Dolan urges retention of player grants scheme

DESSIE DOLAN has pleaded with the government not to dispense with the players’ grants this year.

Speaking at the launch of the HSE Community Games at Athlone IT yesterday, the Westmeath sharpshooter was responding to recent comments from Sports Minister Martin Cullen that he had no money to fund the scheme.

The minister has placed the onus on the GAA to keep the scheme alive, even though Croke Park is unwilling to make a direct monetary contribution to players in light of the association’s amateur ethos.