Kelly plays down Cusack recognition claims

GAA President Sean Kelly has played down the need to formally recognise the Gaelic Player’s Association, despite new GPA chairman Donal Óg Cusack’s warning that “direct acton” may be required to force the issue in the coming year.

Cork hurling goalkeeper Cusack intimated that unless motions recognising the GPA’s rights and conditions were put forward by the GAA at Congress, then the players would have to act.

That seemed to contradict the earlier speech of GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell, who played down the need for official recognition, claiming the organisation was already the de facto official players’ body.

“(The mixed signals) might be reflective of the fact that the GPA are a fledgling organisation and they haven’t really whittled down their exact agenda, what they hope to achieve in the future,” said Kelly.

“Obviously, that will have to develop over a period of time. I can understand where Dessie is coming from. You can make too much of the official recognition thing. I think what they would be worried about is if a rival group were to set up representing players. As I said at Congress, I don’t think that’s realistic.

“I think they’ve taken a certain amount of succour and satisfaction from that. All you can do is progress, you can’t force issues. There are various things to be sorted out and people need to know where their responsibilities start and finish. The important thing is to keep talking and see how it develops.”

Indeed, responsibilities is likely to be the key issue when the GAA and GPA sit down again after their first formal meeting of the Kelly era was held last week. Croke Park has long flagged its concern at the GPA’s energetic dip into the commercial market, whereas Farrell has constantly stressed the point that there is more than enough money and opportunities to fill both parties’ coffers.

“We have met them over the last week or two and there are obviously things that need to be discussed, particularly in relation to commercial issues and so forth,” said Kelly.

“Those matters will be of crucial importance if there is to be progress down the line.”

Kelly said he was satisfied with last week’s meeting, playing down the significance of the fact that it was his first formal discussion with the GPA.

“I had met Dessie and all the members on and off over the last year-and-a-half so there was no great need to break any ice or anything like that. It was a good, constructive meeting and we put our cards on the table, as did they. I think we both have to go away and reflect on the viewpoints expressed by us to them and them to us.”