‘The top of the organisation is totally out of sync with grassroots’: Seven managers have their say on 'Super 8' debate

County managers have their say on the highest profile change made at the GAA’s Annual Congress...

Dublin manager Jim Gavin

“The first thing is we need to respect the decision that Congress has made; it’s a democratic decision made by all of the county delegates who represent the clubs. I think anything that’s good for club players and that’s the aim of it, I believe, to make more of a gap for club activities... you can only promote that. The proposals haven’t changed much. All any team is guaranteed is nine games in the season – seven in the normal schedule of your National Football League games, and two championship games. And that’s all we’re guaranteed. I think we all accept that isn’t good enough. We’re looking for strong leadership from Croke Park. I think Páraic Duffy has given it in this case – as he did back in 2000 when he got the qualifiers (passed) and I do recall a lot of angst around the country about that, and that was proven a success. So I would hope that there’s a broader plan, and this might be a phase of that broader plan. I would hope that the Ard Stiurthoir and Croke Park would come out strongly and articulate what the vision is.”