Dessie Farrell: No GPA ‘rabble-rousing’ in player revolts

Gaelic Players Association head Dessie Farrell admits the group played a role in the recent Galway and Mayo management disputes as counsel to the players but insists it had no interest in “rabble rousing”.

Farrell was responding to inferences made by ousted Galway hurling manager Anthony Cunningham that the GPA was involved in the player heave which ultimately forced his recent resignation.

Cunningham claimed that the Galway players were “led by a core group of players orchestrated with the help of others outside Galway”.

That was widely interpreted as an attack on the GPA though, speaking yesterday, Farrell said it would be ‘naive’ to think that players wouldn’t consult their representative body in such situations.

He claimed that Galway and neighbours Mayo, whose football panel similarly rose up against their management, were in fact commended by various third parties and “by individuals involved in the opposing sides of those debates” for how they handled themselves.

Farrell also revealed the GPA is close to finalising a document setting out how future managerial appointments might be handled, to hopefully eliminate similar crises around the country.

“People would be naïve if they think that the GPA wouldn’t be involved in some capacity in relation to disputes between players and management or players and county boards,” said Farrell.

“But we don’t operate on the basis of rabble rousing, we operate on the basis that we try to bring some sort of resolution and to support our players in thinking clearly about this and advising and guiding them on the best way forward.

“With these situations, there is always going to be a fallout unfortunately. I think it’s trying to manage that as best we can and to understand that there’s human beings involved on all sides here.

“We’re particularly conscious of that and sensitive to that as well, and I think that’s been reflected in both recent disputes in how squads have behaved and conducted themselves throughout.

“That’s been commended by numerous third parties and even by individuals involved in the opposing sides of those debates and negotiations.”

Farrell accepted it was “disappointing” that the two disputes, both in Connacht, did materialise and outlined preventative measures the GPA is attempting to put in place.

Speaking at the awarding of scholarships for the DCU Business School MBA, he revealed plans for a standardised committee for appointing managers in each county.

“In a nutshell, I think there needs to be a panel set up which comprises an independent chairman, agreed by both parties, and representatives of the county board and players,” he said.

“In my opinion, it’s best if it’s not a current player but a former player or a representative or liaison on behalf of players. They would vet the candidates, make the recommendation to the full county board and they either accept those recommendations or not.”

Farrell also defended the GPA against accusations that last weekend’s Fenway Classic was a waste of time and money. Laois manager Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett questioned the cost of bringing Dublin and Galway to Boston for the game and also the concept generally, claiming the investment should have been made within Ireland.

Farrell responded that there was “no cost whatsoever” to the “GAA or GPA in relation to this event, nor to the county boards” and said the Super 11s concept can be a vehicle for raising funds among US based “philanthropists” for important GPA initiatives here.

As for the melee between Galway and Dublin players, Farrell claimed it was down to the intensity of the occasion and how seriously the game was taken.

He said their target audience was the US and viewers there gave an “overwhelming support” to the game.