“We’ve not gone away you know,” says Dessie

GPA chief Dessie Farrell insisted last night that developments in the 2002 inter-county season have put firmly to rest any notion that the new players’ body is going to “fold up and go away”.

“This year has seen the opening of negotiations between the Association and the GAA, and our most recent meeting with Croke Park would suggest there are grounds for optimism,” he said.

The Carphone Warehouse sponsored GPA chief said 2002 had seen an unprecedented airing of grievances by inter-county players.