GAA NEWS ROUND-UP:THE NEW grant scheme for inter-county players is to come under review in light of the economic downturn. A combined committee from the Gaelic Players Association and the GAA will make a fresh pitch to the Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism after the October 14th Budget to secure funding for 2009.
The initial €3.5 million has been guaranteed for 2008 but the three-year template may be threatened, depending on the severity of budgetary restraint imposed on the Minister for Sport, Martin Cullen.
"The players' scheme, like all funding for sport in 2009, is part of the estimates process, which is a work in progress at the moment," said a Department spokesperson yesterday. "All funding for sport in 2009 is being considered."
The GPA chief executive, Dessie Farrell, is not, however, alarmed by the prospect of having to renegotiate with the Government after the forthcoming Budget.
"This is no different from any other sporting organisation seeking funding," said Farrell. "It is all up for grabs and up to each organisation to make their pitch.
"Minister Cullen has assured us funds are in place for this year and claims will be processed over the next couple of weeks.
"What happens in the next two years is anyone's guess, especially in the current economic climate.
"I firmly believe the scheme will stand the test of time and believe the politicians and Government can see the merit in it.
"Firstly, the return to the exchequer on the back of high-profile matches where the players are the main protagonists; and secondly, the huge contribution they make to the social fabric of our society.
"The template of the scheme was to be reviewed after three years but we still must make our pitch for funding year after year."
That meeting will take place some time after the October 14th publication of the Budget.
Every intercounty player in the senior hurling and football championships in 2008 can claim Government funding in the form of expenses.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the Hurling Development Committee, Kilkenny's Ned Quinn, has - ahead of tomorrow's Special Congress vote - outlined the need to support the entry of Galway and Antrim into the Leinster championship.
"This is the most acceptable option at the moment," said Quinn, in reference to restructuring the hurling championship.
"Our remit was to bring forward three proposals. The first was a round-robin, home-and-away system where the Christy Ring finalists come into a pre-quarter-final round.
"The second was a Champions League format but I don't think we are ready for that."
Galway and Antrim in Leinster was the third option.
"The MacCarthy Cup structures at present are not satisfactory. We are attempting to deal with that. The strong end is the Munster championship so it would be incorrect to dismantle that. We want to bring on the weaker element of the championship."
Quinn also noted the sacrifices made by Galway since tinkering with the traditional format began 12 years ago.
"Back in 1996, when the championship changed to give a second chance to the Munster and Leinster finalists Galway had to give up their right to go directly into an All-Ireland semi-final. In 2001, when the qualifier system was introduced Galway gave way to an automatic quarter-final. They have been painted as the bad boys of hurling but they too have made sacrifices."
Quinn also conceded the current championship format is unfair, particularly from an Antrim perspective.
"Antrim must play Galway in their first match and then a beaten Munster team, in the likely scenario that they are to lose to Galway. The same problem exists for a beaten Leinster team. This is unfair and needs to be changed."
