The GAA has been hit by another high-profile resignation as unrest grows following the approval of the player grants scheme.

Donal McAnallen has stood down from his post as secretary of the Higher Education Council of the GAA with immediate effect.

McAnallen, brother of the late Tyrone captain Cormac, said he is disillusioned with the Central Council's decision to agree a grants scheme with the GPA.

"Up to now I kept involved because I got a sense of fulfilment from doing that work, as I thought the association served a greater good in Irish life, and I thought everyone was working towards the same ends," he said.

"But since the weekend, I realised that the association is changing direction altogether. Suddenly I knew I had lost interest in doing the voluntary work if the sport ceases to be for sport's sake."