How Jarlath Burns’ outspoken presidency turns a spotlight on the GAA’s role

He has been hailed as a visionary during his first year as head of the association, but his intervention in the Rory Gallagher row has raised questions. We take a closer look at the man who some tip to be the next president of Ireland

Celebrations: Jarlath Burns with his son Jarly Óg after helping Armagh win the All-Ireland Senior Football Championship last year. Photo: Sportsfile

It may be a slick line from recent ad campaigns, but community really is at the heart of the GAA. Ask any of the association’s 800,000 members, and chances are they would say their club is the essence of what their locality is all about.

That will certainly be the case in Croke Park this weekend when Dublin’s Na Fianna take on Cork’s Sarsfields in the All-Ireland senior club hurling final, while another Dublin club, Cuala, will contest the football equivalent against Tyrone’s Errigal Ciarán.