Dave Hannigan's article today.
In Dave Hannigan's article, which featured in the Evening Echo's Sports Special today, he spoke about the GAA's decision to open Croke Park to "foreign" sports. Proving yet again - he claimed - that it is the "most democratic sports organisation in the country". A bizarre statement to make, considering the fact that Cork did not even take a vote on the subject.
He went on to quote a 'cautious' FAI statement that the organisation would "investigate all venue options available". Apparently, this mystified Mr. Hannigan, who said that he "thought he'd heard it all". One must presume that he expected the FAI to just be greatful and happy that the GAA would let mere mortals into their mighty tax-funded stadium and not care about the terms and conditions of its useage. Don't make me laugh! After all, they never asked for it to be opened up.
Yes, it's true to say that the GAA are owners of Croke Park, but millions upon millions of tax-payers money was handed over, no questions asked, to the organisation. Why? Because, put simply, the government would not dare tell the GAA that there was a catch, that the FAI should be allowed use the facility aswell. No, this would cost them votes.
Also mentioned in his article was - not for the first time - the situation at Shamrock Rovers Football Club. Last week, Rovers went into examinership. Yes, there is something serioulsy wrong there, but he has pointed this out on numerous ocassions, in - irritatingly - a smug, holier-than-thou attitude, as if to boast. Sickening. He then said, jokingly, that SRFC may ask for the use of Parnell Park rent-free for the remainder of the century. Here, he was having a go at the fact that they have no ground of their own. Then again, as a professional club, they have a wage bill to pay.
It's not just in this case, he seems to take joy in Irish soccer clubs' failings and in the success of the good-old GAA. Never mentioned, however, are the eircom League's success stories. Shelbourne's and our fantastic European runs last season, for instance. Perhaps Mr. Hannigan has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to our National League. I wonder.
He has also, on several ocassions, taken stabs at the quality of the league. Well, I put it to him that Gaelic Football and Hurling may not look so fantastic in Ireland if the sports were played worldwide. The fact is, there's nothing to compare GAA players to, no standard, and that's why they are superstars in the eyes of many.
He ended by quoting Seán Kelly on the temporary changing of Rule 42, "I think very few other organisations would have done it," said Mr. Kelly. No, but then again, few other organisations would have such a moronic rule in the first place.
He went on to quote a 'cautious' FAI statement that the organisation would "investigate all venue options available". Apparently, this mystified Mr. Hannigan, who said that he "thought he'd heard it all". One must presume that he expected the FAI to just be greatful and happy that the GAA would let mere mortals into their mighty tax-funded stadium and not care about the terms and conditions of its useage. Don't make me laugh! After all, they never asked for it to be opened up.
Yes, it's true to say that the GAA are owners of Croke Park, but millions upon millions of tax-payers money was handed over, no questions asked, to the organisation. Why? Because, put simply, the government would not dare tell the GAA that there was a catch, that the FAI should be allowed use the facility aswell. No, this would cost them votes.
Also mentioned in his article was - not for the first time - the situation at Shamrock Rovers Football Club. Last week, Rovers went into examinership. Yes, there is something serioulsy wrong there, but he has pointed this out on numerous ocassions, in - irritatingly - a smug, holier-than-thou attitude, as if to boast. Sickening. He then said, jokingly, that SRFC may ask for the use of Parnell Park rent-free for the remainder of the century. Here, he was having a go at the fact that they have no ground of their own. Then again, as a professional club, they have a wage bill to pay.
It's not just in this case, he seems to take joy in Irish soccer clubs' failings and in the success of the good-old GAA. Never mentioned, however, are the eircom League's success stories. Shelbourne's and our fantastic European runs last season, for instance. Perhaps Mr. Hannigan has a chip on his shoulder when it comes to our National League. I wonder.
He has also, on several ocassions, taken stabs at the quality of the league. Well, I put it to him that Gaelic Football and Hurling may not look so fantastic in Ireland if the sports were played worldwide. The fact is, there's nothing to compare GAA players to, no standard, and that's why they are superstars in the eyes of many.
He ended by quoting Seán Kelly on the temporary changing of Rule 42, "I think very few other organisations would have done it," said Mr. Kelly. No, but then again, few other organisations would have such a moronic rule in the first place.
... Typical! 
Comment