GAA National Coaching and Medical Conference: The GAA National Coaching and Medical Conference was successfully held in Croke Park for the first time at the weekend.

Wrapping up the main business of the conference on Saturday, Christy Cooney, chair of the Games Development Committee, said there were two big challenges facing the GAA's coaching structures.

"Uachtarán Nickey Brennan wants to know are we getting value for the resources we're putting into coaching and, secondly, coaching isn't worth its salt if we don't have a programme of games that maximises the exposure we give to our players in an even-handed way."

This year's conference was broader and more varied than had been the case in previous years. With up to six options available for each session it was possible for the nearly 700 delegates to pursue relatively specialised programmes throughout the day.

Among the modules on offer was a presentation by outgoing Kerry physical trainer Pat Flanagan, entitled "Integrated Training for Gaelic Football", and a well attended and absorbing address, "Reflections on Coaching and Management", by Mickey Moran, who stepped down as Mayo manager after last September's big All-Ireland defeat by Kerry.

Moran avoided direct references to that experience but drew some laughter when he said: "Not all committees are bad. I know one that's fairly good," and wound up by saying: "May your God go with you and, if not, hope that he's not taking the day off and supporting the opposition - especially if they're green and gold."

Earlier in the day, president Brennan had called for county boards to take a tougher line on discipline and make sure miscreants were made accountable for their actions.

"It saddens me to see county committee officers challenging decisions on procedural grounds just to get somebody off a serious offence. There is a serious lack of leadership among some of our officers."

He again criticised the violent scenes at the recent second International Rules Test but added that the association had been embarrassed by indiscipline in their own games.

"We need to get rid of that aspect and carry on in our games, which are watched by a huge audience across the country and parents and children are being influenced by what they see."