In defence of the Dubs

Well if I was one of the 6 new sponsors of the GAA I would be getting a bit worried about my investment.

Following the strike, the stupid conclusion to the NHL season and the violence of statisticians (Good name for a Radiohead album that) you now have games being called off just before throw in.

To use a phrase rarely heard, you have to feel sorry for the Dublin supporters. They now have a sizable travelling support and they bring a real atmosphere to away games. They also follow the league better than most counties supporters do and bring in lots of cash for the county boards hosting them via gate receipts.

But their game with Armagh was called off yesterday, just 40 minutes before the scheduled start. Some people I know had arrived in Crossmaglen but had not yet paid in so at least were spared the extra insult of no refunds.

Everybody who had paid in will instead get free admission to the re-scheduled game, Wednesday week. An evening throw in. How convenient for all the Dubs!

Putting aside the fixture congestion and the difficulties for players the Dubs supporters are being very badly treated this year.

That is now three games called off. The pitch inspection was to be at 12 but the ref was late. That simply cannot be allowed to happen. Could he not phone ahead, get some other official to look at the pitch?

I know there will be a contingent of "good enough for em" begrudgers out there. The argument will be along the lines of " We travel up to Dublin for lots of games every year". But at least you see a game, usually in Croker, which is a fantastic stadium.

It used to be said that the GAA was an amateur organisation run by professionals and that the FAI was the opposite. Lets hope the tables are not being turned. Is it too much to ask to have them both operating professionally