News: Ian O'Riordan hears how GAA president Seán Kelly wants to break the GAC into two committees.

GAA president Seán Kelly has firmly declared that standards of player discipline, and the fair administration of it, have in no way changed under the new chairmanship of the Games Administration Committee (GAC). Kelly's comments came with confirmation that the GAC had arranged a meeting for Croke Park last night to deal with two controversial cases of recent weeks.

An announcement is expected later today on how the GAC has ruled on the case of Tipperary hurler Eamonn Corcoran, who is facing the prospect of a 12-week suspension arising from an incident in the hurling league on April 20th. Confirmation is also expected on the course of action against Tyrone centre back Gavin Devlin for his apparent stamping incident during Sunday's football league final at Croke Park.

Discipline in general was brought back into the news last week when the GAC cleared three other hurlers of any offence after examining video evidence to investigate incidents during the Kilkenny-Tipperary hurling league game of April 13th. That decision was widely perceived to indicate a softer approach by the GAC under the new chairmanship of Tony O'Keeffe, but yesterday Kelly made a strong point of dismissing all such suspicions.

"Well if there is any impression out there that things might have changed," he said, "I want to make it clear that in fact nothing has. We will still have the highest possible standards of discipline, and the fairest possible administration of it.

"My predecessor Seán McCague made a great effort to establish high standards in discipline. And there is going to be no slackening of that effort. The rules are there to be observed, and everyone has to abide by them as long as they are there. And that's exactly what I hope will be achieved by the new GAC over their next term."

Kelly had anticipated some problems in the transition between O'Keeffe and the previous chairman Pauric Duffy, who had helped establish clear guidelines in regard to GAC decisions. Yet he remains confident under the new chairmanship the GAC can continue to uphold those high standards.

"The fact is the GAC is the one committee that I actually have very little input. All the members bar the chairman are elected, and many of them are still there from last year and the years before. So the only person I actually appointed was the chairman.

"At the same time everyone realises that it is a very important committee, and is probably one of the most responsible to the association, both in terms of fixtures and discipline. But I've said it before that I think they have too much responsibility."

What Kelly envisages is that the GAC will be broken into two committees in order to reduce the level of that responsibility, while also improving the running of the two areas.

"I can't do anything about it this year, but I would hope to get a motion to congress next year that would divide the committee into two. With fixtures in one section, and discipline in another one. And I think that would be better for everyone.

"Part of that has to do with the fact that there are so many more games now. But also there would be more independence, in that one section couldn't be accused of watching what was going to happen in the other situation. And I think you need that kind of independence at that level."

The main talking about the recent GAC decisions surrounded video evidence, and how powerful a role it would play in upholding or enforcing disciplinary measures. One of the main functions of last night's meeting was to examine the television pictures from Croke Park last Sunday, from a match where Devlin was clearly seen to bring both boots down on the legs of Laois' Colm Parkinson.

A decision will then be made on whether the Tyrone player will be summoned to their next meeting the following Wednesday. Though he only received a yellow card at the time, the video evidence could be used to enforce the penalty for stamping, which is a 12-week suspension.

Corcoran appeared at the previous GAC meeting, but a decision on his fate was deferred pending further clarification. Crucial to his case is the role of the game's fourth official in the apparent reporting of a strike with the hurl, which also carries a 12-week suspension.

Kelly, however, was not in a position to comment on any of those cases.

"Obviously the GAC did what they saw was fit in the situation," he said, "but it would be unwise to comment on what may or may not have happened.

"What is important is that the players are treated with respect, and I suppose if there is to be the benefit of any doubt, then I think the players should get that benefit, in any situation. But what is also important is that everyone realises there is no softening in our attitude to discipline, and having the highest possible standards.

"And the fact is that standards have improved, and particularly over the last three years. There has also been a lot of effort put in to improving the standards of refereeing, and everything in that regard has helped to improve the game."