The GAA will not be granting automatic approval to relocation schemes whereby units of the association trade town-centre venues for better facilities on the outskirts.
Dan McCartan, chair of the National Infrastructure and Safety committee, the body which makes recommendations on such deals to Central Council, says that any arrangements have to take into account more than the financial benefit.
"There is the issue of locations giving the association a presence in towns and centres of population where there is a tradition attached. This also means they're accessible to schools. That has to be valued. We need counties to look at the whole picture."
McCartan's comments echo those of GAA president Nickey Brennan, who cautioned units considering such moves to consult with the GAA before embarking on any course of action.
They also come in the aftermath of the announcement that the Kildare county board are to dispose of St Conleth's Park in Newbridge in return for a 26-acre site featuring a new stadium and facilities on the outskirts of the town - a move approved by Central Council.
"A key factor," according to McCartan, "is the potential for development. It might be desirable to build new amenities on an established site but potential for expansion is often limited and a county committee or club has to weigh up the getting of better facilities."
The Clare County Board are due to come to a decision on a similar scheme in the new year and will need to secure the permission of Central Council because most GAA grounds are vested in the association. Clubs wishing to do the same thing must go through their county boards and provincial councils.
Meanwhile, incoming Cork hurling manager Gerald McCarthy has confirmed his selectors for the coming year. They are Martin Bowen of county champions Erin's Own, Donal Collins from Blackrock, Midleton's Ger Fitzgerald and Cathal Casey from Youghal.
Collins holds 1973 and 1974 NHL medals from his playing career and was previously a selector under Donal O'Grady, whereas Fitzgerald and Casey were both members of the 1990 All-Ireland winning side. Fitzgerald has recently been in charge of the county minors.
New Mayo manager John O'Mahony has confirmed speculation that he has appointed athletics coach Jim Kilty as his physical trainer for next year. A former Irish athletics director of coaching, Kilty has also enjoyed a high profile in Gaelic games after joining up with Nicky English and being part of Tipperary's 2001 All-Ireland winning backroom team. He subsequently worked with the Wexford hurlers.
Currently best known as coach to World indoor and European outdoor medallist Derval O'Rourke, Kilty also worked with John Conran in Wexford during the 2004 Leinster championship winning season.
Still in Wexford, former hurling captain and All Star Darragh Ryan has become the latest big-name retirement. An inspiring player, mostly at full back but sometimes playing farther up the field, Ryan had his later career frequently disrupted by a chronic knee injury and was unable to play for the county this year. From the St Anne's club, Ryan was an accomplished dual player and represented the county at football.
