GPA ponder player awards future

THE future of the GPA’s player awards scheme will be just one of that body’s commercial deals up for debate if and when the organisation finally receives official recognition from the GAA.

First launched in 2006, the GPA/Opel awards have offered an alternative to the long-running GAA All Stars version with the former scheme being voted on by inter-county players themselves while the latter has been adjudicated on by journalists.

“Obviously, everyone will be aware that we’re entrenched in official recognition talks and that that encompasses a whole host of different issues from commercial issues to player welfare issues,” said GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell. “Obviously, awards schemes would come under the commercial banner. There will be discussion about awards schemes and commercial programmes that both entities have ongoing at the minute.”