Croke Park denies GPA claim

Gaelic Games NewsThe dispute between the GAA and Gaelic Players Association descended further into acrimony yesterday when a statement issued by Croke Park dismissed claims they had already endorsed a grant scheme for players.

The GAA also stated GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell withdrew - until after incoming president Nickey Brennan takes office next month - his own motion to Central Council to introduce a Government-funded grant for intercounty players.

The GPA, however, have called an extraordinary general meeting, in Portlaoise on April 1st, posing the threat of a player strike. The number attending the egm will indicate whether there is support for such radical action.

"The GPA does not accept the slow rate of progress on the grants proposal. Despite a number of supportive statements by GAA officials and endorsement by Central Council over a year ago, the GAA has failed subsequently to engage with the players on this issue, culminating in last week's failure to attend a critical meeting with the sports minister."

This GPA statement (later contradicted by the GAA) came after a meeting of their executive committee last Monday night.

Minister John O'Donoghue will not hold discussions on possible grants without a representative from Croke Park.

The GAA absence from the meeting was attributed to a decision by Central Council to allow delegates seek a mandate on the issue from county boards.

"In addition, incoming president Nickey Brennan pointed out that the implications or application of any decision taken would arise in his term of office," read the GAA statement.

"On that basis it was the unanimous decision of Central Council that consideration of the sports grants proposal should be deferred until after April's Congress, and Dessie Farrell, a member of Central Council, withdrew the players' motion 'to support the introduction of Government-funded sports grants for senior Inter-county players'.

"The matter had never previously been endorsed by Central Council as stated in the GPA statement."

Outgoing GAA president Seán Kelly has been receptive to such a scheme but, even if the concept is endorsed under the Brennan presidency, stumbling blocks remain.

Sounds from the Government have been positive but exclusiveness to male players could pose problems under equality law.

An estimated €3.355 million is required for the scheme. Grants would be performance based and three-tiered, 1,920 players receiving €2,500, €1,750 or €1,000.

The 12 Liam MacCarthy Cup hurling panels and 12 football panels that reach either a provincial final or fourth-round qualifier would be in the top bracket (€2,500).

Tier two would contain Christy Ring Cup participants and second- and third-round qualifiers in football. Other county panels would be in tier three.

FRIDAY: All-Ireland Club Hurling Final: Portumna v Newtownshandrum, Croke Park, 2.0, B Gavin (Offaly), live TG4. All-Ireland Club Football Final: St Gall's v Salthill-Knocknacarra, Croke Park, 3.40, D Coldrick (Meath), live TG4. Ulster Minor Football League: Cavan v Meath, Kingscourt, 11.0, E O'Hare (Down).

SATURDAY: National Football League (All games at 3.30pm unless stated): Division One A: Kerry v Offaly, Tralee, 7.45, G Ó Conamha (Galway), live Setanta Sports. Munster Under-21 Football Championship (first round replay): Kerry v Cork, Páirc Uí Rinn, 1.30 (extra- time if necessary). Ulster Under-21 Football Championship: Derry v Monaghan, Celtic Park, M Sludden (Tyrone). Antrim v Fermanagh, Casement Park, C Branagan (Down). Armagh v Down, Crossmaglen, G McCarron (Monaghan). Donegal v Tyrone, Ballybofey, 2.0, M Higgins (Fermanagh). Ulster Minor Football League: Donegal v Fermanagh, Ballyshannon, 12.0, S McNamee (Tyrone). Tyrone v Derry, Coalisland, 12.0, D McQuillan (Monaghan). Armagh v Monaghan, Carrickcruppin, 12.0, L Smyth (Down). Ulster Minor Hurling League, Division One: Down v Armagh, Portaferry, 1.0, G Robinson (Antrim). Division Two: Antrim B v Monaghan, Randalstown, 1.0, C McGuinness (Down). Down B v Donegal, Cookstown, 1.0, J Devlin (Tyrone).

SUNDAY: National Football League: Division One A: Mayo v Cork, Castlebar, B Crowe (Cavan). Fermanagh v Dublin, Enniskillen, F Flynn (Leitrim). Tyrone v Monaghan, Omagh, M Monahan (Kildare), deferred coverage, TG4. Division One B: Down v Armagh, Newry, T Quigley (Wexford). Meath v Kildare, Páirc Tailteann, J McQuillan (Cavan), live, TG4. Galway v Wexford, Pearse Stadium, A Mangan (Kerry). Laois v Derry, Portlaoise, 2.30, P Russell (Tipperary). Division Two A: Clare v Donegal, Cusack Park (Ennis), P Daly (Westmeath). Carlow v Leitrim, Dr Cullen Park, B Tyrell (Tipperary). Longford v Roscommon, Pearse Park, R Doone (Antrim). Limerick v London, Gaelic Grounds, 11.0, S Carroll (Westmeath). Division Two B: Cavan v Antrim, Kingspan Breffni Park, S McGonigle (Donegal). Louth v Wicklow, Ardee, M Higgins (Fermanagh). Waterford v Tipperary, Dungarvan, M Collins (Cork). Sligo v Westmeath, Markievicz Park, R O'Donnell (Donegal). National Hurling League, Division Three A (refixture): Sligo v Monaghan, T Mahon (Fermanagh). Ulster Minor Hurling League, Division one: Derry v Antrim, Lavey, 1.0, D Magee (Down).