GAA rules out payment for play

THE GAA can never pay a weekly allowance to inter-county players – or even to consider compensation for loss of earnings – if it is to remain an amateur organisation, Association President Sean Kelly insisted yesterday.

He was speaking after Central Council ratified a raft of recommendations put forward by the GAA's Amateur Status Committee aimed at addressing the concerns of players. And he conceded that the increase in the travel allowance from 38c to 45c from next month and to 50c from the beginning of next year will place a severe financial burden on counties, many of whom are insolvent.

"Obviously, we are increasing the mileage rate at a time when it's very difficult for us but it goes to show how serious we are about addressing the concerns of players and particularly our elite players who play at inter-county level," he commented.