Will this input be too late?

WHEN reflecting on the significant changes that GAA Congress, Special or otherwise, has implemented over the past 20 years or so, a common thread runs through them.

The motion in question tends to be driven continuously by at least one influential figurehead.

Think Sean Kelly (above) and rule 42 in 2005. Eugene Mcgee and the black card, also backed by then president Liam O’neill, in 2013. Paraic Duffy and the Super 8s in 2017. John Horan and the Tailteann Cup in 2019.

The latter two in particular were highly questionable policies that were widely pilloried ahead of the vote but with a Central Council label and someone of particular influence pushing it, the chances of success on the Congress floor soar.

If a club or county had advanced similar motions, they would have died on the vine.

And even at that, they don’t always succeed.

At the 2000 Congress, the Football Development Committee, chaired by the formidable Noel Walsh of Clare, put forward Championship reform that was arguably even more radical than what will be voted on this

Saturday – but it didn’t get much traction.

It did pave the way for more measured change subsequently in the shape of the qualifier system in 2001, however. Perhaps something similar is in the offing this time too.

Not content with merely stating their views, the individuals mentioned above canvassed at length over many weeks and months.

Yes, Larry Mccarthy and Tom Ryan have come out and given their backing to Proposal B and it’s a significant development but it’s come just three days in advance of the vote.

Will they be encouraging the 183 delegates to row in behind their views?

“I’m simply giving my personal opinion as uachtarán,” said Mccarthy. “I would hope there will be change but am I going to tell delegates how they should vote? Certainly not.”

“I’m not in the business of extolling a particular course of action,” added Ryan.

So while it’s an endorsement of the ‘League as Championship’ motion from the GAA’S top brass, it’s hardly an emphatic one.

Mccarthy and Ryan effectively ruled out the possibility of amendments ahead of Saturday’s vote, which means that many of the kinks that delegates have genuine reservations about will not be ironed out – something which may well inhibit its chances.

It’s also at odds with the comments of Laois chairman

Peter O’neill, who said this week that “from my meetings with Croke Park it’s a complete moving tide and I don’t know what’s going to be on the floor Saturday”.

And while a raft of counties have come out in favour of Proposal B this week, reaching the 110 votes (60%) required for it to pass remains a tall order, with the balance of power essentially sitting with the sizeable Central Council delegation.

Change, it appears, is undoubtedly coming. Whether yesterday’s intervention is timely, or forceful, enough for it to be rolled out after this weekend remains to be seen.