Final three contenders to become the next director general of the GAA

Now the dust has settled and Paraic Duffy departure comes ever closer I was just wondering what posters opinions are on whom they'd like to succeed him?

Like his predecessor Liam Mulvihill,Duffy greatly impressed on his role.

Before he took the job,his last act as player welfare manager was to broker a peace deal with the Gaelic Players Association to prevent a strike over the issue of player grants.

In the decade since,the GPA has been recognised as the official players’ body and has taken up a place on Central Council.The two bodies have a framework agreement in place up to the end of 2019. Duffy has always been seen as an honest broker by the GPA and the lasting peace between the two sides is in no small part attributable to his efforts.

During his reign there has been an increased levels of commercialism within the organisation no more exemplified than by the original SKY deal.To many members this pay to view deal is an anathema to the spirit of the association.

Although the most democratic of organisations voted to reject an opportunity to return to free to air at the 2016 Congress.Opposition persists with a petition in place instigated by former Wexford hurler Diarmuid Lyng.

One of Duffy’s earliest declarations 10 years ago was that he was going to be a voice for clubs.

How successful he has been is open to question?A resounding success.Few would argue that to be the case in 2017.The necessity for the formation of Club Players Association in January of this year would suggest much the opposite.Duffy has long made his frustrations clear at the inability of county boards to run their club competitions in a timely manner but in the end,he did accept that the intercounty game was swallowing the clubs whole.The official recognition of CPA is likely to be an issue for resolution by the next director general.

The new calendar year with the previously unimaginable moving of the All Irelands to August,abolition of replays except in the finals frees up more time for the playing of club fixtures.Will intercounty managers show their players to play in the club designated month of April?

So what are the challenges for the GAA?There is the perceived disconnect between the money men/suits and the grassroots.This challenge manifests itself in the vital fight to retain the overall amateur ethos within the organisation.

The reduced participation rates: the very real issue of rural depopulation,competition from other sports,a greater focus on academia amongst the vital cohort transitioning from minor to senior grades.The very real and serious issue of injures reducing players quality of life in later years.Hence many are retiring much earlier than in previous times.

The crazy demands placed on inter county players has to be tackled.Training levels and time commitments are major factors in players retiring earlier.The super 8s and group stages in the hurling will only increase these demands.
Players will start looking for more in return and this will threaten the amateur status the GAA wishes to retain.There is no easy fix.


The issue of a more equitable funding model seems to be coming into sharper focus too.

Is the GAA giving up too much ground to it's competitors by moving the All Ireland finals to the month of August?

So what of the contenders?

TBH others will be better informed on the credentials and past achievements of the contenders.I would primarily be seeking a candidate who evolved from the grassroots of the GAA and possesses of a certain level of financial acumen.


I am unaware of any standout achievements that one directly attribute to Liam O Neill?A steady as you go former president and chairman of the Leinster council who has sat on many committees.A candidate with many of the attributes associated with your county board type official.

Tom Ryan who is the current financial director of the GAA.I know very little about him except he's the treasurer of Faughs GAA club and seems to be particularly effective with the monies.But he a bit too much of a behind the scenes man?Does he have a public profile with the GAA community at large?

Liam Sheedy is a former Tipperary hurler,ultimately successful Tipperary manager.I thought Tipp were very unlucky to only win one All Ireland in that particular period when they were the main challengers to the greatest hurling team of the modern era.He greatly impresses me with his media commentary.He strikes me as somebody who has a great passion for hurling and is currently advising the Antrim hurling management.He is employed as the provincial director of Bank of Ireland.

He's my pick.:)