GPA to investigate “shocking” treatment of hurlers

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) has launched an investigation into the “shocking” treatment of the Tyrone and Cavan hurlers before their NHL Division 3B clash last Saturday.

The game, scheduled for the main pitch at Carrickmore, was played out on the adjacent training pitch as an Ulster League club football tie received preference.

When the Tyrone players arrived at Carrickmore, they were told that the main pitch was closed, and that the club football tie was proceeding on the training pitch.

Having been instructed to travel to a second venue, the Tyrone players were told on their arrival at the Greencastle GAA grounds that they were to return to Carrickmore as Monaghan referee Jim O’Rourke insisted that the NHL game be played at the original venue - in accordance with the fixture.

Subsequently, the main pitch at Carrickmore was re-opened. However, the club football tie went ahead on this pitch, leaving the inter-county hurlers of Tyrone and Cavan to play out their fixture on the training pitch.

Furthermore, it has emerged that the two county grounds were unavailable to the county hurling panels because priority had been given to colleges games, in both Healy Park and Dungannon.

In a statement released this evening, the GPA confirmed that, following their investigation, they will be “will be expecting a full apology from those concerned with the hosting of this fixture.”

“We were disgusted with the treatment, it was like we were second class citizens. Club and college football was given priority over National League hurling and I don’t think that’s right,” said Eugene Molloy, one of the Tyrone hurlers involved.

“Newspaper reports last weekend referred to the weaker hurling counties, saying that they were nowhere near elite and never will be. It’s hardly a wonder when this is the way we’re treated.”

GPA executive member Donnach Callan, a member of the Louth hurling panel, added: “Players are receiving platitudes from officials everywhere about how we should all be treated equally. It’s a joke. The treatment of the Tyrone and Cavan hurlers is a clear example of where many players stand in the GAA’s scheme of things. Love of hurling and its importance will be spoken about at great length at the forthcoming GAA Congress but this is the reality.

“It is players like us who do all we can to keep the game of hurling alive in the face of great adversity and need every support possible, from wherever we can get it.”

The NHL game was eventually played out at Carrickmore with Tyrone emerging as convincing 2-22 to 0-06 winners.