Opponents of GAA grant scheme to meet in Antrim

An open meeting is being held in Antrim tonight for GAA players, coaches and supporters who are opposed to the €3.5m grant scheme for elite inter-county stars.

The deal was agreed last night following protracted talks between the GAA and the Gaelic Players Association, whose members had threatened to go on strike if the grants were not approved.

The organisers of tonight's meeting are opposed to the deal, which could see inter-county players getting up to 2,500 each per year.

The chairmen of the Derry and Tyrone county boards have already stated that their counties will not be involved in administering the payments.

The grants deal is expected to be rubber-stamped at a meeting of the GAA Central Council this weekend, but opponents believe the matter shouldn't be dealt with until the GAA Congress in April.