Fans make GAA what it is – give them their say

Typical of a lot of what’s produced on this site, this offering is going to begin pointed in one direction and conclude veering off in a completely different one. Now read on…

Let’s begin by dealing with what is – from a personal perspective – the ugly business on this particular ramble. Namely, that nearly nine months have elapsed since this writer sent an email to the personal account of GAA President, Mr Jarlath Burns, imploring him to at least investigate the frankly demeaning state of the disabled viewing facilities in the Association’s flagship stadium. Often referred to as one of the finest stadia on the planet.

It can hardly be considered thus though when such a large swathe of society are so shabbily treated therein. Personally, my gripe with Croke Park is two fold.

Firstly, in solidarity with and on behalf all disabled GAA fans. It is an embarrassing indictment of those steering the ship that 35 years ago, disabled spectators were better looked after than is now the case.

However, of even greater upset to me personally is the fact that, as an honourary life member of the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), I am unable to join my colleagues from the Meath Chronicle in the Press Box on the seventh floor of the Hogan Stand due to there being, as per reply from GAA HQ in early 2023 “Unfortnately no disabled viewing facilities on the Hogan Stand side of the field”.

Except that was exposed as being complete bullsh*t when Cuala clubman Sean Drummond was pictured in the Lower Hogan on the occasion of the Dalkey outfit’s victory over St Mary’s of Ardee in the Leinster Club SFC Final with a group of pals, including RTE broadcaster Des Cahill.

So, quite simply put, if there’s a way to get one into the Hogan, the cat is well and truly out of the bag and the issue cannot simply be fobbed off any longer. Mind you, and it genuinely breaks my heart to say this having not held such high hopes for a GAA President in a long time, more particles are emerging which suggest that at least some of what an t-Uachtarain has said since taking office have merely been soundbites.

Do you remember the litany of examples which were followed by the affirmation “This belongs to you”? It’s very difficult to take such sentiments seriously seeing as the most recognised and best part of the ground is supposedly not accessible to a sizable cohort of GAA fans. For you see, I am fully cognisant of the privileged position I have to my advantage, by way of my line of work and being fortunate enough to have a contact that, in the last two to three years, has made going to matches in Croker a viable proposition again. But the vast majority in my position don’t have such advantages at their disposal. Thus it becomes a matter of strength in numbers being the best – if not only – way of affecting positive change.

Moving away from my own situation, information encountered pertaining to another sport which got me thinking about how the GAA and should involve fans more in decision making within the Association. I can sense you scratching your heads there, just stay with me a moment here. Obviously, one is not talking in terms of playing rules or competition structure, but, how about with the All Stars?

Two of the greatest disgraces ever seen in relation to the annual gongs were (a) Colm O’Rourke being deprived of one in 1988 owing to a draconian dictum which harked back to a time when a grubby triumvirate of groups had far too much say in Irish society. Translation – O’Rourke gets put off in a League game against Armagh in Kells, most likely for pointing out to Sligo official Mickey Kearns what he was, and, in Holy Catholic Ireland. being sent off precluded a player’s selection on the All Star amalgam.

And (b) the occasion on which Meath were recipients of more awards than the Down team which had actually lifted the Sam Maguire. Yes, Meath had contributed massively to a truly remarkable season of Gaelic football, but, at the end of the day, the team who end up with Sam Maguire should be afforded greatest reward at season’s end.

So how about this for an option to shake things up – give fans a say in the All Star selections at the end of each season. Yes, another idea spotted in another sport – NBA to be exact – whereby fans vote on the All Star selection in their own sport. The process being as such that every team’s roster – panel of players basically – is listed on the NBA website, and those of us with NBA accounts (one of a few this writer has to stay in touch certain sports when voids need filling) can vote for whatever players one wants to as often as is desired. Why not implement a similar system with the GAA All Stars?

Because it would be readily wagered that the fans would make a better fist, say, of getting the selection right in 1991. In a similar vain, chances are the TG4 vote for their Goal Of The Year  in both hurling and football would not have been as broad ranging as turned out to be the case if solely selected by the media.

For instance, it’s very unlikely Mat Costello would have seen his mesmeric, meandering masterpiece against Louth in the Allianz would havem made the football list of 15, let alone come in as highly ranked as No. 3.

That said, good and all as that obviously is, how the voters could put anything ahead of Rob Downey’s goal for Cork against Clare in the All Ireland Final is baffling. Such an outcome would cast serious doubts as to their judgement though if there truly is a belief that the fans are a huge part of what makes the GAA what it is, maybe it’s time to start treating them accordingly.