GAA:Outgoing president Christy Cooney described payments to managers as a "cancer running through our organistaion" at the GAA's Annual Congress in Mullingar last night.
Cooney said he intends to organise a discussion forum for leading county officials and Central Council delegates after GAA director general Páraic Duffy complied a paper on the issue.
“I am of the opinion that we should continue to scrutinise and examine the effectiveness and merit of the system that runs the Association and I include Congress in this reference." said Cooney at the Mullingar Park Hotel.
“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.”
Cooney went on to question the effectiveness of the GAA’s Annual Congress and also wishes to establish a working group to make Congress more effective.
“Just because something has always been with us in a particular guise does not mean that it is still functioning to the same level of efficiency,” he added.
At a gathering of over 350 delegates Cooney also confirmed a new pricing structure will be announced before this summer’s Championship and is “very conscious of the current economic situation”.