Paudie O’Neill questions growing ‘elitism’ in GAA

Hurling Development Committee chairman Paudie O’Neill has expressed his concern about the direction of the GPA and a growing “elitism” within the GAA.

The Clonmel native, who coached the Tipperary senior hurlers during Eamon O’Shea’s tenure, believes that by not extending its mental health services to club players in difficulty, the players’ association is being “fundamentally anti-GAA”.

“I know of a case where the GPA was contacted recently in relation to a player who is having difficulties. And they asked the question: is he a county player? They were told that no, he was a club player. The line from the GPA was ‘Oh, well then, we can’t deal with that.’