No end to the hard work in sight Gaelic Games Intercounty training

The GAA have quashed rumours that Central Council were about to introduce a restriction on the amount of training sessions that intercounty panels will be allowed to carry out.

In a statement issued from Croke Park yesterday it was pointed out that the matter of training demands and commitments was to be investigated, but that any formal policy is still far from being established.

Concerns had already been expressed about the GAA's proposals in relation to limiting the amounts of allowed training, but, according to Croke Park, "at no stage was it decided on by Central Council that training sessions would be reduced".

It was also stated that no co-ordinated evaluation had yet taken place on the extent of training sessions undertaken by individual counties. It has been decided, however, that Central Council would formulate a policy in regard to regulating training sessions and "to do this with the help and advice of the best expertise and experience available".

This policy, it was added, would only be introduced as a response to certain claims by players that indicate the excessive and unreasonable demands that are being placed on them.

It was also pointed out that a substantial amount of monies, based on existing training levels, has already been agreed by Central Council and announced last weekend as part of the recommendations of Amateur Status Committee. These include new funds of €250,000 for both the assistance of All-Ireland quarter-finalists and semi-finalists and the subsidy of counties that might have difficulty paying the improved mileage rates.

Several intercounty managers spoke out earlier this week against a policy that would limit the number or training sessions. The Gaelic Players Association also rejected any need to limit the amount of sessions.

It is also far from clear how the policy would actually be enforced.