GAELIC GAMES:The GPA are awaiting confirmation of a date to meet the GAA this week in an attempt to salvage the grants scheme they hoped would be introduced for intercounty players this year.
Last week the Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism John O'Donoghue rejected the GAA submission for €5 million to be released to fund the proposal.
With the GAA and GPA seemingly reaching a parallel path on an expense scheme for all senior intercounty players, the latest developments leave the issue back in the negotiating room where GPA CEO Dessie Farrell and solicitor Aaron Shearer are expected to meet leading figures within the association.
"We wouldn't be ruling it out entirely," said GPA commercial manager Donal O'Neill. "The minister has been consistent that the funding must be expedited through the correct channels.
"We've clearly taken care of our role in the proceedings, which was to agree terms for player welfare with the GAA, so now we must try to get a grip on where the confusion lies as the GAA adopted a different approach in their (reaction) statement to the minister last week than ours."
O'Donoghue stated funding cannot be released directly for players because "the knock-on effects of such an arrangement across all other sports would be detrimental to sports development".
O'Neill added yesterday: "Noting has changed from our perspective; it remains up to the GAA to make the correct submission. The minister was very clear. There was no contradiction. We were surprised with the GAA reaction."
The GAA reaction stated: "Minister O'Donoghue is now saying that it is a matter for the GAA itself to pay these grants through some undefined funding mechanism, in addition to its increased expenditure and significant commitment to player welfare."
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