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."

There will disappointment, and possibly a little anger, in Croke Park this morning at the news. The GAA's official players' committee had already implied they would prefer one unified players' group going into the next phase of GAA history, particularly as Jarlath Burns has decided to step down as chairman. The incoming president also favoured such a move.

However, Farrell believed the GPA were left with little option but to remain outside Croke Park. One of the most emotional aspects of the AGM, in which DJ Carey replaced Jamesie O'Connor as president of the body, was Donal Óg Cusack's presentation and appraisial of the situation with Cork hurlers. "It was a rousing speech and the message was clear. If the players stand together on an issue, they can't be defeated. The Cork situation showed what can be achieved when the players stand united," Farrell said.

The other key issue for 2003 is image rights. Donal O'Neill, the founder of the association, rejected claims he was going to brought inside Croke Park to work in the commercial area. "We don't think Croke Park has adequately represented the players in this capacity," O'Neill said. "We feel we would have more expertise and with players on board, be able to conduct a more proactive commercial campaign. It was suggested that I would go and work with Croke Park. That won't be happening. We are willing to co-operate with Croke Park on this issue, but only if they acknowledge that the GPA holds the legal right to the image and likeness of the players in commercial matters. We feel that is fundamental to our stratagem to protect the players," O'Neill said. Over the past year, the GPA has taken several court cases against companies using the image of players for commercial ends, including a highly-publicised one for the Dubs.