This is Congress weekend - and it is the most low-key one l can remember.
Apart from the build-up to last night’s eagerly-awaited presidential election, you wouldn’t even know it was on.
Common sense is at last kicking in. Previously, Congress has been a costly, time-wasting and lavish event.
But it has been shortened to something that now resembles a serious decision-making process and that’s exactly what it should be.
There are three main talking points for me...
1) THE PRESIDENT
The GAA right now needs the strongest possible candidate to lead by example and with sheer hard work - in order to make a proper, significant difference.
It is time for a president who is a man of substance, one who will lead the organisation with vigorous actions and with less hot air and bluster.
I felt Jarlath Burns was the best man to take the Association forward but wish Larry McCarthy all the best in his new role.
2) MOTION 3 - Team officials may not enter the field of play.
At last this issue gets to raise it’s ugly head at Congress.
This motion must be voted in.
It has been a bugbear of mine because officials in many of the top counties - and not just Dublin, may I add - became the 16th man for their team, such was the cynically planned positioning of those same officials taking up crucial space on kick outs.
This situation has spiralled out of control on the big match days in Croke Park.
So changes must be to allow for fair play to all concerned - and to put manners on the cheaters.
How teams were allowed to get away with it for so long beggars belief.
3) MOTION 6 - No back pass to the goalkeeper after receiving a kick out.
Now this is where the delegates could grab Gaelic football by the scruff of the neck and take a certain amount of negativity out of the game.
Yes, goalkeepers will vent their fury - and some don’t deserve to have a punitive measure forced on them.
But overall I would love to see this motion passed.
My belief is that the positives far outweigh negatives, regardless of the feelings of defenders and goalkeepers.
The game itself will be a better product for all to enjoy if the motion is a success.
So I hope it gets the necessary votes.
It will put players on to the front foot and the game will flow more naturally.
I fear Royal princes are badly served
Last weekend was a disappointing one for Meath.
The loss to Kerry wasn’t too bad, as the team battled really hard and played well for long periods against an out of sorts Kingdom team.
But the 13-point thumping that the under-20s received at the hands of Dublin sent a few shockwaves back to the people who care about Gaelic football in the Royal county.
It was a painful defeat and such an inept display should hit certain people hard.
Blaming the lack of time that the management had with the players is a smokescreen for the real problems.
After all, the group had five months together last year and they still took a humiliating beating from Laois.
I was at that game and it was hard to watch - as was the minors defeat at the hands of Westmeath last year.
These are very worrying times at underage in Meath. It’s time to put together a proper, meaningful 10-year plan that includes changing how we coach footballers from a very early age in every club and in every single school in the county.
Wat a way to seal first win
The Waterford footballers had a magnificent win away to a much fancied Sligo last weekend.
They scored 2-12 in their first victory of the campaign, which was achieved with only 19 players fit and available from their panel.
To offer some sort of insight into the commitment required at this level, those guys left their meeting place at 3pm on Friday and didn’t return until around 10pm the following night.
Waterford is a big county and many players had a long drive home after being dropped off.
What a super effort from all concerned – but sadly one that you have heard very little about because it’s Division 4 football.
Shame for McShane
What a massive blow Cathal McShane’s injury is to Tyrone – it could suck the life out of their attempt to close the big gap on Dublin.
I remember myself back in the day that, at intercounty level, if you were preoccupied with other stuff and not fully in tune with your mind and body for a sustained period of time, then you were much more susceptible to injury.
I can’t help but think that all the attention and coverage of his potential move to the AFL didn’t help Cathal – combined with all the stress of having to make such a massive decision on whether to stay with Tyrone or move to Australia.
He just didn’t quite look himself – which may have culminated in this very unfortunate injury.
This man mountain will be missed by true football fans all over the county.
But it’s such a shame for the chap himself after just starting a new job and deciding to stay here.
