Kernan wants to see grants issue finally sorted out

ARMAGH star Aaron Kernan agrees that while players are clearly unhappy about the delay in bringing a successful conclusion to the controversial grants issue, he’s not so sure that a majority of the playing population around the country would have the stomach for a strike.

While pointing out that club commitments with Crossmaglen Rangers have preoccupied him in recent times — they recently won their 12th Armagh title on the trot — he shares the view that the grants should be paid out without further delay.

“From speaking to a few of the Armagh boys, we know that there’s been a bit of a hitch in how the grants are going to be paid over. Personally I think everyone puts in the effort and it would be great to get the money, but I don’t think the players want to be seen running around like spoiled children thinking we are bigger than what we are,” he commented.

“If the money is there and we’re going to get it, great. Hopefully it will be sorted out. But I’m not sure what’s going to happen or where the talks are with the government. It seems a bit strange that they went to all the trouble of having the money in place and it’s ‘sitting there’.

“You’d have thought there would be a plan in place to sort out how they were going to pass it out to each player. I know initially it was going to be based on when a team was knocked out of the championship. On that basis, us Armagh boys will get scrapings from last year. I suppose it’s an incentive to do well in the championship. The players who train the most deserve the few pounds more.”

However, for all the disappointment he shares with his fellow players, he senses a fear among a lot of them that they could lose a lot of goodwill if they were to resort to strike action.

“That would be one of the concerns,” he added. “We’re fortunate to be in the position we are. I’m very grateful for the chance I got and we’re very well looked after by the Armagh County Board. There is nothing you could want for – and it’s the same with the club.

“But, if the money is there - and is there for the reason to be passed out to the players - I don’t see why it shouldn’t.

“I can’t speak for others, but there is a certain amount of unrest out there. I’m not sure exactly what is going to happen. I’d like to see it sorted out before anything too serious happens.

“You don’t want to see it get out of hand!”