Tommy Martin: At its political crossroads the GAA needs something bolder than consensus

Getting it right with the football championship might be a panacea for a whole swathe of gripes and ailments, especially those of the counties that lie outside the elite handful

Getting it right with the football championship might be a panacea for a whole swathe of gripes and ailments, especially those of the counties that lie outside the elite handful

Though soon to be at a loose end, it’s unlikely Angela Merkel’s next career move will be into GAA high office. Which is a shame, because her previous employment would have prepared ‘Mutti’ well for the Croke Park mandarin class.

Fifteen years of ‘Merkelism’ brought Germany stability in a time of wider chaos. The outgoing chancellor’s careful, consensus-based leadership navigated the country and the wider European movement through several major crises. She was not one for divisive speeches, bold initiatives or catchy slogans. The German verb ‘merkeln’ means “to do nothing, make no decision or statement”.