know that the chances of it going that far was slim enough so I think the LGFA should have been able to persuade the GAA and Mayo / Tipp to facilitate this and in the unlikely event of extra time then move the bMayo Tipp game from 3:30pm to 4:00pm - not a big deal in my mind.

5. Coverage. In a year when club games were televised all round the country it really was shameful that some sort of coverage was not possible - could RTE not have faciitated a live stream or was it just so late a notice to setup? Could someone in RTE not have made the decision to televise it and transfer to RTE News Now? They had their cameras setup and ready to go.

6. This may mean closer integration and that may be best because, if the president of the GAA and the officials had been responsible for this also then the decisions may have been made to facilitate this.

Bonniedog · 07-12-2020 11:17am

It was a mess. As anyone familiar with Parnell will know, it is usually off limits in Winter. Ground was heavy all week, and it has poor drainage.

Not saying it was all down to LGFA - DCB once only let my club and another that a junior hurling final could not be held there 2/3 days before - but you would have imagined that all concerned would have been prepared for a switch much earlier given the weather last week.

kksaints · 07-12-2020 11:27am

jimd2 wrote: »

I am surprised that there has not been a thread about this.

https://www.the42.ie/all-ireland-ladies-football-semi-final-venue-controversy-5290451-Dec2020/

I really feel for both teams here and also their families who did not get to see the game.

The president of the LGFA was on the radio this morning and defended the situation as best she could but a few issues I think need to be clarified.

1. When Limerick qualified for the All Ireland semi final then it was becoming clear that there was a very strong chance that the pitch would not be available. However, it was only after they qualified that the issue arose.
I am not sure if it was a poor communication from Limerick but the issue seems to have been very late arising.
When that was clear could the LGFA have changed the venue or even the timing of this game?

2. Pitch situation in Parnell Park was probably very unlucky and its hard to blame the LGFA on this one.

3. I think bringing the game forward like that - especially on a cold day when a warm up was really important - was a no no. The president of the LGFA mentioned player welfare on the radio this morning - surely bringing it forward like this was contrary to player welfare?

4. It seems the reason that the reason that the game needed to be brought forward was to accomodate possible extra time and possible penalties - we all know that the chances of it going that far was slim enough so I think the LGFA should have been able to persuade the GAA and Mayo / Tipp to facilitate this and in the unlikely event of extra time then move the bMayo Tipp game from 3:30pm to 4:00pm - not a big deal in my mind.

5. Coverage. In a year when club games were televised all round the country it really was shameful that some sort of coverage was not possible - could RTE not have faciitated a live stream or was it just so late a notice to setup? Could someone in RTE not have made the decision to televise it and transfer to RTE News Now? They had their cameras setup and ready to go.

6. This may mean closer integration and that may be best because, if the president of the GAA and the officials had been responsible for this also then the decisions may have been made to facilitate this.

4 and 5 are TV rights issues. For 4 as you say the admittedly unlikely scenario of the women's match going to extra time pushing back the men's semi final would have had a further knock on effect if the men's final would have gone to extra time and penalties particularly when the next programme is another live sport event with a fixed kickoff time. It's very unlikely that it would have happened but I doubt RTE would have wanted to take any chances for a match that they don't have rights for in the women's semi final. This leads onto point 5, TG4 has the rights to the LGFA championships, RTE couldn't broadcast the match even if they wanted to. They possibly could have let tg4 use their cameras but why should they tbh.

Frogeye · 07-12-2020 11:34am

I'm not sure it was a communication issue on the part of limerick county board. Why would you organise a big game for venue that had a a 50:50 shot of not being available?

Bringing them to dublin was a strange decision in the first place.

Regards television coverage, not sure I'd say it was shamefull. Disappointing yes but I can only assume that the logistics didn't work out in the time frame allowed. Not sure RTE had their cameras "set up and ready to go" as you say. I imagine RTE were is Croker for hours setting up and running checks for a 3.30pm kick off. If they had to be ready for the ladies game they would have had to be in there way before the decision was made to change the venue.

Agree they could have pushed the mens game back. This happens all the time in double headers and because the dubs don't get into the hill for kick off! Not sure was this asked of the GAA/Rte?

There need to be just one organisation for all the games. There are always issues with Ladies football and camogie fixture clashing because they are different organizations . Its a mess.

