All-Ireland finals could be pushed into August - Tom Ryan

GAA director general Tom Ryan has indicated that the All-Ireland hurling and football finals could be pushed into August from 2026 but he ruled out a possible return to September deciders.

Since 2022, All-Ireland finals have been played in July, with the calendar being re-arranged around the split-season formula of reserved time for club and inter-county.

While surveys indicate the split season is favoured by players, it has met opposition from supporters, as well as critics, who feel the GAA is losing promotional potential by concluding its most high-profile competitions in mid-summer.

In his annual report, Ryan suggested that All-Ireland finals could edge back into early August in the future, adding that such a move "would be no bad thing."

"There is a gathering mood to shuffle the finals back by a week or two, and that may well transpire in the future," Ryan said.

"Stretching the season out a little would be no bad thing – but I don't foresee a return to September.

"A further opportunity to stretch the season might well present itself at the other end of things, in January. Perhaps the suspension of the provincial pre-season competitions could point to starting the Allianz Leagues a little earlier in future?

"It’s probably too early to reach conclusions around this yet. 2025 is just a trial and the competitions are still on hold. But it merits debate."

There are already changes to the current approach on the agenda, with a motion going to Congress proposing that All-Ireland finals go straight to replays rather than extra-time, in the wake of last summer's All-Ireland hurling final between Clare and Cork.

"Congress is also asked to consider reintroducing replays for drawn provincial finals, and to dispense with extra time after