Dublin boss Jim Gavin says that he has no wish for the GAA to move towards professionalism, which he believes is “not sustainable”.
In a recent interview, GPA chief executive Paul Flynn said he wouldn’t rule out the possibility of players receiving financial remuneration for their efforts above the expenses which they are currently afforded.
Flynn, who has just retired from Gavin’s Dublin playing squad, had this to say when asked about semi-professionalism among inter-county players becoming a serious consideration: “I wouldn’t rule it out.
“The amateur ethos of the GAA is important and it’s important to our members.
“However, at the same time, when we ask our members - and we constantly survey them on issues - semi-professionalism is something that they would be interested in.”
Gavin feels that any meddling with the current representative model of the GAA would be a backwards step.
The Dublin boss said: “I'm not going to speak about the GPA but my own personal thoughts are that I'm here, I volunteer my time, I expect everyone does that as well and upholds the principles of the GAA.
“Players on 50 cent a mile are not in this for financial gain; they're in it to represent their parish.
“We have over 20 clubs represented in the current squad.
“The pride that I know that is out there - and that's in every county, the pride that clubs will have looking at their players in every county throughout the island of Ireland and indeed New York and London as well, to see their club players who they have taken from the cradle and brought all the way through that's phenomenal.
“It's a phenomenal sport for that and that has to be upheld; that's the bedrock of our association.
“I'm not interested for the association to pursue professional games because it's not sustainable.”
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