GAA director general Ryan: 'It's the right direction for us to move on'

MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION: Ard Stiúrthóir of the GAA Tom Ryan makes a speech discussing motion 9, regarding the associations policy to maintain gender balance in the membership of the Central Council Management Comittee, during the GAA Special Congress at Croke Park in Dublin. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

GAA director general Tom Ryan maintained the threat of State funding being withdrawn should have been peripheral to the organisation’s decision to vote for gender balance on its governing committee.

From February next year, management committee (Coiste Bainisti) will have 40% female representation after 78.5% of Special Congress delegates backed the Central Council motion on Saturday.