offaly v kildare, and seanie johnston

[Lone Shark]

Just said i would lob this in.....


AFAIK he is out injured at the minute and probably wont feature....but.....Where is Mark Dunne from?

Rhode is it?

Emmmm......

Just to pick up on this, and I stress that the last thing I would want to see any Offaly supporters doing is sullying the name of our county by booing anyone, there is a world of difference between these two situations. GAA players transferring because they've moved location is integral to the game, and should always be encouraged. I've played football in Offaly, then Dublin, then London, and again in Offaly and it's been a great thing to be able to do. We've players from Mayo and Galway in Ferbane GAA club and we're delighted to have them, just as we're delighted to see players from Ferbane represent us elsewhere, as they do all over Ireland and beyond.

However there is no comparison between moving to your new place of residence to be part of the community and what is going on in the Seán Johnston case. He had no interest in transferring until he was dropped. Then he wanted to transfer counties, but not clubs - and the club is the core unit of the association. Then he supposedly moved to a new location in Kildare, even though he was from Cavan, was working in Cavan and was still being seen in Cavan most nights of the week. Finally, he moved to a new location, but didn't actually want to play football for that club, instead wanting to play for a different club ten miles away.

None of that is what GAA transferring should be about, and while part of it is the inevitable consequence of the lack of a parish rule, it's a clear case of gaming the system. I'm not saying it's not understandable, nor is it necessarily against the rules, but you can see why people would be displeased.

[llkj]

In general, this situation is very interesting.The point about where he lives and what club he plays for within Kildare is moot, as there is no parish rule in the county, so he is entitled to play with whatever club he wants. Probably good for the county that he went to a club that are not as good, as this will help that club get stronger, while not dominating - whatever the reasons for choosing Kevin's.

Using your own case as an example LS, that is of course what the GAA transfer is about. You were probably moving due to work/family reasons and wanted to get involved in the community, meet some people and play a bit of football. While you would surely be classified as a 'GAA person', I am sure that you would say that playing the game is not your number one priority in life.

However, for a lot of inter county players playing their sport is their number 1 priority in life. They will decide on where they go to college, where they live, who they socialise with, what work they do, what course they choose, etc. all to fit around their football or hurling. They define themselves and are defined in life (well at least for a few short years) by their sport. So, when the prospect of not being an inter-county player is raised, when you are in your prime, and an alternative opportunity arises (or is manufactured) you can clearly see the attraction of exploring that opportunity for such a player.

Now whether it is right or wrong, or the smartest thing for the individual involved on a long term basis, is a matter for a different day. However, I think that the point above is worth bringing into the discussion.

[ryot]

Listen. the Larry Tompkins transferred to Cork was reported in the papers while he was still living & working in New York, yea Cork that great upholder of GAA Ehos.

How many on here having a moan said a single word then ?

So whats the point.

The Billy Sheehan one to Laois & he living in Dublin and all the ones to Parnells Club in Dublin.

There have always been transfers, some clear-cup and many not, so lets concentrate on the game and how we can win it however unlikely.

As I type this watching Irl v Spain ( 74 mins 0 - 3) the Kildare team are training and I suspect a lot of lads all over the country have ducked their sessions, changed or cancelled. Here's hoping Oy are doing a serious session.

[bracknaghboy]

As I type this watching Irl v Spain ( 74 mins 0 - 3) the Kildare team are training and I suspect a lot of lads all over the country have ducked their sessions, changed or cancelled. Here's hoping Oy are doing a serious session.

I'd say our boys are having a session alright

[Ahlethimoutwithit]

Give it a rest Bracknaghboy, your hero is a chap who played a few league games and would not commit!