GPA and GAA meet to discuss grant money

The GPA met with the GAA last night in a bid to formulate a joint response following the decision of Sports Minister John O'Donoghue that the €5m which had been allocated by the Government cannot go directly to inter-county players.

The GAA and GPA recently put together a joint proposal for the distribution of €5m in grant aid for inter-county players. The Government had promised the funding if the two bodies could reach agreement on how it should be distributed.

But O'Donoghue threw the process into disarray with the April 26 announcement that “responsibility for player welfare issues rests with the GAA in the same manner as similar player welfare issues in other sports must be dealt with by the responsible National Governing Body of Sport”.

The issue is a source of concern to GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell who wants to put it to bed before the championships get underway this weekend.

“We would like to see this brought to a conclusion so that the championship season can progress without the need for ongoing meetings,” said the former Dublin footballer.

Among those in attendance at last night’s closed doors meeting were Farrell, GAA president Nickey Brennan and GAA player welfare manager Pauric Duffy.