Monaghan footballers reported to have trained together - RTÉ report.

bobbysands81 · 08-04-2021 8:42am #1

I’m sure we will agree that, like the Dubs, they should be pilloried for the next few weeks... or maybe for some strange reason that won’t happen.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2021/0408/1208525-gaa-to-investigate-alleged-monaghan-training-breach/

bucketybuck · 08-04-2021 8:46am

I think that, like the Dubs, they should be left alone because there is **** all harm in a group of lads training together outside, and that this country badly needs to stop entertaining the cowardly curtain twitchers that are dragging us all down.

joebloggs32 · 08-04-2021 9:06am

bobbysands81 wrote: »

I’m sure we will agree that, like the Dubs, they should be pilloried for the next few weeks... or maybe for some strange reason that won’t happen.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2021/0408/1208525-gaa-to-investigate-alleged-monaghan-training-breach/

No different than the Dubs.

There is only one word for it if true.

Cheating.

While i think that once the January wave had receded and cases had fallen that teams should have been able to go back training, these teams knew what the situation was. Anyone who decided to go ahead and train was trying to get ahead of their opponents who were following the rules.

The problem in my opinion was the weak punishment handed out to Cork and Down. I said it at the time both needed to be thrown out of the league. No one else would have dared train then.

cms88 · 08-04-2021 9:10am

bobbysands81 wrote: »

I’m sure we will agree that, like the Dubs, they should be pilloried for the next few weeks... or maybe for some strange reason that won’t happen.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2021/0408/1208525-gaa-to-investigate-alleged-monaghan-training-breach/

For like with the Dubs for some strange reason the GAA will actually do nothing about it...

Tombo2001 · 08-04-2021 9:26am

Its unreal - how many COVID breaches are there going to be in GAA.

Its an absolute shocker, one rule for the gaa and another for the rest of us........

Who do they think they are.

KanyeSouthEast · 08-04-2021 9:28am

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Its unreal - how many COVID breaches are there going to be in GAA.

Its an absolute shocker, one rule for the gaa and another for the rest of us........

Who do they think they are.

You think every non GAA person in the club yeh hasn’t committed a covid “breach” whatever the hell that is anymore. Group of lads training outdoors oh the horror this country is a cess pit it really is. Not a day goes by that I don’t see cyclists or runners “breaching” covid rules and good luck to them at this stage.

the kelt · 08-04-2021 9:46am

Like the case with the Dublin footballers people need to cop themselves on being outraged over a few young men in a park kicking a ball to one another!

Honestly what have we become in this country

Dempo1 · 08-04-2021 9:48am

I'm just amazed more teams not training despite restrictions, I suspect a lot are

Finty Lemon · 08-04-2021 9:50am

Why would anyone be surprised that Seamus McEnaney would be breaking the law?

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/hotels-and-restaurants-prominent-on-revenue-s-13m-tax-defaulters-list-1.3719935

ebbsy · 08-04-2021 9:51am

At this rate Wicklow will be the only team left in the championship, and we will take our rightful place on the throne.

MFPM · 08-04-2021 9:53am

While like Dublin, Cork and Down they broke the rules and will have to take their punishment, there's something unseemly about the people sneaking around taking photos and videos - this type of 'curtain twitching' has been a nasty side of the pandemic.

cms88 · 08-04-2021 9:59am

Finty Lemon wrote: »

Why would anyone be surprised that Seamus McEnaney would be breaking the law?

https://www.irishtimes.com/business/economy/hotels-and-restaurants-prominent-on-revenue-s-13m-tax-defaulters-list-1.3719935

To be fair that has nothing to do with this

Hammer Archer · 08-04-2021 10:03am

bobbysands81 wrote: »

I’m sure we will agree that, like the Dubs, they should be pilloried for the next few weeks... or maybe for some strange reason that won’t happen.

https://www.rte.ie/sport/football/2021/0408/1208525-gaa-to-investigate-alleged-monaghan-training-breach/

The Dublin breach only broke this time last week and already there's barely anything further about it. On this forum, there was uproar for around 24 hours and pretty much nothing since. Obviously, the 6 time in a row All Ireland champions are going to garner more publicity than Monaghan but Dublin haven't been "pilloried for weeks".

