Kelly hints at a review of GAA workforce

PRESIDENT-ELECT Sean Kelly believes that the GAA needs to achieve a finer balance between the people who work on a voluntary basis for the association and those who earn a livelihood from it.

Addressing the Munster Council awards dinner in Limerick, he hinted that a review of the policy could be part of his strategy when he takes over leadership in four months time, saying: "It's a time to stand back and look at where we are going.

"There is a tendency nowadays to say that the answer to every problem is to employ a full-time person. That is a dangerous road and isn't necessary. We need to look at what we can afford, what is desirable and the age profile of those we should be employing. Maybe we should be taking professional advice on it."

He lauded the commitment of people who were prepared to give of their time on a voluntary basis for the association, commenting: "Anybody who does that, whether he be an official, an officer, a referee, a supporter or a player, deserves respect.

"It's important that we stand up for one another, that where things are wrong they are set right, and where things are said which aren't right, that people should stand up and be counted, too.

"For that reason, I was pleased to see that Kerry captain Darragh Ó'Se denied certain allegations that were made in some media outlets regarding Kerry players.

"That's the kind of courage you want. We should stand up for the players and they stand up for officials if needs be all together as a family, and working together throughout the association."

Stressing the importance of camogie and ladies football to the association, Kelly said it was his wish they would put more emphasis on encouraging young girls in particular to play games and that at club level they provide opportunities for them to do so.

"That is one of the key points of the Strategic Review report that we would integrate as far as possible all our activities, because by keeping together we can be stronger."

Wishing Kelly well in his presidency, council chairman Christy Cooney acknowledged that the GAA was facing a challenging period ahead.

"We are in a time of change, when we have to closely look at how we manage our association, how we respond to change how we develop it in the future," he commented.

"Everybody knows what those challenges are. We must meet them in a positive way, in what's best for our players, our officials and our patrons who come in through the turnstiles.

"However, I think we can look forward with optimism as to where the association will go in the future, he said."

Cooney pointed out that in addition to grant-aiding the Limerick Gaelic Grounds, Semple Stadium and Páirc Uí Rinn, they had allocated 1.4m in the current year towards the development of club facilities in the province.

* The respective Hall of Fame awards were presented to former Clare hurler star Dan McInerney and to Babs Keating for his football exploits.