Galway football manager John O'Mahony has put his weight behind the idea of a forum which would bring players and administrators into closer contact on a regular basis in order to discuss mutual problems.

"I wouldn't wish to rock the boat. The system which has grown up has served the GAA well but times change. There are great traditions in the GAA which have created a very strong organisation but there is a need to bridge the gap that exists between what happens on the field of play and in the training and dressing-room situation and those who make the decisions.

"A forum of some kind which would give players, selectors and managers a voice in matters would be welcome. I'm not sure how that could be brought about but it need not be confrontational. It could certainly be the very opposite in allowing players and managers to have an input into the way the games are run," he says.

He also believes that there should be an effort to take some of the pressure off players, particularly those who play at the highest level who have commitments to both their clubs and their counties. He points out that players in the Premiership soccer in England now have a much longer "close season" than those who play hurling and football.

"I believe that radical changes are needed to cope with the new demands on players. For instance, after winning the All-Ireland title last September, the Galway players had to buckle down to their club championships and then the National League. Players need a break after a hard campaign in the championship.

"Then again, we were very happy to be in the position of being All-Ireland champions after such a long break since 1966 and Galway's famous three-in-a-row. I suppose we shouldn't complain, because that is exactly what we wanted to do, but people should realise how much personal time and effort is put into the games."

He is in confident mood as he leads the All-Ireland champions into Sunday's Connacht final against Mayo in Tuam. Relieved to get out of the difficulties which Sligo presented in the drawn game and the replay, he believes that the experience has helped his team.

"Of course the extra match has been of great benefit to us. It is better than training, and players realise that they have to put in an extra effort when it comes to the championship," he says. Galway are determined to retain their All-Ireland title this summer, he maintains. "It may have been a bit difficult to focus the minds of players after last year's victory but, by and large, they responded very well.

"It is only natural in an amateur game for players to relax after such an important victory, but they have trained very hard in the last few weeks and have responded well to the demands which have been made on them.

"Fitness levels are much higher now than they were some years ago. Different structures have also been put in place as well and everybody knows what is going on.

"There was a time when there was very little coaching or serious training for matches until the weeks before the big day. Now there are all sorts of people behind the scenes who know about these matters including diet and so on."

Sunday's game is not for a foregone conclusion however. "We have to remember that Leitrim beat us in Tuam in 1993 and '94 and we are well aware of Mayo's strengths at the moment. They have been allowed to be in the background as our clash with Sligo ran into a replay. We are the All-Ireland champions and, naturally, everybody wants to beat us. And our rivalry with Mayo goes back a long way."

But Galway are in good shape. "Now all we can do is wait for Sunday and give it all we've got," O'Mahony concludes.