'Pay for play' not on
'Pay-for-play' was not an option, but neither was it desired by the majority of their players, he suggested. What was required was a proper appreciation of the huge sacrifices they were continuing to make and a respect for that effort.
Fr. McNamara told delegates that their amateur ethos remained 'one of the core values' of the Association, and to change that would be to the detriment of our Association." "We also have to acknowledge the voluntary contribution of so many hard-working people at all levels of the Association from our own clubs, to county board level, central level, right to the top. And that contribution has to be respected." "I would say that the primary thing is that 'pay-for-play' is not on. It will shock and destroy the very foundations on which our Association is built. I see that as neither an option or as something that is desired by the majority of county players when you talk to them. "But what is desired and is a very definite option is that the massive contribution of our county players, the sacrifices they make and the time they give, are recognised, acknowledged, respected and rewarded. In his view, the time was 'now ripe' for the Association to sit down with the players' representatives and deal with the current difficulties. And, he believes these difficulties can be resolved if they are faced up to now 'honestly, with vision, realism and with mutual respect.'
