GAA come to terms with GPA

It could be perceived as victory for the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) or surrender for the GAA but either way yesterday's joint statement referring to "formal recognition" appears significant. The complex wording was difficult enough to interpret, but the essential component could prove historic, at least as far as the GPA are concerned.

The heads of both associations held a meeting in Croke Park on Monday, the main purpose of which was understood to be further discussions on the issue of players' grants. It came as something of a surprise when a joint statement was issued yesterday, revealing the meeting's actual focus was agreeing on formal recognition for the GPA.

It was stated that the meeting "concentrated on agreeing a framework to facilitate discussions which could potentially lead to formal recognition of the GPA as the principal body representing senior intercounty football and hurling players". In other words, the GAA are finally prepared to recognise the GPA.

More significantly, it was also added: "it is envisaged this will come to fruition within the current presidential term . . . In this context, both parties will, over the next few weeks, prepare draft discussion documents to facilitate a process of engagement to proceed in a coherent and structured manner. Based on a formal agreement, these discussions will begin in the coming weeks."

In conclusion, it was stated that "the issue of Government grants for GAA senior intercounty hurling and football squads was also discussed. It was agreed to await clarification from the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism on issues previously raised by the GAA and the GPA".

Neither the GPA nor the GAA were drawing sweeping conclusions on the content of the statement. GAA press officer Danny Lynch played down its significance, claiming GAA president Nickey Brennan had flagged such a move during his inaugural speech at Congress last April, and that the relationship between the GAA and the GPA had been warming in recent months, at least behind closed doors.

"Nickey Brennan has gone on the record, from his first day as president, that he was all for addressing player welfare issues, that he was all for interacting with the GPA in a correct manner, but that he was totally against pay-for-play," said Lynch.

"What the statement is saying is that we are setting up structures and framework to interact, that is the principle. Some people may see this as a major statement, but in fact a lot of progress has been made in recent months, but behind closed doors. So of course things have moved on a lot. That includes the appointment of Pauric Duffy as the GAA's player welfare manager, who will be interacting with the GPA."

Duffy attended Monday's meeting along with Brennan and the GAA's director general Liam Mulvihall, while the GPA were represented by chief executive Dessie Farrell and commercial director Donal O'Neill. The GPA's reaction was similarly played down.

"It's definitely a positive development," said O'Neill, "and I suppose something we always suffered from was the lack of formal recognition by the GAA. What we now have is Nickey Brennan committed to working towards formal recognition, so that does override our biggest challenge to date, and it that sense it was a very productive meeting.

"But the reality is we haven't got it yet. But at least we're walking towards it now. We always felt we'd get there, but I wouldn't call it a watershed just yet. So we have to get down to business now, start the negotiations and dialogue. Obviously there are certain things neither side will want to concede. Like the GAA are certain to stand by their amateur status, and our autonomy is very important to us. So it will be interesting to see how things work out when we get into the trenches. But I do expect the formal recognition will come fairly quickly."

According to the GAA, there are still questions to be answered regarding the Government's suggestion of providing extra funding for the GAA's infrastructural projects, thereby allowing them to divert funds to player welfare causes.

"The GAA have one understanding on this," said O'Neill, "and we have another. We still need to find common ground."

Martin Bowen is to join the backroom team of new Cork hurling manager Gerald McCarthy, after being nominated for the role of selector by county champions Erin's Own. The rest of McCarthy's backroom team is still being finalised.

GPA timeline

The GPA was established in September 1999, originating from the Ulster counties where support for an autonomous players' representative group grew rapidly. In December 1999 the GPA was launched as a national body.

Despite initial contact with county boards in Ulster and thereafter Croke Park, GAA authorities refused to acknowledge the existence of the association as an official representative body. In November 2000, the GPA's first agm took place in Killarney.

By August 2001, the membership had grown to 760 from 29 counties. As a result of improved relations, the first formal meeting between the GPA and GAA representatives took place in March 2001.

In late 2002 the GPA began to campaign for the introduction of government sports grants for intercounty players.

By August 2003 the GPA used the proceeds of their official sports drink Club Energise to remunerate 115 players through its marketing and scholarship initiative.

In April 2005, the GPA announced the development of 67 Official Players GPA Funds for each county squad in hurling and football.

The GPA's egm in April 2006 resulted in a list of demands to the GAA and the threat of strike action. The GAA replied by stating they would deal with the GPA face-to-face. The GPA didn't pursue the strike threat but delayed the throw-in of all National Football League games on April 9th by 15 minutes.

In March 2006, the GPA announced a 3-million deal with Opel. In November 2006 the GAA agreed to begin talks to formally recognise the GPA.