Bigger and better, GPA has come of age
Firstly, it was bigger and better than in the past, with 1,300 guests present – a fitting way to mark the 10 years of the association’s existence..
The spectacle and entertainment was good but it was the underlying confidence and assurance that all this illustrated which was most noticeable.
Dessie Farrell’s address was different both in tone and delivery to previous speeches. Gone was the cribbing and complaining, the appealing to be heard, the quest for recognition from state and the GAA.
Instead he hit a milder, confident note. The GPA, he pointed out, had survived a decade. It had struggled and battled. Now the wars were over, the game was won. The GPA is here to stay and whatever obstacles were to be overcome, they would do so confidently in the future.
Farrell was philosophical about the massive reduction of state aid from €3.5m last year to €1.1m this year, accepting that we live in hard times and that there is nothing to be gained by fighting the cut.
Regarding official recognition from the GAA, Farrell said the GPA were on the ‘cusp’ of an agreement. But there was no sense of euphoria or celebration, it was something that was going to happen anyway and it was no big deal. After all 10 years of growth was undeniable.
I think he is right. I get the distinct feeling now that the GAA is more anxious to officially recognise the GPA than the GPA is to be recognised.
And when it happens don’t be surprised if there is more back-slapping and self congratulations in Croke Park than at GPA HQ in Dromcondra.
Farrell knows he and his colleagues have created a place for themselves that cannot be ignored. So for GAA chiefs it is much better, therefore, to have them inside the tent, ostensibly, at least, than outside it free, powerful and dangerous.
What’s more the players are onside. Even the GPA Team of the Year Awards mean more to those honoured than perhaps any other awards.
There is something special and prestigious about being recognised by your peers as opposed to a group of journalists.
The player votes for the Teams of the Year are all conducted individually so there is no room to balance the distribution or discuss the merits of one player over the other.
The players know that and that recognition by colleagues is special and significant accordingly. It may lead to imbalance as we saw last week when eight Kerry players, six Cork players and Kildare’s Dermot Earley made up the GPA football team, though the hurling team achieved a slightly better spread.
People mightn’t agree with it but it is indisputably transparent and authentic. But judging by both selections, there is no room for sentiment with the players. They play to win and they recognise those that do. All those honoured are winners and exceptional performers. Just like the GPA.
