Jarlath Burns

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Jarlath Burns was born in Creggan in south Armagh and still lives in that area. He played for Armagh between 1986 and 1999 and was he first Armagh captain to lift the Anglo Celt in 17 years in that year. It is generally felt that this kick-started the revival of Armagh's fortunes and culminated in the All Ireland success of 2002. He is a teacher and has taught Irish since 1991 in St. Paul's Bessbrook where he is Vice Principal. He also works as an analyst on the BBC programme The Championship and as a fluent Irish speaker. He works for TG4 as an analyst. When he retired, he remained busy as the first Chairman of the Player's Committee and then as chairman of the Scor and Culture Committee. He is now on the DRA and the GAA's influential Medical and Scientific Committee and this year he was appointed manager of the Ladies International team who had two easy victories over the Aussies. He s an outspoken critic of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and is immersed in the cultural side of the GAA which he sees as critically important to maintain if we are to keep the GAA alive. He has been tipped as a future President of the GAA, though his media profile may hinder rather than help that aspiration. He has never state publicly his intention or desire to become President, but may make a move soon. He is currently involved in coaching and was part of the TG4 reality programme Underdogs. He is also involved in the Irish Colleges in the Gaeltacht and is a headmaster of one of the courses.