Centre of excellence boost for hurling
The initiative, which was commissioned by GAA president Christy Cooney, will be unveiled in the coming weeks.
However O’Neill, who chaired the committee charged with developing the game, lifted the lid on what the pending report will recommend.
And he explained one of the primary hopes behind the move is to improve the standard of hurling in second tier counties such as those in Division 2.
“In the hurling plan that I’ve been involved in the last year, we’re looking at providing a centre of excellence for hurling,” said O’Neill.
“It’s where the best research will be available to everybody, that the likes of Carlow and Antrim shouldn’t have to go and source expertise in dietary, strength conditioning and whatever it takes to give an edge to be an inter-county hurler.
“We should be able to provide that for those who cannot afford it themselves so that everybody has access to best information.
“We can never fully equalise it but we can take steps to improve things and I think we have to keep on finding ways of doing that.
“Antrim, Laois, Carlow, Westmeath and those who aspire to be in the top group have to join us in that quest and have to do their part and come up with their side of the bargain and give their club players a programme of games and keep them involved and take whatever steps are necessary to breed good inter-county players.”
O’Neill has also hinted at transforming third level fixtures, with inter-county players in colleges being restricted to playing in the premier competitions, the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cups.
“We probably should be in a situation where the Sigerson and the Fitzgibbon can be for the best players in the colleges but the ordinary leagues should be for non inter-county players.
“If we made those sort of changes we’d free up a huge amount of space. We’d give the young lads who are from the less fashionable counties a chance to play third level. It would bring them on and we would constantly be providing a new crop of players for inter-county activity.”
In his acceptance speech in the Mullingar Park Hotel last night, O’Neill defended his position as an uncontested candidate for the position of succeeding Cooney.
Speaking to the press before his speech, the Trumera native explained he had done a lot of hard work before Christmas in ensuring he had sufficient support — backing which contributed ton Tipperary’s Con Hogan and then Donegal’s Tom Daly to withdraw their candidacy (Sheamus Howlin later withdrew to back O’Neill).
“Some people have expressed the view that it might be bad for me or for the Association that I have been elected unopposed.
“If the role I’m taking on was viewed by me as a right to govern then the matter of a mandate might be relevant.
“I view this role as a role of service to a wonderful Association. Service needs no mandate and I will be pleased to serve you all, happy in the knowledge that I have your support.”
O’Neill was also self-deprecating, professing his hope to make the GAA more enjoyable to people at the same time acknowledging he is not widely known as a humorous individual.
“At times lately we have begun to take things too seriously at the expense of the fun side of being involved in the GAA. I want to do the important things well but I want people to enjoy being part of our wonderful organisation.
“I know some of you are thinking that it’s odd that a person with a reputation for seriousness should be saying this but I put it to you that if a person who loathes elections could be elected without an election then it’s not beyond the bounds that a former serious person could help put a smile on the faces of others.”
O’Neill thanked his family and community for their support, especially his wife, his three children and 89-year-old mother.
“She would love to be here but normally she would be on her way to bed at this time so sensibly she is at home in Trumera.
“She watched the proceedings in Sligo on the web and is listening to this via a mobile phone connection.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
