Opinion
Edwin McGreal
Thousands of people were in McHale Park on Sunday for Mayo’s NFL game against Kerry while less than 100 were at the venue the previous evening for the launch of the Mayo GAA Strategic Action Plan. But long after another defeat to Kerry becomes irrelevant, Saturday night’s launch has the potential to be the start of something truly great in Mayo GAA.
Of course, the disparity in crowds is easy to explain. It is a rare Gael that is more concerned with committee room dealings than on-field action. And, ordinarily, it is hard to blame them but Saturday was different, very different.
Saturday has the potential to mark a bright new dawn for Mayo football – if enough people grasp the nettle.
After Mayo’s defeat to Longford in last year’s All-Ireland Qualifiers, the County Board took the courageous step of launching a ‘root-and-branch’ review of Gaelic games in Mayo.
Since October, a very small section of very capable GAA folk in Mayo got involved in the preparation of the Strategic Action Plan under the leadership of Ballinrobe GAA club’s Liam Horan.
The plan, and what it proposes, is not designed to cast a negative light on any individual. It is a document designed to allow Mayo GAA to prosper and fulfil its potential.
Everyone involved in Mayo GAA at the moment is doing what they are doing for very much altruistic motives. But are things perfect right now? Definitely not. Will this plan make things perfect? No. But it can and will improve greatly the GAA in Mayo if passed.
As the cliché goes, if we do things like we have always done them, we will get what we have always got. Here is a chance for Mayo GAA to march with purpose into the future, a chance to throw off the shackles.
Elsewhere on these pages you will see the nuances of the plan described in good detail. If you can I’d suggest you get your hands on a copy of it. A link to it is available on www.mayonews.ie/sport.
This Action Plan is a demanding one. It requires lots of effort to implement. But if the work of the AP group taught us one thing – and it taught us several – it is that there exists a considerable number of very capable and passionate Mayo GAA folk only waiting to be asked to help out.
The work that went into the report gives a great indication of the untapped personnel in this county.
The issue currently rests with the clubs. It is there that this plan will live or die. Maybe the majority of clubs will vote against this plan, decide that they don’t think this is the way forward.
If that is their will, then that has to be accepted. But are you interested in Mayo GAA, and do you think it can be improved?
If the answer is yes, then I would urge you to read a copy of the Plan and see if, like me, you see it as a tremendous framework for progress. If you concur with me, don’t sit on your hands. Canvass your club and don’t wait for someone else to do it. A bright new age awaits. Do we want to step into it?
Edwin McGreal is a member of the Public Relations sub-committee of the Mayo GAA Strategic Action Plan group.