RonaVirus · 07-12-2020 11:44am

jimd2 wrote: »

I am surprised that there has not been a thread about this.

Very few people care. It's a niche sport, purporting to something bigger and more important.

The media try to push it, mostly by focusing the grievances and giving out about how few people watch, mixed with the general "women deserve xyz" trumpet.

A badminton tournament having to be relocated at short notice due to a burst pipe holds about as much interest for the general public as yesterdays events.

theoneeyedman · 07-12-2020 11:49am

Frogeye wrote: »

I'm not sure it was a communication issue on the part of limerick county board. Why would you organise a big game for venue that had a a 50:50 shot of not being available?

Bringing them to dublin was a strange decision in the first place.

Regards television coverage, not sure I'd say it was shamefull. Disappointing yes but I can only assume that the logistics didn't work out in the time frame allowed. Not sure RTE had their cameras "set up and ready to go" as you say. I imagine RTE were is Croker for hours setting up and running checks for a 3.30pm kick off. If they had to be ready for the ladies game they would have had to be in there way before the decision was made to change the venue.

Agree they could have pushed the mens game back. This happens all the time in double headers and because the dubs don't get into the hill for kick off! Not sure was this asked of the GAA/Rte?

There need to be just one organisation for all the games. There are always issues with Ladies football and camogie fixture clashing because they are different organizations . Its a mess.

The cameras etc were there and filming away. There were scores being shared from TG4 (I think it was) before halftime on twitter.

Where there is a will there's a way, a complete shambles.

jimd2 · 07-12-2020 12:29pm

Frogeye wrote: »

I'm not sure it was a communication issue on the part of limerick county board. Why would you organise a big game for venue that had a a 50:50 shot of not being available?

Bringing them to dublin was a strange decision in the first place.

Regards television coverage, not sure I'd say it was shamefull. Disappointing yes but I can only assume that the logistics didn't work out in the time frame allowed. Not sure RTE had their cameras "set up and ready to go" as you say. I imagine RTE were is Croker for hours setting up and running checks for a 3.30pm kick off. If they had to be ready for the ladies game they would have had to be in there way before the decision was made to change the venue.

Agree they could have pushed the mens game back. This happens all the time in double headers and because the dubs don't get into the hill for kick off! Not sure was this asked of the GAA/Rte?

There need to be just one organisation for all the games. There are always issues with Ladies football and camogie fixture clashing because they are different organizations . Its a mess.

I agree - not trying to blame Limerick - just saying that when they did qualify for a semi (& they were slight favorites) then alternatives should have been looked for.

jimd2 · 07-12-2020 12:31pm

RonaVirus wrote: »

Very few people care. It's a niche sport, purporting to something bigger and more important.

The media try to push it, mostly by focusing the grievances and giving out about how few people watch, mixed with the general "women deserve xyz" trumpet.

A badminton tournament having to be relocated at short notice due to a burst pipe holds about as much interest for the general public as yesterdays events.

Not sure if I would agree with that.

Big participation increases in ladies GAA, attendance wise it is still lagging behind and they have to work hard to get attendances but it increased a lot last year and I think will become more mainstream in future.

Bonniedog · 07-12-2020 12:45pm

RonaVirus wrote: »

Very few people care. It's a niche sport, purporting to something bigger and more important.

The media try to push it, mostly by focusing the grievances and giving out about how few people watch, mixed with the general "women deserve xyz" trumpet.

A badminton tournament having to be relocated at short notice due to a burst pipe holds about as much interest for the general public as yesterdays events.

You cared enough to read and respond to the thread!

Media with exception of TG4 pay it almost no attention, which is a pity as there is large participation at local level. Far bigger than women's rugby which does get a lot of main stream attention, as does women's soccer.

As someone who follows it, and who is far from being in tune with extraneous special pleading! - I really don't see women's football doing the sort of whinging you seem to imply.

Anyway, final should be good between the two modern giant (esses:) ) of the game over last decade and more.

JRant · 07-12-2020 12:46pm

Well the LGFA rep did say that both county boards gave their blessing for the move. They could have insisted on postponing the game if they couldn't make the throw in. They have to take some responsibility in this as well as the LGFA.

