Garth Brooks concert blow one of sour notes in Páraic Duffy's tenure

The cancelled Garth Brooks concerts, the 2010 Leinster SFC final, the failed 2023 Rugby World Cup bid and the protracted process to redevelop Casement Park have been cited by GAA director general Páraic Duffy as the major disappointments of his 10-year tenure.

Speaking at a Sport for Business breakfast event in Dublin yesterday, Duffy also spoke of the imbalance between club and county but specifically mentioned the above events as being among the lowlights of his time in the role, which concludes at the end of March.

The Brooks’ saga four years ago was a trying one for the GAA and Duffy who, when also faced with the negative reaction to Croke Park’s decision to strike a commercial deal with Sky Sports, indignantly shot down the “Corporate GAA” tag.