Cooney sets sights on amateurism

IN A wide ranging and long running (as long as his previous two put together) annual address, GAA president Christy Cooney announced details of a plan to address the issue of amateurism.

At the end of last year director general Páraic Duffy presented a discussion paper to the GAA’s management committee, which considered approaches to the matter of payments to managers. To date the paper hasn’t been seen by the association at large.

Spelling out his support for traditional values within the GAA, Cooney also said: “This is a cancer running through our organisation which is nurtured and supported by poor or complete abdication of leadership and sometimes carefully orchestrated through supporters clubs or so-called friends of the GAA, people very often with an interest in the realisation of short-term goals only and no interest or understanding of our rules and regulations.

“What is the point of our so called voluntary ethos and our amateur status? Why are we in denial? Why do we proclaim our values and then fail to deliver? Is it not time to stand up and be counted? The time has come to answer these questions.

“With this in mind I propose to call together the Chairpersons, Secretaries, Treasurers and Central Council delegates to a discussion forum within the next two months to gather their views on this topic.

“I will also use the opportunity for the Ard-Stiúrthóir to make a presentation on his paper and hopefully agree on a set of possible outcomes for further consideration by Coiste Bainistí­ to be presented to Ard Chomhairle for consideration and ratification.

“I don’t mind admitting that this is a serious challenge but is also one that must be tackled. A lack of adherence to our rules must be addressed and I believe the only solution is the withdrawal of financial support to our counties that break our rules.”

Another issue that featured strongly was the president’s reservations about the efficiency of congress and annual conventions.

“In this context,” he said, “I am establishing a group to examine the workings and functionality of congress and our provincial and county conventions and we will endeavour to act on their findings in due course.” The president did however commend the passing of Motion 3 in the morning, a proposal from Central Council to create the post of Children’s Officer on county committees.

In another passage, likely to raise eyebrows, Cooney revisited his involvement in the Dublin sub-committee of the 2002 Strategic Review Committee, which proposed the division of Dublin into two county units, north and south.

“In the context of the positive change brought about by their (Antrim’s and Galway’s) inclusion in Leinster, we should ask ourselves whether there are further changes that we should be considering to our provincial championships and to our provincial structures generally.

“Do we need a more even spread of counties in each province? Should we dispense with the ancient geographical borders of the four provinces and seek instead to realign our provinces along more practical lines, in a manner that better suits the Association’s needs in the 21st century?

“Similarly is it realistic for Dublin – and a quarter of the population – to be catered for by one single County Board?”

There was briefly a danger that the speech would be interrupted by protestors, who gained access to the hall in order to demonstrate against the GAA’s plans to redevelop the old handball centre, which is also used for community facilities, at the back of Croke Park. Eventually after exchanging words with director general Páraic Duffy they were escorted back outside.

Full speech available online at irishtimes.com/sport