Jarlath Burns | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Iarlaith Ó Broin[1] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
.jpg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| President of the Gaelic Athletic Association | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Assumed office 24 February 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Preceded by | Larry McCarthy | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Personal details | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 1968 (age 57–58) Silverbridge, County Armagh, Northern Ireland[2] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Gaelic games career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 6 ft 3 in (191 cm) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Gaelic football | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Position | Midfield | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Jarlath Burns (Irish:Iarlaith Ó Broin;[1] born 1968) is an Irish formerGaelic footballer and currentpresident of theGaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Hisleague andchampionship career at inter-county level with theArmagh senior team spanned thirteen seasons from 1987 until 1999.[3]
Burns made his senior inter-county debut for Armagh in 1987. Hecaptained Armagh to anUlster SFC title in 1999. As a player, he also won twoMcKenna Cup titles.
Burns managedIreland to victory againstAustralia in the2006 Ladies' International Rules Series.[4][5]
After retiring from playing, he became involved in the administrative affairs of the GAA. He served as an underage manager, club chairman and secretary with his local club. At county level, Burns was Armagh'sCentral Council delegate from 2010 to 2015. His involvement with the GAA at national level began in 2000 when he was appointed as the first players’ representative to Central Council. Since then, he has been involved inScór, the GAA's medical and welfare committee, theGAA 125 anniversary committee and the pitch presentations committee, and he chaired the standing committee on playing rules.[6] In 2012, he was in charge of a committee to decide when inter-provincial competitions should be played.[7]
He has worked for the media as a television analyst onThe Championship on theBBC,[8] and onTG4.[6]
In September 2019, the Armagh County Board formally proposed Burns as GAA president.[9]
In February 2023, Burns was elected to succeedLarry McCarthy asPresident of the Gaelic Athletic Association. Burns' three-year presidential term began on 24 February 2024.[10]
In a wide-ranging interview on BBC Northern Ireland'sTalkback on 17 April 2024, Burns spoke toWilliam Crawley over many issues the GAA faces.[11][12]
In January 2025, afterNaas GAA announcedRory Gallagher was to be appointed a coach,[13][14][15] Burns sent an email to Naas GAA expressing concern about Gallagher's appointment, and the offer was withdrawn.[16]
He personally attended a special meeting of theMayo County Board in May 2025.[17][18][19]
Burns, fluent in Irish, is married to Suzanne and they have five children.[6] One of them,Jarly Óg, has played for Armagh,[20][21][22] as has a nephew,Paddy.[23] In 2013, he became the principal ofSt Paul's High School, Bessbrook.[24]
Over on BBC Northern Ireland they were no less befuddled... "Predictions?" asked Austin O'Callaghan. Jarlath [Burns of Armagh]: "Cork." Mickey [Harte of Tyrone]: "Cork." Paddy [Bradley of Derry]: "Cork." [...] Final whistle. "Well?" asked Austin, but his guests didn't really know where – or how – to start.
The Orchard County have also produced decent midfielders and GAA presidents and current Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, happens to be Paddy's uncle, with cousin Jarly Og also a crucial member of Kieran McGeeney's squad.
| Sporting positions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Armagh Senior Football Captain 1998–1999 | Succeeded by |
| Preceded by | President of the Gaelic Athletic Association 2024–present | Succeeded by Incumbent |