Brennan and Farrell welcome grant decision

The announcement that €3.5m will be provided to fund an annual team performance scheme and an annual support scheme for the country's 1,800 inter-county players has been welcomed by both GAA president Nickey Brennan and Gaelic Players Association chief executive Dessie Farrell.

The deal, which follows extensive negotiations between the GAA, the GPA and the Government, means the pledged strike by the players in the new year has almost certainly been averted.