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Topic: International rules is not worthy of sport tag - Oz paper
Site Admin
(Administrator)
Posted: 09-Oct-2008 22:57
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`The Daily Advertiser`

International rules is not worthy of sport tag
CHARLIE WHITELEY.
9/10/2008 10:03:00 AM

IT IS time for the AFL to stop embarrassing itself and put us out of our misery.

Why, oh why does it continue with the preposterously lame international rules series with Ireland?

As far as I am concerned, the series is a joke and only demeans other international fixtures in sports that are actually played on an international level.

Let’s look at how things usually work in the world of sport.

Usually, players represent a club at a first grade level, say a Sydney Swifts or a Canterbury Bulldogs.

Then, if they are deemed eligible and their form warrants it, they will be select ed for various representative teams such as a regional or state team, and eventually a national team.

As players move through the representative teams, the rules remain the same, the general theory of the game remains the same, all that changes is the standard of play.

It is seen as a general transition through the system for players. a reward and an honour for being the best at their sport in their select ed position.

What occurs in an international series is a hybrid game comprising from the AFL and Gaelic Athletic Association.

And what is the result of this hybrid fixture?

A ludicrous, almost inconceivable sport, and I use the term sport extremely loosely, which sees players run around with a round ball, bouncing it, passing it, kicking it, with the aim to get the ball either through a goal or over the goal, or kick the ball through the posts to the left or right.

As this game isn’t played on a local level anywhere around the world. it means the players are effectively representing their countries in a game that doesn’t exist.

This ‘sport’ that has been made up doesn’t represent anything and really makes both parties look ridiculous.

It is utterly pointless to have an international team to play in a fixture that they have never played before.

AFL officials often gloat how the AFL is Australia’s national game as it is the only country where the sport is played.

Well, to those same AFL people I say you can’t have two bites of the cherry.

While I believe you are ignorant to believe you have Australia’s national game, I wonder how you can claim to have an international series, when you acknowledge the only place in the world AFL is played is Australia.

It can’t be had both ways.

Until AFL is spread around the world, it should cease to be played, in whatever form, in an international series.

If AFL fails to jump over the Australian shores and establish itself elsewhere, then I think it would be best if the AFL simply didn’t have an international series.

AFL officials are clutching at straws if it thinks the hybrid international rules series with Ireland can compensate for its lack of growth around the world.

You look at the product they are trying to sell and all you can do is laugh.

Unfortunately for the AFL, it simply does not know its own limitations.

The game isn’t played on an international level, so why have an international series.

The game hasn’t yet firmly established itself in Sydney, so why put a second team in Sydney in 2012.

Likewise can be said for the Gold Coast.

If AFL officials think the game is ready for a second team in Sydney I think they are sadly mistaken.

The result of having a second team in Sydney will have a detrimental effect on the Swans, which will ultimately have a detrimental effect on the game itself.

Perhaps only then will the AFL stop trying to dominate all markets and accept its game for what it is.
trout
(19 Posts)
Posted: 09-Oct-2008 23:11
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I fully agree with most of that. This game is only a joke and its a well known fact that none of the players really want to play it but they want a free holiday in australia.
eamonn
(3,071 Posts)
Posted: 09-Oct-2008 23:23
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Are people voting with their feet and leaving the stands empty?
ollscoil
(2,616 Posts)
Posted: 09-Oct-2008 23:25
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Originally posted by trout:
I fully agree with most of that. This game is only a joke and its a well known fact that none of the players really want to play it but they want a free holiday in australia.

If it`s a well known fact that the players don`t want to play IR but only use it for a free holiday then it would be equally accurate for me to say it is a well known fact you are talking through your hole. And while this article has some relevant points the author does seem to have a bone to pick with the AFL and this may be colouring his view of the IR somewhat.
stephens nite
(77 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 01:11
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I`ve been living out here quite a few years, and like to think that I keep abreast of the goings on in the media both here in Oz and back at home, yet this is the first time I`ve heard of the Daily Advertiser - a quick search and I realise that it`s a regional paper. No big deal - it`s like someone in the Sligo Champion saying it, hardly representative and barely worth reading.

