[2] Brennan's election was seen as a surprise by some and Cooney thought he had gathered enough support among delegates to secure the position.
[2] Cooney ran again for president three years later and was elected with over half the votes at the 2008 Congress, beating Liam O'Neill and Sean Fogarty.
[citation needed] Cooney was widely criticised for his stance on pitch invasions at Croke Park.
[4][5] Due to an anti-pitch invasion stance held by Cooney and other GAA officials, the GAA installed a large fence encompassing perspex screening in front of the Hill 16 end in an effort to deter pitch invasions.
[6] In numerous interviews, Cooney gave the Hillsborough disaster as an example why this fence is needed, yet numerous columnists have pointed out the irony that this fence may actually lead to a Hillsborough type tragedy at Croke Park.