Duffy: GAA must reach out to all

The GAA must reach out to all communities if it is to remain a vibrant sporting organisation, its new Director General Paraic Duffy said today.

The Co Monaghan official said everybody was welcome to big games at Croke Park including the North's First Minister Rev Ian Paisley.

But he insisted the GAA would not embarrass any individuals by issuing them with official invitations.

Mr Duffy also said the Ulster Council was working very hard to attract players and supporters from all communities.

He told his first press conference at Croke Park: “There is good movement from the Ulster Council in terms of attracting people that would not normally support our Association.”

Mr Duffy, who began his seven-year-term on February 1, succeeds veteran GAA man Liam Mulvihill in the high-profile role.

Mr Duffy added: “That is a serious challenge for us, in terms of trying to recruit people north and south.

“Ireland’s population has changed dramatically in the past decade and the GAA must respond and adapt to that.

“I don’t want to be drawn on any specific communities, but we must appeal to them all to keep growing and stay vibrant.”

Last month, DUP Stormont Minister Edwin Poots attended a GAA game in Newry and Mr Duffy confirmed everyone, including the First Minister Rev Paisley, would be welcomed to Croke Park.

He added: “We don’t want to embarrass people or put them on the spot by sending them an invitation.

“Croke Park is open to everybody whatever race, colour, background – it doesn’t matter – they’re all welcome.”

Mr Duffy dealt with a wide range of issues during the hour-long press conference including sponsorship, the international rules series and the players’ dispute in Co Cork.

The official later left the press conference to travel to Cork in a bid to resolve the long-running deadlock.

Mr Duffy, who is aged in his 50s, was the GAA’s Player Welfare Manager before rising to the director general’s job.

He was a selector on the Monaghan senior football team from 1983 to 1987 and was the International Rules Tour Manager in Australia in 2001.

The official also holds club coaching qualifications and has been involved with training underage teams.

Meanwhile, Croke Park is set to attract a record 2.2 million people this year between GAA games, rugby and soccer internationals and visitors to the GAA Museum.

The Republic of Ireland plays Brazil at the stadium tomorrow evening and the Irish rugby team take on Scotland in the Six Nations on February 23.

Stadium director Peter McKenna said: “The fact that an international friendly against Brazil can bring in more than 70,000 spectators tomorrow evening also shows the attractiveness of Croke Park as a sporting venue.”