Dessie Farrell a ‘game changer’ for helping player welfare

Gaelic Players Association chairman Séamus Hickey has described departing chief executive Dessie Farrell as a “game-changer” in improving player welfare.

The former Dublin footballer, who was a founding member when the inter-county representatives’ body was established in 1999, will leave his role as chief executive in December — a position he has held since 2003 — and Hickey yesterday paid tribute to Farrell for his role in advancing player recognition.

“I was introduced to the GPA during my first year on the Limerick panel in 2006 and attended the AGM in the Citywest Hotel before the All Stars in 2006.