GAA should pay debt to former players and officials

AS the GAA authorities prepare to respond to the demands of the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), they must consider at the same time how best they can upgrade the miserable level of recognition former inter-county players and officials get from the association to which they gave so much out of love of our native games and culture.

Pay-for-play is the objective of GPA officials and some players, despite their statements to the contrary.

The GAA’s failure to respond in positive way on players’ welfare has contributed to the support the GPA now enjoys among players and the general public.

The role the GAA has played over the last 120 years in Irish life has been a major factor in the progression of the social and sporting lives of the vast majority of people in provincial Ireland.

With the passage of time, GAA leaders at Croke Park level, particularly over the last 20 years, have blighted the voluntary spirit that was such a fundamental and special part of the organisation.

The bureaucracy that has developed at GAA headquarters and the multiplicity of committees is unhelpful at a time when hurling is confined at top level to nine of the 32 counties.

I welcome the belated appointment of Paudie Butler as director of hurling and I hope he will receive the support and resources his immense task requires

As the GAA receives its substantial revenues for renting Croke Park for promotions and games under the auspices of other competing organisations, let us hope these monies will be used to redress the oversights in respect of players and officials of the past whose welfare and recognition have not been given serious consideration.

Hopefully, the new president will be more focused on the real problems of the association which now faces an immense challenge from the rapidly increasing popularity of competing field games throughout every part of the country.

The failure to popularise, spread and upgrade hurling in Dublin is an indictment of association policies and the role of those at top level.

It also highlights the need for change in the priorities of the GAA if we are to succeed in saving hurling. Paudie Butler, without proper supports and resources, cannot perform miracles, despite his great capabilities.

Unless action is taken promptly our oldest field game in our capital city will fade away as it almost has among the native Dubs despite the latest success of the Dublin colleges’ team.

John J Hassett

Croke Street

Thurles

Co Tipperary