Match day panels to be increased to 30 players

THE Gaelic Players Association (GPA) yesterday passed a motion at their AGM calling for the GAA to increase match day panel numbers from 26 to 30.

The decision to reduce the squad total came into force this year and was seen as a cynical cost-cutting initiative by many of its detractors.

Several managers expressed their opposition to the move and now the GPA are proposing that the GAA return the squad numbers to 30, with five substitutes being chosen from the 15 players on the bench.

As revealed earlier this week, the GPA have also put together a proposal for the future structure of the senior football and hurling All-Ireland championships.

In his annual report address, GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell said: “Following a number of player surveys over the past two years there is strong evidence of an appetite among players for the structure of the inter-county football championship to be reviewed and in particular, the provincial championships.”

Farrell also touched on the payments to managers issue, which has been apparently sidelined since GAA President Christy Cooney stated a discussion forum on the matter would take place within two months of last April’s Annual Congress.

“The GPA has detailed its views in this regard, that payments should be legitimised and formalised,” stated Farrell.

“Our members have endorsed making the arrangement with managers legitimate and the GPA is satisfied this won’t in any way lead to a call for payments to players.”

GPA members also voted to ask the GAA’s Higher Education Committee to rescind its decision to limit the number of players allowed access to elite programmes in third level.

The players body also reiterated their plans to fundraise in the US as a means of continuing to support their player programme.