Will this input be too late?

WHEN reflecting on the significant changes that GAA Congress, Special or otherwise, has implemented over the past 20 years or so, a common thread runs through them.

- PAT NOLAN

The motion in question tends to be driven continuously by at least one influential figurehead.

Think Sean Kelly (above) and rule 42 in 2005. Eugene McGee and the black card, also backed by then president Liam O'Neill, in 2013. Paraic Duffy and the Super 8s in 2017. John Horan and the Tailteann Cup in 2019.

The latter two in particular were highly questionable policies that were widely pilloried ahead of the vote but with a Central Council label and someone of particular influence pushing it, the chances of success on the Congress floor soar.

If a club or county had advanced similar motions, they would have died on the vine.

And even at that, they don't always succeed.