Brennan says time is running out for formal GPA recognition

Discussions between the Gaelic Players Association and the GAA to formally recognise the players organisation are ongoing, according to GAA President Nickey Brennan.

Brennan was speaking at last night's Leinster GAA Convention in Kinnegad and says that time is running out to give formal recognition to the GPA under his term of office.

"The issue of the GPA was raised earlier and yes it is one of my aims before I finish to see that recognition takes place. But I would be telling a lie if I didn’t accept that time is running out," he said.

And Brennan says that while discussions are at a 'delicate' point at the moment, there is a lot of positive work being done to ensure both sides can engage constructively to move the process forward.

"A lot of discussions have taken place recently and they are at a delicate stage, so I don’t intend going into them tonight.

"I have to say that time is tight at this stage but there is certainly goodwill on both sides, discussions that have taken place have been frank but very fair and I have been very happy how they have developed.

"But we have to wait and see what might transpire in the next couple of weeks."

Brennan believes that formal recognition of the GPA can only be positive and that having them under the 'GAA umbrella' is better than outside the association.

"Certainly whether it happens on my watch or whatever, the Association will recognise the players body at some stage in the very near future.

"I think it is in our interest for the very simple reason that dealing with people inside the organisation is certainly much easier than dealing with an external body that you have no formal relationship with

"Inside is where we should, where people are working through agreed agendas, agreed criteria and if any issues arise you sit down and talk about it."

Meanwhile, Brennan also urged County Boards to build strong relationships with their players going forward.

"I would say this to every County Board that it is in your interest to have very good and trusting respectful relationships with your top players and vice versa.

"If you have that, you will not have difficulties because you are coming up to a scene now where every county is going to have to cut back on the level of expenditure on inter-county teams this year.

"I would strongly urge that you sit down with your inter-county players now and explain that that is going to be necessary so they fully understand what’s going on.

"It’s better to do it now so that they clearly understand the areas you are going to cut back."

And Brennan believes that with cutbacks immentent, including a marked reduction from Central funds to counties and provinces, these bodies need to be more aware than ever of the importance of positive communication between officials and players.

"One thing is certain - you have to cut back. You have to be in control of the situation and it’s better to be up front with your players.

"In these challenging economic times it is going to be difficult. We have publicly acknowledged at Croke Park level that we expect a shortfall of €6m in the coming year.

"Some circumstances may help that, one being the possible Munster v Leinster match and some other possibility, but you can’t when you are budgeting put in possibilities, they have to be definite.

"It means the funding coming back to yourselves, which certainly grew in 2008, is going to show a downturn in 2009. That’s a fact. We just can’t give out money that we haven’t brought in."