It’s all over bar the shouting.
And there is going to be plenty of that after the GAA wrapped up the key part of its annual Congress in Carlow on Saturday evening.
The weekend will not have done anything to reassure GAA players, both at club and county level, that the men in power in the association are serious in tackling the issue of burnout, or fixture congestion.
Instead of adjusting the playing calendar, the biggest issue emerging from Barrowside is how club players appear to have been forgotten once again.
Clubs being absolutely screwed at Congress.
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) February 27, 2016
Brolly’s frustration was in response to motions earlier that were rejected which would have seen an end to various replays in the GAA, and demand a result on the day.
He was also responding to the idea, from Paraic Duffy, that the All-Irelands be moved forward two weeks, which was also rejected.
Motion to bring forward the All-Ireland finals by two weeks, ie hurling final in August FAILS (60.8%) #GAA #sportlive
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) February 27, 2016
Motion to apply extra-time to all senior championship games excluding All-Ireland and provincial finals FAILS (57.5%) #GAA #sportlive
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) February 27, 2016
The frustration among current players was obvious.
On a side note!! Who'd be a club footballer?
— Alan Brogan (@alanbrogan13) February 27, 2016
https://twitter.com/EamonMcGee/status/703584545019465728
The morning’s early talking point was the introduction of the mark, while the afternoon began with a discussion about the future role of Sky in relation to broadcasting games.
TV Rights being discussed at GAA Congress now. Dublin Motion that all Televised Championship games shall be available on free to air TVz
— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) February 27, 2016
After a heated debate, and several contributions, the motion from the Dublin County Board was defeated.
Dublin: Paid TV subverts equality and reduces the size of the audience, dividing those who can and can't pay. #GAA
— John Fogarty (@JohnFogartyIrl) February 27, 2016
Excellent contribution from ex-President Nicky Brennan on Sky debate. Must not tie the hands of GAA negotiators in TV deal #gaa
— Sean McGoldrick (@SeanMcGoldrick1) February 27, 2016
Motion on TV Rights exclusive to free to air TV heavily defeated at GAA Congress . Yes 15.3% No 84.7%
— Marty Morrissey (@MartyM_RTE) February 27, 2016
Dublin’s Michael Darragh Macauley summed it all up this afternoon.
Dear GAA,
Stop messing with the rules,
Kind regards,
Everyone.— Michael D Macauley 🍉 (@MDMA_9) February 27, 2016
Elsewhere today Antrim’s proposal for a change to the Leinster championship was approved.
Christy Ring Cup winners will play in same year's Leinster SHC quarter-finals after @AontroimGAA motion wins 80% support. Effective 2017
— Antrim GAA (@AontroimGAA) February 27, 2016
While a Clare motion to open up all county grounds to so called ‘foreign sports’ was also rejected.
Clare motion to open Croke Park and all principal county grounds to other sports FAILS (23.5%) #GAA #sportlive via @JohnFogartyIrl
— EchoLive.ie (@echolivecork) February 27, 2016
However motions to eliminate the All-Ireland junior football and intermediate hurling championship also failed.
But the overwhelming feeling is once again an opportunity lost for radical change in the GAA.
Think all the free steak has gone to the dinosaur delegates' heads at Congress. Club football strangled, and the "Mark" is a complete joke!
— Darren MacGaoithin (@weemenace) February 27, 2016
Thoughts on GAA congress: (feels like emojis are sufficient)
The Mark 😕🤔 👎🏻
Sky decision 👍🏻
U17/U20 😐
Not to shorten IC season: 😪😡😤👎🏻#GAA— Tomás Quinn (@mossyquinn) February 27, 2016
This Congress illustrates how deeply unprincipled the GAA has become. How low can we go?
— Joe Brolly (@JoeBrolly1993) February 27, 2016
