Official recognition for GPA ‘already secured’

THE GAELIC Players Association is now the ‘de facto’ official representative body of GAA players, chief executive Dessie Farrell told their AGM at the Heritage Hotel in Portlaoise.

“With regard to official recognition, it is my belief that this is something that would always be assumed over time, rather than being granted by officialdom,” said Farrell.

“We have now been in existence for five years and have met with Croke Park’s top officials under two different presidents. Having also read Sean Kelly’s comments regarding the GPA in his Congress address (Kelly accepted that the players don’t seem to want anyone else to represent them), it could be said the recognition is already secured.”

With a claimed membership of over 1,400 hurlers and footballers from all 32 counties, an average of 44 players per county, there can be no disputing that the GPA is in a strong position, numerically. Financially, the fledgling organisation is also on a sound footing, generating income in 2004 of nearly ½ million, most of which came from sponsorship through Carphone Warehouse, its primary sponsor, and Club Energise, the energy drink being promoted by the GPA.

This was nearly double the amount raised the previous year, and a quantum leap from the €61,000 secured in its first year of operations. Of the total income, €31,000 went towards Player Scholarships, with €102,375 going back to the players by way of the GPA Monthly Awards and Player Endorsements. Excess of income over expenditure was €7,745.

Commercial Director Donal O’Neill mentioned the setting up of individual Official County GPA Funds, controlled by the GPA rep and one other nominated squad member, for the exclusive use of the players in those individual counties. Funds from the sales of Club Energise will be paid directly into those funds, with incentive/bonus schemes to give extra money for effective promotion of Club Energise within that county.

O’Neill’s report (read in his absence by Farrell), went on to criticise the GAA for its ongoing ban on advertising of Club Energise in GAA grounds, or its use by GAA players in an official capacity. O’Neill also announced that the GPA has initiated legal action against Cranbridge Ltd., the company behind the GAA-endorsed Sticker Album.

Six motions were proposed and adopted, including a call “that the GAA initiate an appropriate process to audit the application of Central Council guidelines pertaining to player welfare.” This was in response to complaints from players in the weaker codes of several counties, but particularly to hurlers in the strong Ulster football counties.

Another motion called on the GAA to improve the current insurance scheme, for inter-county players, while in a separate motion, the Club Energise ban also came up for mention, a ban which, it was claimed, contradicts the GAA’s own policy of promoting Irish industry, given that the energy drink is an Irish product in a foreign-dominated market.

In the election of officers, Armagh footballer Kieran McGeeney was elected secretary, with Cork’s Donal Óg Cusack, who had held that position, elected chairman.

Over 90 players attended the meeting, with apologies from 19 county squads involved in training or games at the weekend.

“We were happy with the turnout, in the circumstances,” said Farrell.

“There’s no ideal time to hold the AGM. Next year, we might just confine the AGM to delegates from each squad, who will be mandated by their own players, with provision in there for a proxy delegate if the squad is tied up that evening.”