The GAA is facing the real threat of players taking strike action to improve their status following a militant emergency general meeting of the Gaelic Players' Association (GPA) that ran late into Saturday night in a hotel in Portlaoise.
After concluding the meeting, which included two hours of debate away from the media, GPA chairman Dessie Farrell emerged with a new glint of confidence in his eye.
The players' group - so far unrecognised by the GAA hierarchy - had just made an unprecedented statement of player power.
Two motions were raised and unanimously passed on the night. In their efforts to improve negotiations with Croke Park, the GPA has, firstly, passed a motion of no confidence in the GAA's players' committee and called on the GAA to recognise the GPA as the official players body.
Secondly, and most tellingly, the GPA's national executive committee has been given sanction to organise a campaign of national protest. The national executive committee has also been given permission to run a national membership ballot and a complete withdrawal of services if deemed appropriate.
There was a considerable turnout on the night, and before long revolution was in the air. In total, 171 intercounty players representing 23 counties showed up, and another 10 panels sent letters of apology.
"We don't want anymore confusion about who is representing the GAA players," said Farrell. "The GPA has sent out a clear message here, and hopefully Croke Park will take heed of that now. We're here to stay and we mean business and we'll be taking the appropriate action from here on if negotiations are not met."
The prospect of strike is not a soft threat either.
"It's a very radical mood coming from the players now," Farrell said. "That was reflected in the huge turnout here, and it represents the deep anger and frustration of the players at the moment.
"And to avert such action now the GAA have to positively engage with the GPA agenda."
On the field yesterday, Tyrone finally earned their first national title with a comprehensive over Cavan in the National Football League final in Clones.
Ten years ago, Tyrone's last crack at the league foundered on a defensive mix-up when Anthony Tohill's 45 ended up in the net minutes from the end of the final.
Yesterday, the county made up for that with a crushing win over Cavan before a crowd of 25,159.
Captain Peter Canavan, the sole survivor of the 1992 final, referred to that close call in his acceptance speech.
Shortly before the end of this year's final it would have taken an earthquake to derail Tyrone as they ran out nine-point winners, 0-16 to 0-7. Canavan was also presented with the Man of the Match award after a lethal display yielding 0-6, four from play.
"The side has come on very well," he said. "There's been a lot of effort and they're a very dedicated bunch. didn't think it was going to be so comfortable, especially the way Cavan played in the semi-final. There was a strong breeze in the first half which settled down in the second half.
"I know I got the Man of the Match award, but you could safely have picked any of the full back line. The defence as a whole was top class. There was a fear going into the match that Cavan would get goals, but the way the defence played, that was never going to happen."
