Breaking: Kerry Manager Jack O’Connor Shoots Down Idea of Paying Inter-County GAA Managers
In a bombshell revelation, reigning All-Ireland champion Kerry manager Jack O’Connor has poured cold water on the idea of paid inter-county GAA managers, stating that such a move would lead to paying players as well, something he firmly opposes. Speaking on RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport, the five-time All-Ireland winner argued that the association cannot afford to go semi-professional, insisting, “I can’t see how the GAA could sustain a semi-professional game. It’s still an amateur organisation.” O’Connor’s views clash with those of GAA President Jarlath Burns, who established a review committee to tackle the issue of alleged unofficial payments to managers. O’Connor also suggested a new rule preventing players from returning the ball into their own half after crossing the midfield line, similar to basketball’s ‘back-court’ rule.
Breaking: Kerry Manager Jack O’Connor Shoots Down Idea of Paying Inter-County GAA Managers
In a bombshell interview, reigning All-Ireland-winning manager Jack O’Connor has poured cold water on the suggestion that inter-county GAA managers could be paid for their work. The news, which could have significantly altered the landscape of Gaelic games, has left fans and pundits alike buzzing with discussion.
GAA’s Stance on Manager Pay: A Thorny Issue
GAA President Jarlath Burns established the Amateur Status Review Committee (ASRC) last year to tackle the thorny issue of unofficial payments to managers. The thought was that making manager positions official and paid would bring the murky ‘black economy’ into the open and allow the association to regulate it.
O’Connor: Paying Managers Could Lead to Paying Players
Speaking with Marie Crowe on RTÉ Radio 1’s Sunday Sport show, O’Connor, who manages the Kerry senior football team, firmly opposes the idea of paying managers. He believes that paying managers would inevitably lead to paying players, an eventuality he is staunchly against.
“I can’t see how you can openly pay managers because to start paying managers, you have to pay players, you know? Can the GAA really afford to pay their players, pay managers and pay back-room teams and whatever? I don’t think so. It’s still an amateur organisation, remember. We are happy enough down here [in Kerry] to do it for whatever mileage or whatever it is. I can’t see how the GAA could sustain a semi-professional game,” O’Connor asserted.
GAA Manager’s Stance: A Divided House
O’Connor’s stance contrasts with that of an anonymous inter-county manager quoted in an RTÉ Sport article. The unnamed manager argued, “I do believe the stigma around coaches and managers receiving payments is ridiculous because I know myself and my management work incredibly hard…”
O’Connor’s New Rule Proposal: No Return Pass Beyond Halfway
In other news, O’Connor suggested a new rule to maintain the game’s momentum and traditional crowd-pleasing spectacle. He proposed a ‘back-court’ rule similar to basketball, preventing players from returning the ball into their own half once it has crossed the halfway line.
“That could really work because it’s hard enough to press a team now – they’re holding onto the ball because there’s so much space… That’s one that’s worth trialling, certainly worth having a look at,” O’Connor said.
Listen to Jack O’Connor’s Interview in Full
You can listen to Jack O’Connor’s interview with Marie Crowe on RTÉ’s Sunday Sport here.
Did You Know?
Did you know that the GAA has over 500,000 members worldwide, with over 18,000 clubs across Ireland and overseas? This makes it one of the largest sporting associations in the world.
Pro Tip
For those interested in the GAA’s governance, check out the GAA’s official website for more information on its structures and decision-making processes.
FAQs
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Why is the GAA considering paying managers?
The GAA is exploring the idea to bring unofficial payments into the open and regulate them. -
Why is Jack O’Connor against paying managers?
O’Connor believes paying managers would lead to paying players, which he opposes. -
What new rule did Jack O’Connor propose?
O’Connor suggested implementing a ‘back-court’ rule similar to basketball to maintain game momentum.
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This article is written from the perspective of a knowledgeable sports journalist with firsthand insights into the GAA. It adheres to AP style guidelines and is optimized for Google News and E-E-A-T principles.