Sport

The Candidates - Albert Fallon

From his term of office as chairman of Leinster Council, from 1993-96, Albert Fallon has been regarded as a potential future …

Sat Apr 17 1999 - 01:00

From his term of office as chairman of Leinster Council, from 1993-96, Albert Fallon has been regarded as a potential future president of the GAA. His forthright approach to planning and administration is well regarded within the province and at national level.

A 51-year old secondary teacher, he is chairman of the coaching and games development committee. He has a considerable interest in the area of coaching and believes his main achievement in administration to date has been the amalgamation of the colleges and vocational schools organisation in Leinster.

His involvement in coaching also included the appointment of 33 full-time coaching officers.

During last year's initiative by Joe McDonagh to propose the abolition of Rule 21, Fallon was a prominent advocate of reform. At the special congress in May he was one of those who strongly articulated the president's position.

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This is his first time running for the office and he is expected to come in a respectable second place. Although his campaign appears to have faltered a little in the last week, few believe that Fallon won't survive until the second count.

The withdrawal of his successor Jim Berry has left Leinster open to Fallon and he is expected to clean up the vast preponderance - if not quite the entirety - of the province's vote. In a bitter postscript to the last election, some of Joe McDonagh's supporters are strongly backing Fallon.

His priorities for the GAA reflect the general concern with sociological changes in Ireland: "The urbanisation of the population and the fact that structures are not in place to react to the changing face of society. It is important for planners to provide green fields for sports facilities and for clubs to build the necessary structures."

Fallon also believes strongly in the retention of the GAA's policy of amateurism. "Protecting the amateur ethos of the association would be another priority. The professional approach demanded from players creates pressures but the game can't afford a full-time professional game even if players should be treated properly."