Curran launches attack on GPA

Former Roscommon footballer Shane Curran has launched a scathing attack on the GPA, claiming the player representative body has been consumed by Croke Park.

Curran believes pay-for-play exists within the GAA, accusing the GPA of facilitating the material gain of its elite members.

“There is enough anecdotal evidence to suggest money is changing hands in certain clubs, most likely in the big urbanised areas. I think there is [money changing hands for the players too],” he told RTÉ Radio yesterday.

“There is a type of put your head in the sand attitude to all this, if it is going on it is going on and we’ll let it go on.

“One would have to ask where the GPA has gone. One of the reasons the GPA was set up was to actually look after the needs of all players at all levels, but I believe it has become fragmented. The fact that it has been subsumed into the vast monolith that is Croke Park, I think it has lost its voice. The reasons it was set up are now being forgotten. I do think they need to resurrect their footprint.”

The Roscommon goalkeeper also called on GAA hierarchy to roll out Hawk Eye technology at provincial venues.

“I just don’t understand that outside of Hawk Eye in Croke Park games up and down the country have been marred by poor decision making and officiating. It is something that the GAA will have to look at and get their act together.

“Certainly the majority of umpires are post (age) 65. They do tend to come to games with the glasses fogged up and if there is rain, they don’t even bother to bring the handkerchief. They are looking up at the height of the goalposts and they can hardly see in front of their eyes. Their decisions can have a serious impact on games, on player’s careers and on the success rate of a team.”

Elsewhere, Wicklow chairman Martin Coleman says newly appointed football manager Johnny Magee will attempt to persuade Leighton Glynn to adopt a dual role in 2015.

Glynn last week announced his retirement from inter-county football to concentrate solely on hurling next year.

Former Dublin footballer Magee was yesterday handed a three-year term as Garden County boss.

“Leighton has made a decision, but I am sure Johnny [Magee] will talk to him. We respect that Leighton wants to play hurling in 2015, but we all hope that he will wear the county football jersey again,” Coleman said.

“Johnny has done it all with club and county. He was in Harry Murphy’s backroom team last year so we wanted to ensure there was continuity when finding Harry’s replacement. Johnny knows the players, he knows the set-up. He will give this a massive go.”

Meanwhile, Armagh’s Aaron Kernan yesterday announced his retirement from inter-county football.

“I am particularly proud to have contributed to my family’s long-standing connections with Armagh football and to have been involved both with my brothers and my father Joe at the top level,” he said.