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Dublin's Ger Brennan INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Speaking out

‘I often compare the GAA to the Catholic Church, they're very slow in doing things’

Dublin defender Ger Brennan believes the GAA disciplinary processes could be speeded up.

GER BRENNAN HAS compared the GAA to the Catholic Church due to the traits of inefficiency that he perceives to be present in both organisations.

The Dublin defender was speaking in relation to the delay in an outcome to the GAA investigation into the alleged biting incident in the recent Allianz league clash between Dublin and Donegal.

The controversy occurred two and a half weeks ago in the Division 1 tie in Ballybofey with Donegal footballer Patrick McBrearty the alleged victim.

A three-match ban has been proposed for a Dublin player in the wake of the incident but the saga is still ongoing as the offence is currently being appealed.

The GAA has been criticised for the length of time that they take to resolve disciplinary sagas in comparison to other sporting bodies.

And Dublin player Brennan believes the GAA could be more efficient in such matters as he and his teammates prepare for next Sunday’s Division 1 decider against Tyrone in Croke Park.

“From a personal point of view, I often compare the GAA to the Catholic Church, they’re very slow in processing and doing things. I think they could do an awful lot better.

“It hasn’t really affected me or the team, we’ve just carried on in our preparations as we do for every other game.”

Yet GAA Director-General Paraic Duffy has defended the organisation’s handling of the affair and does not believe there are issues with their disciplinary structures.

“I would absolutely be quite happy with how the disciplinary structures work. There is no veil of secrecy. We have to protect everyone’s rights here. I don’t think this raises any questions about the (disciplinary) structures.

“The changes we made a few years ago have bedded in very well. I could be drawn into a comparison here with another case and another sport and I don’t want to do that.

“When the process is complete we will announce the outcome and I think that is absolutely fair to everyone involved.”

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