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Topic: Ger Loughnane speaks out.
Hitch
(3,644 Posts)
Posted: 12-Apr-2012 21:02
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Loughnane accuses GAA top brass of lacking leadership
12 April 2012
-HS

Ger Loughnane has launched a stinging attack on GAA president Christy Cooney and director-general Paraic Duffy.

Writing in today's Irish Daily Star, the former Clare and Galway hurling manager accuses the GAA top brass of lacking leadership and vision, and not tackling the big issues in the Association at present.

As Cooney prepares to make way for Liam O'Neill at this weekend's annual Congress in Portlaoise, Loughnane remarks: "The best think about Christy Cooney's term in my view is that it lasted only three years.

"He leaves this weekend without even a single notable achievement that will last the test of time in my opinion.

"Firstly, Duffy and Cooney tackled the problems caused for many years by the GPA. In effect, they softened their cough by bringing them into the Croke Park fold. That was the problem solved.

"Next in line was the most powerful body still outside their influence - the GAA managers. While nearly all emphasis has been on the payments issue, a considerable part of Duffy's Report is taken up by what he considers the influence that managers have over county boards.

"So clearly there is a two-pronged attack in trying to curb the power of this very influential group. They are looked upon more as a threat than an asset by the GAA top brass. That is just crazy.

"Like an old stag in the rutting season, they are using up all of their energy in defending their patch against imaginary enemies and ignoring all the problems I have outlined.

"Hopefully, Liam O'Neill's approach will be more upbeat, more positive and less defensive. I wish him the best of luck as the new GAA president - but I wouldn't hold my breath for a change of agenda."

______________________________________________

Attaboy Ger ...never afraid to tell it like it is!
glasandbán
(2,046 Posts)
Posted: 12-Apr-2012 21:23
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Fair play Ger. If only a few more big names had the balls to come out and cal bull on Cooney and his like and light a fire under them!
BeTimberin
(2,458 Posts)
Posted: 12-Apr-2012 21:27
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Couldnt agree more with Ger. Cooney is a disaster in my view and the GAA top brass do seem to be starting wars with enemies they make up in their head. If they spent more time listening to players and managers and particularly fans they might learn some bit!
Squirrel Farrell
(1,010 Posts)
Posted: 12-Apr-2012 21:27
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The fiasco in Monaghan has underlined the ineptitude of Cooney's time as President.
notrealdan
(637 Posts)
Posted: 12-Apr-2012 21:41
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Good to see Ger back in action, a pity though that the bitterness is as ingrained as ever.
johnny the fox
(83 Posts)
Posted: 12-Apr-2012 22:41
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Cooney has been Frank Murphys bosco for years.....
This message has been edited - 12-apr-2012 @ 23:17
Legalalien
(1,681 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 00:25
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Well done Ger. At last someone who will be listened to tells it as it is about Cooney and Duffy. Their disregard for hurling is embarassing.

Well done Ger!
FTJC
(1,138 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 05:40
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I presume Cooney is returning to his previous post in FAS?

Not alot acheived in his time.

Personally i'd like to see Liam O'Neill focus on strengthening hurling in "football" counties and also, in conjunction with the govt, strengthen and support our club structure for emigrants around the world.
Paddy's Wigwam
(127 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 07:26
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The biggest issue in the GAA is the 2/3 month wait club players have during the summer for the county teams to get knocked out.

Joke of a situation and a big reason for players to lose interest in the game.

I play rugby and, besides due to weather, I can tell what games are on when at the start of the year.
This message has been edited - 13-apr-2012 @ 07:27
Unlimited_Limerick
(876 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 09:56
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Cooney made all the hard decisions and unpopular ones e.g. barrier in front of hill 16, pitch invasions cut out etc. In all honesty, it is for the safety of the players and that should come first but I disliked him very much for it.

However, if he balanced out these changes with some positive ones.. goal line technology (or at least some strides toward it), fixture troubles, resolving issues like that of Monaghan Hurling this week, promoting hurling in lesser abled counties, promoting football in lesser abled counties... IF he had conducted his term in that manner it would have been one of all round progression and drive.. but alas that was not the case. He followed up unpopular decisions with downright ruthless ones. Going after the referees! Going after the managers, stripping the minor captains of an acceptance speech.. the list goes on. If I had to say something positive about his term it would be that ticket prices did go down for league and qualifier matches, although the recession can probably take 99% of the credit for that.

