John Horan will take the short journey this morning from his home in Glasnevin to his new office in Croke Park as he starts his first day as President of the GAA.
He stood before Congress in the stadium on Saturday to accept the passing of the medal of office from Aodhán Ó Fearghaill and laid out the first of his priorities to be addressed over the three years of his term.
They will include a focus on Clubs with the formation of a new National Club Committee hopefully leading to a Club Forum where clubs will have a chance to publicly voice their concerns and their ambitions.
The question of amateurism and its central role in the Association will also be a key touchstone and the payment of managers, ten years and more on the sidelines, will likely draw into sharper focus with the emphasis on clubs and individual units taking on responsibility rather than it being driven by central rules that can be circumvented.
“Amateur status is a value and a mindset and the answer is at club and county level,” he told delegates.
Horan comes from an education background and the development of young players was also an important part of his welcome address.
He highlighted the fact of Development squads starting too young and being too focused on creating a sense of elitism and suggested that the Association may look to rein back some of the growth in this area, again putting the emphasis back on club matters.
Horan gave a comprehensive interview to John Harrington on GAA.ie which can be read here. Three years is a short term to have in office, making it essential that he will hit the ground running.
The appointment of a successor to Paraic Duffy as Director general will be one of the first and highest profile decisions to come in his first months with a clear hint that an announcement would be made after the GAA Central Council Meeting on March 23rd.
Duffy was given a warm standing ovation as he signed off his last Congress. The GAA is moving into the next stage of its continued evolution as one of the key pillars of Irish society.
It has been minded and managed by good people up to now. It will continue in strong hands for the foreseeable future.
Sign up today for our free daily news digest covering the commercial world of sport or discover the benefits of becoming a full member alongside the many leading organisations whom we serve.
