Liam Mulvihill has announced his retirement as Director General of the G.A.A.
Liam has served in the most senior administrative office in the Association since 1979 making him the second longest serving Director General in its history and only the fourth incumbent of the office since 1901. Only Paddy O Keefe who served from 1929 to 1964 has a longer tenure in office.
A native of Kenagh, Co Longford, Liam is the holder of Leinster and All Ireland senior college’s football medals with St Mel’s. He played inter county football with Longford at all grades. At the age of 23 he became Vice-Chairman of the Longford County Board and at 24 he became Chairman. He was a member of the GAA’s Central Council for many years before his appointment as Director General. Liam was educated at St Patrick’s College Drumcondra, U.C.D, Maynooth College and U.C.G. He worked as a primary school teacher and later a School’s Inspector before accepting the post of Director General. Mulvihill also filled various roles with State Bodies throughout his career including the R.T.E Authority, Bord na Gaeilge, the Irish Sports Council and he was a member of the board of the Sports Campus Ireland project at Abbottstown.
Liam has guided the GAA through the conflict in the six counties, the evolution of its infrastructure countrywide, and has been the catalyst in the development of the Games, their primary competitive structures and their promotion. He also oversaw the era of Live television, sponsorship and the commercial mobilisation of the G.A.A.
Mulvihill created the concept of the new Croke Park and was the one central and constant dynamic in bringing the massive project from genesis to fruition. He will remain at the helm of the G.A.A until his successor is appointed early next year