Paying players would kill the GAA, says Kelly
"I think it would be the death-knell of the Association in one stroke,'' he said in reaction to comments made by Laois manager Mick O'Dwyer.
"If you were to start paying fellows for an All-Ireland final, you'd have to pay them for semi-finals, quarter-finals, for training and for club matches. You'd destroy what has made the Association so strong and what is so admired around the world now.''
Mr. Kelly stressed that Association leaders were very conscious of the importance of player welfare adding that considerable progress had been made in this regard.
And, the recent election of a players' spokesperson (Dessie Farrell) to the Central Council meant the opportunity was now there 'to move things forward even speedier,' within the amateur code.
"Pay-for-play is not on, full stop,'' he stated.
"Obviously, we have to keep player welfare 'on top of the bill' and one of the points made in the recent Marketing Report, which I commissioned, was that we would have a dedicated section to progress opportunities for players in terms of endorsements and initiatives.
"Any sponsorship deals we would enter would ensure that players benefit as well and that's all happening now in terms of getting exposure through advertisements and endorsements.''
Mr. Kelly said he accepted that 'a strong case' could be made in respect of individuals missing out on overtime opportunities because of training commitments, except that there would be a difficulty in people 'generalising' from that.
However, he feels that through 'vigilance and discussion,' situations of this nature can be dealt with satisfactorily and without breaching the amateur code.
He admitted the Association might consider setting up a 'hardship fund' that could be accessed at the end of the year, but they would have to 'tread gingerly' to protect their basic principles.
Mr. Kelly stressed that it was not correct to say that 'everybody' in Croke Park on match days was paid. They have over 200 stewards who operate on a regular basis and who don't get paid.
"These are people from all walks of life, some of them very highly qualified, others doing ordinary jobs, who have travelled to Croke Park on a regular basis for years.
"They do so on a voluntary basis and never get credit for it. They are among the most dedicated people in the Association, involved in their own clubs and yet week in, week out, they are available to steward on a voluntary basis."
Stadium Director Peter McKenna points out that (a) management are not paid for working match days, (b) staff rostered for the day are paid, in line with standard practice, (c) stewards are all volunteers and (d) security, cleaners, and maintenance personnel are all paid (through contractual payments to different companies).
Additionally, Croke Park stiles people and gate stewards are paid. This arrangement is traditional, and the number of people involved is small.
