PDs back GPA plan

The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) have received support from the Progressive Democrats for their proposed Government -funded grant scheme. The development puts increased pressure on the GAA to make public their viewpoint on such a departure.

Galway West TD Noel Grealish invited GPA representatives, including CEO Dessie Farrell and commercial manager Donal O'Neill, to meet Tánaiste Mary Harney last Tuesday in Leinster House. As a result they received PD support "in principle" for grants.

Grealish estimated the scheme would cost around €3 to €4 million a year and suggested it "might be addressed in the next Budget".

The GPA say they have already received similar statements of support from the Labour Party and Fine Gael but the Minister for Art, Sports and Tourism John O'Donoghue has repeatedly said it was up to the GAA to make a formal approach.

The players association held a second meeting with the GAA president Nickey Brennan this week but both groups have agreed not to divulge any information on these talks until they have reached a conclusion.

"We hope to have something tangible in place over the coming weeks as a deadline does exist for estimates for finance bills," said O'Neill.

"And yet, we have been saying that for four years. The GAA coming on board is the last piece of the jigsaw."

The funeral mass of Laois under-21 hurler Jason Gilligan takes place at noon today in Ballyfinn. Gilligan (19) collapsed at a training session last Sunday morning at Ballyfinn GAA club. He was put on a life support machine in Portlaoise General Hospital until Tuesday morning.

It was initially presumed that Gilligan had been struck with a sliotar but this did not prove to be the case and the cause of death has since been established as a brain haemorrhage.