GPA Reimbursement for managers:GPA Chief executive Dessie Farrell has questioned the definition of the GAA's amateur status in the wake of revelations by former Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, in his autobiography, that he received reimbursement from the county board.
"Perhaps certain aspects of the amateur ethos need to be reviewed. It will be very interesting to see what the GAA investigation throws up. I have the utmost sympathy for county boards because their hands are tied in this regard, and how do they surmount that challenge?
"Certain county boards do it through supporters clubs. Others do it themselves through expenses or whatever the case may be. I think in this particular instance the Kerry County Board have denied any wrongdoing and said all they did was pay for a holiday for Jack and his family. If you were to follow the letter of the law within the amateur status it's payment or payment in kind, so they've probably contravened the amateur ethos there.
"It's very difficult for county boards and administrators to address this issue and do it in such a way that they are staying within regulations, but yet allowing for the demand for and appetite for success from their players, their clubs and their supporters."
A GAA spokesman confirmed yesterday they would not be conducting an official investigation on the matter, but will seek an "explanation from the Kerry County Board". Chairman Seán Walsh and O'Connor went on local radio on Wednesday to deny any contravention of GAA rules.
However, this latest controversy brings the issue of pay-for-play back to the forefront. "It's been documented that managers have been in receipt of payment for a long time now, so I think this is an issue for the GAA," Farrell continued. "Do they continue to turn a blind eye? I know they've investigated it in the past and it hasn't turned up anything, so I'd have sympathy for managers in this professional era they operate in.
"A common-sense approach is what's required, and if that be certain aspects of the amateur ethos need to be looked at, well and good. Now I'm not for a minute advocating that we go down the road of professionalism, but I think it's been happening, we know it's been happening, and I think the issue needs to be addressed . . . the hypocrisy eradicated, perhaps."
Farrell noted this latest issue is only indirectly related to the players' plight over grant aid. That issue remains active and correspondence with the new Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Séamus Brennan has already begun. A joint GAA/GPA meeting with Brennan is the next step.
"We're anxious to get that up and running again now that the new minister is in place. While we have said we are willing to investigate other avenues, we are still focused on the fact that there is a commitment on the table already from the Government, and if other alternatives don't work out we will be pursuing the one that's on the table."
Farrell was speaking at the launch of Bainisteoir - Hurling, a PC game similar to the soccer version called Championship Manager.
Designed by Nenagh brothers Pádraig and Fergal McDonnell of software company Tailteann Games, it is endorsed by the GPA, which enables player names and images to be used.
Also present was GAA national hurling director Paudie Butler and former Tipperary player and manager Nicky English. A fraction of the profits from the game, now available for €29, will be funnelled back to the GPA.
