Mcconville shows how to embrace media

THE relationship between GAA stars and the media is similar to that of two divorcees who still have to communicate because they co-parent a child.

The awkward small talk that has to be made while they wait for their son or daughter to gather their things is forced, sharp and guarded.

Neither wants to talk to the other really but for the sake of the little one, they pass themselves, throw out clichés about the weather, nod politely and say goodbye.

This relationship has been an anchor in the promotion of GAA as those in the dressing room keep the media at arm’s length, and it all stems from a place of fear.

So afraid are they of making a slip of the tongue or not putting up their shield, they often leave any media roles they had whenever they return to a job that puts them back in the dressing room.

Andy Moran was a pundit on the successful Off The Ball podcast with James O’donoghue until he got the Leitrim job, and so all punditry duties were left behind.

Compare that with Oisin Mcconville who took on Wicklow, but still remains a Sunday Life columnist and co-hosts a BBC GAA podcast, giving weekly insights into the life of an inter-county manager. Suddenly, doors are being opened.

Last week, Mcconville allowed journalists into his team’s training sessions, even for the video analysis part, and what happened at the end? They got glowing reports in the papers, and they put in an unbelievable performance against Kildare.

Maybe I’m a hopeless romantic but this could be the start of a new relationship between the media and the GAA, and hopefully there won’t be any break-ups.