Players’ sponsor move will get red card

ANY attempt at an unofficial product endorsement by players in next Sunday’s Guinness All-Ireland hurling semi-final could land them and their teams in trouble with the GAA.

News broke earlier in the week of a reported endorsement of a national firm of bookmakers by four players from Cork and Wexford using their hurleys and four more in the second semi-final a week later.

However, the association's rules governing sponsorship firmly rule out such an arrangement.

The rules specifically prohibit the sponsorship of playing gear other than that officially sanctioned and which conforms to guidelines. In this instance, hurleys come under the heading of playing gear.

Units, teams and individuals are also banned from contracting themselves to use particular forms of playing gear or accessories, other than those covered under rule.

And, more pertinently, acceptance of payment or any material reward by an individual is strictly prohibited.

The GAA have not reacted publicly to the reports of the alleged endorsement deal. However, informed sources point out that any such individual arrangement with a firm would be regarded as a serious breach of the rules and could not be ignored.

Players are allowed to advertise or endorse products for material gain outside of the games, but definitely not in a playing capacity.

For a player to accept payment for a private endorsement while representing his county (or club) would be tantamount to breaching the amateur status code.

It follows, too, that association leaders would be very much aware of the sensitivity of their official sponsors in relation to any possible breaching of the rules.

The GPA last night indicated that they had not heard of the reported deal with the players, but were aware of such rumours over the past few weeks.

There had also been speculation in recent times that hurling helmets might be used for sponsorship purposes, but they have so far proved unfounded.

Meanwhile, the Waterford senior hurlers are set to receive their Munster SHC medals, at a function next October, 15 months after winning the title.

Last year, the Deices captured their first provincial senior hurling crown in 38 years but the players still have to be presented with the medals.

A GAA dinner held in January in Dungarvan was to have been followed by the medal presentation. However, it was boycotted by the county team.

Players did not want the function clashing with a number of award presentations for footballer, hurler and club of the year, and a number were also believed to be upset at the fact that only two tickets were being allocated to each player.

The medals have since been lodged in a safety deposit box by the provincial GAA authorities. But plans are in place to undertake a gala presentation once the county senior hurling championship is completed in Waterford.