GAA can't deny the route its on

Retiring Cork footballer Michael Shields, who spent a time in Australian Rules football earlier in his career, raised an recurring argument recently when proffering the view that professionalism in the GAA is inevitable at some stage in the future.

In a world of limited resources the idea that one group gets direct payment might be considered controversial – though few seem to be exercised by the widespread payment of coaches. In the GAA there is always the ‘love of the game’ argument too, an ideological position which places the innate characteristics of the GAA at the core of the argument. This view would hold that the GAA and its games are primarily an expression of national identity. It is a view that is quite prevalent but goes deeper with some than others. It is arguable that its role in any debate over professionalism will become increasingly marginal as time goes by.

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