“The players and managers are not motivated to promote the game.”
Bernard Brogan isn’t exactly shy when it comes to the media, and was always actively involved with interviews, charity fundraising, and speaking events during his playing career.
The Dublin legend believes that the GAA has a lot more personality to show however, and that the media silence from the dressing room makes for a poor build up to some of the biggest games.
Even Brogan himself had to tone it down when Jim Gavin took over as Dublin manager, and there was a simple refusal from players to say retry much anything really.
In every press conference or interview, the players would say something without really saying anything at all. Cliches, one-word answers, and the classic “putting the team first” line just being churned out over and over again.
Now happily retired, and a fan rather than a player, Brogan wants to see the GAA, managers and county stars making more of an effort in front of the camera.
“People say we started it,” he tells the Irish Independent.
“No one is saying the people who are naturally quiet have to talk to the media, but in a room of 30 people there are personalities of all different shapes and sizes and plenty that are willing to give their opinion on different things in a protected way,” he reasons.
“We’re not hearing from the personalities because they’re afraid to – and obviously I was, at times, afraid to. But I did a bit of it and then we were curtailed in certain ways because . . . what’s the point? The players and managers are not motivated to promote the game.”
“But with co-operation between all the stakeholders, media included, players might be more encouraged.
“We are competing against other sports, competing against computer games, mental-health issues, obesity. GAA is one of our most amazing games because of the value set is has, and how do we promote kids to look up to these heroes?”
