A Chara, - Tom Humphries made an excellent call on the GPA's controversial deal with Marlborough (August 14th).
Anybody involved in GAA, at any level, is aware of the level of commitment required from a county player over the course of a season and nobody would deny them their right to some form of benefit in return. But lets not forget the people, whose commitment elevated these players to their current superstar profiles. Players of lesser ability, managers, coaches, family members, and supporters have all given as much, if not more, to the cause of the GAA without the possibility of Liam or Sam ever showing up on their doorstep.
The cornerstone of the GAA is the commitment of people at a local level. When the "Marlborough Men" were 8 and 9 years old, a bus collected them and took them training. They were given footballs and hurleys and coached in the skills of the game. They grew up in GAA environments, where they lived and breathed the game, their social lives revolved around it and they may have met their future wives through it. Their ambition was to play for the senior club team or maybe even get that elusive chance to wear the county jersey. The possibility of their success was the sole motivation of the people that made the player.
I was shocked and saddened by the announcement of this "deal" last week. Although an original advocate of the GPA, I realise now that I totally misunderstood the purpose of this organisation.
It is elitist and mercenary and does not represent Gaelic players collectively. Five thousand pounds is a small price for the betrayal of an organisation that made the player what he is. The expression "30 pieces of silver" comes to mind. - Is mise,
Feardorcha Mac Giolla Bhride, Na Dunaibh. Co Dhun na nGall.