Páraic Duffy bites back at detractors over ‘corporate GAA’ jibes

GAA director general Páraic Duffy has hit out at the "corporate GAA" characterisation of the organisation.

The expression was last year used by among others Eamon O’Brien, chairman of the Croke Park streets committee, which opposed the Garth Brooks concerts going ahead at GAA HQ, along with the Socialist Workers Party in relation to the Casement Park planning process. In his annual report to Congress, Duffy takes great exception to the portrayal of the organisation.

“Certain commentators, not averse to finding a bandwagon to jump on, and happier with a slogan than serious analysis, got good mileage out of a so-called ‘corporate’ GAA, by which they mean that the priority of the GAA is to make money. This bandwagon, it should be pointed out, was started by some of those opposed to Croke Park concerts. If the charge had any truth in it, it would be a serious matter deserving public discussion.