A leading solicitor has warned the GAA is facing a deluge of complaints arising from its ill-suited and excessive child and adult safeguarding rules. In front of the Disputes Resolution Authority (DRA) in October, Sally represented Monaghan club Corduff in a child safeguarding case. Citing Rule 1.11 (b) of the GAA’s Official Guide, which states the GAA “shall respect their (U18s) rights, wishes and feelings”, Sally made a successful argument and the minor game with Donaghmoyne was postponed. He suspects up to 500 social workers would be required to ensure the adult safeguarding rule as it reads is applied. Whereas in fact with safeguarding we are trying to fly an airplane and we haven’t finished building the thing.

Source: Irish Examiner January 06, 2026 07:35 UTC