1. All-Ireland football championship reform.
With a host of proposals on the table, striking the right balance before Annual Congress next month will prove tricky. One thing’s for sure, the current system needs tweaking.
2. The Davy Fitz/Donal Óg axis in Clare.
This is one well worth keeping an eye on. Two fiercely independent characters with their own personal history in the one camp could result in some divergent views but a return to form for the Banner County is on the cards.
3. The Dubs are heading out of Croke Park…
…and all roads lead to Nowlan Park in Kilkenny when the Sky Blues take on Wicklow or Laois in the Leinster SFC next summer. It will mark the first championship ‘away day’ for the Dubs since 2006.
4. The summer battle for hearts and minds
With the European soccer championships and the Rio Olympics vying for the attention of sports fans this summer, the GAA will have to box clever in their promotional activities, while at the same time avoiding any unnecessary clashes.
5. Hawkeye heading to Thurles
This should finally happen this year, ensuring that the score detection technology finds another home outside of Croke Park. It had been thought that Semple Stadium would be ready for HawkEye last year but better late than never.
6. More samba hurling
The Wexford U21s, and Conor McDonald in particular, produced some sublime moments of magic last year and in general, the U21 hurling championship often provides the games of the year. More of the same, please.
7. Páirc Uí Chaoimh redevelopment
Already, the multi-million redevelopment of the Cork city bowl has been beset by administrative squabbling. GAA chiefs on Leeside remain adamant that the stadium will be ready for May 2017 but some more stumbling blocks could lie in store.
8. Another Mayo quest for Sam
It’s almost like an annual sporting tragedy at this stage but if at first you don’t succeed, try, try, and try some more. Under Stephen Rochford’s management, hopes are high that Mayo can finally land Sam Maguire for the first time since 1951.
9. Another three-in-a-row beckons for the Cats
Can anybody stop Kilkenny’s dominance of the All-Ireland senior hurling championship? If they go all the way again this year, it will be another treble for the all-conquering Noresiders. Who’s going to step up and challenge them?
10. While six-in-a-row beckons for Dublin in Leinster
It’s almost a joke now at this stage, the Leinster senior football championship. Dublin are odds-on favourites to retain their provincial crown and if they do manage it, the Sky Blues will emulate the 6-in-a-row that was achieved from 1974-1979.
11. Remembering 1916
GAA chiefs are calling in an artistic director to ensure that a special event to commemorate the 1916 rising runs smoothly at Croke Park on 24 April, in conjunction with the Allianz League Division 1 and 2 football finals.
12. Sky Sports deal in jeopardy?
This is the last year of the current TV rights deal agreed between the GAA and various broadcasters. The new carve-up will lead to plenty of heated negotiations behind the scenes.
13. Tackling player burnout
A hot topic of debate following the release of GAA CEO Pauric Duffy’s proposals last year. He’s advocating the abolition of the abolition of the U21 football championship, a proposal that has received a mixed reaction.
14. To DRA or not to DRA?
A few high-profile cases, most notably those involving Seamus Callanan and Diarmuid Connolly, exposed continued flaws in the GAA’s disciplinary structures last year. Connolly famously went all the way to the independent Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) and was cleared to play in the All-Ireland semi-final replay against Mayo just hours before throw-in.
15. A new Director of Hurling
This appointment is in the pipeline and the new man should be revealed by the end of the year. It’s generally accepted that hurling in the traditional strongholds remains vibrant but growing and developing the game in so called ‘weaker counties’ remains a challenge.
16. Blood testing for GAA players
Another move that has been greeted with a lukewarm reaction within GAA circles. Urine testing was accepted as fine under Irish Sports Council guidelines but taking it a step further by introducing blood testing for GAA players is a whole new departure under 2016 Anti-Doping guidelines.
