GAA bodies issue statement on Fermanagh talks

In a joint statement released this afternoon, the GAA and GPA have conveyed their disappointment that the Fermanagh County Board have turned down the bodies' proposal in regard to solving the current player dispute in the county.

A number of players have withdrawn from the Fermanagh senior football panel this year, including brothers Peter and James Sherry, Niall Bogue and Tommy McElroy who signed a letter last week which confirmed their unwillingness to play under current manager John O'Neill.

The dispute has escalated to a level that a meeting was held last Thursday between Fermanagh GAA officials, members of the GAA and GPA and some of the players who have left the Ernesiders' squad.

The meeting took place in accordance with the Disputes Resolution Protocols agreed in the recently announced GAA/GPA Recognition Agreement.

But the Fermanagh Board earlier today insisted they 'did not consider that the GAA and GPA's suggestions represented an appropriate way forward for Fermanagh.'

The GAA and GPA have since released a statement in relation to the mediation process. It reads: "Having listened to the concerns highlighted by both parties, the GAA and GPA put forward a proposal which they believed represented a reasonable way forward and which would bring the matter to a conclusion.

"This included an independent end of season consultative review of protocols relevant to Fermanagh's inter-county teams.

"This proposal was discussed at meetings of the Fermanagh GAA Management Committee last Monday and again last night.

"Regretfully, the Fermanagh GAA Management Committee have decided not to accept the proposal suggested.

"It is a source of disappointment that our attempts to facilitate a solution have been unsuccessful and the GAA and GPA reiterate their availability to assist in any way required in the future."