THE GAA says it will aim to “achieve a better balance between club and county fixtures” as part of its new three-year strategic plan released yesterday.
The issue is one of a number the organisation plans to address before 2021, with a review of the current format of senior inter-county championships also on the agenda.
Both the All-Ireland football and hurling championships have undergone significant change this season, and while both are on three-year trial periods, there won’t be any change until at least the end of the 2019 season.
The strategic plan also says there is a need to “define amateur status in a GAA context in the modern era”, and to identify behaviours which are acceptable or not acceptable “in line with our amateur status”.
Paraic Duffy repeatedly spoke out against the payment of managers during his time at the helm, but it remains to be seen whether that is an issue the GAA either want to tackle, or feel they are able to.
The plan has five main goals in total – to improve participation, to transform the development of volunteers, to advance governance, revamp communication, and grow the Association.
It was produced by a steering group headed by new president John Horan, and which included current Ard Stiurthoir Tom Ryan, his predecessor Paraic Duffy and current Waterford hurler Noel Connors.
Ulster natives Ciarán McLaughlin (Tyrone), Sean Dunnion (Donegal) and Ruairi Harvey (GAA’s Organisational Development Manager and Donegal native) were also among the 14-person committee.
