Kelly ends plan for player body

NEWS: A thaw in relations between Croke Park and the Gaelic Players' Association looks to have occurred after GAA President Seán Kelly decided to scrap plans for an official players' body.

The move brings the GPA ever closer to being recognised as the main mouthpiece of players in Gaelic games.

"We've been adamant for some time now that we are the independent voice of the players," said GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell.

"It's a realistic move to shelve the idea of another players' body," he added.

" It was a nonsensical idea . . . we have 1,200 members, 30 scholarships and several benevolent schemes set up at present. To maintain we were not an official body would be disingenuous."

A Croke Park-backed players' group had been in place last year, with Jarlath Burns at its head, but since it ran its course another had yet to be instituted.

Relations between the GAA and the GPA have softened recently, with discussions set to get underway for a player's representative to be given a seat on Central Council, not under the GPA umbrella but rather as a representative of all players.

Kelly's olive branch came as the result of discussions held with players around the country. He cited their desire to avoid further conflict as the main reason behind the latest move.