Burns: Adults know best when it comes to Go Games

GAA president elect Jarlath Burns says the onset of early competition for children playing Gaelic games is one reason why some players drift away from hurling and football.

The GAA Go Games model has been under the spotlight recently, with a debate sparked on the merits of competitive games for children aged 12 or under.

Go Games have been in existence for the last 13 years, normally run on a blitz basis under-12 down with no competitive or knockout element. The matches are small-sided with all players guaranteed game time and scores not to be published, while trophies should not be presented.

It came back into public debate when the GAA sent a notification to clubs recently reminding them that there had been no change to existing policy as well as the sanctions for a breach of rule.

'Under 12s games are some of the most attended games – the parents are frustrated; the coaches are frustrated' @RoryHickey5 Rory Hickey, a former county referee, gives his views on the GAA rules around non-competitive play in U12s games. #RTEUpfront pic.twitter.com/NpaO1FIkSM

Former inter-county football referee Rory Hickey was among those who spoke strongly in favour of Go Games, citing the abuse that teenage referees suffer from the sidelines during underage games that have a competitive element to them, while RTÉ football analyst Enda McGinley suggested that children wanted to be treated like adults and that there is room for a competitive element to be incorporated, at least in part.

Speaking at the Launch of the Geraldines GFC's walking track in Louth to coincide with the beginning of 100K in 30 Days for breast cancer in aid of the Marie Keating Foundation, Burns said the current policy was for the betterment of the children involved.

"If you