PARAIC DUFFY HAS hit back at critics of the GAA who have coined the term ‘corporate GAA’ and accused the association of having a priority ‘to make money’.
In his annual report released today, the GAA Director-General has sought to address what he insists is ‘an utterly bogus charge’.
“Certain commentators, not averse to finding a bandwagon to jump on, and happier with a slogan than serious analysis, got good mileage out of a so-called ‘corporate’ GAA, by which they mean that the priority of the GAA is to make money.
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“This bandwagon, it should be pointed out, was started by some of those opposed to Croke Park concerts. If the charge had any truth in it, it would be a serious matter deserving public discussion. But this is an utterly bogus charge, and a non-issue.”
Duffy insists that the GAA has to have commercial activities in order to meet the growing financial challenges it faces.
“We have to find a balance between tradition and innovation. We cannot have the association that we have if we simply say, ‘Well, we’ll take our money from gate receipts and we’ll run the association on that’.
“Forget about the commercial side. That’s what we’re being accused of. If you do that then that’s fine but how do you fund the development of stadia to a standard that people would want to come to our games. How do you meet the challenges?
The GAA Director-General's report was released today in Croke Park. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“We’re not the same as the FAI and IRFU who can draw down revenues from competitions like international competition, European Football Championships, World Cup, Rugby World Cup, TV rights and yet we’re expected, as an organisation, to meet the same standards. You can’t do all these things.
“Within the membership there’s a huge range of different opinions. Some people will agree with what we do and some people will disagree with every decision you make and say, ‘Ah, the leadership in Croke Park…’ That’s life. I know the criticism we’ve taken this year and it’s ongoing from some people and you’re never going to change that. That’s it, we accept that, it goes with the territory.”
Paraic Duffy rejects 'corporate GAA' claims as 'an utterly bogus charge'
PARAIC DUFFY HAS hit back at critics of the GAA who have coined the term ‘corporate GAA’ and accused the association of having a priority ‘to make money’.
In his annual report released today, the GAA Director-General has sought to address what he insists is ‘an utterly bogus charge’.
“Certain commentators, not averse to finding a bandwagon to jump on, and happier with a slogan than serious analysis, got good mileage out of a so-called ‘corporate’ GAA, by which they mean that the priority of the GAA is to make money.
“This bandwagon, it should be pointed out, was started by some of those opposed to Croke Park concerts. If the charge had any truth in it, it would be a serious matter deserving public discussion. But this is an utterly bogus charge, and a non-issue.”
Duffy insists that the GAA has to have commercial activities in order to meet the growing financial challenges it faces.
“We have to find a balance between tradition and innovation. We cannot have the association that we have if we simply say, ‘Well, we’ll take our money from gate receipts and we’ll run the association on that’.
“Forget about the commercial side. That’s what we’re being accused of. If you do that then that’s fine but how do you fund the development of stadia to a standard that people would want to come to our games. How do you meet the challenges?
“We’re not the same as the FAI and IRFU who can draw down revenues from competitions like international competition, European Football Championships, World Cup, Rugby World Cup, TV rights and yet we’re expected, as an organisation, to meet the same standards. You can’t do all these things.
“Within the membership there’s a huge range of different opinions. Some people will agree with what we do and some people will disagree with every decision you make and say, ‘Ah, the leadership in Croke Park…’ That’s life. I know the criticism we’ve taken this year and it’s ongoing from some people and you’re never going to change that. That’s it, we accept that, it goes with the territory.”
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Corporate GAA Criticism GAA Not All About The Money Paraic Duffy