The time is near. The opening session of the 2026 GAA Congress will see delegates vote on the next president of the association.

Three candidates are in the field to be the 42nd uachtarán, succeeding Jarlath Burns in 12 months from now and up until then they will assume the role of uachtarán tofa.

There will be much in the in-tray for whoever wins Friday evening’s vote. Integration with the Camogie Association and the LGFA, changing demographics and the preserving of the association’s amateur ethos are key areas that will occupy much of their time.

The men vying for the top job outlined their visions to RTÉ Sport if elected

DEREK KENT (WEXFORD)

The Taghmon-Camross clubman served as county chair from 2017 to 2020 and has been Leinster chair since 2023. He chaired the GAA’s Central Competitions Control Committee (CCCC) for three years during Larry McCarthy’s presidency.

“I want to engage with our volunteers and our memberships, home and abroad. I want to listen to the concerns and the direction the GAA is heading towards to. I also want to ensure the GAA remains the focal point of the community in all our parishes.

“The integral part of the GAA is the volunteer, supporting the volunteers, and ensuring that we have volunteers is my priority. I would also mention facilities and that facilities are there for everyone’s needs – and that includes the LGFA and camogie.”

JOHN MURPHY (SLIGO)

Murphy accepted a nomination from his home club Tubbercurry at the Sligo convention to become the first person from the county to be GAA president.

A former inter-county football, Murphy was part of the Sligo squad that won the Connacht title in 1975.

He is a former president of Connacht GAA and is a trustee of the association.

“I would like to be president because there are certain I think I can deal with and deliver. We didn’t have a strategic plan for over 20 years to deal with integration, infrastructure and demographics, the revenue and the role of the volunteer.

“If I can deliver that I will feel I will the associate in a better place, it will be more sustainable.”

GER RYAN (TIPPERARY)

The Templederry Kenyons clubman has chaired the Munster Council from 2022 and also heads up the Central Referees Appointments Committee. He previously served as PRO for both his county and province.

“The main reasons I want to become president is that I want to grow volunteerism so that we can widen the opportunity to play our wonderful games and also get more people involved.

“I also want to protect our amateur status which is fundamental to our existence and to listen our members and reflect their ideas, concerns and ambitions for the association so that we are prepared for the challenges in the years ahead.

“Those challenges include demographic changes, access to more facilities and preparing for integration.
Regarding integration I want to ensure that that is done is properly with a multi-year approach.”

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