GAA DIRECTOR GENERAL Páraic Duffy has announced that he will retire from the position next March after 10 years in the role.
Appointed to succeed Liam Mulvihill in early 2008, Duffy is widely-regarded to have steadied the Association during his time in office and this morning notified Central Council of his retirement plans.
Duffy, the 18th person to serve as the GAA’s director general, will step aside on 31 March 2018.
“I am privileged to have had the opportunity to serve as Ard Stiúrthóir for the past ten years,” the Monaghan native said.
“I would like to express my thanks to the four GAA Presidents with whom I have worked, Nickey Brennan, Christy Cooney, Liam Ó Néill and Aogán Ó Fearghail, to the members of Central Council, Management Committee and other national committees, to our staff in Croke Park, and to officials, volunteers and staff at provincial, county and club levels for their constant support and encouragement.
“I look forward to working with Uachtarán Aogán Ó Fearghail and Uachtarán-tofa John Horan on a range of projects over the next few months.”
On behalf of the GAA, the president Aogán Ó Fearghail thanked Duffy for his ‘outstanding’ service.
“Páraic Duffy’s vision, energy, integrity and fairness have been key to the Association’s growth over the past decade; his contribution has been immense. Tá muid fíor bhuíoch dó agus guíonn muid gach rath ar Pháraic sa todhchaí.”
Subscribe to The42 podcasts here:
Good riddance. I’m sure he is personally a fine man etc., but he has been a key figure in the corporatisation of the GAA. All his decisions seemed to be based purely on financial merits, ahead of all other concerns. Financial concerns are important and should be taken into account but the chief decision maker at the top of the GAA should first and foremost be concerned with direction of the games and the organisation. Hopefully his successor will be a proper Gael first and foremost.
@Johnny 5: well said Johnny.
@Johnny 5: here here, bit with for the sheep to come on a talk about giving back to the community and giving money to the little club
No harm
@tommy mac: His legacy has to include the sky deal and the super 8′s……he has done nothing to address the farcical championship structures…. hopefully the next man does a better job.
He has turned the GAA into a money making organisation while ignoring grassroots and clubs his affect on the GAA will be felt for years to come and not in a good way as more and more players are becoming disillusioned with the game
Turned into? They already were before that
Step forward Frank Murphy.
Dont let Jarlath Burns near the job
Oh No not Frank Murphy as a replacement.
If not already started.
Let the political chase begin
@Joe Price: Frank Murphy is about 70 years old, way beyond retirement age, cannot happen.
Not too disappointed to see him go if anything he stayed on too long. The “Super 8″ was his idea it will only make the strong stronger and the weak weaker and that is not the way this great game should be directed towards. He was also is responsible for getting rid of the U21 championship which IMO was the wrong decision to make. It was grade that was arguably the best to watch and now the U20 championship is put in its place in the height of the summer and some of the best U20 players wont be allowed to play in it if they are on their senior panels.
What about joe brolly,