GPA members "Hard Done by"
Posted: Wed Apr 05, 2006 10:57 am
We've all seen the stories in the papers the last few days regarding the GPA and their "baying for blood" attitude, among other things.
The attitude among their membership (at least if the statements from Dessie and co. are to be believed) is that the level of sacrifice to be on a county panel these days is excessive in relation to the rewards, and that the government grant being proposed is necessary in order to recompense county players for the effort they put in. Speaking as a guy who would love to have the talent and the opportunity to pull on an Offaly jersey and play (rather than doing so in training or in 5 a side soccer like I do now!! ), I find this all rather bizarre - but then the faraway hills are green, so maybe if I experienced it I'd feel different.
My question is this - would you do it, if you got a county call up? Are there those out there that feel the county role takes up too much time and effort for no reward? Is it for students/teachers/sales reps only?
For the purposes of this poll, let's assume the following situation:
(1) County training starts in November, two nights a week, gym work on your time, and a game every weekend.
(2) You have no guarantee of starting - you're a panellist for now.
(3) No drink from Christmas until Championship exit. (I'm not saying all county players do this, but for the purposes of this exercise.....)
(4) Your career stalls because you can't give it any more than 40 hours a week.
(5) Expenses given just about cover your costs, if that.
(6) The only team holiday you'll get is if you win the All Irealand - hardly likely in Offaly's case in either code.
(7) No sports grant, promised or even possible.
Of course all the usual caveats about the women coming easier etc. apply ...
Would you do it? More interestingly, if not, why not?
The attitude among their membership (at least if the statements from Dessie and co. are to be believed) is that the level of sacrifice to be on a county panel these days is excessive in relation to the rewards, and that the government grant being proposed is necessary in order to recompense county players for the effort they put in. Speaking as a guy who would love to have the talent and the opportunity to pull on an Offaly jersey and play (rather than doing so in training or in 5 a side soccer like I do now!! ), I find this all rather bizarre - but then the faraway hills are green, so maybe if I experienced it I'd feel different.
My question is this - would you do it, if you got a county call up? Are there those out there that feel the county role takes up too much time and effort for no reward? Is it for students/teachers/sales reps only?
For the purposes of this poll, let's assume the following situation:
(1) County training starts in November, two nights a week, gym work on your time, and a game every weekend.
(2) You have no guarantee of starting - you're a panellist for now.
(3) No drink from Christmas until Championship exit. (I'm not saying all county players do this, but for the purposes of this exercise.....)
(4) Your career stalls because you can't give it any more than 40 hours a week.
(5) Expenses given just about cover your costs, if that.
(6) The only team holiday you'll get is if you win the All Irealand - hardly likely in Offaly's case in either code.
(7) No sports grant, promised or even possible.
Of course all the usual caveats about the women coming easier etc. apply ...
Would you do it? More interestingly, if not, why not?