The only thing that annoys me about these "breaches" is that it gives people with an axe to grind with gaelic games more ammunition. The fact that it's been confirmed that 0.1% of all cases (i.e. less than the number of cases confirmed yesterday) have been transmitted outdoors shows how utterly stupid the ban on outdoor training is.

mattser · 08-04-2021 10:09am

Hammer Archer wrote: »

The Dublin breach only broke this time last week and already there's barely anything further about it. On this forum, there was uproar for around 24 hours and pretty much nothing since. Obviously, the 6 time in a row All Ireland champions are going to garner more publicity than Monaghan but Dublin haven't been "pilloried for weeks".

The only thing that annoys me about these "breaches" is that it gives people with an axe to grind with gaelic games more ammunition. The fact that it's been confirmed that 0.1% of all cases (i.e. less than the number of cases confirmed yesterday) have been transmitted outdoors shows how utterly stupid the ban on outdoor training is.

Far greater risk in GAA matters is the social scene around the club finals last year. Club football should be banned for 2021, end of.

SeaFields · 08-04-2021 10:14am

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Its unreal - how many COVID breaches are there going to be in GAA.

Its an absolute shocker, one rule for the gaa and another for the rest of us........

Who do they think they are.

If it was one rule for the gaa and one rule for the rest of us, the teams caught training would face no consequences. That is clearly not the case with precedents set in this regard. So your post is completely inaccurate.

rpurfield · 08-04-2021 10:19am

There's young people kicking ball up and down the country every day. I have a spot I go to at least once a week with my young lad to get him out and it's always a lottery if we will get a goal post spare. A lot of the times its families like ourselves, but other times there's three or four that are obviously off a team and look like they're doing their own thing, but always with a bag of balls. The point I'm getting at is it would be easy for teams to arrange a session to be sent on WhatsApp, arrange equipment discreetly and keep the coaches away from it so it looks like a group of bored young people passing time. The biggest crime with Dublin and Monaghan are being silly enough to be caught in the current climate.

overshoot · 08-04-2021 10:36am

Hammer Archer wrote: »

The Dublin breach only broke this time last week and already there's barely anything further about it. Dublin haven't been "pilloried for weeks".

Ah now let them have their persecution complex, easier to blame everyone else than admit things at your own door.

Dublin CB gave out the same suspension as the Cork manager got from the GAA and it seems to have been enough to end it. I'd imagine Monaghan will do the same as if they wait for the GAA to decide the ban will only start later and cover actual game / training time. The restrictions are a pile of crap at this stage (imo-seperate argument) but they are still in place so the same rules apply. 3 month break for Banty unless they find a sacrificial lamb who organised it on his own accord and takes the ban

DuffleBag · 08-04-2021 10:39am

bucketybuck wrote: »

I think that, like the Dubs, they should be left alone because there is **** all harm in a group of lads training together outside, and that this country badly needs to stop entertaining the cowardly curtain twitchers that are dragging us all down.

It's not about curtain twitching or whatever other little boring phrases people like you throw out to those that are being careful. It’s not like them training will kill anyone. It’s not life or death as such but it is pure ignorance of a very high level to know the rules and go ahead and do it anyway, and for that alone they all should be punished.

As someone else mentioned above, it's cheating, however you want to paint it.

Windmill100000 · 08-04-2021 10:44am

MFPM wrote: »

While like Dublin, Cork and Down they broke the rules and will have to take their punishment, there's something unseemly about the people sneaking around taking photos and videos - this type of 'curtain twitching' has been a nasty side of the pandemic.

We all know the rules by now. If you are going to break them in full view of the public, you can't really be outraged when you are caught.