JRant · 07-12-2020 12:49pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

You cared enough to read and respond to the thread!

Media with exception of TG4 pay it almost no attention, which is a pity as there is large participation at local level. Far bigger than women's rugby which does get a lot of main stream attention, as does women's soccer.

As someone who follows it, and who is far from being in tune with extraneous special pleading! - I really don't see women's football doing the sort of whinging you seem to imply.

Anyway, final should be good between the two modern giant (esses:) ) of the game over last decade and more.

TG4 are the only station showing local sport any sort of recognition. RTE have seemingly given up on nearly all sport with the exception of a few big GAA games and the Rugby.

Augme · 07-12-2020 12:56pm

JRant wrote: »

Well the LGFA rep did say that both county boards gave their blessing for the move. They could have insisted on postponing the game if they couldn't make the throw in. They have to take some responsibility in this as well as the LGFA.

The Galway manager said he agreed to the switch but was fully expecting that they would get sufficient warm up time. The original game had a 130 kick off time but the Galway manager said they were only told very late when they got to the ground and finished in the dressing room that they basically be starting at 1pm.

Fr Tod Umptious · 07-12-2020 12:57pm

Frogeye wrote: »

I'm not sure it was a communication issue on the part of limerick county board. Why would you organise a big game for venue that had a a 50:50 shot of not being available?

Bringing them to dublin was a strange decision in the first place.

Regards television coverage, not sure I'd say it was shamefull. Disappointing yes but I can only assume that the logistics didn't work out in the time frame allowed. Not sure RTE had their cameras "set up and ready to go" as you say. I imagine RTE were is Croker for hours setting up and running checks for a 3.30pm kick off. If they had to be ready for the ladies game they would have had to be in there way before the decision was made to change the venue.

Agree they could have pushed the mens game back. This happens all the time in double headers and because the dubs don't get into the hill for kick off! Not sure was this asked of the GAA/Rte?

There need to be just one organisation for all the games. There are always issues with Ladies football and camogie fixture clashing because they are different organizations . Its a mess.

This has not happened in a a good few years, for a couple of reasons, one is that Dublin no longer pull the crowds they used to a secondly i think everyone got a bit pissed off and said let them be late.

Actually, check that, this has never actually happened in the history of the GAA ever.
There has never been a "kick-off" in a GAA match

carq · 07-12-2020 1:05pm

jimd2 wrote: »

Not sure if I would agree with that.

Big participation increases in ladies GAA, attendance wise it is still lagging behind and they have to work hard to get attendances but it increased a lot last year and I think will become more mainstream in future.

Be interesting to see how many would actually attend if they had to pay.
Packing croke park full of schoolkids gives a false picture of the sports real popularity.

JRant · 07-12-2020 1:17pm

Augme wrote: »

The Galway manager said he agreed to the switch but was fully expecting that they would get sufficient warm up time. The original game had a 130 kick off time but the Galway manager said they were only told very late when they got to the ground and finished in the dressing room that they basically be starting at 1pm.

That's on the galway manager then. The first question asked should have been "when is throw in" before agreeing to anything. It seems they spent a bit of time faffing around kinnegad at 10:40 when they could have very easily been in CP by midday at the latest.

JRant · 07-12-2020 1:18pm

carq wrote: »

Be interesting to see how many would actually attend if they had to pay.
Packing croke park full of schoolkids gives a false picture of the sports real popularity.

On the flip side, it gives schoolchildren some exposure to the game and might get more involved in clubs. We have to start somewhere.

Bonniedog · 07-12-2020 1:29pm

The kids who attend all play so it's become a day out for the clubs. FAI Cup finals are by the way largely made up of freebies and most clubs don't even take them!

JRant · 07-12-2020 1:34pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

The kids who attend all play so it's become a day out for the clubs. FAI Cup finals are by the way largely made up of freebies and most clubs don't even take them!

It also beats the price gouging that goes on for the men's final.

theoneeyedman · 07-12-2020 2:22pm

jimd2 wrote: »

Not sure if I would agree with that.

Big participation increases in ladies GAA, attendance wise it is still lagging behind and they have to work hard to get attendances but it increased a lot last year and I think will become more mainstream in future.

