GAA president Jarlath Burns aims brutal jibe at split-season critics in programme notes for All-Ireland semi
In the programme notes of
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Burns also spoke about the split-season at the launch of the All-Ireland SHC
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Maurice Brosnan spotted the interesting takes from the GAA president and shared them on X
Credit: @m_brosnan
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Burns also shared some of the GAA's 'biggest highs' in his programme notes
Credit: @m_brosnan
Some fans, pundits, players and managers alike have criticised the current GAA calendar. However the Association's president believes the current calendar is best placed to suit both club and inter-county players.
He said: 'Our schedule and our season do not suit some vested interests who would prefer the inter-county calendar to dominate with no regard at all for your clubs who supply 100% of our players.
"We've made some hard choices on the structure of our season. It is significantly shorter, but the games have not suffered.
"The players at county level enjoy the system, and our club players have a structure and certainty that they crave.
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The president's address seems to contradict a
The former Armagh captain said: "I'm certainly open to the first and third weeks in August from 2027 on."
With Croke Park's schedule for summer 2026 already being finalised, there will be no space for All-Ireland finals next August. But Burns claimed he would be interested in future seasons having finals in August.
However his programme notes in yesterday's programme suggests otherwise, as he comes across very defensive of the GAA scheduling.
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In the notes he also addresses criticisms of the thrilling
The 1999 Ulster championship winner added: "I can accept that using penalties to decide this year's epic Munster final was a jolt and not to everyone's satisfaction.
RTE pundits weigh in on scoreboard controversy that marred Tipperary's dramatic win over Kilkenny
"But here's the thing, a replay would have seen the loser have to play three weeks in-a-row or if a window was created for replays, the winner could have been idle for five weeks.
"The GAA decided that this scenario was not desirable - even though a replay would have been worth a significant return in gate receipts.
"But again, that doesn't suit the narrative that the GAA is only interested in money.
"Some people have an issue with how the GAA conducts it's affairs, and that is their right in a democratic organisation.
"But no one as of yet has offered a solution to how we might conduct our business in a competitive environment with limited resources.
"And how we are able to run the Association and ensure that Gaelic games retains it pre-eminent place in Irish life.
His statement on the penalty shoot-out debate also contradicts the speech he made just a month previous.
Burnes stated: 'You don't have to talk to me above anybody else about replays and provincial finals.
"We've (Armagh) lost three now, two quarter-finals, on penalties. I would be very much in favour of replays where at all possible."
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