Many would say nasty is giving yourself an unfair advantage

whippet · 08-04-2021 10:49am

its amazing how many lads I see these days just happening to arrive at the beach, football field, openspace at the same time .. usually with football boots, cones and poles ... pure coincidences all over the country too

Stones and glass houses come to mind.

It just shows what a myth is has been that we have been in level 5 lockdown since december ... the country as a whole hasn't been locked down .. the pubs and shops have been shut but life has been going on with a nod and a wink all along.

So we can't say that lockdown hasn't worked as we haven't actually done it

MFPM · 08-04-2021 10:51am

Windmill100000 wrote: »

We all know the rules by now. If you are going to break them in full view of the public, you can't really be outraged when you are caught.

Many would say nasty is giving yourself an unfair advantage

Indeed we do and there are very very few of us who have not and do not break the rules. Monaghan like the other counties know the rules a chose to break them and as such they'll take their punishment. None of that of course negates a more general point about the curtain twitchers and the unseemly spying that some of these people seem to engage in.

bucketybuck · 08-04-2021 10:54am

DuffleBag wrote: »

It’s not like them training will kill anyone. It’s not life or death as such but it is pure ignorance of a very high level to know the rules and go ahead and do it anyway, and for that alone they all should be punished.

Exactly, for a lot of people the rules are more important than life or death.

https://wiki.c2.com/?TheFiveMonkeys

IRE60 · 08-04-2021 11:05am

rpurfield wrote: »

There's young people kicking ball up and down the country every day. I have a spot I go to at least once a week with my young lad to get him out and it's always a lottery if we will get a goal post spare. A lot of the times its families like ourselves, but other times there's three or four that are obviously off a team and look like they're doing their own thing, but always with a bag of balls. The point I'm getting at is it would be easy for teams to arrange a session to be sent on WhatsApp, arrange equipment discreetly and keep the coaches away from it so it looks like a group of bored young people passing time. The biggest crime with Dublin and Monaghan are being silly enough to be caught in the current climate.

There was 'organised' sessions (coach and equipment) for underage players in Endas, Bushy and Tymon parks (Dublin) last weekend as I saw them all in action!

statto25 · 08-04-2021 11:14am

mattser wrote: »

Far greater risk in GAA matters is the social scene around the club finals last year. Club football should be banned for 2021, end of.

Club GAA should be banned or all club sports, just so we can get an idea of your agenda

recyclebin · 08-04-2021 11:29am

I think most GAA people have an issue with teams getting an unfair advantage rather than the breaking of Covid restrictions. It could be seen as a from of cheating.

Windmill100000 · 08-04-2021 11:30am

MFPM wrote: »

Indeed we do and there are very very few of us who have not and do not break the rules. Monaghan like the other counties know the rules a chose to break them and as such they'll take their punishment. None of that of course negates a more general point about the curtain twitchers and the unseemly spying that some of these people seem to engage in.

So you think what the curtain twitchers are doing is worse? You don't have to be spying to see someone flouting lockdown rules. Surely you can understand annoyance that some feel they are above them?

I'd only be bothered by curtain twitchers if I was doing something I shouldn't. Really don't care what others do with regards to the reporting to be honest. I'm sure they feel what they are doing is right

eggy81 · 08-04-2021 11:34am

mattser wrote: »

Far greater risk in GAA matters is the social scene around the club finals last year. Club football should be banned for 2021, end of.

Of course it should. It’s absolutely lethal.

thebronze14 · 08-04-2021 11:43am

Good for them out training. Most people are doing something similar around the country I would say as the restrictions at this stage are doing far more harm than good. At this stage it's clear that within reason if you're doing activities outdoors then there are negligible health risks

Tombo2001 · 08-04-2021 11:44am

SeaFields wrote: »

If it was one rule for the gaa and one rule for the rest of us, the teams caught training would face no consequences. That is clearly not the case with precedents set in this regard. So your post is completely inaccurate.

Really. Why did my kids miss three months of school this year, or did I just imagine that.

Yes, I get that people go beyond the 5k to visit their parents.

