The GAA has condemned recent tabloid newspaper reports alleging two prominent players have run into problems in their private lives. In a statement from Croke Park, the association "strongly condemned" articles in the Sunday World and News of the World which coincided with "major games in which the subjects of the articles were playing".

Last night the public relations officer of the GAA, Danny Lynch, said he could not confirm that any direct action would be taken officially by the association. He said that the Management Committee of the GAA would be "monitoring the situation in a serious manner and considering the implications of the intrusion into the privacy of individuals who happened to be members of the GAA".

"We are not in the business of censorship," he continued, "but we have a responsibility to respect and protect the privacy of our members. Journalists have their rights also, including rights to personal privacy in their private lives. Perhaps journalists, some of whom seem to have an unhealthy interest in the private lives of others, might look into the mirror on occasions and ask themselves if they would relish their own private lives being held up to public scrutiny."

Lynch also confirmed that there had been unprecedented approaches to Croke Park complaining of the reports which were given widespread prominence. "I have never experienced such annoyance from our members throughout the country," he said. The statement from Croke Park said that the reports - one of a personal relationship, the other a motoring offence - were " a new and sinister development in the media industry in Ireland".

The statement pointed out that GAA players were amateurs who played for recreational and enjoyment purposes and had contributed "inestimable entertainment for countless people".

The statement continued: "It is patently wrong and immoral to target these players and intrude in their private lives and that of their families in a callous and insidious way for no other purpose (than) to increase circulation.

"The actions of these newspapers has led to a massive response of protest from GAA supporters, and these actions have severely fractured any relationship that might have existed with these newspapers.

"Ireland is fortunate in that we have a quality and responsible media generally who provide an invaluable service to Gaelic games, to sport in general and to freedom of expression and democracy.

"This has always been acknowledged by the association and, indeed, GAA players are always most co-operative and receptive to the media. But our members demand that we should not ignore this new trend in `gutter press' journalism perpetrated by a minority of publications."

Although it seems unlikely any journalists face any immediate sanction from the GAA, there is, nevertheless, a suggestion that newspapers which indulge in "gutter press" coverage of GAA affairs may not, any longer, be welcome at Croke Park.