Madam, – It is regrettable that the biggest sporting organisation in this country does not treat its most valuable assets, its players, with the respect they deserve.
Surely, the new GAA President and his colleagues should recognise the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) as a necessary entity and do all it can to facilitate players, who make so many personal sacrifices to play football, hurling, camogie and handball at the highest level.
Failure to do this will alienate younger players and will denigrate the growth of Gaelic games throughout the country.
At the same time, the hard-pressed tax payers should not be expected to foot the bill in covering expenses/grants for GAA players.
I would suggest that the GAA should cover all such items by donating a small percentage of gate receipts for all championship and league matches to a players’ fund, to be distributed to all inter-county senior players at the end of the tax year.
The GPA, in my opinion, have legitimate claims, but must be realistic in its demands during these stringent times.
I, like most GAA supporters, know that professional GAA games could not be sustained in this country, but agree that players should not be “out of pocket” for any expenses incurred, while travelling and/or training for their counties. – Yours, etc,