No, I dont get that some football teams think they can meet up to train when every sports team in the country has been told not to train.

I really am so annoyed about this, so soon after the Dubs were at it. Who the f**k do they think they are.

And to your other point - where are the breaches with other sports? With basketball? With gymnastics? With Athletics? Sports that have been impacted far more severely by COVID.

I dont see it, I dont hear about it - GAA has been at it consistently.

celt262 · 08-04-2021 11:47am

thebronze14 wrote: »

Good for them out training. Most people are doing something similar around the country I would say as the restrictions at this stage are doing far more harm than good. At this stage it's clear that within reason if you're doing activities outdoors then there are negligible health risks

I take your point but they are getting an unfair advantage over other counties who are not holding full panel training sessions. I know most are doing something but not on this scale.

It's not about whether the rules are bullsh1t or not the GAA have strict rules in place in relation to this and this is a clear breach.

ShyMets · 08-04-2021 11:53am

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Really. Why did my kids miss three months of school this year, or did I just imagine that.

Yes, I get that people go beyond the 5k to visit their parents.

No, I dont get that some football teams think they can meet up to train when every sports team in the country has been told not to train.

I really am so annoyed about this, so soon after the Dubs were at it. Who the f**k do they think they are.

And to your other point - where are the breaches with other sports? With basketball? With gymnastics? With Athletics? Sports that have been impacted far more severely by COVID.

I dont see it, I dont hear about it - GAA has been at it consistently.

I'm with you there. There is no emoji for the outrage I'm feeling right now.

NIMAN · 08-04-2021 11:54am

I assume all those involved are getting €100 fines sent out to them like all the other restriction breakers got?

08-04-2021 11:54am

Could the GAA players who really believe that their need to kick a ball trumps the law stay fit by dancing jigs on the graves of those who contracted the virus and died?

It's time to get a grip, the rules are the rules. If anyone doesn't like them, phone your TD and ask for changes in the legislation. This idea that some GAA players are above the law needs to be stopped, especially when they are gaining an advantage over counties that follow the rules.

statto25 · 08-04-2021 12:00pm

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Really. Why did my kids miss three months of school this year, or did I just imagine that.

Your kids are indoors in a confined space and as kids have less perception of space so its not comparable to a group of players training outdoors

I was annoyed at all 3 intercounty teams who have been caught and indeed all teams who havent but dont think that its just GAA teams doing these sessions. Its GAA teams being caught as they are high profile compared to a local GAA/Soccer/Basketball/Tiddlywinks who are at it all the time but its not being reported. The same can be applied to groups meeting up for covert coffee, playdates, walks in groups. You cant tar everyone with the same brush to suit a bias against an org/sport/group

ShyMets · 08-04-2021 12:03pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Could the GAA players who really believe that their need to kick a ball trumps the law stay fit by dancing jigs on the graves of those who contracted the virus and died?

It's time to get a grip, the rules are the rules. If anyone doesn't like them, phone your TD and ask for changes in the legislation. This idea that some GAA players are above the law needs to be stopped, especially when they are gaining an advantage over counties that follow the rules.

Talk about hyperbole. Its not just the GAA players at this. I live close to the Phoenix Park. Over the last few weekends around the 15 acres I've seen groups of men playing soccer. In some cases its been just obviously a kick about. But on 2 or 3 occasions it's looked far more organized, cones, multiple footballs, player looking like they are doing drills

It is a formal training session. More then likely. Am I outraged or bothered, not in the slightest.

It just people getting on with their lives

SeaFields · 08-04-2021 12:05pm

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Really. Why did my kids miss three months of school this year, or did I just imagine that.

Yes, I get that people go beyond the 5k to visit their parents.

No, I dont get that some football teams think they can meet up to train when every sports team in the country has been told not to train.

I really am so annoyed about this, so soon after the Dubs were at it. Who the f**k do they think they are.

And to your other point - where are the breaches with other sports? With basketball? With gymnastics? With Athletics? Sports that have been impacted far more severely by COVID.

