GAA Congress Motions Briefing Today

This year’s GAA Congress will take place in Wexford and today will see a special briefing for media on the motions to be put before it.
Congress is the annual forum in which GAA policy is set for the year ahead. Last year there were a total of 40 motions put before the gathering. Some were withdrawn in advance or on the day, others went through almost on the nod and some led to vigorous debate.
One of the motions passed last year was that all GAA properties in Britain should be opened up and made available for use by other sports.
Among those likely to draw attention this year are related ones surrounding the potential opening up of GAA grounds closer to home to other sports. The rule book states at the moment that only Croke Park can be used in certain circumstances but a wider freeing up of facilities is likely to be looked on favourably.
If a new rule had been in place this time last year, the chalenges faced over the staging of the Liam Miller Tribute match at PAirc Ui Chaoimh could have been avoided.
Another likely to come to the fore will be changes to the All Ireland Quarter Final Round or the Super 8 with Donegal putting forward a motion that would deal with the fact of Dublin paying two games at Croke Park while others only got to play one.
We will report tomorrow morning on the issues that are being put forward and where some of the potential flashpoints might be found.