After both Croke Park and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) had condemned their actions, Paddy Power bookmakers last night announced they would "temporarily suspend" the sponsorship of eight intercounty hurlers involved in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Cork's Seán Ó hAilpín and Wexford duo Damien Fitzhenry and Paul Codd had the bookmaker's logo emblazoned on their hurls during their drawn semi-final last Sunday. The other five players involved were Kilkenny's Martin Comerford and Eddie Brennan, Tipperary's Brendan Cummins and Tommy Dunne, and Setanta Ó hAilpín, who decided against using the logo on his hurl.

The memorable aspects of last week's thrilling match between Wexford and Cork were beginning to be clouded over by the possible suspensions hanging over the players involved. In their statement last night Paddy Power said they were pulling out for the sake of the players and fans.

"We feel that to continue with the sponsorship at this time would have been unfair on the players following the over-the-top reaction from the GAA. This reaction has created undue pressure both on our sponsored players and their teammates, and we feel the responsible course of action is to release the players from their commitments.

"Obviously players should not suffer financially from this decision and will all be paid their maximum entitlement agreed under the terms of the sponsorship.

"It would have been grossly unfair on the fans to continue with this sponsorship in the knowledge that, to do so, would risk the suspension of their leading players. In light of the GAA's threat of suspension, Paddy Power feels obliged to take the responsible course of action."

GAA president Seán Kelly had reacted angrily with the threat of a 24-week suspension hanging over the players for a breach of rule 14 of the GAA official guide regarding playing gear, even though there is no direct reference to the hurl in the rule thus making such a ban difficult to enforce.

Speaking last night on RTÉ Radio's Five Seven Live, Seán Ó hAilpín said Kelly's "hard-hitting" comments took him by surprise.

"With all due respect, my only concern is about the player's right. I was surprised by his (Kelly) comments."

He felt the recent boot deal between several high-profile players and Puma opened the way for such a deal to be struck.

"I felt more comfortable (with the logo) because the Puma boot deal was sanctioned. We thought it was right and we still think it was right."

Not only did Croke Park threaten to discipline the players, but GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell also criticised the bookmakers and the players representatives, Drury Communications, saying they were taking advantage of the players.

"Whilst we do not feel the context of the arrangements in this case are in themselves exploitative or in any way threatening to the amateur ethos, the remuneration for players would certainly suggest opportunism on the part of those who arranged these deals.

"Taking into consideration the viewing figures for these games and the media interest in this endorsement activity, it is blatantly obvious that those who arranged this deal have absolutely and in full knowledge of their actions, taken advantage of gifted amateur players who deserve better.

"Where the relevant parties are true supporters of Gaelic games, as opposed to short-term profiteers, a bonus payment to each individual and an additional €10,000 contribution to each players' fund would acknowledge the true status of our greatest hurlers. We look forward to their confirmation of same."

The GAC will convene tomorrow to consider whether there actually has been a breach in the rules. However, the latest developments by Paddy Power appear to have averted a potential showdown between those in question and the GAA authorities.