Éamonn Fitzmaurice joins Gavin-led football review body

New GAA president Jarlath Burns confirmed Fitzmaurice will be a member of the body along with Glen manager Malachy O’Rourke

Sun, 25 Feb, 2024 - 06:00

John Fogarty

Kerry’s 2014 All-Ireland SFC winning manager Éamonn Fitzmaurice will form part of the Jim Gavin-led football review committee.

New GAA president Jarlath Burns confirmed Fitzmaurice will be a member of the body along with Glen manager Malachy O’Rourke who recently led the club to All-Ireland success, current Kildare coach Colm Nally and former Clare boss Colm Collins.

It is expected an interim report will be completed by the taskforce in December possibly followed by a trial period starting in next year’s pre-season games before proposals to Special Congress in late 2025.

“I felt I really needed big names from the world of football, who have managed at the highest level,” explains Burns.

“They understand the game, how to coach the game. I met Jim Gavin four times. I've been having meetings with him now since October. I have to be honest, I have never met somebody as impressive as he is.

"Even all of the preparations we have done, linking the rationale back to the strategic plan, doing all of that work that has to be done, putting out the terms of reference.

“He thinks in a way that nobody else I know thinks, his higher level thinking skills are incredible. I know that he is going to bring all of those skills to that post, as well as all of the incredible people, who are on the committee.”

Defining what makes a good spectacle will be on the committee’s agenda.

“You can go to 10 matches, you can see 10 incredible matches, and you think the game is brilliant. Then you go to two or three matches and they aren't so,” remarked Burns.

“As well as that the match between Derry and Donegal, the Ulster final two years ago. An awful lot of people, including myself, watched that game – an incredible game of attrition, where there was unbelievable skills of football in that half forward/half back area where they were passing it, waiting for a break.

“A lot of people really enjoyed that, and a lot of people said that this isn't what this game should be. So, one of the first things we are going to have to do is figure out what does constitute a good game of football.”