Fogarty Forum: Training ban breaches erode the GAA's amateur ethos

Last February, GAA president Jarlath Burns spoke about how counties rubbished his idea of taking a leaf out of the NFL’s book and installing cameras at centres of excellence.

July All-Ireland finals and front-ended seasons where bang must follow buck have only fuelled that desperation to get going before the gun. Picture: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

Punctuated with some smear to offset the Christmas cheer, Ulster secretary Brian McAvoy’s annual report landed in email baskets on New Year’s Eve.

With one hand, McAvoy hailed Armagh, Tyrone and Derry in collecting the All-Ireland senior, U20 and minor honours in 2024. With the other, he pointed a finger at counties looking to get an illegal head-start for 2025.