GPA needs to keep a symbolic distance

PEACE in our time? News that the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) and the GAA have reached an ‘interim arrangement’ which involves the Association recognising the player body broke over the weekend, but there doesn’t appear to have been a George Mitchell-type moment, with someone declaring that the parties have reached agreement to general applause.

Maybe that’s just as well. The GAA’s recognition of the GPA carries some interesting questions along with it – for both sides.

Although anything that reduces friction between players and administrators is broadly welcome, if it’s a matter of delaying inevitable future cataclysms then maybe that welcome should come with a health warning.