Gaa 2013

[geysir]

I know you were. And the simple fact is ye raised yer games, as per, for us.

It's as usual for the Dubs, 'everybody hates us so much, that they raise their game'.

[BonnieShels]

It's as usual for the Dubs, 'everybody hates us so much, that they raise their game'.

Not at all. Stop defending your Western brethern.

As night follows day Mayo will raise their game for Dublin. Always have. Always will... ad infinitum. To say otherwise is rather idiotic when the world and its mother know it to be true.

The capitulation in games after beating Dublin seems to indicate it to be so.

[Real ale Madrid]

Always have. Always will... ad infinitum. To say otherwise is rather idiotic when the world and its mother know it to be true.

No they don't - Mayo played no better or no worse in the SF last year than they did in the QF or SF the year before - I certainly don't think they bottled the AI final last year either - just beaten by a team that had beaten Tyrone, Cork and Kerry before that. A better team. Beaten by a better team - same thing that happened to Dublin the semi final.

As for the league this year - Dublin, Tyrone and Kildare look to have semi final spots wrapped up already. Mayo or Donegal to join them I reckon, loser of Cork / Kerry game to join Down in Div2 next year - although Cork have winnable home games against Donegal and Mayo still to come so they could lose in Tralee and still end up on 6 points. Big improvement still required by all accounts , the win at the weekend against Down was highly fortunate.

[BonnieShels]

I completely disagree. They were in the AI final and couldn't seem to raise their game when it seemed to be ebbing away.

They had that spurt in the second half but by that stage it was over. Do you think that they would have stemmed the early Donegal tide if they raised their game as if playing Dublin? I think so.

[geysir]

Mayo conceded 2 goals early on and still managed to give Donegal their toughest game, they were worthy finalists and performed with distinction in the final.
Dubs are always mouthing off, worst losers in GAA land

[micls]

On the other side of the world, we look forward to the South Asian Games in Singapore in May and the Asian Gaelic Games in Malaysia in October.

We may only play 7 minutes a half, and 9 a side, but it counts

[BonnieShels]

Mayo conceded 2 goals early on and still managed to give Donegal their toughest game, they were worthy finalists and performed with distinction in the final.
Dubs are always mouthing off, worst losers in GAA land

Too little too late... I don't even think we're near the worst losers. That's easily the Kingdom or the Royals.

[geysir]

Dublin v Kildare on Sunday, the ugly animal derby

[BonnieShels]

Eh... get it right... It's Kildare v Dublin...

;-)

I can't wait. Both are playing great ball this spring.

[BonnieShels]

Eh... get it right... It's Kildare v Dublin...

;-)

I can't wait. Both are playing great ball this spring.

Wow. Wrong was I!

[BonnieShels]

Dublin will be needing new sponsors this summer.
Vodafone are ending their sponsorship with the team.

Vodafone Ireland today announced that its current sponsorship deal with Dublin GAA is to conclude at the end of the championship year.

The decision was taken following a recent review by Vodafone Ireland of the company’s wider sponsorship strategy and in accordance with the terms of the partnership. Vodafone will continue its relationship with Dublin GAA as an associate sponsor beyond this year’s championship, into 2014.

Announcing the decision, Vodafone Head of Brand Anne Mulcahy said: “Our sponsorship of Dublin GAA covered one of the most successful periods ever for the county across all codes and age groups. It’s a time that will live long in the memory of fans.

“Vodafone is delighted to have played a role in that success by way of providing much valued financial and other support for teams across all age groups, from the senior teams right down to the rising stars of the games.

“We look forward this year to delivering another busy programme of activities that, together with our financial backing, will help maintain the hugely successful ongoing promotion of the games in the capital. We also look forward to continuing our relationship with Dublin as an associate partner and wish them well in securing a new lead sponsor for 2014.”

Dublin GAA Chairman Andy Kettle said that the county has never been in a stronger position as it sets about securing a sponsor for the 2014 season. “Vodafone have been excellent partners. They raised the sponsorship of Dublin GAA to a new level by way of the range of activity and support, financial and otherwise, they brought to the table. We thank them for that support over the course of the past three years and in the year ahead. The partnership between Vodafone and Dublin has been one of the most successful and mutually beneficial sports sponsorship of recent times,” he said.

“We will go to market in the summer to secure a new sponsor in the confidence that this is by far the strongest county brand and sponsorship property in the GAA and also one of the most coveted and high profile sports sponsorships in Ireland. As part of our new commercial strategy, a new sponsor will continue to enjoy the exposure and affinity that Dublin GAA provides with our massive fan base and large participation numbers. Evidence of this is the successful Spring Series, which has attracted attendances in the region of 30,000 for league matches played in Croke Park.

“We have enjoyed an incredibly successful three years across both codes and all age groups. The success of our underage teams in particular and the emergence of the hurlers ensures that the momentum and success built up over recent years in football and hurling is going to continue long into the future.”

http://www.hill16.ie/index.php?/home...-championship/

[geysir]

How much do the Dub county board spend each year trying to buy win the AI title?

[BonnieShels]

Not as much as Kerry did evidently.

[geysir]

Seeing as Kerry usually last longer than Dublin in the AI, you could speculate that their costs will be higher.
The Kerry board hand over about €1m? p/a to the senior team coffers. The Dubs probably spend twice that on their senior team.

[BonnieShels]

I was being glib.

But whatever stuff we're buying hasn't been that successful though in comparison to the great green southern menace. Maybe this year...

[geysir]

I guess all those ice baths haven't cooled down the eternal optimism.

[BonnieShels]

Of course not. You can't dampen my spirit. Unless you're Graham Canty and it's 2010.

[geysir]

Not a bad game Dublin v Tyrone. I suppose the result won't worry the Dubs so much seeing as they rested a few players.
The canny observers will have seen the quality of the Tyrone squad on display out there, from the newcomers to the old hands like O'Neill and Cavanagh

[swinfordfc]

That's Game 1 out of the way .......

[BonnieShels]

So the big one has begun. Donegal making all the early play.

And the big shock of the day; London beat Sligo!!! 1-12 to 0-14