Cheers Cooney, don't forget to close the door on the way out.
prewtna
(88 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 10:32
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Originally posted by Paddy's Wigwam:
The biggest issue in the GAA is the 2/3 month wait club players have during the summer for the county teams to get knocked out.Joke of a situation and a big reason for players to lose interest in the game.I play rugby and, besides due to weather, I can tell what games are on when at the start of the year.

the strength of hurling versus football is not a problem compared to the problem as outlined by PW above.

every year its the same -ing issue - when are the club games going to be played?

its an easy answer if your county keeps winning in the championship as all counties have based their master fixtures on that (well they have here in mayo so i presume its the same elsewhere) and that works well.

so for instance last year most games went ahead on the weekends allocated for them during the year, but as soon as the county team lose and end up in the qualifiers you can kiss your club football goodbye.

the other thing that annoys the head of me is that weekends are allocated for games but its only a week or so before that you know if its a saturday evening or sunday game - jaysus christ fixture makers we have lives outside football and women that need to be kept happy every now and again.

all we ask is a bit of certainty - if there is a match every sunday for 15 weeks in a row - great - at least we will know in advance and plan the holidays etc away from those.

and if there is a gap in the middle of the summer, thats fine too - but WE NEED TO KNOW IN ADVANCE.

Fok sake fottball / hurling is supposed to be a hobby / pastime for enjoyment, its not supposed to break uo marriages!
N16
(1,724 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 10:51
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Fair play Ger - calling it spot on.
Christy Cooney will easily go down as the worst President of the GAA by a country mile not to talk of what it cost to put him there. Nothing achieved on success was to further alienate the grass roots from the suits in CP. Finally rid of him thank God but dont think his successor has anything to offer either. Shapers, cute hoors and wasters, thats what seems to be sitting round the top table these days.
FTJC
(1,138 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 17:28
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Originally posted by N16:
Shapers, cute hoors and wasters, thats what seems to be sitting round the top table these days.

Just like politics then...must be something to with us as a nation!
bp
(2,408 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 18:29
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Originally posted by Hitch:

Loughnane accuses GAA top brass of lacking leadership
12 April 2012
-HS
Loughnane remarks: "The best think about Christy Cooney's term in my view is that it lasted only three years."He leaves this weekend without even a single notable achievement that will last the test of time in my opinion.

And to think that they had to break the bank to get somebody of Cooney's " calibre ".
spade caller
(3,554 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 18:35
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N16 - I think it's very unfair to dismiss Liam O'Neill like that. If you've read any of my posts beforehand, you'll know I'm not one for toeing the party line. Give Liam O'Neill a chance,he's a different animal to Cooney or the lad before him
dodgy-keeper
(3,496 Posts)
Posted: 13-Apr-2012 19:31
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Loughnane is spot on there. Cooney was a terrible President for the GAA. Can't think of one positive development he has overseen.
Twiceinoneyear
(23 Posts)
Posted: 14-Apr-2012 00:24
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Fair play to loughnane,about time someone called a halt to cooneys farce of a reign,back to been f murphy's sidekick for him.
Banner1995
(474 Posts)
Posted: 14-Apr-2012 01:39
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Ger is right of course with what he is saying, but does anyone think it will improve with O Neill?

The problem with the GAA is that Presidents and Chairman are there for a fixed time period, but its the full time secretaries at county, provincial and national level who are the problem. They set their own agenda and many dont really care about the average GAA player or club, its all about the GAA as a product, to be judged against Soccer and Rugby. If they keep ignoring grassroots problems like club fixtures, fixture congestion, stupid 2 month training bans, messing up hurling league strucutes etc then they will turn more and more young people away from GAA causing them to lose the battle with other sportsd in the long term anyways.

the whole strucute needs to be gutted and nobody should serve any one positon for more than say 5 years
daylo
(642 Posts)
Posted: 14-Apr-2012 14:05
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Originally posted by notrealdan:
Good to see Ger back in action, a pity though that the bitterness is as ingrained as ever.

talk about the pot calling the kettle black .
bitterness ingrained as ever as well >>
setanta 2
(24 Posts)
Posted: 14-Apr-2012 17:40
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Jer is dead right, as a Corkman I think Cooney achieved least for the duration of his presidency. No a peep out of himself or Duffy last week during the Monaghan fiasco.Hope O'Neill does not have the same conservative streak.
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