John O’Mahony backs grant scheme

Former TD and All-Ireland- winning Galway manager John O’Mahony has called for the Government grant scheme for GAA players to be restored to “at least” its original status.

The Irish Examiner revealed this week that the Gaelic Players Association, who administer the grants to inter-county players, are pushing for close to €7m in state funding to bolster the scheme.

The Government initially made €3.5m available to the GPA in 2007 at the outset of the programme, though that figure has since been reduced to €900,000 in line with the economic difficulties that followed.

GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell is pushing for an overhaul of the scheme now and a doubling of the original allocation with a provision also for the newly-formed Women’s Gaelic Players Association.

Fine Gael’s O’Mahony, who lost his Dáil seat in the recent general election, said that as long as ladies football and camogie are catered for in the agreement, then the original deal should be at least restored.

“With my sporting hat on, I think it should be phased back to at least its original status and to include ladies football and camogie,” said O’Mahony.

“We’re living in an age of equality so I think it’s important that aspect of any deal is recognised.

“We’re in a different space as regards the economy than we were five years ago when the decision was made to cut these things.

“So with my Government hat on, I would say that all these things can’t be restored together either.

“There has to be a list of priorities and I can see a situation where when you’re talking about who is first in line, health and disabilities and education, all those things are the major priorities.

“It is not a tap that can be just switched back on. It needs to be done in a structured way and with any government, no matter who is there, I don’t think this is going to be at the top of their list of priorities.

“But, as I said, as a sports man and a GAA man, I was supportive of the original concept and all of those reasons still hold good.

“Athletes who represent Ireland get their funding and because it’s an amateur game, and the level of entertainment and commitment that is given.

“I think it’s a wholesome idea to give something to GAA players.”