Finally there was a welcome statement this week from the GPA that contained a number of reasonable demands – but also one really astounding request.
I read in utter disbelief that the players’ body was insisting “any inter-county training session organised before September 14th must be covered by the GAA Injury Benefit Scheme”.
Instead of the GPA holding Croke Park fully responsible – and instead of calling out every single manager and county board who are breaking training guidelines – they are actually acknowledging that this is going on.
And they have effectively endorsed it by demanding that the GAA reinstate the players’ injury benefit scheme it has cancelled until the return of official county training on September 14.
The is nothing short of extraordinary for a few reasons.
Why have the GPA not stood their players down this week until September 14, the date from when all their players are properly insured, instead of genuflecting to county bosses?
Why have they not voiced their outrage at Croke Park? If you stand idly by and allow inter-county training to take place three months before it is allowed, then that is a form of abuse.
Why have they used this opportunity as a power play against Croke Park instead of supporting all the clubs and the CPA, especially given the year that’s in it?
Why would the GPA insist that county training be brought forward and heap much more expense on already stoney broke county boards? This was a time to show strong and responsible leadership.
Instead the GPA has poured more petrol on an already out of control bonfire. No matter what way l look at it and try to understand the logic in their stance, I simply cannot see it.
The most interesting thing now is how GAA president John Horan reacts. He must now lead with real conviction – and has got to take serious action.
The GAA simply must stick by their original principles and support the clubs – that’s what this once in a lifetime year was supposed to be about, the clubs first and foremost.
The GPA have done a serious disservice to all clubs and club players. Their statement flies in the face of the club game.
And what a shame that is, what a gigantic opportunity missed by the GPA to somewhat redeem themselves.
First steps back to action are exciting yet daunting too
From Monday club teams will be allowed to engage in contact games but it’s interesting that some players will happily take part while others have reservations.
The talented Wicklow player Conor McGraynor made a very good point this week when he said “finding it hard to understand why Premier League and AFL players are getting rigorously
tested, yet from monday next some guy can hang out of me for an hour who could be working in a hospital”.
Club players all over the county next week won’t be rigorously tested – in fact they won’t be tested at all, the very point l made here a number of weeks ago.
it’s time that everybody knelt down and said a prayer.
I'm glad a fuelish move is no more
Prior to the wonderful windfall grant of €40million that the GAA received from the Government, one of the areas the association earmarked to make savings in was the mileage allowance of the inter-county player.
it wanted to cut payments by 50% but obviously that won’t happen now with the grant in place, thank God.
l felt that targeting the mileage was grossly unfair and easy pickings.
The countyplayer, remember, is an amateur and gives an enormous effort on a voluntary basis.
This is one of the small perks that they have and, overnight, it was going to be shredded in half.
Croke Park must realise the issue here is not the rate per mile that the players are on but rather the amount of miles they do. Easy prey!
Club stars have earned chance to shine
News that TG4, Eir and possibly RTE will show club games live when the action resumes next month is wonderful.
What an opportunity for the ordinary club player - exposure on TV for teams who may never get to a county final will be something special.
It’s a great window on a number of broadcasting platforms to showcase the club game.
Let's give Livie a brighter future
I can't let this week go without mentioning the battle facing a beautiful little girl, nine-month-old Livie Mulhern from Kentstown, Co Meath.
Livie was diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at Easter, the same condition as Dan Donoher from co Laois.
It will be virtually impossible to follow the amazing fundraising for little Dan but Livie also needs once-off gene therapy called Zolgensma that costs €2million.
Time is not on Livie’s side so please donate at gofundme.com ‘ A Better Life for Livie ’.
Colm O’Rourke, Brian Stafford and myself are donating the jerseys we last wore for Meath so please start the bidding to help save Livie’s life.
