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.
Kerry teaming up with the local branch of the Mental Health Association, asking supporters to wear a tie and make a donation for World Mental Health Day.
It was more publc service than civil service in that I worked with Loal Authorities rather than Dept of Sport, but there is a close relationship depending on what needs liason on, coordinated approaches, targeed funding etc. One of my old roles was assisting with grant appications and trouble shooting problems with drawdowns and with planning offices on commencement and compliance. Im log enough out of it not to claim significant expertise, but I kind of do still have a nose for the language used and reading between the lines on problems with applicants. It wouldnt take much to get back up to speed, just updating knowledge on current policy. Id put coaching badges well in the mix in having an idea of where the benefits of this can go!
*take my cynical guestimate back, I think it said 3300 in attendance. Excellent gate if so. With some other opposition that'd have 800 travel then thats the bumper crowd level for Oriel. As far as home support, 3k should be the targeted average.
Last edited by Nesta99; 10/10/2025 at 8:04 PM.
Kerry's free bus scheme has been extended for a second season:
https://kerryfc.com/free-supporters-...P3xu5xfJSeR4KQ
superb initative from kerry fc pity other clubs dont follow their example
Gary Cronin is he the right man to manage Longford Town?
That can't be cheap in fairness. And in the Premier these days, there's probably no need to fund the buses to drive interest in away games. (Especially for the Dublin derbies obviously)
Fair play to Kerry, who are doing it, but I'm not sure it's a reasonable lead to ask other clubs to follow, especially in the First Division, where the subsidy is probably needed due to the economics and based on the current composition distance.
Free Buses to away games are a 100% loss making exercise for a club, and I'm genuinely sceptical as to the big picture benefit, particularly to clubs that are already making a loss. I know Harps used to run buses from all over Donegal to Finn Park; the time period and cost, someone with a better recollection might advise, but at least in that case, the person at the end of the journey had to buy a ticket that the club got the money from.
Last edited by Roones26; 05/01/2026 at 8:55 PM.
And how do you propose clubs without a millionaire backer pay for that?
Dont be getting high n mighty with me . Im only proposing the idea it might appeal to some clubs that have a big supportbase.
Gary Cronin is he the right man to manage Longford Town?
I'd love to know how much Kerry spent on away buses for supporters last season. Has to have been 10-15 grand at minimum, accounting for the handful of games they didn't run one.
How many are they bringing to away games?
Away buses for a club like Kerry sound great at first glance - but I would question their value overall to the club.
Firstly - they're a pure financial drain. The club itself doesn't benefit from them financially. It's the team they're playing against which does.
Secondly - Given that times are generally hard for a lot of people, enabling your support to get to and pay for away games would in theory at least mean that some of those supporters would have less money to pay for home games, merchandise etc. There is not an endless supply of money for people.
Third - the kind of numbers that Kerry bring to away games are unlikely to have much impact on the team's performance. If they were bringing large numbers to games and dominating the grounds, then you could see how that would help tilt the balance towards the visiting club. But they're not. 50 Kerry fans/voices will be largely lost amidst a crowd of 800-1,200 people at an average FD match. It's presumably nice for the players to know that there are a few people there on their side. But enough to genuinely make a difference to the outcome of a game or the performance of the team? I'd doubt that.
Last edited by EatYerGreens; 06/01/2026 at 8:30 PM.
Not sure I agree there. They are trying to build a fanbase.
1. The club obviously understands its a financial cost and think its worth it.
2. Taking out the travel costs for your hardcore (which is presumably what they are trying to cultivate) isn't a bad thing.
3. If it is only 50 people, then it's really just one bus and increasing the size of the traveling support is surely less about improving the teams performance and more about getting more fans hooked on following the club. Away days are special and the group that goes away to games tends to be the group that continues to show up for home games too. Focusing only on the teams perception of it, you'd still think having 50 people there is better than having 5 there.
I think it's a great initiative for a club like Kerry. It wouldn't make sense for bigger clubs who can barely get enough away tickets to satisfy demand any way but for them, it makes sense.
22 leagues and 26 cups and....well....none of you will ever catch up if we're being honest.
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