In my experience, the LGFA and county board officials (generally) are more interested in county teams and the big days out, eg their girls winning that all important under 14 all ireland c competition, than increasing grass root participation in any real sense.

The main reason women's rugby and soccer get decent TV coverage is because RTÉ are obliged to cover it as part of thw international men's package, they won't get rights to one without the other. This doesn't happen with the LGFA, especially since the spilt from the GAA.

I still can't fathom why that game was brought to Dublin yesterday anyway, there are many pitches between Cork and Galway, even in Limerick, UL have tremendous facilities given that no crowd was attending.

Frogeye · 07-12-2020 2:29pm

Fr Tod Umptious wrote: »

This has not happened in a a good few years, for a couple of reasons, one is that Dublin no longer pull the crowds they used to a secondly i think everyone got a bit pissed off and said let them be late.

Actually, check that, this has never actually happened in the history of the GAA ever.
There has never been a "kick-off" in a GAA match

Not sure about that!! this is form 2020.....

"throw in" was delayed....

https://www.the42.ie/dublin-kerry-croke-park-3-4982395-Jan2020/

KrustyUCC · 07-12-2020 3:02pm

It's funny the amount of bad press the GAA are getting even though the issues are nothing of their making

The amount of people who don't realize the associations are separate is frightening

Bonniedog · 07-12-2020 3:05pm

Frogeye wrote: »

Not sure about that!! this is form 2020.....

"throw in" was delayed....

https://www.the42.ie/dublin-kerry-croke-park-3-4982395-Jan2020/

If you read the piece, it says that main problem was in cusack.

I was on the hill for that and like for most matches it was full before the game. Anyone who turns up late for big game won't get a good spot.

CrabRevolution · 07-12-2020 3:52pm

KrustyUCC wrote: »

It's funny the amount of bad press the GAA are getting even though the issues are nothing of their making

The amount of people who don't realize the associations are separate is frightening

To borrow a phrase from Brexit, they have a cakeist deal going on. The LGFA organise their own competitions, finance, venues, teams, sponsorship, TV deals etc. but any and all complaints are to be directed at the GAA.

jimd2 · 07-12-2020 4:09pm

The lady from the LGFA has come in for a fair bit of flack about this and anyone looking at it rationally would conclude that they are to blame on this.

Utopia Parkway · 07-12-2020 5:15pm

jimd2 wrote: »

The lady from the LGFA has come in for a fair bit of flack about this and anyone looking at it rationally would conclude that they are to blame on this.

She seems to be blaming Galway.

When it was suggested that the change of time was actually the big issue, with Galway given so little time to warm up, the LGFA chief replied: "Galway arrived to Croke Park at 12.30 on their buses, and they then proceeded to the dressing-room. They spent quite a bit of time in the dressing-room and then emerged out onto the pitch. They would have had the opportunity to get out onto the pitch earlier had they not spent so much time in the dressing-room.”

When pressed on whether this meant it was Galway’s fault, Hickey responded: "I said that they could have been out on the pitch earlier. Obviously the time scheduling was tight, and obviously it was a difficulty for us on the day to get the game in there in the first place. There’s no winners or losers in this, unfortunately.

Galway manager Tim Rabbitt said what happened was a "joke" and "totally unacceptable"

"We didn't agree to a 1pm [throw-in]," he told RTÉ's Morning Ireland. "We agreed that we would play it, that we would get there as early as we could, once we were given assurances that we were given sufficient time. Whether the game threw in at 1pm or 1.10pm, we weren’t concerned about that once we were given assurances that we could do a proper warm-up and we were properly prepared.

"That all changed when we got to Croke Park. We were allowed our 14 minutes in the dressing room, which is all you are allowed with the Covid situation at the moment.

"But the minute we took the pitch, LGFA officials, referee, straight away in our ear. 'Six minutes, you’ve got six minutes to warm up."

Bonniedog · 07-12-2020 5:48pm

In fairness, 30 minutes to get togged and warm up for a big game, or any game, is a lot of pressure.

On other hand, Galway travel arrangements seemed to have been a bit shoddy even if the game had gone ahead as scheduled in Parnell.

You have to have sympathy for the players. none of it their fault.

MrMusician18 · 07-12-2020 6:36pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

In fairness, 30 minutes to get togged and warm up for a big game, or any game, is a lot of pressure.

