Media 'providing oxygen' to grant opponents

THE GAELIC Players Association chief executive, Dessie Farrell, yesterday focused his ire on the Of One Belief group, lambasting their attempts to hold up the rubberstamping of the players' grants scheme at this weekend's annual Congress.

Speaking at the unveiling of the Halifax Gaelic Performance "ambassadors", Farrell also accused the media of providing too much "oxygen" to those opposing monetary reward for players on the grounds it contravenes rule 11 of the GAA official guidelines.

Without mentioning the group by name, Farrell mainly objected to the claim they were representing the GAA "grassroots".

"I think (the campaign) was media-driven, to be honest," said Farrell. "Obviously they claim to be representative of grassroots, which they are not. I'm a member of the grassroots and I know thousands of others who are members of the grassroots.

"To be truthfully honest, it (the issue of player grants) doesn't exercise the minds of grassroots members."

There are three motions on the Congress clár pertaining to the player-grants issue.

The first, from Central Council, seeks to implement the joint GAA/GPA/Government proposal. It states rule 11 is not being contravened.

Last night the disputes resolution authority rejected the Of One Belief objection to this motion.

The other two motions are from the Derry County Board and club Nuachongbhail.

The club motion proposes the GAA "shall not administer the payment of grants or awards to any player within the association".

The county board motion proposes the GAA "shall not be a party to the Government grant scheme until and unless a motion is placed before congress to amend rule 11 and such a motion were passed".

Farrell continued: "Anyone who has taken a moment to think about it will realise there is paltry sums of money involved. It is not about the money it is about the principle and recognition of intercounty players. Most people are happy to see this scheme implemented.

"Papers tend to be interested in money issues or confrontational, controversial issues.

The mundane, basic day-to-day work that is carried on by the GPA doesn't secure those types of headlines but it is a vital component of what we are about; our raison d'être, if you like, from day one."

Halifax yesterday unveiled 10 intercounty players as ambassadors to support summer camps aimed at 12-to-16-year-olds.

Monaghan's Dermot McArdle is the founder and the intention is to expand into hurling and camogie camps in 2009.

"The grants issue has been very high profile because we're dealing with the Government," continued Farrell. "I think they (Of One Belief) punched way above their weight when it came to the platform they were given in the media. I think ultimately at Congress we'll make the right decision.

"A lot of individuals can't understand why anyone would begrudge players that recognition from the Government. Amateur athletes of other amateur codes receive it. Why should our players be any different?"

The next step for the GPA is official recognition from Croke Park; something they hope to achieve before the year is out after developing decent working relations with the GAA executive during grant negotiations.

"We have a very good working relationship with Pauric (Duffy) and indeed Nickey (Brennan) of late as well. In the early days it might have been somewhat frosty.

"I think the more interaction we have the better the understanding of where we are at. We'll work towards that after Congress."

Meanwhile, in a huge boost for Laois football's championship prospects, the 2003 All Star Tom Kelly will return to the panel this summer.

Kelly announced his retirement from intercounty football after defeat to Derry in last year's qualifiers, citing work commitments as the main reason. But after manager Liam Kearns persuaded another All Star, corner back Joe Higgins, to return to training, Kelly has also decided to commit for another season.