Páraic Duffy to extend his term as GAA director general by seven years

Páraic Duffy is poised to continue for another seven-year term as director general of the GAA.

Duffy has accepted an offer of an extension from the GAA’s management committee, with his current fixed-term contract expiring at the end of next month, January 2015.

Although the exact term of the new contract will not be agreed until a later date, it is expected Duffy will be offered another seven years – which would see him through to the end of January 2022.

His predecessor in the position of Ard Stiúrthóir, Liam Mulvihill, had held the position since 1979, almost 30 years, making him the second longest holder of the office in its history, and only the fourth incumbent since 1901.

Duffy took office from February 1st, 2008, and has been widely regarded as a steadying force within the Association during his initial term.

He was previously the GAA’s player welfare manager, although he did face some criticism earlier this year when the GAA sold part of its broadcasting rights to Sky TV.

Penalty rule

Next year’s GAA Congress is also poised to include some debate on the penalty rule in hurling, with both the Leinster and Munster Councils agreeing to trial a proposal on the penalty puck in which only the goalkeeper may stand on the goal-line. The trial will take place throughout the course of the Walsh Cup (Leinster) and Waterford Crystal Cup (Munster) in January and February.

Allowing only the goalkeeper to stand on the goal-line during the penalty strike in hurling is one of the proposals of the Hurling 2020 Review Committee, which is chaired by former Tipperary manager Liam Sheedy. Full details of the proposals will be published in early January.

However, any permanent change to the existing penalty rule in hurling must go before Congress. The issue raised considerable debate in the aftermath of the drawn All-Ireland hurling final, when Tipperary had two penalties saved by Kilkenny goalkeeper Eoin Murphy.

There is unlikely to be any change in the 20-metre distance from which the ball must be struck, yet there is more support for the idea the goalkeeper should no longer be assisted by two defenders.

One defender

Croke Park took a decision earlier this summer to strictly enforce that 20-metre distance, but insisting that was merely an interpretation of the rule, not a change. Any change to either a one-on-one with the goalkeeper, or with just one defender for assistance, will have to go through normal channels and require a two-thirds majority at Congress. Such a proposal may come from GAA Central Council, the standing committee on playing rules, or the hurling 2020 committee:

“Even though people are saying we changed the rule this year, we didn’t,” noted GAA president Liam O’Neill. “We interpreted it, which was perfectly within our power to do. There is also the argument, and Donal Óg Cusack said it, that the goalkeeper would prefer to be on his own. I wouldn’t think that would be a universal opinion, but people can debate it now, and after that we can have some consensus on it.”

One GAA matter already agreed is the appointment of former Galway footballer All-Ireland winner Tomás Meehan as its new chief information officer. Meehan will have responsibility for the development, implementation and operation of the GAA’s information technology strategy and will oversee all information systems infrastructure within the Association.

Meanwhile Setanta Sports has announced details of its live schedule of games for the 2015 Allianz Football and Hurling Leagues — including all three of the Dublin footballers’ home games as they look to claim a hat-trick of victories in the competition.

Setanta only have the rights for the Saturday night games, with TG4 still getting first pick from the Sunday afternoon games, although they have yet to announce their live schedule, which is partly dependent on how the league actually progresses. TG4 also have the rights for the league finals in both football and hurling.

Home game

First up on the Setanta schedule is an Ulster double-header, with Donegal taking on Derry and Tyrone hosting Monaghan, both those games getting underway at 7pm on Saturday, January 31st.

Then it’s on to Croke Park a week later for Dublin’s repeat of their All-Ireland semi-final against Donegal on February 7th, followed by a meeting with Tyrone on March 7th. The final home game for Jim Gavin’s side is the repeat of last year’s league final against Derry on March 28th. Setanta will also show Dublin in their away game against Mayo in Castlebar on March 14th.

Setanta will also show five Saturday night games from the National Hurling League, with Cork featuring in three. Their schedule opens up with the Rebels meeting defending champions Kilkenny at Páirc Uí Rinn on February 14th, and that’s followed a week later when Cork are out under the lights again against Clare.

There is one Croke Park double-header on March 7th, with the hurling meeting of Dublin and Cork at 5.0pm, followed by the Dublin and Tyrone (7.0). Setanta National League TV Schedule (Subject to change, 7.0pm throw-in unless stated)

Football January 31st: Donegal v Derry; Tyrone v Monaghan February 7th: Dublin v Donegal; Meath v Kildare February 28th: Tyrone v Derry; Cavan v Down March 7th: Dublin v Tyrone; Cavan v Kildare March 14th: Mayo v Dublin; Meath v Laois March 28th: Dublin v Derry; Down v Meath

Hurling February 14th: Cork v Kilkenny; Limerick v Waterford February 21st: Cork v Clare; Waterford v Laois March 7th: Dublin v Cork, 5pm