GPA demands: The Gaelic Players Association yesterday laid out details of the agenda they wish to pursue with the GAA, explained the decision not to proceed with a players' match boycott and elaborated on the protest planned for next weekend's National League fixtures, which will consist of a 15-minute delay before leaving the dressingrooms.
At a media conference held in Jury's Hotel opposite Croke Park, the GPA was represented by chief executive Dessie Farrell, commercial manager Donal O'Neill, president DJ Carey and secretary Kieran McGeeney.
They spoke about the difficulties of engaging with the GAA on matters of player welfare and also expanded on what they described as the militant mood of Saturday's egm, held in Portlaoise with a video link to Belfast, and officially attended by nearly 300 players.
"It was very passionate and a lot spoke in favour of the proposed boycott," said Farrell. "Emotions were running very high. But ultimately we decided that that was the nuclear option and a more measured approach was deemed to be the best. It was also taken into consideration that Nickey Brennan has undertaken to address a number of welfare concerns during his term."
It was confirmed a mobile phone text poll of members had resulted in a 684-82 vote in favour of boycotting next weekend's matches. Instead of acting on that, according to Farrell, the GPA opted to pursue a less disruptive course.
"We decided that there will be a delay of 15 minutes. This will be a dignified protest and we call on the GAA to recognise that. How the GAA deal with this will determine how other issues are dealt with.
"The most critical issue is official recognition. If that was in place a lot of the other issues would fall under that remit."
The decision to register a protest at the weekend was unanimously carried by the meeting, agreed by Carey to be the most militant he had attended. "I've no doubt it was. Did we show leadership? I think we did. Some guys came with very strong opinions; others not so strong. In fairness to Nickey Brennan he's only coming into office. We haven't been shown a lot of respect over the years but we'd like to show that respect to him.
"Nickey Brennan is someone I have the utmost respect for. When I played under-21 - and that was neither today nor yesterday - he was the manager. He was chairman afterwards and now president. I know how authoritative he is."
Apart from discussion of the GPA's demands (see elsewhere on this page), most comment centred on the need for Croke Park to take the players' group seriously and engage with it.
"There was a club player," said Farrell, "who suffered a horrific injury over three years ago. His life has been transformed. We sent three letters to Croke Park to follow up on this case and didn't even receive a reply. That sums up the respect for players we've encountered."
Responding to suggestions that relations between the GAA and GPA were turning into a PR battle, O'Neill was dismissive. "PR battle? If the GAA were here, their proposals would be a blank page. We've never had anything from Croke Park. If it's a PR battle, go and get a response from Croke Park because we haven't been able to."
Carey outlined the importance of prominent players getting involved with the GPA even though there wasn't a lot in it for them personally. "Top players will benefit anyway. A lot of us don't need the GPA to do well. You guys (media) don't know about the Carlows and Mayos but if we get a snotty nose, we're in the papers. All players' voices won't be heard unless we make them heard."
Farrell also referred to a couple of areas of friction between the players and Croke Park, including the threat to discontinue the leagues had this weekend's strike gone ahead and the hostility of the GAA towards C&C's Club Energise brand, one of the GPA's main sponsors. "There couldn't have been a more provocative response than came from the GAA, threatening suspensions and the cancellation of the league - in other words bully-boy tactics and threats. A lot of players were very angry over that.
"It didn't take a motion to Congress to ban Club Energise and we still haven't been told why that happened. It's 100 per cent an Irish product - unlike some of the other products that Croke Park are dealing with. We feel that by taking this attitude they are trying to undermine our income."
Ultimately though the tone was hopeful. "We hope the GAA would respond positively. This is an opportunity to show what players mean to the association and there is nothing in it that will hurt the association."