I for one cannot f**ting wait for my trip to Melbourne at the end of the month to see the game
eamonn
(3,071 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 05:02
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He`s giving out about the rules of the game  (implying that they`re silly, he fails to explicitly make whatever point he`s making by describing the bounces and scoring system )  and gloating about the lack of Aussie-Rules games outside of Australia. His writing reminds me of the self-loathing anti-GAA writers in the Irish media.
trout
(19 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 08:10
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I can tell you for a fact that at half time in Salthill a veteren gaelic footballer stood up and said that he wasn`t interested in getting injured for the sake of a makey-uppey team and he said he would continue to play on but would not be counted on to get involved if a row flared up. Nobody cares about this crap.

I see young Setanta O Halpin didn`t even return Boylans phone call. That tells you the contempt this crap is being held in. It should be done awat with. On the subject of empty stands, The people that went to it last time were only the usual crew of fools who were fooled by coca cola blanket advertising into believing this sh1te actually means something. The same people probably wouldn`t know where their local GAA club ground even is.
hbvolvic
(345 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 08:18
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iv never met an aussie who wasnt a prize wanqer, but that lad is 100% correct
ollscoil
(2,616 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 08:24
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Oh right it`s gone from none of the players being interested in playing it to ONE of the players who was playing the game being not interested in fighting during it. You obviously don`t like the concept, which is fair enough, but I think we`ll take your `facts` with a pinch of salt. I`m pretty indifferent about the game myself, if they play it I`ll watch it, if they don`t I won`t lose sleep about it.

If what you say about O Halpin is true then it says more about him than it does about the IR and I`d say there wouldn`t be too many more event junkies at the IR than there is at most All Irelands.
Welger AP630
(2,507 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 08:30
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Originally posted by Site Admin:
`The Daily Advertiser`

Firstly I agree with everything the man said, his pops at the AFL aside...

It is time to disband this nonsensical game.

Finally, how refreshing for a paper to call itself `The Daily advertiser` as opposed to say `independent` for example. Honesty appears to permeate everything this newspaper does.

Call a vote AFR
side show bob
(961 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 08:35
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The fact is he is right on the main point..it is a pointless exercise. The game is played for a few matches every couple of years. At a local level it can never grow and develop. At best it could be considered a spectacle to be looked at every few years  ( you might get a right punch up to booth ) . At worst it shows the lack of footballing skills the irish players have at the moment.
Bog_Bhoy
(460 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 08:46
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Originally posted by trout:
I fully agree with most of that. This game is only a joke and its a well known fact that none of the players really want to play it but they want a free holiday in australia.

Free holiday to oz? What about when the play in Ireland? They still seem to manage to get a decent amount of Ireland`s top players.

To quote ollscoil - "you are talking through your hole"
trout
(19 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:06
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Originally posted by Bog_Bhoy:


Free holiday to oz? What about when the play in Ireland? They still seem to manage to get a decent amount of Ireland`s top players.

To quote ollscoil - "you are talking through your hole"

Am I? After the last time it was played in Ireland there were players knocking each other over in the stampede to "retire" from International rules. A sure sign of when a team isn`t a proper team is when a row breaks out and lads are justing standing to one side doing nothing. This game is a load of toss and if it weren`t for coca cola using their considerable marketing skills to back it then it would be dead in the water anyway.
oldspice
(157 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:11
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Originally posted by trout:


Am I? After the last time it was played in Ireland there were players knocking each other over in the stampede to "retire" from International rules. A sure sign of when a team isn`t a proper team is when a row breaks out and lads are justing standing to one side doing nothing. This game is a load of toss and if it weren`t for coca cola using their considerable marketing skills to back it then it would be dead in the water anyway.