On other hand, Galway travel arrangements seemed to have been a bit shoddy even if the game had gone ahead as scheduled in Parnell.

You have to have sympathy for the players. none of it their fault.

Both teams were told of the venue change at 10:50, when Galway were seemingly in Kinnegad. As a person whose done that journey hundreds of times, it doesn't take an hour to get from there to Croke Park on a quiet Sunday morning. So Galway should've been in CP by 12 latest.

In any case they shouldn't have been leaving arrival so tight even if it hadn't been moved. For major games even at club level you'd be expected to leave to get you there 2 hrs before throw in just in case something happens. The last thing a player needs to be stressing out over is being on time.

Utopia Parkway · 07-12-2020 6:56pm

Galway ladies are well used to that journey. They were in the final last year after all. I presume they know what their timings are to leave Galway and arrive at the right time. I can only think there were some communication problems in getting the change of information to all the squad as they drove up.

Fann Linn · 07-12-2020 7:04pm

MrMusician18 wrote: »

Both teams were told of the venue change at 10:50, when Galway were seemingly in Kinnegad. As a person whose done that journey hundreds of times, it doesn't take an hour to get from there to Croke Park on a quiet Sunday morning. So Galway should've been in CP by 12 latest.

In any case they shouldn't have been leaving arrival so tight even if it hadn't been moved. For major games even at club level you'd be expected to leave to get you there 2 hrs before throw in just in case something happens. The last thing a player needs to be stressing out over is being on time.

Agreed. Even something as ordinary as a puncture would throw you astray on their time line.

dobman88 · 07-12-2020 7:20pm

Not sure what this person means about the timeline. Seems like they had plenty of it and spent time messing around once they got to croke park. In Kinnegad at 11 so they were in CP by 12. Seems like complaining cos they lost is all it's based on after terrible organisation.

https://twitter.com/sinead_farrell7/status/1335956104409444353?s=19

dobman88 · 07-12-2020 7:40pm

KrustyUCC wrote: »

It's funny the amount of bad press the GAA are getting even though the issues are nothing of their making

The amount of people who don't realize the associations are separate is frightening

Wow. This actually cant be stressed enough. Its staggering the amount of people with an opinion on this who havent a breeze. GAA, bad. Equality, misogyny, men bad. The LGFA is a ladies organisation with a female at the head of it. Its staggering the amount of misdirected and uninformed nonsense being spouted about this issue.

amlinopta · 07-12-2020 7:51pm

dobman88 wrote: »

Wow. This actually cant be stressed enough. Its staggering the amount of people with an opinion on this who havent a breeze. GAA, bad. Equality, misogyny, men bad. The LGFA is a ladies organisation with a female at the head of it. Its staggering the amount of misdirected and uninformed nonsense being spouted about this issue.

They were travelling in two busses other than one player who we driving. Should have been capable of getting from Kinnegad to Croke Park in not much more than an hour. Generating some amount of coverage today, featured four times on Morning Ireland alone

dobman88 · 07-12-2020 7:59pm

amlinopta wrote: »

They were travelling in two busses other than one player who we driving. Should have been capable of getting from Kinnegad to Croke Park in not much more than an hour. Generating some amount of coverage today, featured four times on Morning Ireland alone

It's been blown out of all proportion and they're losing focus of the main issue which is the complete shambles that is the LGFA hierarchy.

Sultan of Bling · 07-12-2020 8:12pm

Frogeye wrote:

Not sure about that!! this is form 2020.....

Frogeye wrote:

"throw in" was delayed....

Bonniedog wrote:

If you read the piece, it says that main problem was in cusack.

Bonniedog wrote:

I was on the hill for that and like for most matches it was full before the game. Anyone who turns up late for big game won't get a good spot.

I was in the cusack that evening and arrived at 6.45.

The problem wasn't fans arriving late, it was the idiots didn't have enough turnstiles open.

The turnstiles nearest the main entrance gates were all closed which meant a large crowd were queuing at the central turnstiles.

I was in section 302 that night. This meant I had to walk the full length of the stand to the far turnstiles as the queue was mental at the central one ( the queue was pretty bad at the far turnstiles too) and the full length of the stand again back to 302.

