Pat Spillane has hit the nail on the head when comparing the promotional work of Ireland's Olympians and the 'Poster boys and girls' of the GAA.
Like all of us, the Kerry legend watched the Olympics and cheered on Ireland's athletes as they competed and succeeded in a variety of different sports.
The excitement, buzz, fanfare, and the platform that the Irish stars were given was incredible to see, as a whole nation watched every event with thumping hearts, and trimmed fingernails.
However, like most GAA fans, Spillane viewed the spectacle through the lens of a Gael, and couldn't help but feel a tinge of jealousy.
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Wearing my GAA hat, I couldn’t but feel envious of all those boys and girls who represented Ireland. Wiffen, the rowers, Harrington, they did us so proud. The 4x400m girls too, who fell so agonisingly short of a medal,” he wrote in the Sunday World.
“Our athletes, medallists or not, have become poster boys and girls. They are the role models Irish youngsters look up to and aspire to be. They have been media friendly, accessible and recognisable. They are very marketable and are brilliant advertisements for their sports.
“Contrast that with the world of the GAA, where we have had four major finals these last few weeks. Take the camogie. Would many recognise a player from Cork or Galway from last Sunday outside of those counties? Highly unlikely.
“What about ladies’ football? Who would be known outside their own county boundaries. Maybe Hannah Tyrrell, Carla Rowe (who weren’t even in the final) and Louise Ní Mhuircheartaigh. Maybe three?
“Move on to the Clare hurlers. John Conlon is one of the greatest all-round hurlers of the modern era. Aidan McCarthy is their ace free taker. But would they be recognised outside their county? Highly unlikely.
“What about man of the match in the football final Oisín Conaty? Or the man who scored the vital goal in the final, Aaron McKay. Would they be recognised outside Armagh? Absolutely not."
The promotion of Gaelic games, and those who play at the highest level, has been a topic of interest in recent years, and is something Spillane certainly feels passionate about.
When you consider that the lack of hype, media attention and interviews that are done in the lead up to the county's biggest days like All-Ireland finals etc, it certainly lacks the same gravitas of other sports.
Spillane goes on to cite the split season as one of the main reasons behind this, but it has been a problem long before it was introduced.
However, with the integration of the GAA, LGFA and Camogie Association starting to take movement, hopefully the organisation as a whole can start pushing Gaelic Games and its overall promotion will improve.
