GPA back players in refusing interviews

GPA CHIEF Donal O’Neill has warned that more GAA players may refuse requests for television interviews in the ongoing row over on-screen displays of Club Energise.

O’Neill pointed out that the GPA has still not received any formal indication of RTE policy on this matter, despite meetings with representatives of the broadcaster’s sports department.

“Dessie (Farrell) contacted Glen Killane (head of RTE sport) recently but we have had no feedback as yet.

“We also met Glen three to four weeks ago to discuss the issue but again we received no formal communications afterwards.

“We’d like RTE to go through the process with us to see if there’s some middle ground we can reach on the issue.”

Last weekend Dublin star Alan Brogan was named as ‘man of the match’ in the game with Meath. When he was approached for a television interview he informed the producers that he wanted to take his bottle of Club Energise with him and drink from it during the recording.

Brogan was informed that it was RTE policy not to allow such product placement and he then declined to be interviewed.

Commenting on the incident, O’Neill said: “Alan Brogan used his own initiative and refused the interview, and we’d welcome player action on those lines in the future. Players will start using their own initiative from now on.

“This was happening throughout the championship last year so we don’t know why and how it was flagged now. GAA players saw the likes of Martin Johnson having their drinks during an interview after a recent rugby game, so they may feel there’s something more cynical at work here.”

The GPA also issued a statement yesterday denouncing the Cork County Board’s reappraisal of the issue of county panel numbers, as discussed at a meeting of the board earlier this week.

The GPA pointed out that the issue was formally addressed by the GAA to the satisfaction of both players and officialdom at Congress.

“I think it’s a case of letting dogs lie, as far as we’re concerned this matter has been dealt with,” said O’Neill. “It’s not something that deserves to be given a new lease of life.

“I think the fixture issue is not something that’s going to go away, and it needs to be addressed, but the finger shouldn’t be pointed at the size of county panels.

“Cork is the only county we’re aware of which is raising this issue. There’s a general acceptance that panels are now 30, and that that’s the way things are.”