It took me over half an hour from the time I entered the main gates to get to my seat. Worst of all, I even missed my pre-match pint!!!!

It was a cock up on croke park's part and nothing to do with fans arriving late.

Bonniedog · 07-12-2020 8:12pm

dobman88 wrote: »

Wow. This actually cant be stressed enough. Its staggering the amount of people with an opinion on this who havent a breeze. GAA, bad. Equality, misogyny, men bad. The LGFA is a ladies organisation with a female at the head of it. Its staggering the amount of misdirected and uninformed nonsense being spouted about this issue.

Yes, well there a lot of people only to quick to attack "the gah" over anything.

Cora Staunton's reference to "second class citizens" is risible given as you say that the LGFA is run by other "second class citizens."!

RonaVirus · 07-12-2020 8:54pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

You cared enough to read and respond to the thread!.

It's filling up my newsfeed. With predicable headlines and narrative.

If there was a sport where the main talent was bitching and moaning they'd be miles ahead of the men.

tobefrank321 · 07-12-2020 10:52pm

Why was the game scheduled for Parnell Park anyways. With no crowd involved it could have been played anywhere, particularly a neutral venue between the two counties.

KrustyUCC · 08-12-2020 12:06pm

dobman88 wrote: »

Not sure what this person means about the timeline. Seems like they had plenty of it and spent time messing around once they got to croke park. In Kinnegad at 11 so they were in CP by 12. Seems like complaining cos they lost is all it's based on after terrible organisation.

https://twitter.com/sinead_farrell7/status/1335956104409444353?s=19

The Galway manager said they arrived in CP at 12.30 and were on the pitch at 1

What in hell were they doing in a dressing room for 30 mins?

If they were only in the dressing room 20 mins instead of 30 there's the time for their warm up

Bonniedog · 08-12-2020 12:53pm

tobefrank321 wrote: »

Why was the game scheduled for Parnell Park anyways. With no crowd involved it could have been played anywhere, particularly a neutral venue between the two counties.

If there was a pitch voted "most likely to have match called off", PP would be odds on every year.

Tombo2001 · 08-12-2020 1:33pm

RonaVirus wrote: »

Very few people care. It's a niche sport, purporting to something bigger and more important.

The media try to push it, mostly by focusing the grievances and giving out about how few people watch, mixed with the general "women deserve xyz" trumpet.

A badminton tournament having to be relocated at short notice due to a burst pipe holds about as much interest for the general public as yesterdays events.

Thats absolute bull.

You are confusing "I dont care" with "Very few people care".

A lot of people describe themselves as GAA fans, but actually they are just fans of a very narrow segment of the GAA - that is, how the mens senior county team gets on at the latter stages of the all Ireland.

Tombo2001 · 08-12-2020 1:41pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

Yes, well there a lot of people only to quick to attack "the gah" over anything.

Cora Staunton's reference to "second class citizens" is risible given as you say that the LGFA is run by other "second class citizens."!

Women's AI Semi Final rescheduled because mens team have a training session would be second class citizen enough for me, but maybe you have different definitions of what it means.

Tombo2001 · 08-12-2020 1:46pm

KrustyUCC wrote: »

The Galway manager said they arrived in CP at 12.30 and were on the pitch at 1

What in hell were they doing in a dressing room for 30 mins?

If they were only in the dressing room 20 mins instead of 30 there's the time for their warm up

Bus arrives into Croke Park.

People get off the bus.

People walk to dressing room.

That could take ten minutes in itself.

Why do we need to even spell this **** out.

It says everything about this website, the male dominance of it, that these attitudes are allowed to flourish.

blue note · 08-12-2020 2:04pm

This was such a mess. While it's not really a GAA issue, I don't understand why Limerick didn't just go down the road for their training session to LIT or UL or Na Piarsaigh. Surely it wouldn't have made a huge difference to them and if the Gaelic Grounds was the best place for the match Limerick GAA should have given it to them. They might not be the same organisation, but they're not entirely separate either! Their members are members of shared clubs, people pay one family membership to be members of a club affiliated with both organisations. They're closely enough aligned that Limerick GAA should have said sorry lads, you'll have to train on one of the other excellent facilities that day.

