Saturday, November 07, 2009
DESSIE FARRELL claimed last night that the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) was "on the cusp’’ of gaining formal recognition from the GAA but warned that some obstacles still need to be cleared.
The GPA chief executive was speaking on the tenth anniversary of the body at their annual gala and awards night in Citywest. Among the attendance were Labour leader Eamon Gilmore Fine Gael’s John O’Mahony and Seán Kelly MEP.
Also among the attendees was Walter Palmer, a former NBA basketballer and general secretary of EU Athletes, a federation of players’ associations across Europe which the GPA recently joined and which has been established to enhance players’ rights for both professional and amateur athletes.
"The tone of what I have to say to you tonight is in stark contrast to this time last year when we cautioned against further delays in a meaningful engagement on official recognition,’’ said Farrell in his address.
"This summer gone by saw players assert themselves in a manner never before witnessed but one that was measured and demonstrated the importance of the inter-county player to the commercial success of the GAA.
"While much of the GAA has stayed the same in the last 125 years, a lot has also changed. Getting people to accept new ideas and new ways can be difficult enough, but perhaps not as difficult as getting them to forget old ones.
"However, this autumn the GPA has seen a change — as a new way has been embraced. This change has come about with the establishment of a genuine process to resolve differences between us and the GAA, a genuine will to put the past behind and look forward to a bright future.
"If agreement can be reached and ratified by respective bodies we are confident that this will represent the final step in a long journey.’’
Farrell claimed that official recognition would herald the dawning of a new era in the GAA and bring to an end "a prolonged period of hostility, confrontation and suspicion".
"The 125-year history of the GAA is illustrious,’’ he added.
"Players have been an integral part of that rich legacy. Now, after 10 years, we would appear to be on the cusp. Through formal recognition of the GPA, players can play an even more important and beneficial role in the future of the GAA. For all concerned, that is a step worth taking.’’
The GPA’s AGM was held earlier in the day and one of the four motions passed granted its national executive the authority to conclude the official recognition talks and ratify any agreement that may be reached.
Three others motions dealt with welfare services for current and former players, while a working group is to be established among players from the weaker hurling counties to make recommendations to the executive on the game at that level.
Other routine housekeeping saw Wicklow’s Dara O hAnnaidh replace Seán Cavanagh as secretary while Brian Whelahan was returned as president and Donal Óg Cusack as chairman.
The Cork goalkeeper is currently leading a group of volunteers to Zambia to undertake a number of building projects under the umbrella of the Alan Kerins Foundation and Farrell paid tribute to his recent announcement.
"It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge Dónal Óg’s courage in his recent public acknowledgment. The positive impact of this action for Irish society and, particularly, for many young gay men and women who have suffered unnecessarily should not be underestimated.
"The strongest man in the world is the one who stands alone. We in the GPA are fortunate to have him amongst our ranks, as is the GAA in theirs.’’
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