Farrell rules out final strike
"I don't think that's a runner, nor will we be calling a meeting of the teams involved to even discuss the matter," Farrell said.
"I don't think it would be fair to the players. This is what they've trained for for the last year and they don't want or need any disruption now."
That will come as some consolation to GAA chiefs because, with packed houses anticipated for both finals, a strike would prove extremely costly to the organisation.
Farrell said: "A strike for the All-Ireland final is a bridge too far this year, but talking to lads around the country, there is a mood that if something isn't achieved over the next few months, you could see some form of radical action when the league begins next year, and that in itself is a major shift.
"Strike action was mooted at the egm a few months ago in Portlaoise and I think it was on the back of that the GAA entered into negotiations with us.
"Those negotiations are on-going, and it would be premature now to do anything to jeopardise that.
Limerick senior hurling captain Mark Foley is one of the most high-profile players in the country at the moment and he too feels strike action at this stage of the championship isn't on. However, like Farrell, he doesn't rule it out for next year.
"I think it's a bit too early to be talking about strike action. But certainly in the closed season there's going to be a lot of discussion among the players on this. I think you could have something happening if there isn't progress made before the national league in February.
"During the season, both the GAA and the players are too busy, too focused on the championship, to worry about anything else, but I think you're going to see a lot of action in the off-season this year.
"The GPA and the GAA have to sit down and iron something out, for everyone's sake, rather than let it come down to the players having to take radical action."
In 1993, Eddie O'Connor suffered serious criticism over his speech after the All-Ireland final in which he called on the GAA to give something back to the players.
Cork hurling keeper Donal Óg Cusack is getting similar flak for his remarks this week on local radio.
Multiple All-Ireland-winning former Offaly star Johnny Pilkington is another outspoken player.
Multiple All-Ireland-winner with his native Offaly, still active with his club, Birr, in 1998 an interview he gave criticising his manager, Babs Keating, for remarks he had made about the Offaly team after their Leinster final loss, led to Keating's resignation. While Pilkington agreed with O'Connor's stance in 93, he too would be reluctant to see the GPA strike on All-Ireland final day.
"I don't know, strike action is very severe, the last resort. Neither the GAA, RTÉ or Guinness would be happy with a strike, or even talk of a strike, but you have to ask the question would the players from the two counties involved be willing to go along with it?
"You could threaten it alright, but would it happen? And you have to be prepared to follow through.
"The GPA are trying to go down the negotiation route, without having recourse to strike. If they don't make headway, more stringent action will have to be taken."



