Gaelic Players Association the 'lifeblood of GAA'

GPA chiefs insisted yesterday they had to stay independent to survive and threw down the gauntlet to incoming GAA president Seán Kelly to prove that player welfare is one of his priorities in office.

Up to 100 players voted unanimously at an otherwise low-key players' AGM not to merge with Jarlath Burns' official players' group, but outlined their wish to take a seat on Croke Park's Central Council. "The running issue was should we stay or should we should go," said chief executive Dessie Farrell. "And the discusson produced three main points the players want to remain an independent body.

We are offering the olive branch to Croke Park in that we are willing to take a seat on Central Council, but we will not be participating in any election to nominate a new representative body within Croke Park."