Kelly plays down promotion with GPA

The GAA and the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) entered uncharted territory yesterday by sitting down together in Croke Park to promote the same product - suggesting the hard line that has existed between the two is finally softening.

The sight of GAA president Seán Kelly smiling for photographs alongside Dessie Farrell, the chief executive of the GPA, would have been unimaginable less than a year ago. While both Kelly and Farrell played down the significance of yesterday's event, their joint support for the latest hurling helmet has created an overwhelming feeling that maybe they can get along after all.

Kelly opened proceedings by launching the new Azzurri brand of helmet, which he said brings some healthy competition to the market.

Yet the helmet was developed with the assistance of the GPA, who provided players for the various phases of testing - and that indicated at least some level of co-operation between the GAA and the GPA.

"Well, that might be putting too much of a spin on it," said Kelly. "I'm here first of all because Azzurri are a licensed company of the GAA, and are already contracted to a number of counties.

"Azzurri were looking for players to help them test the helmet, and in fairness the GPA did supply them. I've no problem with that. We're all GAA people, and the players are our best asset. So anything that can benefit players we want to be a part of, but obviously we have to do so within the strict guidelines of our rules and the amateur status."

Yet Kelly did agree the relationship with the GPA was moving forward, and that some sort of formal co-operation appeared inevitable. It was too early to say if that would happen within the term of his presidency.

"It's not that far down the road. I've already given approval to that process, and we will be sitting down with them. I can't anticipate what's going to happen, but it should happen over the next few months.

"But certain things you can't force in terms of time. You can set the process in train, and how long it will take doesn't always matter. But I've always said the presidency is not about me, it's about the association. Obviously there are certain things you'd like to finish, but I'll just keep going for the next eight months."

Farrell also warned of reading too much into yesterday's event, and said formal co-operation on the more serious matters still appeared some way down the line. The Dublin footballer has already been given a place on Central Council as the players' representative, but feels the GPA are still being left out of the loop that matters most.

"I think it is encouraging," said Farrell, "even though it is only a small step. It's not as if we've come to any commercial agreements with the GAA, despite the fact that we are still advocating the commercial co-operative model as the way forward, and to create a bigger pie and a bigger slice for anyone. Croke Park to date haven't engaged with us on the basis, and that's still unfortunate.

"We've been requesting a meeting with the marketing department of Croke Park for some time now, and that still hasn't happened. It's amazing to think they've compiled a marketing report, and at no stage was there any GPA or player input. How they can do that in this day and age, with so much controversy over image rights and player endorsement, beggars belief. So we're anxious to sit down and discuss these issues."

In the meantime though, Kelly has clearly made a telling step towards establishing a future with the GPA - whether or not he has full support for his stance.

"I'm not sure how this will be viewed internally in Croke Park," admitted Farrell, "but Seán Kelly gave his word to Azzurri that he'd attend the launch, regardless of GPA involvement. So I think it's more indicative of the support he's shown players throughout his tenure as president."