GAA announce work on new strategic plan for the next five years is underway

Former Dublin supremo Pat Gilroy is among the figures who has joined new GAA President Larry McCarthy and Director General Tom Ryan in developing a new strategic plan.

The plan is to plot a course for the association from this year to the end of 2026 is due to be unveiled in the autumn - with the steering group pledging to engage with every level.

Croke Park bosses claim that club members will get a day in the direction the GAA will take, and that there will also be public consultation.

McCarthy stated: “Upon taking office I spoke of the opportunity for recalibration and rebuilding that is taking place as a result of our gradual emergence from the harrowing pandemic.

“The GAA has already been in a period of intense reflection on matters as diverse as the shape of our season, the formation of competitions and playing rules and the development of young players.

Larry McCarthy, GAA President (©INPHO/Tom O'Hanlon)

“We want to ensure that the GAA is perfectly placed in the post-Pandemic world to be the sort of vibrant, supportive and relevant Association that we all want it to be.

“The proposed strategic plan covering up to 2026 will enable us to put the GAA on that road and every unit of the Association will have an opportunity to have their voice heard.

"I’d encourage all of our volunteers, members and players to take this opportunity to play a part in shaping our future together.”

The first part of the plan will see the key issues that the GAA is facing - and will face into the future - identified.

The second phase will include a public survey.

Tom Ryan (©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo)

Ryan explained: “The purpose of the plan is to allow us to answer some fundamental questions about ourselves.

"Answering these questions will involve us looking at our core purpose, our goals and objectives, our structures, our collective roles and responsibilities, and how we get things done.”

The members of the GAA Strategic Plan 2021-2026 Steering Group are:

• Larry McCarthy (Uachtarán CLG)

• Tom Ryan (Ard-Stiúrthóir CLG)

• Ruairí Harvey (Planning Coordinator CLG)

• Conor McCarthy (O’Donovan Rossa, Cork)

• Dr. Elish Kelly (Padraig Pearses, Roscommon)

• Pat Gilroy (St. Vincents, Dublin)

• Paul Foley (Patrickswell, Limerick)

• Prof. David Hassan (St. Mary’s GAC, Banagher, Derry)

• Shane Flanagan (Johnstownbridge, Kildare)

• Tim Murphy (Brosna, Kerry)