Following the GPA's announcement that all players involved in intercounty matches this weekend will hold a 15-minute sit-in protest, the GAA today responded by saying that when formal communication is received all grievances will be considered.
GPA chief executive Dessie Farrell stated all players involved in intercounty games this weekend would remain in their dressing rooms for 15 minutes after scheduled throw-in times for all Allianz National League Football and Hurling games.
"This will show our intent but will hurt no-one," said Farrell today while also confirming the GPA and their members have no intentions to disrupt this year's championships but could happen if their demands are not met.
The GPA put forward a list of six demands that it wants the Association to address in order to avoid the threat of strike action. These demands include Croke Park formally endorsing calls for a Government player grants scheme. The GPA also wants the establishment of a player welfare audit system and the lifting of a ban on the sponsorship deal the GPA has with Club Energise.
Incoming GAA president Nickey Brennan reaffirmed that the process of interaction and dialogue, as previously agreed with the GPA, would commence at a meeting already arranged for early next month on May 2nd. Brennan also noted that he intends addressing the issue of players welfare at Congress on April 22nd.
The threat of strike action and the six demands emerged after an Emergency General Meeting held simultaneously in Belfast and Portlaoise last Saturday.
GPA Demands
1 GPA calls on Croke Park to endorse the Government grants scheme for
inter-county players and to formally lobby Government for immediate
implementation of same.
2 The GPA calls for an authoritative player-welfare audit system to
be set up by Croke Park to tackle issues immediately
• Enhance insurance/injury scheme for all players, club and
county. (Shortfalls in this area the most common complaint from players)
• Enhanced entitlements to players
• Playing and training facilities
• Comply with forthcoming recommendations outlined by the Sudden
Cardiac Death taskforce.
• Enhanced medical facilities at training and playing venues
• Medical supervision at all county games
• On-going education and information on the anti-doping code
3 Croke Park must provide formal recognition for the GPA and enter
negotiations to facilitate a collective bargaining agreement (defines
exactly what players and the GAA can expect from one another across all
relevant issues) between the parties. Funding for the association
through a percentage of income from appropriate revenue streams will be
an integral part of this process.
4 The GPA calls for Croke Park to address county board apathy towards
hurling in non-traditional counties and to ensure that all rounds of the
Nicky Rackard and Christy Ring Cups be played as curtain raisers to top
flight championship games
5 Croke Park, in consultation with the GPA, must address the fixture
crisis currently affecting club and county players.
6 The GPA calls on Croke Park to lift the ban on Club Energise with
immediate effect and adopt a policy of full commercial cooperation with
the players' body (ie: Playstation, sticker book collections etc.)