All-Ireland minor winning captains will no longer make acceptance speeches following a ruling by the GAA.

After next Sunday's ESB All-Ireland minor hurling final between Kilkenny and Clare, the winning captain will receive the Irish Press Cup from the Archbishop of Cashel and Emly Dermot Clifford, as is customary, and then proceed directly to the lap of honour with his team-mates.

In a further break with tradition, the archbishop will not make a presentation speech either.

A recommendation to the GAA's National Awards and Presentation Committee, chaired by former Armagh captain Jarlath Burns, to end the practice of speech-making at the minor finals received full approval.

"It came up for discussion at our committee when we were talking about pitch invasions and our committee felt the minor captain's speech should be discontinued," confirmed committee member John Arnold.

"About eight of us were present and it was unanimous. I would say it was about looking at ways of streamlining the whole day and the whole presentation end of it."

The Cork man also said the move would relieve the burden of public oration from players of 17 and 18 years of age.

"I think there were some cases in recent years where minor captains got stuck for words. It is even being argued now that the same should apply to the senior finals." Tweet

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