I dont see it, I dont hear about it - GAA has been at it consistently.

And again, one rule for them, one rule for us would imply they'll face no consequences for collective training. That is not the case.

Rosita · 08-04-2021 12:07pm

bucketybuck wrote: »

I think that, like the Dubs, they should be left alone because there is **** all harm in a group of lads training together outside

Funny how the GAA accepted the Level 5 restrictions at all then. They should have brought this science-based argument in front of NPHET.

08-04-2021 12:09pm

ShyMets wrote: »

Talk about hyperbole...

In fairness, those who are simply pointing out that there is a pandemic and that's slightly more important than kicking a ball were dismissed as "cowardly curtain twitchers" in the first response to the OP.

We need to call these people out for what they are doing, showing contempt for the entire situation and for those who have lost family members. The GAA really must stop turning a blind eye to it, the players have to be punished, they are adults and they made a choice to train.

Rosita · 08-04-2021 12:19pm

Deleted User wrote: »

In fairness, those who are simply pointing out that there is a pandemic and that's slightly more important than kicking a ball were dismissed as "cowardly curtain twitchers" in the first response to the OP.

We need to call these people out for what they are doing, showing contempt for the entire situation and for those who have lost family members. The GAA really must stop turning a blind eye to it, the players have to be punished, they are adults and they made a choice to train.

Curtain-twitching, squinting windows, talking about "lads kicking a ball" and accusing people of "outrage" are standards in this situation. I suppose there is a subtle acknowledgement that it is an attempt to defend the indefensible that the actual substantive issue is avoided at all costs.

Boom__Boom · 08-04-2021 12:25pm

joebloggs32 wrote: »

No different than the Dubs.

There is only one word for it if true.

Cheating.

While i think that once the January wave had receded and cases had fallen that teams should have been able to go back training, these teams knew what the situation was. Anyone who decided to go ahead and train was trying to get ahead of their opponents who were following the rules.

The problem in my opinion was the weak punishment handed out to Cork and Down. I said it at the time both needed to be thrown out of the league. No one else would have dared train then.

Looking back at it the Cork and Down punishments were ridiculously soft especially when you consider the punishments handed down for breaking the training ban in pre-COVID times.

Armagh and Laois lost home games in 2019 for being found guilty of breaking the training ban.

Cork and Down broke the training ban during a time when the GAA had suspended all GAA activity because of COVID and lose a home game and the managers got 8 and 12 weeks respectively.

Dublin and Monaghan have now breached the GAA training ban and government regulations.

This is the perfect example of what happens when you hand out weak punishments - people will take the view that there is a only a chance they will be caught, if they are caught they can try and find some loophole or technicality to appeal it and even if they are punished, the punishment will be the bare minimum or maybe a smidge more than that.

Meanwhile the people who do the decent thing and act with integrity and follow the rules are left feeling like fools.

Hammar · 08-04-2021 12:58pm

Suspending Banty is an advantage to Monaghan, they should have forced him to stay for another 5 years, that would be a real punishment.

Cilldara_2000 · 08-04-2021 1:06pm

recyclebin wrote: »

I think most GAA people have an issue with teams getting an unfair advantage rather than the breaking of Covid restrictions. It could be seen as a from of cheating.

This. It's 100% cheating.

Moaning about curtain twitching, Stalinism, etc is irrelevant. These teams are breaking GAA rules to gain an unfair advantage. Fcuk both of them out of the championship and anyone else caught doing it too.

These people are literally dragging the GAA's name through the mud and have retroactively justified the government's decision to deny inter county football and hurling elite status in the regulations.

bucketybuck · 08-04-2021 1:07pm

Rosita wrote: »

that it is an attempt to defend the indefensible

A reminder, the "indefensible" here is a few lads training outdoors.

MFPM · 08-04-2021 1:21pm

Cilldara_2000 wrote: »

This. It's 100% cheating.

