Sport

Dempsey blames GAA for popularity of players' group

The failure of the GAA to meet players' demands created a vacuum which led to the emergence of the Gaelic Players' Association…

Mon Dec 16 2002 - 00:00

The failure of the GAA to meet players' demands created a vacuum which led to the emergence of the Gaelic Players' Association, former Wexford hurling manager Tony Dempsey - who yesterday stood down as the county's Central Council delegate following an unbroken stint of 22 years - said at the county convention.

Dempsey highlighted the fact that the GPA can be brought into the GAA.

"We left a vacuum which led to the players coming together. As a result I'm looking forward to the day when we see those players voted into the association and have an active role to play."

Séamus Howlin was defeated for the chairman's post having served in the position for two years. With Philip Kennedy eliminated on the first count, Seán Quirke was a shock 130-112 winner.

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The Wicklow GAA Convention have deferred making a decision on whether Croke Park should be opened up to other sports to a County Board meeting before Congress.

In a motion before convention, Fergal Óg Club from Bray said that they should not bow to pressure to open Croke Park to sports that were in direct competition with the GAA.

Club member Oliver O'Brien said that the clear message that should go out from the GAA was that they did not want anyone telling them what to do with Croke Park.

"The cuckoo does not build its own nest, but uses another's nest, but when the cuckoo flies off what then," he asked.

Eamonn Doyle from Newtown said that if the GAA ever decided to let other sports use Croke Park they should have to pay dearly for it.

Carnew's John Cosgrave said that Croke Park would have to be run as a business and, while he was no lover of soccer, they would be foolish not to open it to other sports and turn their backs on the earning the type of money needed to keep GAA clubs going.

Work has commenced in recent days on a €1 million extension to the stand at Dr Cullen Park - Carlow GAA headquarters - County chairman Eddie Byrne informed delegates at the Carlow GAA convention.

Work on the stand is expected to be finished by April in time for the 2003 Leinster senior championship campaigns.

Tipperary's top GAA official, Con Hogan, said at yesterday's county convention in Thurles that the Government should not be able to dictate to the association how Croke Park is used.

Referring to the calls for players to be paid for playing, Hogan urged respect for the players and consultation with them.

"We must ensure they are treated decently and reasonably and given every facility to develop their sporting talents", he said.

He added that the players too must be aware of the need for respect and consultation and that resources are limited. "There should be no 'them and us' in the GAA."

WICKLOW OFFICERS

Chairman: D McGillycuddy, An Tochar; Vice Chairman: M O'Hagan, St Patrick's; Secretary: P Fortune, Kilcoole; Treasurer: P Power, An Tochar; Youth officer: D Burton, Aughrim; Irish officer, T Walsh, Bray; PRO: J Napier, Bray; Central Council: M O'Hagan; Leinster Council: J Dunne, Arklow, J Timmins, Kiltegan.

WEXFORD OFFICERS

Chairman: S Quirke, Oylegate-Glenbrien; Vice-Chairman: P Kennedy, Ramsgrange; Treas: J Ferguson, Bannow-Ballymitty; Sec: M Kinsella, Buffers Alley; Asst Sec: M Doyle, St Mary's, Rosslare; Development: J O'Shaughnessy, Castletown; PRO: A Aherne, Sarsfields; Youth Officer: D Howlin, Bannow-Ballymitty; Irish Officer: T Ó Sé, Davidstown; Coaching: W Carley, Glynn-Barntown; Central Council: J O'Shaughnessy, Castletown.

CARLOW OFFICERS

Chairman: E Byrne, Mount Leinster Rangers; Vice-Chairman: P Deering, Rathvilly); Secretary: T O'Neill Tinryland; Assistant Secretary: D McCarthy, Clonmore; Treasurer: P Halligan, Grange; Asst Treasurer: P McCarthy, Eire Óg; PRO: T Murphy, Naomh Eoin, Oifigeach Gaelach: O Ó Saoluidhe, Baile Ceatharloch HC; Development officer: J English, Erins Own, Bagenalstown; Coaching officer: G Lennon, St Mullins; Central Council: P Doyle, Rathvilly; Leinster Council: L Conway, Grange, J Byrne, Kildavin.

TIPPERARY OFFICERS

Chairman: D Shanahan, Toomevara; Vice-Chairman: J Costigan, JK Brackens; Secretary: M O'Brien, Silvermines; Treasurer: M Nolan, Kildangan; Assistant Treasurer: M Power, Newcastle; Development Officer: J O'Donnell, Golden; Coaching Officer: D Floyd, Newport; Irish officer: C Ryan, Rahealty/Kickhams; Youth officer: J Halley, Rockwell Rovers; PRO: L Howard, Burgess; Central Council: C Hogan, Marlfield; Munster Council: M Power, Newcastle, J Ryan, Holycross.