Farrell disputes Brennan's pay-for-play claim

The Gaelic Players Association has disputed allegations by new GAA president Nickey Brennan about the GPA position on pay-for-play but have also broadly welcomed his proposals for addressing player welfare.

Chief executive Dessie Farrell said the GPA would not be issuing a formal response ahead of next week's meeting with Brennan but commented on the president's inaugural speech to the weekend's annual congress in Killarney in which Brennan stated: "Since the GPA was launched the notion of pay-for-play has been on their agenda. Despite recent comments from some of their officials, I am of the view that this remains the ultimate aim of the GPA in some form or other."

Farrell rejected the allegation: "Obviously he had a captive audience of like-minded people but the only individuals on about pay-for-play are GAA officials. Liam Mulvihill mentioned it in his annual report as well and all the while it's been off our agenda."

But the speech also contained conciliatory points about player welfare and a detailed plan of action to tackle those issues. "I know that genuine player issues have not received the priority they should have in the recent past," he said. "I know that there have been incidents, which are unacceptable and that some counties have failed to meet their obligations in the implementation and application of agreed measures and guidelines. That will change, I can assure you, as player welfare matters will be a priority during my presidency."

Top of the new president's proposals was the imminent appointment of a player welfare manager, a suggestion welcomed by Farrell. "Absolutely. The whole question of setting up a player welfare audit system was included in our list of demands. If the intention is to address this in one way or another, we'd welcome that."

Brennan confirmed on Saturday that the meeting between the GAA and GPA scheduled for May 2nd would be going ahead as planned. This promises to be the most significant engagement between the organisations since the players body was founded nearly seven years ago.

It comes at a time when players have been flexing their muscles and only two weeks ago a symbolic protest was staged by delaying the start of the final series of National League matches.

Although the point at issue was GPA unhappiness at the perceived lack of support for a proposed scheme of Government grants, a number of issues were laid out in a list of demands, some of which were addressed in Brennan's series of proposals unveiled on Saturday.

In relation to the grants, the new president laid out very clearly why neither he nor anyone else had attended the meeting between the GPA and the Government but he was also very careful not to express an opinion on the merits of the idea ahead of his meeting with the GPA, a point he emphasised in a brief press conference after his inauguration.

Among the areas of common concern, mentioned in Brennan's speech were insurance, medical facilities and the provision of resources for players.

The new president is seen as more conservative than his predecessor Seán Kelly but he may also be in a better position to bring the association with him in relation to any agreement with the GPA. Farrell believes it's a good time to be engaging with the GAA on player-related issues.

"Things came to a head towards the end of Seán Kelly's term of office but with a new presidency there's a clean sheet for everyone. As long as everyone is pragmatic and realistic, I can see us all doing business."