Moaning about curtain twitching, Stalinism, etc is irrelevant. These teams are breaking GAA rules to gain an unfair advantage. Fcuk both of them out of the championship and anyone else caught doing it too.

These people are literally dragging the GAA's name through the mud and have retroactively justified the government's decision to deny inter county football and hurling elite status in the regulations.

A ridiculous post full of bombastic hyperbole.

Cilldara_2000 · 08-04-2021 1:23pm

MFPM wrote: »

A ridiculous post full of bombastic hyperbole.

cheat
/tʃiːt/

verb
gerund or present participle: cheating
1.
act dishonestly or unfairly in order to gain an advantage.

"she always cheats at cards"

Words have meaning. These teams have been cheating.

08-04-2021 1:39pm

ShyMets wrote: »

Talk about hyperbole. Its not just the GAA players at this. I live close to the Phoenix Park. Over the last few weekends around the 15 acres I've seen groups of men playing soccer. In some cases its been just obviously a kick about. But on 2 or 3 occasions it's looked far more organized, cones, multiple footballs, player looking like they are doing drills

It is a formal training session. More then likely. Am I outraged or bothered, not in the slightest.

It just people getting on with their lives

Myself and the bro train with cones, ladders and multiple footballs. We are not working to a programme but simply know what we are doing. We want to be sharp for when action returns + its good to get out and do a bit.

Have seen a few people walking by just looking at us like we are doing something wrong when in reality we are just getting our exercise in within the 5k and training hard. We live together aswell with no one else in the apartment.

Too many curtain twitchers at the moment. Covid has brought out the worst in people. A few young lads kicking a ball around a field is very different to a funeral.

Tombo2001 · 08-04-2021 1:45pm

SeaFields wrote: »

And again, one rule for them, one rule for us would imply they'll face no consequences for collective training. That is not the case.

Remind me of the consequences for the players again?

Tombo2001 · 08-04-2021 1:49pm

Miriam Ambitious Ruler wrote: »

Myself and the bro train with cones, ladders and multiple footballs. We are not working to a programme but simply know what we are doing. We want to be sharp for when action returns + its good to get out and do a bit.

Have seen a few people walking by just looking at us like we are doing something wrong when in reality we are just getting our exercise in within the 5k and training hard. We live together aswell with no one else in the apartment.

Too many curtain twitchers at the moment. Covid has brought out the worst in people. A few young lads kicking a ball around a field is very different to a funeral.

Again the double standards of the GAA. Talking out both sides of the mouth.

When they are restricted from training, and for example League of Ireland is allowed play, then its all about how they are Elite Athletes and how anyone can say they are not elite athletes and the League of Ireland guys are is a complete joke blah blah blah.....

But when they break the rules, they are just a bunch of lads kicking a ball around a field sure whats the big deal.

celt262 · 08-04-2021 1:50pm

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Remind me of the consequences for the players again?

They are getting rewarded they wont have to listen to the Banty at training or games for 12 weeks.

recyclebin · 08-04-2021 1:55pm

Tombo2001 wrote: »

Again the double standards of the GAA. Talking out both sides of the mouth.

When they are restricted from training, and for example League of Ireland is allowed play, then its all about how they are Elite Athletes and how anyone can say they are not elite athletes and the League of Ireland guys are is a complete joke blah blah blah.....

But when they break the rules, they are just a bunch of lads kicking a ball around a field sure whats the big deal.

League of Ireland is professional and players need to put food on the table. GAA is supposed to be ameteur. That's the difference between elite and not elite. Nothing to do with how hard you work or train or skill level.

Tombo2001 · 08-04-2021 2:02pm

recyclebin wrote: »

League of Ireland is professional and players need to put food on the table. GAA is supposed to be ameteur. That's the difference between elite and not elite. Nothing to do with how hard you work or train or skill level.

Absolutely.

But a narrative from GAA pundits that we've consistently heard in recent months is that its a 'joke' that they are not considered elite.

Monaghan footballers reported to have trained together - RTÉ report.

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