The players have spoken.
The Gaelic Players Association have slammed as “regressive” the motion before Congress that calls for all televised matches to be broadcast on free-to-air channels.
Motion 43 is being brought before this weekend’s Congress in Carlow by Dublin, however the players’ body have called for the proposal, which will greatly weaken the GAA’s ability to negotiate future broadcast deals, to be rejected by delegates.
“Any such move would be seen by the inter-county playing body as wholly regressive as it would deny the GAA the ability to negotiate the very best possible deal on behalf of the Association,” said GPA chair Séamus Hickey in a statement on Thursday.
“From a players’ perspective the commercial reality of this situation is that increased funding means greater support for player welfare not to mention the wider benefits to the GAA in terms of coaching, games promotion, infrastructure and facilities.
“It should also be noted that not every ‘free-to-air’ channel is available to GAA members in the Six Counties.”
While reiterating their strongly held opposition to the doomed proposals for a a “B” football championship, the GPA voiced their support for the abolition of the Under 21 grades in Gaelic football and its replacement with an Under-20 grade.
The GPA say it was “a recommendation contained in last year’s GPA Student Report and one specifically aimed at the cohort of players most under pressure from multiple squad responsibility”.
Their statement adds: “Such a move would provide an excellent first step in tackling the problems which are manifest for players between the ages of 18 and 21.”
On the thorny issue of the central council’s preferred Tommy Murphy Cup-style championship split, the GPA, fully expecting defeat for the unpopular proposal, are calling for further consultation on football championship structures after this weekend.
“Following Congress, the GPA will be making a formal representation to the GAA on behalf of the wider football membership in relation to the setting up of a working group to develop a new football championship format.
“This is considered by players, supporters and officials to be imperative in relation to tackling the on-going issue of the football season at both club and county level.”
After a year of tortured consultations and numerous submissions this is just what we all wanted to hear.