Like many of the others, I could take or leave the IR but so far, all you have done is "quote" a load of non-events like "a certain player" and a "stampede to retire". I don`t remember any "stampede". I would echo the sentiment that Setanta not returning a call says more about his attitude to a legend of GAA  (Sean Boylan )  than it says about players opinion of the IR. The series should be accepted for what it is - a bi-annual spectacle for the fans in off-season and a four-yearly excuse for the Irish in Australia to get together and cheer on their home country against their adopted one. Many Irish in Oz look forward to it for ages in advance so as long as they have enough people interested in it to keep it going, why not?
This message has been edited - 10-oct-2008 @ 09:18
sam
(8,946 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:13
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Crowds turned up in their droves, you cant say it`s all down to marketing, people like to support Ireland, sher they even turn up to pointless international challange matches in other sports as well. The autumn international will soon be sold to us as if they matter as well.

lads wanted to retire last time because the fistycuffs got out of hand, if it can be controlled then there`s a half decent game in there. Dont get an aussie tearing it to pieces, to me it looks like AFl with a round ball on a proper shaped pitch.
This message has been edited - 10-oct-2008 @ 09:14
martymorrisey
(32 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:22
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international rules is a disgrace. how can players live with themselves when they know that there is little childen looking up to them as their hero`s and all the childen are seeing in fellas beating the lard out of each other. its a disgrace and in my view it should not even be televised.
LimerickNomad
(Power User)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:31
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Originally posted by trout:


I see young Setanta O Halpin didn`t even return Boylans phone call. That tells you the contempt this crap is being held in.


Where did you see that exactly, trout?

Any relation to "fish"?
King of the Rodeo
(131 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:32
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I have been to near on every international rules game that has been held in croker since 2000, I have to say I have left with a smile on my face after every game.
Great entertainment, a good physical game, which at times has been ruined by the ozzies when they go onto combat mode.
A great opportunity for GAA players to pit themselves against professional sportsmen, I cannot understand anyone who would not relish that chance
Squirrel Farrell
(1,009 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:40
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Ah lads stop being such moaners, the IR isnt bad when the aussies dont go too overboard on the thumping. I realise its a makey uppy game but which game isnt?? its a decent full blooded game, offers a great occassion for Irish people in Oz and gives some of our top players a nice holiday at a time of the year that doesnt really interfere with anything else. Wheres the harm? worst fighting ever last time it was here but nobody was seriously injured and it still makes for good watching on youtube.
This message has been edited - 10-oct-2008 @ 09:40
criodain
(785 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:45
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Originally posted by LimerickNomad:


Where did you see that exactly, trout?

Any relation to "fish"?

Setanta O hAilpin is injured, is he not? Did he not go to Germany recently for an operation....
This message has been edited - 10-oct-2008 @ 09:46
martymorrisey
(32 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:56
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the o halpins are all softies anyway, iv never seen sean og get physical with anyone. like in the all ireland semi this year shefflin just over powered him. he`s a fraud if u ask me
The Growler
(312 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 09:57
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Originally posted by hbvolvic:
iv never met an aussie who wasnt a prize wanqer, but that lad is 100% correct

Have to agree with you 110% there HB about aussies
long danny
(4,403 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 10:00
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Originally posted by ollscoil:
Oh right it`s gone from none of the players being interested in playing it to ONE of the players who was playing the game being not interested in fighting during it. You obviously don`t like the concept, which is fair enough, but I think we`ll take your `facts` with a pinch of salt. I`m pretty indifferent about the game myself, if they play it I`ll watch it, if they don`t I won`t lose sleep about it.

If what you say about O Halpin is true then it says more about him than it does about the IR and I`d say there wouldn`t be too many more event junkies at the IR than there is at most All Irelands.

I was just about to type something similar therefore I agree 100%. I would be happier watching a re-run of the AI final but seeing as that is not on the agenda then I am happy to give a look at this.
criodain
(785 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 10:01
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Originally posted by martymorrisey:
the o halpins are all softies anyway, iv never seen sean og get physical with anyone. like in the all ireland semi this year shefflin just over powered him. he`s a fraud if u ask me

you got the wrong O hAipin there I`d say...
criodain
(785 Posts)
Posted: 10-Oct-2008 10:03
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Originally posted by The Growler:


Have to agree with you 110% there HB about aussies

how many aussies have you met?

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