Didn't make it past the first minute - in which those buffons talked about Derry Ultras as "The big dogs" and indulged in a degree of minor racism by talking about "get your jig on" for a visit to Dublin - whilst doing a little dance on the spot.Originally Posted by Nesta99
Who are these feckin' clowns?
Popular clowns! I'd be quick enough to have significant contempt for subtle but present rascism but there is also being a bit too sensitive to things too and the jig was a roll eye moment for me. Michael Flatley is trying to run as president..... The wasnt a single mention of potatoes and thats progress.
I'd a colleague who was fretting about their child being bullied in school and that it was because of their nationality. I asked if she was sure that it wasnt just cause her kid was being a little sh1t and a week later she came back and said yup, her kid was being bullied for beng a little sh1t and not due to rasicism - I dont see hings as always rooted in some form of racism, well imo people see it a lot more than its actually there, but maybe I turn a blind eye too.
Im not suggesting these guys wouldnt annoy some people in their Clarkson, May and Hammond wanna be efforts. But they do promote the league even if it causes some cringe like the with 'so called ultras' looking about 10 years old.
Last edited by Nesta99; 06/09/2025 at 8:29 AM.
Honestly the suggestion that "get your jig on" is in any way racist is probably offensive to anyone who has experienced real racism.
As a society we're far too quick to take offence these days. (I think there's studies linking it to dopamine release? So it's actually addictive in its own way)
That said, there's certainly good ground hopper blogs and not so good ones.
Now that the FAI are to receive an additional €3 million as part of Budget 2026 to help professionalise 26 League of Ireland academies andI suppose if someone like Jim Crawford has hailed the €3m government grant for League of Ireland academies as a "fantastic start" to building a football industry, we should take note as he is someone at the heart of our youth programs.
It doesnt take Crawford's endorsement. This is a significant development, a major change in funding policy. Indicates the breakin of the back of the GAA monopoly on funding and development. Its early days but these things dont tend to be in isolation, that they are a change in policy and focus on a deficit (almost zero) non self generated funding. It fits with the new self confidence and growing support and respect for the league. To repeat things it is absolutely key to see measurable progress in academy growth that can be audited - ft coaches and a greater number of pt/volunteer qualified coaching. I would throw a bunch of the money on getting people coaching badges and flood the country with badged coaches even at the basc old kickstart levels, target getting x % to UEFA or elite youth badge. Getting lots and lots on the safeguarding courses would be a tangible benefit in general that could be used as a value for money as it permeates society and not just football. Do this well and we have a serious argument for significant capital investment for acadamies at the least and wider spectator facilities. The golden era of the game off the pitch as well as on. All of this is the sort of stuff we dreamed of and discussed ad nauseam on here over 20+ years. I hope I am about for another 20 or 30 years to see the reward of higher standards, consistant large transfer fees, LoI feeding RoI squads and Croatia like performances qualifying and competing at finals.
But it is still good to hear that someone better qualified than you or me is feeling poitive about this investment!
Im not knocking Crawfords commets. Every coach involved in Iirsh football should be delighted. It doesnt take football people to recognise this as having the potential to transform the game though.
Nesta, did you mention before that you were involved in sports funding as a civil servant? That would make you infinitely more qualified than Crawford!
It's great news though, no matter what way you look at it.
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