For almost three decades, Liam Mulvihill held the most senior administrative role in the GAA. Director General from 1979 to 2008, he helped guide the Association through a period of enormous change, including the transformation of its most famous address.
Croke Park is quite a project to have on your CV. These days, Liam is putting that experience to work as an Independent Director of Páirc Tailteann C.L.G.
His story began in Kenagh, Co Longford, with football boots rather than meetings. At St Mel’s, he won Leinster and All-Ireland senior colleges football medals and went on to represent Longford at every grade.
Administration entered the picture early. At 23, he became Vice-Chairman of Longford County Board. A year later, he was Chairman. Clearly, he was never one to ease himself into things.
A primary school teacher and later a schools inspector, Liam served on the GAA’s Central Council before becoming Director General in 1979. He would remain in the role for almost 29 years, as television coverage, sponsorship and commercial development became increasingly significant parts of the Association’s life.
The biggest physical change was happening at headquarters.
Liam was a driving force behind the vision for the redevelopment of Croke Park and helped see it through across the terms of six GAA presidents. It was a project that changed the ground familiar to generations of supporters and demanded years of planning, funding and persistence.
His experience also extended beyond the GAA, with roles on the RTÉ Authority, Bord na Gaeilge, the Irish Sports Council and the board of the Sports Campus Ireland project at Abbottstown.
In Meath, his involvement began long before the cranes arrived in Navan.
Liam and Noel Dempsey were asked by then County Board Chairman Conor Tormay to examine the county’s infrastructure needs. Their report identified two priorities: permanent facilities at Dunganny and the modernisation of Páirc Tailteann.
The clubs gave it unanimous backing, and the pair were asked to manage the Dunganny project. It was completed on time and within budget.
Then came Páirc Tailteann. Liam and Noel undertook the feasibility study and early planning and design work, with Séamus Kenny joining them as the project progressed.
One of the most significant sources of funding was the Immigrant Investor Programme, through which €12.8 million was earmarked for the project. Meath became the first county board to apply successfully for the scheme.
Today, Liam continues that work as an Independent Director of Páirc Tailteann C.L.G., part of the team overseeing the redevelopment.
Croke Park may be the best known address on his CV. But Dunganny, and now the new stand taking shape in Navan, tell a substantial Meath chapter of their own.
By Meath GAA Tue 3rd Nov