That said, when the LGFA found out that they might not have access to the Gaelic Grounds it was incredibly stupid to fix the game for there. It reminds me of the Camogie final a few years ago that had to be rescheduled because of a hurling final replay. Incredibly stupid to pick a date that you're not certain of having the pitch. And how Parnell Park was the second choice after the Gaelic Grounds I'll never understand.

And surely they could have delayed throw in for the lads in the event of extra time? This happens all the time when minor matches are on beforehand and sky and RTE cope perfectly well. I wouldn't be surprised if the LGFA didn't even investigate this but after it was moved they should have.

And if the girls didn't have time for a proper warm up the match shouldn't have gone ahead. If they had time and were too slow getting out of their changing room that's another story.

Overall it's a complete mess of a situation and you have to feel sorry for the girls. I suspect the vast majority of the blame lies with the LGFA.

wherever · 08-12-2020 2:14pm

Can anyone explain the level at which the GAA becomes 'men only'? Are girls & boys , men & women equal members of the many GAA clubs around the country? If this the case, why then are all county and provincial facilities owned by a 'men only ' society and why is State and Lottery money given to this type of organization?

Bonniedog · 08-12-2020 2:15pm

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Women's AI Semi Final rescheduled because mens team have a training session would be second class citizen enough for me, but maybe you have different definitions of what it means.

I don't get your reference to the men's training session?

dobman88 · 08-12-2020 2:20pm

wherever wrote: »

Can anyone explain the level at which the GAA becomes 'men only'? Are girls & boys , men & women equal members of the many GAA clubs around the country? If this the case, why then are all county and provincial facilities owned by a 'men only ' society and why is State and Lottery money given to this type of organization?

They're equal members all over the country. I'm involved in 2 GAA clubs, the one where I'm from and where I currently live now and there is a heavy female presence in all aspects of the club, not just the ladies committee which is all that was available years ago.

The LGFA is at fault for the Cork Galway shambles at the weekend. Not the GAA. They are 2 separate organisations. The LGFA, which has a female president, wanted a split away and got one. It's entirely their own fault and nothing at all to do with the GAA

dobman88 · 08-12-2020 2:23pm

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Women's AI Semi Final rescheduled because mens team have a training session would be second class citizen enough for me, but maybe you have different definitions of what it means.

You do realise that's again the fault of the LGFA and not the GAA or the Limerick hurlers. That was a mental agreement to enter into and its backfired spectacularly. It was agreed in advance that if Limerick progressed in the AI series, the Gaelic Grounds would be unavailable. And for some strange reason, nobody in the LGFA hierarchy saw a problem with this.

The LGFA released a statement saying the same as I've said above that they knew in advance so it wasn't just a case that the womens game was moved to accommodate a mens training session.

Bonniedog · 08-12-2020 2:30pm

wherever wrote: »

Can anyone explain the level at which the GAA becomes 'men only'? Are girls & boys , men & women equal members of the many GAA clubs around the country? If this the case, why then are all county and provincial facilities owned by a 'men only ' society and why is State and Lottery money given to this type of organization?

Girls and womens football teams and camogie teams are almost invariably part of same clubs as boys and girls.

The Camogie association is over a century old and organises women's matches but its players share the same funding and facilities of whatever clubs they belong to. Same with LGFA.

elefant · 08-12-2020 2:44pm

KrustyUCC wrote: »

The Galway manager said they arrived in CP at 12.30 and were on the pitch at 1

What in hell were they doing in a dressing room for 30 mins?

If they were only in the dressing room 20 mins instead of 30 there's the time for their warm up

Even arriving for a junior club challenge game at your home pitch you'd do well to get everyone into the dressing room, togged and ready to play in half an hour. What do you think they were doing for 30 minutes?

This wasn't a training session they were showing up for!

Shelflife · 08-12-2020 4:03pm

If the Galway team found out at 10,53 that the game was switched to CP and that the start was changed to 1pm and the journey time is estimated at 50mins from kinnegad, why didn’t they arrive earlier than 12.30 ?

Tombo2001 · 08-12-2020 4:12pm

Bonniedog wrote: »

I don't get your reference to the men's training session?

The game was originally to be in Limerick, and was moved as Limerick County Board (as is their right) decided they wanted to hold a training session for the mens hurling team instead.

I know you can get bogged down in the semantics of it, but the optics of this are awful.

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