Why we had no option but to strike: Cusack

The executive officers of the Gaelic Players Association confirmed that they would be holding a strike, in the near future, this afternoon after outlining the result of their ballot of members following an audited counting process by Dundalk firm, Kearney McArdle McEnearney & Co Chartered Certified Accountants & Registered Auditors.

The official returns are as follows:

Total membership balloted: 1881.

Total ballots returned: 1348 (71.6%).

Total in favour of proposal: 1281(95.3%).

Total against proposal: 58 (4.3%).

Total ballots spoiled: 9 (0.67%).

In a statement the GPA Executive said it has now been officially mandated by a majority of its members to carry out a withdrawal of county players from all inter-county fixtures from the commencement of the 2008 season until a resolution can be found to the grants issue.

"This action will impact upon all competitive inter-county games including the pre-season provincial competitions. Squads will be instructed to continue training and will be updated weekly by a GPA strike committee. Players will be entitled to play with their clubs in all club competitions" said the players' body.

The announcement was made by GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell, who was flanked by Cork goalkeeper and GPA chairman Donal Og Cusack.

The GAA said that it regretted the GPA's announcement that its members had voted for potential "strike" action in terms of its senior Intercounty competitions in the event of the issue of government grants for senior Intercounty players not being resolved.

The GPA said the concept of government grants for senior Intercounty GAA players was a matter developed by Government representatives and the GPA, independently of the GAA, over a number of years.

The concept of grants for players was a GPA and Government initiative and it is a matter for these bodies to resolve.

However, the GAA has had a series of meetings in recent weeks with both bodies and is fully committed to playing a meaningful part in reaching a resolution acceptable to all parties.

Further talks have been scheduled for next week and no further statement will be made in the meantime.