Mulcahy column: GPA and GAA agreement is good news
18 December 2009This is a decision that was long overdue in my eyes. As an organisation we could no longer pull in opposite direction and falling out over simple matters like looking after player welfare, providing job opportunities for those out of work, better promotion and branding of our games was not acceptable.
These were the issues that were always making the headlines but the most crucial one, and the issue that I believe was causing most concern with the rank and file members of the GAA, was pay for play.
Having read in Donal Og Cusack's book that this avenue had been examined thoroughly and was not feasible in this day and age certainly helped to bring this agreement together. Once pay for play was off the agenda, Croke Park officials were then ready to put pen to paper and rightly so.
There is no way that Pay for Play could be entertained as it would have resulted in a two tier system in the GAA and would have been detrimental to our club structures and amateur status.
It is now time to forget the past and build on relationships that will ensure our national games going forward will go from strength to strength. We must put proposals together that will encompass all areas of the association and not just inter county structures. What benefits would I like to see from this merger of minds?
- Best Amateur package available to all inter county teams
- Gaelic Games as part of curriculum in GAA Schools
- Government to pay teachers for extra hours given to GAA
- Review and Amend with immediate effect Club Structures
- One Award scheme for year (either GPA or All Star awards)
- Review of third level competitions and time frame to complete these
These are just some of the issues I feel need to be addressed and done so as soon as possible. We have a wonderful product and need to maximize its potential on all fronts, but importantly we need to ensure we do not overburden all the work on a few individuals. The GAA needs to be an enjoyable association to give your time to and it will be time well spent for the good of our country.
AIB Club Championship Once again the old order seems to have been restored at national level as far as the clubs are concerned with the fancied teams all progressing to All-Ireland semi-final stage.
In Leinster Ballyhale Shamrocks have set themselves up with an eagerly awaited meeting with Newtownshandrum - and this has all the ingredients of a cracking game. It will remain to be seen whether the Kilkenny players in this squad will be able to keep the enthusiasm going over the winter months. For them it has been a long year and training and playing matches at this time of the season will certainly take its toll. Two lads who will be keen to set a marker are TJ and Eoin Reid. If they come up with more good performances throughout the remainder of this campaign, then it will be very hard for Mr Cody to ignore them any longer.
In Munster, the Newtownshandrum boys are on the march again and having got a fright from Ballygunner in the final, they will be happy to put the feet up and take a breather before they meet the Shamrocks in February. Again three of the older stalwarts have been very prominent for them. Ben and Jerry have come to the forefront again and Pat Mulcahy has got a new lease of life, but it is the younger brigade of Ryan Clifford and Jamie Coughlan who have caught my eye. They have bought into the Newtown style of play with ease and have contributed in a serious manner to their victories to date. They are certainly two stars to watch out for.
Ahead of the other semi-final, Portumna had no provincial test and have been untested over the winter. Some people will tell you that their training will only begin seriously now and they would have to be fancied to go through and beat Dunloy.
2010 - What will it bring us? Over the closed season every manager will be assessing his team and thinking how it can be improved for the year ahead. This is what I think is needed by the main contenders:
Kilkenny - The introduction of maybe two or three new faces to keep up the competition for places
Tipperary -They need the same as last year but must learn from 2009 - Goals win matches!
Cork - An injection of new blood desperately needed - Look out for 6ft 7in -Michael Cussen
Galway - Need to find the killer instinct. They have the players but they cannot afford to lose matches they dominate
Waterford- Must get the best out of what's left - it is their last chance saloon!
Limerick - Need a new face to restore pride and confidence
Clare - Need to give the younger players their opportunity
Dublin - Improve on 2009. They should treat the national league as their All-Ireland and try to get to final
Wexford - Need to find a George O'Connor or another Martin Storey - a leader who will die for Wexford and bring the rest with him
Offaly - They have to believe in their manager - he is the best they have and has done it all before
We might see a few managerial changes before the season ends and player power is certainly on the increase. That is something that can never be taken for granted again.