GAA volunteers irked by administrator payments

COUNTY board officials are prepared to air their grievances about the level of income being received by paid Croke Park figures in next Saturday’s payments to managers meeting.

The subject was a hot topic among chairmen and secretaries in GAA HQ on Saturday where they congregated for a best practice and performance methods meeting.

Now, as they are set to make a second trip to Dublin in seven days along with their Central Council representatives, there is speculation they may be about to ask questions of the remuneration received by central GAA administrators.

The level of unease is particularly strong among chairmen who, unlike the majority of their secretaries, are volunteers and not paid employees of the Association.

As Croke Park delivers a list of options to county boards to regulate the recognition of managers, there is a degree of irritation among county officials about what they see as well-paid administrators directing volunteers regarding financial matters.

As of yesterday evening, several county boards had not yet received notification of the meeting, which was reported in a national newspaper yesterday.

However, indications from Croke Park are the meeting will be going ahead at which GAA director general Páraic Duffy’s discussion paper on payments to managers will be presented.

County boards could receive copies of the document later this week but it will be considered privileged information. After Saturday’s meeting, a task force will be established by GAA president Christy Cooney before recommending one of the proposals outlined in Duffy’s discussion paper to the Association’s management committee.

However, the time-line of events remains uncertain as Croke Park are keen to ensure what’s proposed will not only be endorsed but applied by counties, unlike the training ban.

Meanwhile, the Dublin County Board yesterday announce details of their three-date Allianz Spring Series, which includes their footballers facing Kerry on February 4 and hurlers lining out against Cork on March 11.

Dublin clubs will see €1 from every €3 from ticket sales going back to the clubs.