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Eugene McGee: In these times of austerity, GAA should give their fans a bailout

At long last the GAA is making a conscious decision to start marketing their inter-county games. Even though they have been forced into this by declining attendances and serious competition from soccer and the Olympic Games this summer, it is still very welcome.

Eugene McGee: Spirited youth can save offaly from oblivion

The shocking depths to which the Offaly senior football team has sunk in the past decade is a cause for major concern, even despair, to followers of the Faithful county, but it should also be a worry to the Gaelic football world at large.

Eugene McGee: Time for GAA to take head out of sand

The silence of the lambs is about the best description I can find for the results of the Irish Independent survey regarding payments to GAA managers.

Eugene McGee: GAA must show real will to solve fixtures problem

IT'S terrible that one of the top games of the Gaelic football season has to be played within one week of Christmas Day -- and in conditions that are not only unsuitable for good football but also add to the risk of injury.

Eugene McGee: Assessors' ticking boxes only undermine referees

One of the great mysteries of our time is what exactly it is 'referee assessors' do. Like most people, I do not know who they are, what their terms of reference are, how they go about their business, who appoints them, what they actually assess, or what action they take, if any, as a result of their deliberations?

Eugene McGee: Time for officials to curb the power of managers

IT would be a serious mistake for GAA people to gloss over the action taken by Donegal manager Jim McGuinness against Kevin Cassidy as just another bout of 'winter talk', trivial incidents that help to break the monotony of months of inter-county inactivity.

Eugene McGee: GAA can reap rewards of catching dubs' 'blue wave'

THE Dublin County Board last week announced their latest strategic plan, which lists some revolutionary goals for a massive long-term development of the GAA in the city and county, where about one-fifth of Ireland's population resides.

Eugene McGee: Gilroy right to take time with hardest call

To many people, it seems strange that Dublin manager Pat Gilroy is taking so long to make up his mind about deciding if he will stay or get out while he's ahead.

Eugene McGee: Same old story as dubs get job done

Dublin achieved what they set out to do against Laois at Croke Park yesterday by getting into the next round of the Leinster championship.

Eugene McGee: McGeeney works half-time magic to lift his Lilywhites

GAA fans are always intrigued as to what is said by team managers in dressing rooms at half-time and we often hear amazing and unusual stories of what goes on within those four walls.

Eugene McGee: Mayo now must prove awesome display was no flash in the pan

So, why is Paddy Power -- a man not usually associated with charitable donations to punters -- quoting Mayo at odds of 16/1 to win the Sam Maguire Cup, with defending champions Dublin at 7/2?

Eugene McGee: Scenes like these are real cancer in the GAA

The start of the new year and already we have headlines after yet another brawl at a GAA game. Over the years lots of things have changed in the GAA world, usually for the better, but the one constant blot on the good name of the sport is the regular recurrence of outbreaks of violence.

Eugene McGee: GAA must take control of money madness

In recent years, many GAA officials tended to glory in the fact that, for the first time, they were the top spending sports organisation in the country and wasn't it time to put manners on the soccer and rugby crowds anyway.

Eugene McGee: Skill deficit puts series in jeopardy

The many detractors of the International Rules series between Ireland and Australia are never short of reasons for condemning the matches -- to the extent that you might imagine there is little or no interest in the whole thing, even in Ireland.

Eugene McGee: Time for top brass to show actions speak louder than hollow words

We are well into the GAA talking season now, so it's inevitable that media coverage of the GAA's activities switches from the real to the speculative.

Eugene McGee: Ireland's 'dual' heroes key to dominance down under

Sports people often get into fierce debates after big games when trying to analyse how a match was won and lost. These arguments are the very essence of sporting life.

Eugene McGee: Horan's risk-takers earn reward for giving it a lash

The shock victory of Mayo was well deserved, as they took the game by the scruff of the neck after a nervous opening quarter and then proceeded to play as we have not seen Mayo play since they beat Dublin in a dramatic semi-final some years ago.

Eugene McGee: Injustice is served

DEBATING the pros and cons of the provincial championship format is a favourite winter pastime for GAA folk, with strongly divided opinion as to whether the current system, an open draw or Champions League-style competition would be better for the GAA, the players and the supporters.

Eugene McGee: Greatest of them all will leave lasting legacy

Could it really happen at last? Is there a possibility that we are about to witness one of the most significant landmarks in the GAA for the last 50 or more years ?

Eugene McGee: Armagh's return to skills of old a wonder to behold

The ability to surprise is the greatest thing about sport and maybe that is why we will remember Saturday night's Ulster clash between Armagh and Down as easily the best game of the championship so far.

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Dublin Sightseeing Reaches New Heights

Ireland’s most iconic venue, Croke Park Stadium, announced the opening of the much anticipated Etihad Skyline tour on the roof of the historic ground. Sponsored by Etihad Airways and opening to the public on Friday 1st June, the tour offers access to a unique Croke Park rooftop walkway and spectacular panoramic views of Dublin city.

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McAreavey suspect accuses police

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 30, confessed to police about his involvement in strangling Michaela McAreavey, but now insists he was forced to sign the statement.Treebhoowoon and co-accused Sandip Moneea, 42, deny murdering the 27-year-old teacher on her honeymoon at the Legends Hotel.

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