GPA to announce strike decision tomorrow

The Gaelic Players Association are expected to announce tomorrow afternoon at a press conference the outcome of a ballot of its members in relation to strike action by players for the forthcoming National Football League and Hurling League campaigns.

The possible strike is over the allocation of Government funding for player grants, which are still to be made available to the players despite the Government's commitment, and the support which the GPA have received from certain quarters of the GAA, including Player Welfare Officer Pauric Duffy.

A press conference has been called for tomorrow afternoon at the Westin Hotel in central Dublin where the players organisation will announce the results of the ballot.

It will bring an end to weeks of speculation over whether or not a strike will take place.

Voting time was extended last week after delays in receiving completed ballots were experienced due to the postal strike in the North.

At last weekend's annual GPA Awards ceremony at the Citywest Hotel, GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell outlined that perhaps the organisation had been too soft in its approach to the grant issue, but that it was no longer going to be taken for granted.

The results of the ballot, which was run and audited by an independent company, will be known by members of the GPA's executive committee tonight and will be announced to the media at tomorrow's press conference.

The news comes during a busy week for the GPA - they have also seen their commercial chief and one of its founding members, Donal O'Neill, step down from his position.

O'Neill was one the catalysts behind the foundation of the GPA in 1999 and was involved in the securing of major sponsorship deals with the Carphone Warehouse, C&C, Opel and, most recently, financial institution Halifax.

The GPA will not be replacing the Ulster native in the interim.

O'Neill has stepped down from the position due to other business interests.