06-07-2025
GAA president Burns takes aim at RTÉ and split season critics
GAA president Jarlath Burns has issued a strong defence of RTÉ Sport and the split season in his match programme notes for the All-Ireland semi-final between Tipperary and Kilkenny.
In his Teachtaireacht ón Uachtaráin, Burns thanked the national broadcaster and GAA+ for their coverage of hurling in recent weeks.
'People can at times be critical of RTÉ and make a comparison between it and compatriots in bigger countries with bigger populations and significantly bigger budgets,' he wrote.
'It has always struck me as an unfair comparison and that what our broadcasters do, all things considered, matches up exceptionally well.' He continued: 'The same can also be true when it comes to people's criticism of the GAA. Our Association gets compared to international governing bodies with reach and resources that simply dwarf our own. We are not a professional sport, never have been, and never will be.'
Last month, Burns suggested he was open to the prospect of the All-Ireland finals moving into August by 2027. However, he defended the overall split season as a net positive.
'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 our 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.'
On the Munster final penalty shootout, he accepted it was an issue for many but pointed out that if a window was created for replays, it could result in a five week break for the winners.
'Even though a replay would have been worth a significant return in gate receipts. But again, this doesn't suit the narrative that the GAA is only interested in money.'
Burns invited the calendar critics to offer a workable alternative.
'Some people have an issue with how the GAA conducts its affairs and that is their right in a democratic organisation – but no one as 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 its pre-eminent place in Irish life.'
