Analysis: what ideas and innovations could the GAA introduce from other sports to progress and develop Gaelic games?
Sports environments are complex and require constant development, re-evaluation and new methods of thinking. Integrating ideas from other sports to find innovative ways to progress is a worthwhile endeavour that may help the GAA address prevailing challenges. Here are five the association could consider.
Putting microphones on officials
The use of microphones by officials in rugby and American football gives opportunities to humanise and understand the seemingly elusive officials and their decisions. Sports officials having microphones dates back as far as 1929 when a baseball umpire announced balls and strikes over the PA system.
In August 2022, TG4 mic'd up referee John O'Halloran for the live broadcast of the Kerry senior hurling championship final, allowing viewers to hear the dialogue between the referee and players. This opened up a desire (which many viewers may never have known they even had) for explanations of decisions, listening into previously private conversations and welcome glimpses into the officiating process.
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From Fox Sports Australia, listen to Jarred Gillet in his final game as an A-League referee
Mic’d up officials are all well and good for those watching at home, but what about spectators at the match? Australian Rugby League offers a radio device that gives fans in the stands the option to hear the referee or TV commentary from either Fox Sports or Channel 9 or both of these options split in each ear simultaneously. Croke Park previously sold branded earpieces for listening to commentary in the stadium. Perhaps in good time, spectators both at home and in stadiums will have new layers of information when watching Gaelic Games.
Goal line technology
While definitely not the most straightforward advancement, this is one that certainly has the potential to be the most game changing. Goal line technology in soccer is a technical means of instantly determining whether the whole of the ball has crossed the goal line.
Adding technology to review goals in Gaelic games understandably brings concerns over the interruption to the fast pace of games. However, the GAA has already incorporated technology into games in Croke Park and Thurles with the introduction of Hawk-Eye, which uses a computerised system to detect balls going over the bar. In doing so, the technology aids officials, gives precise calls and eliminates of arguments. Most of the time…
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From RTÉ 2fm's Game On in 2019, can the colour of the sliotar make any difference to the quality of play or result of a hurling match?
Gender equality
Gender equality in any sports organisation is shamefully difficult to achieve, but it's not impossible. As it stands, the Camogie Association and Ladies Gaelic Football Association are separate bodies to the GAA. National soccer associations of countries including Brazil, Italy and China have formulated policies demanding men’s football clubs to integrate a women’s team within their structure. This has resulted in a boost to the economic and commercial conditions of women’s soccer, as well as promoting women’s equal participation and bias-free representation in media.
In 2022, a move towards a 'one association model’ between the Camogie Association, the GAA, and the Ladies Gaelic Football Association began, with former President of Ireland, Mary McAleese, working as independent chairperson. While it is unclear how long the process will take, integration could mean an equal opportunity for women to participate and be involved at all supervision and decision-making levels in Gaelic games. As it stands, many promises around resources and improved fixture calendars remain unfulfilled and real change has been too slow for the majority of women and girls in Gaelic games.
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From RTÉ GAA podcast, Mikey Stafford and Rory O'Neill talk to former GAA president Liam O'Neill about his own efforts to merge the Camogie Association, the GAA and the LGFA
Global audience
While there are GAA clubs all over the world and services such as GAA Go have brought live matches to viewers overseas, the fact is that Gaelic games are not truly global sports. Building up a global GAA fan base beyond the usual suspects within the Irish diaspora means navigating a complex maze of options to successfully bring live sport, on-demand insights and documentary content to viewers.
Sports such as soccer, golf and tennis have grown new audiences by utilising dedicated streaming platforms, live TV, social media platforms and fan-created content. The key question is does the GAA want to be a truly global sport and if so, would that compromise the grassroots and amateur aspect of Gaelic games?
Redzone
Ever the innovators in Gaelic games broadcasting, TG4 and Nemeton have instigated the ‘GAA Redzone’ in their coverage of the Allianz Leagues. Redzone comes from live coverage of American football featuring every big moment in NFL games and shows up to eight games on the screen at once.
More risk is needed if the GAA are to conceptualise alternative futures for the association
Ever since TG4’s successful pilot of the Redzone format in 2022, GAA fans have been wondering why it hasn’t become a mainstay in broadcasting on particularly hectic days in GAA competitions. While not every match day needs the Redzone treatment, John Fogarty noted in the Irish Examiner that there are a handful of dates in the GAA calendar that would benefit from allowing viewers to dip in and out of matches where there is something tangible on the line. The final day of the Allianz Leagues and conclusion of the provincial championship round robin stages all have fixtures being played at the same time, making them the ideal candidates for this type of coverage.
RTÉ Radio One's Sunday Sport does a massive multi-tasking job of moving from venue to venue across the country for the latest scores and updates. Obviously adding visuals to this radio coverage isn’t straightforward practically or financially but the potential for chaos, iconic commentary and safeguarding of dramatic moments for teams on live television is vastly appealing for GAA fans. That and we want to see John Mullane's over-the-top hurling exaltations play out in glorious HD.
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From RTÉ Sport, the most famous John Mullane interview ever
There are lessons to be learned and enormous potential value in the GAA applying successful concepts from other case studies in sport. There have been changes in recent years with increased streaming of games, more games available on various platforms and a move to a split season.
While some of these changes are still finding their feet and are subject to ongoing debate, it demonstrates how the GAA are willing to take risks. But more risk is needed if the GAA are to conceptualise alternative futures for the association. This is a huge challenge because it requires a consideration of possibilities that are not yet known. Undoubtedly, the GAA must look to other sports when contemplating how they might create new structures, policies and programming that will positively transform Gaelic games.
The views expressed here are those of the author and do not represent or reflect the views of RTÉ
