Key issues top of Brennan agenda

Meeting the president: When Nickey Brennan opened his first press briefing as GAA president by calling out his mobile-phone number we figured this was a definitely a good start.

"When I have things to say I will say them," he announced, as we anxiously checked the number with each other.

"I just won't be commenting on everything that's going on. That's not really what I believe this job is about. I'm not closing the doors either, but there's a lot of work to be done behind the scenes as well."

On this occasion, however, Brennan dealt mainly with the issues that will take centre stage during his three-year term as president, namely his workings with the Gaelic Players Association (GPA), the arrival of soccer and rugby in Croke Park, and the GAA's disciplinary structures.

He'd touched on those issues during his inaugural speech at last weekend's Congress, adamant pay-for-play - which he suggested was part of the GPA's agenda - would "not be entertained or even discussed" over the next three years.

Though the GPA yesterday denied any such agenda, Brennan made it clear he viewed next Tuesday's meeting with the GPA as only the beginning of a complicated process of dealing with their demands on player welfare.

"First of all I need to get to know them," he said. "I've never formally met the GPA before. Obviously I know DJ Carey very well and would know Dessie Farrell to talk to. So I would see it as a getting to know one another, and understanding each of our positions.

"They have issued us with a number of items they want to discuss, and we have issues to discuss with them. We also need to know more about their long-term aims and ambitions. So we'll probably get into some of the substance of what they're about, but it will take a number of meetings before we get to the bottom of that. We're not expecting to solve everything next Tuesday."

He played down the suggestion that by ascribing a pay-for-play agenda to the GPA he was being confrontational.

"That's still my belief, and I'm not going to change that view this morning," he said. "But what my speech at Congress was really about was the long list of issues regarding player welfare that we are quite prepared to bring in with immediate effect, such as a player-welfare manager.

"I know the GPA will continue for the foreseeable future, but my intention is to start addressing the player issues in a real and tangible way."

He denied the GAA were ready to back the GPA's call for a Government-sponsored player grant.

"Well no, the grants issue was never approved by the GAA. We've a number of issues we want to address specifically about that. We in turn have to meet with Minister John O'Donoghue on this and a number of issues. We need the GPA to explain how they see the thing working. And the same with the Minister. Then we'll sit down ourselves and consider how we should respond to them."

While his predecessor, Seán Kelly, will be remembered as the president who cleared the way for soccer and rugby to be played in Croke Park, Brennan must oversee that process, which looks less than straightforward. At Congress he appeared to suggest that unless Lansdowne Road soon got planning permission for redevelopment the deal could be off.

"Well I wouldn't put it quiet as dramatic as that," said Brennan. "What I was saying was that we only entered into a one-year deal with the IRFU and the FAI. That's been well documented.

"We know the planning process is currently in train, but when we do sit down with 2008 in mind we'd like to think this process has moved along.

"There was an understanding from Congress 2005 when the motion was passed that certain processes would be in place, like the planning permission coming forward. But we know from developing this stadium here (Croke Park) all the problems that can arise around planning.

"I don't want anybody to leave here thinking there'll be no soccer or rugby in Croke Park in 2008. But we have a duty to our members and to Congress to ensure we follow through on the motion that was passed."

On the disciplinary structures just agreed at Congress, Brennan called for patience and general co-operation.

"I don't know if I can say these structures will fully close the loopholes we've had recently. The Rules Book Task Force are continuing to look at disciplinary matters going forward, and (will) hopefully conclude the thing at a special Congress at the end of the this year. That I hope will be the final link in the chain and will more clearly define how we handle discipline on the field and in the boardroom.

"Maybe there will be a small bit of a cloudy period while we move from one system to another. But occasionally people cross the line, and our rules and regulations need to make clear the consequences for people who do that."

Nickey Brennan on . . .

Disciplinary problems: "I think it's ridiculous that yellow cards don't accumulate, and hopefully we can do something about that. Maybe the Rule Book Task Force can look at it."

The new player welfare manager: "We'll publicly advertise it first, but we're already working on the specification of the role. There'll be lots of different attributes and skills needed, but a problem solver, really, is what we're looking for. It's a big challenge for the person, but a new and exciting one too."

The upcoming International Rules series: "I'm hoping to announce the new manager at the beginning of next week. We then have a meeting with AFL in Dubai on May 10th to formalise the future."

Using Croke Park: "I definitely want to see more games there, such as the Sigerson Cup and the colleges finals. The notion that we must have 33,000 here every time we open is a false premise. It's the value to the people using it, and the profile of those competitions."

The Tallaght Stadium controversy: "We're all aware of the stand taken by the south Dublin clubs, which is now the subject of a judicial review. We'll also need to get the Minister's position on that matter."