THE year 2012 is but a pup and hardly a ball has been kicked yet in anger.

Late December and early January can be a sports editor's nightmare as he scrambles to fill the column inches. Team of the Year is always a good one. But no need for such fillers this year. The GAA world has been knee-deep in it for weeks as tabloids and broadsheets surrender both front and back pages to GAA coverage.

Unfortunately for Croke Park they're not the headlines they enjoy reading … Manager Payments … Violent Brawls … Segregating Fans …Training Bans … County Boards' & Clubs' Spiralling Debt … College v County … Let's look at the issues.

Manager Payments

To my knowledge payments to managers began 20 or 25 years ago. It started with intercounty managers and gradually trickled through to the club scene during the mid to late 90s. Successive GAA Presidents and various high-powered committees have chosen to ignore this piece of expenditure on the balance sheet..

My own view is that intercounty managers should receive a fixed payment amount each year. This should be approved by Croke Park and be paid from central coffers. An added bonus could be payable for Provincial or All-ireland winners.

Clubs should also be entitled to pay expenses to managers if they wish, but with a limit set and approved by the relevant County Boards to ensure everything is above board.

Heads have been stuck in the sand for too long on this issue and it's high time it was dealt with.

Violent Brawls

I watched Eamon Dunphy (pictured above) last weekend on a well-known talk show where the host questioned him on some of the day's hot topics. When asked about violence in the GAA he smirked as only he can and remarked that getting the odd dig was all part and parcel of the game.

He recounted stories of going to St Vincent's matches with his father in north Dublin and how they would end in trouble.

I was surprised by his reaction. I was expecting outrage and condemnation. After all that's what he does best.

It got me thinking. Violence in the GAA is unwelcome (and this coming from one who has seen his fair share of it), but it is no worse now than it ever has been. Improved media coverage means we see so much more of it. Youtube now allows for a Junior C subsidiary league match to receive worldwide coverage if there is an unsavoury incident.

While the GAA remains in its present parish format I think we will continue to witness the odd fracas – unfortunately.

Training Bans

January 1st brought us the crisp sound of cracking joints and stretching tendons as intercounty panels awoke from their twomonth slumber. Yet another successful and strictly adhered to 'Training Ban' had passed. What a joke!

The authorities in HQ need to catch a grip before this farce causes more embarrassment. Scrap it or enforce it, end of story.

NFL countdown

Louth play host to Westmeath in Haggardstown this Sunday in a repeat of last year's opening league fixture. Wee County fans will be hoping for a similar outcome as scrolling down the fixture list you get a sense of the importance of a winning start. However, if Paddy Keenan is not at full fitness we may find it an uphill battle.

-The year's first Sideline bet is a treble on France, Scotland and Ireland to make winning starts in the 6 Nations at 3/1 with Quay Sports. Thanks to Barry for his continued sponsorship and let's hope for a better run of winners than 2011!

- Seamus O'Hanlon