Mulvihill to step down as GAA director general

Liam Mulvihill has today announced his retirement as director general of the GAA, a position he has held for the past 28 years.

Mulvihill, a native of Kenagh in Co Longford, is the GAA's second longest serving director general in its history having served in the most senior administrative office in the Association since 1979.

Only Paddy O'Keefe, who served from 1929 to 1964, has had a longer tenure in office.

Mulvihill is the holder of Leinster and All-Ireland senior Colleges football medals with St Mel's. He played inter-county football with Longford at all grades.

Aged just 23, he became vice-chairman of the Longford County Board and at 24 he became chairman. He was a member of the GAA's Central Council for many years before his appointment as director general.

Mulvihill was educated at St Patrick's College, Drumcondra, UCD, Maynooth College and UCG. He worked as a primary school teacher and later as a school inspector before accepting the post of director general.

He also filled various roles with state bodies throughout his career including the RTÉ Authority, Bord na Gaeilge, the Irish Sports Council and he was a member of the board of the Sports Campus Ireland project at Abbottstown.

A statement from the GAA praised Mulvihill for "guiding the GAA through the conflict in the six counties, the evolution of its infrastructure countrywide, and being the catalyst in the development of the games, their primary competitive structures and their promotion".

"He also oversaw the era of live television, sponsorship and the commercial mobilisation of the GAA," the statement added.

Mulvihill will be remembered for having created the concept of the new Croke Park and was the one central and constant dynamic in bringing the massive project from genesis to fruition.

He is to remain at the GAA until his successor is appointed early next year.