The Gaelic Players Association (GPA) announced the final two members, Kilkenny's DJ Carey and Dublin footballer Brian Stynes, of a 10-strong team in their groundbreaking sponsorship deal with the Marlborough Group.
The sponsorship package agreed between the two organisations amounts to £50,000 over a 12-month period, involving 10 of the country's leading football and hurling players, all of whom are members of the GPA.
Carey and Stynes join Brian Lohan (Clare) Brian Corcoran (Cork), Brian Whelahan (Offaly) Jarlath Fallon (Galway), Paul Flynn (Waterford), Stephen Melia (Louth), Derek Duggan (Roscommon) and Peter Canavan (Tyrone) in completing the line-up. As part of the agreement the 10 players will perform a number of agreed endorsements and promotions for the Marlborough Group.
The GPA's latest announcement comes just a couple of days after the GAA outlined details of a £250,000 fund available for players' endorsement and sponsorships. The initial fund has been subscribed to by 10 companies each contributing £25,000 and will be administered by Murray Consultants. While the GPA gives 80 per cent of any deal to the individual and 20 per cent to the organisation, the Croke Park scheme allows for a player to receive 50 per cent with 30 per cent going to the player's panel, 10 per cent to the players' hardship fund and the remaining 10 per cent to the county board.
The decision of Kilkenny great Carey and Stynes to join the GPA is undoubtedly a coup for the organisation. Donal O'Neill, chief administrator of the GPA, used the press conference not just to welcome the latest additions publicly, but to straighten out what he saw as misconceptions.
"First and foremost the GPA has been referred to as elitist by the GAA. I can assure you this is simply not true and developments in the weeks and months ahead will quickly quash this accusation. The GPA has actively assisted both club and county players on both legal matters and issues arising directly with county boards.
"The GPA exists to represent players' rights and that extends way beyond commercial representation." He cited the improvement in mileage rates, ticket allocation and insurance as significant advances instigated by the GPA for players. He also welcomed the appointment of Croke Park's agent, a reference to Monday's announcement.
He said the GPA had recently negotiated a comprehensive insurance scheme open to club and camogie players and women footballers that greatly improves the current situation. He also said that the GPA would host its inaugural gala dinner on November 3rd in Killarney.
Carey was unable to attend yesterday's announcement because of a commitment to playing in the GOAL challenge last night but Stynes offered his reasons for joining the GPA.
"From my own personal view it goes back to being in Australia (he is a former Aussie Rules player) where we were looked after, even though it was a different scenario in that it was a professional game. There was a players' association started up over there about 12 years ago, a year before I arrived. At that stage we were just paid $70 (Australian) dollars a year and received a pair of shorts and a cap with players' association on it.
"Where once a player earned $3,000 to $4,000 when they made a panel, the minimum now is that a player must be paid $50,000." He said this came about because of the players' association which has now amalgamated with the game's authorities. "I think the GPA here represents a great idea. It's not the same idea, in terms of pay for play, but with regard to endorsements it is a great way forward. The GAA are doing that also which is a great thing and in time the two can complement each other and amalgamate."
