John Fogarty: GAA’s disciplinary crackdown is needed

WARNING: Former GAA president John Horan had previously warned counties who broke Covid training bans that secretaries and county chairs could be penalised. This didn’t occur but new powers could see them held accountable for breaches of suspensions by team officials. File pic: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

After sailing through Central Council last Saturday, the vast majority of the 14 motions put forward by the GAA’s three main disciplinary bodies should be endorsed into rule at Annual Congress in February.

One of the most comprehensive and necessary updates to the GAA Official Guide, it reflects the growing need to fortify order in the wake of violence at games, particularly towards match officials, but also the widespread reluctance to accept punishments.