GPA chief says Player's Association is not about to collapse

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell has rejected claims by former Wexford hurler Liam Dunne the Player's Association is on the verge of collapse.

Dunne, who won an All-Ireland medal with Wexford in 1996, deemed the GPA a "disaster" and claimed it was keen only to develop the interests of the top inter-county players.

Farrell however completed dismissed such claims.

"Absolutely," the GPA chief said yesterday. "Obviously I was disappointed to read those views from a former member. It is far removed from the truth.

"Indeed he was inaccurate in some things he said. We have done stuff for Wexford in the past and we will do things for them in the future.

"Last summer one of their players was involved in Club Energise programme and a lot of players from the county are in the running for GPA scholarships." Dunne claimed in his book I Crossed The Line that: "The rugby player Gordon D'Arcy got a few quid for endorsing Wexford Creamery this year.

"Some of us have worn the jersey for 14 years but if we individually endorsed their products there would be a big fuss over it and we probably would be discouraged for fear of upsetting the apple cart," said Dunne. "In this context, the GPA is a disaster. Certain players have done well out of it.

"The top five, the likes of DJ, Henry Shefflin, Jason Sherlock, Peter Canavan and Kieran McGeeney."

Farrell responded: "These guys never needed the GPA to build on their profile. What we did was challenge and then defeated the GAA into allowing players to do endorsements.

"Now it's not just the big names and faces but more of the weaker counties are getting the opportunity to engage in such deals.

"But the commercial side of things is one small part of the GPA. The main point is the union side of activity and ensuring better treatment for players and our members."

The boss said communication with GAA head office was unsatisfactory.

"Our relationship with Sean Kelly is very positive but our relationship with the GAA is still poor. It would be nice to sit down and discuss things. But despite a number of letters from our side we have received nothing formal from Croke Park."