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Irish Mirror
Irish Mirror
Sport
Robert Hynes

GAA fans divided on splitting Dublin into different teams debate

GAA fans are divided on the idea of the Dublin footballers being split into different teams.

The Dubs are into their sixth consecutive All-Ireland final after cruising to victory against Cavan on Saturday night.

Speaking after the game, former Meath player Colm O'Rourke claimed that every other county is "wasting their time" unless Dublin are divided into "three or four teams".

The comments sparked huge debate on social media, with some in favour of splitting Dublin and others opposed.

Former GAA President Sean Kelly said: "Having been centrally involved in getting the funding to strengthen #gaa in Dublin, which @Dubs_gaa has used brilliantly, I can say ‘mission accomplished’, so why continue with the mission ?? Time for new mission - help other counties before it’s too late!"

But Dublin GAA legend Bernard Brogan believes the financial debate is unfairly overlooking how good the Dubs players are.

He tweeted: "Clinical display from Dublin, my argument is that this Dublin financial debate is masking the conversation about how good these Dublin players are, Once in a generation players in full flow!"

On splitting Dublin up, one fan said: "Love all the split Dublin up comments we gonna split the Dublin hurlers up as well or is it just the footballers that have an unfair advantage."

Another person added: "Watching the rest of the country cry over Dublin winning has me giggling to myself because... Where was this energy when the Kilkenny hurlers were dominating the game? Or with the Cork ladies football/camogie? If Dublin are split up, these teams will have to be split as well."

Someone in favour of splitting Dublin in two, commented: "They have done a great job, but it is increasingly difficult for other countries to keep up. Having all your panel working in Dublin is a massive advantage. Don’t cut funding but the numbers and advantages are too much at inter county level now."

Dublin's Robbie McDaid celebrates scoring a goal (©INPHO/James Crombie)

One other person said: "A once great sport. Not now. GAA can't follow the commercial/professional model of soccer where major cities can compete against each other. Split Dublin in 4 now. So many people losing interest (and many long before now)."

But one supporter believes splitting Dublin into a number of teams could cause even more problems.

He posted: "Opening up the possibility that they will dominate Leinster to an even greater extent! I mean I agree they should be split up but that does open the door to another dark scenario. Imagine 3 Dublin teams in Div 1?!"

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