GPA to introduce fair play award

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) are to introduce a new awards scheme for the GAA championship season in an effort to encourage on-field discipline and sportsmanship.

The GPA's Fair Play award will be presented for the first time at the end of the current All-Ireland championships, with the winner being selected by a specially established Fair Play Committee (FPC). A significant prize will accompany the award.

A GPA statement, released today, said: "The GPA consider that highlighting an inter-county player or team as the recipient of this award, and by extension, a positive example to us all, will provide evidence that values such as discipline, respect and sportsmanship do actually pay dividends.

"Educating GAA youths in the spirit of fair play, tolerance and appropriate behaviour and attitudes in sport are imperative and must be taken as seriously as teaching these generations the all-important fundamental skills of the game, if the core of the issue is to be addressed. It is hoped that the initiation of this scheme will assist in some way with this objective."

The Fair Play award's criteria for selection, to be finalised by the FPC, will include:

- On/off-field behaviour

- Attitude

- Respect for opponents

- Respect for referee and officials

- Card count

- Consistency in personal performance

- Outstanding gestures of fair play.