The Gaelic Players Association have replied to criticism from Westmeath County Board secretary Paddy Collins regarding their link to a poster company that airbrushed the county crest out of a calendar.

Like most counties, Westmeath have patented their crest to avoid its resale. Collins is adamant the county board received no payment for sales of the calendar but the GPA pointed out the Westmeath hurling panel benefited to the tune of €5,000.

"The association (GPA) is also aggrieved at the proliferation of unlicensed activity that continues to go unchallenged by the GAA, while a concerted campaign to thwart the GPA's activities, from which players benefit, directly, has become increasingly aggressive.

"Further, irrespective of his apparent ignorance on the subject, if the commercial department of the GAA shared Paddy Collins's enthusiasm to address the image rights issue, the commercial environment in Gaelic games would be clearly defined and much more accommodating for all concerned."

The poster portrays an outdated Westmeath team as the inaugural Christy Ring champions.