Aisake backs pay-for-play calls

THE GPA may have distanced themselves from the thorny question of pay-for-play but two of the country’s best-known inter-county stars have joined the chorus effectively calling for an end to the GAA’s cherished amateur ethos.

Seán Óg O hAilpín revealed earlier this week that he would like to see the day when inter-county players get paid. His brother Aisake and Kerry footballer Kieran Donaghy made similar arguments in favour of players being remunerated yesterday.

“I suppose the GAA does generate a bit of money,” said Aisake who spent four years as a professional with AFL side Carlton before returning to Cork.

“The players are the biggest reason for that. I don’t think any of the players would refuse money, especially in this day and age, and the amount of effort that goes into training and playing games. I’d be all for it.”

However, even Seán Óg has admitted that the GAA is too small a pool in which to house a fully professional structure. He has pointed instead to the possibility of players benefiting from areas such as gate receipts or TV money. The GAA was adamant that it would not countenance such a scenario during its official recognition talks with the GPA but the argument for paying players – and managers – refuses to go away and Donaghy explained why.

“I know I would rather be getting paid to play football than get up at eight o’clock in the morning to do my weights, get into work, then get in home after work, do my stretching and my core and then go home and get a bit to eat and finally sit down beside my girlfriend and say hello to her at nine o’clock at night. Of course I’d prefer to be a professional.

“They could do a bit more for us in terms of looking after us because there are fellas out there now struggling to pay mortgages. We’re missing work to go play and we’re missing days to go to launches. Whether it is feasible or not is another thing.”

The difficulties involved in balancing a day job with the demands of inter-county Gaelic games has led a number of players retiring at increasingly earlier ages. Donaghy has noticed a significant escalation in the demands on the inter-county player.

“That’s the way it has gone in the last number of years. It is tough for any inter-county player to play and work with all the attention that comes your way. It has gotten much harder over the last number of years but the guys that have made those decisions (to retire) have made them for the right reasons in their mind. I’m happy enough.”

A variety of factors have robbed Kerry of key players since claiming the 2009 All-Ireland title. Tommy Walsh and Tadhg Kennelly both moved to the AFL while Aidan O’Mahony has this week joined Diarmuid Murphy, Darragh O Sé and Sean O’Sullivan in the old boys’ club.

“It’s tough to lose as many top-class players as we did over the winter. To lose another one now is very hard because Aidan has been a rock for us and a great servant to Kerry football. He’ll be a huge loss along with the rest of them but you have to play the cards you are dealt. We’ve got a good few young fellas coming through and some of the fellas who have been on the panel in the last few years might get a chance now.”

Kerry will still attract significant backing and Sean Cavanagh was pedalling a familiar line yesterday in stating that Jack O’Connor’s side are still the team to beat. A more accurate diagnosis of their health will be forthcoming in just over a fortnight’s time when they travel to Thurles to take on a Tipperary side that has improved hugely under John Evans.

“Last year Sligo should have beaten us and you have people trying to figure out how this is happening,” said Donaghy. “It’s happening because every team is as fit as the next team. What separates the rest is that bit of skill and talent. They beat our U21s in Tralee and we’re under no illusions about how tough Semple is going to be.”