GAA: Brolly's Union is due for respect from the GAA bosses

Sunday Mirror, Sep 19, 1999 by BARRY GILL

FOR years Gaelic players have felt like they've been trying to run up the lift going down.

And one little cameo sums up perfectly their frustration at the way they are regarded by the mandarins who run the GAA.

It happened just a few weeks ago after one of the prestige All Ireland hurling semi-finals.

A player tried to get to the new corporate premium level in Croke Park. He wanted to use the escalator, only to be told it was for the exclusive use of VIPs.

"But I am a VIP . . . I'm a player," responded the snubbed star.

It's that sort of 'Us' and 'Them' mentality fostered by the GAA top brass which has irritated and annoyed players to the extent that in midweek the GPA - Gaelic Players Association was launched to great acclaim in Belfast.

The new union are keen to stress that they don't want to touch the vexed question of pay for play - but this latest chapter of Player Power is bound to send a ripple right through the sport. A semi- professionalism can't be that far away despite the loud protests from either side that Ireland couldn't sustain it financially.

Leading lights such as Joe Brolly of Derry and Peter Canavan of Tyrone were there at the ground-breaking birth of the GPA and both have given it their full backing.

Fermanagh star Paul Brewster is another keen supporter of the new movement.

"The GAA is a professional, well-run outfit," says Brolly. "It's a great sport and we want young people to continue playing it and that's why we want to set up this structure to ensure players will be looked after in the future.

"It's only right, proper and necessary if we are to continue to see the best talent in the country continue to play our game."

And Canavan believes: "The GAA is big business. When you look at the All Ireland series everyone is doing well out of the whole thing except the players - and that's not on."

The revolution has been launched in Ulster with players signing up from all of the nine counties there.

But also in Belfast were All Ireland medal winners Dessie Farrell of Dublin and the former player of the year Jarlath Fallon from Galway.

"I think this idea is long overdue," argues Fallon. "Those of us who have played for Ireland against Australia in the International rules series have had our eyes opened the way the players there were treated.

"We want some of the same and we are fed up being taken for granted."

Ulster great James MacCartan, a double All Ireland winner, reckons: "There are certain players who will not play for their county because of fear of injury.

"When they are out of the game and out of work the GAA scheme gives them a pounds 100 per week. That's not on."

Some county boards shell out as little as 12 pence per mile for their stars to go training four evenings a week and, in the championship build up, sometimes five and six nights.

Meanwhile players who have made provincial finals have been offered two complimentary tickets for the game. That is plainly insulting.

The brains behind the GPA is Donal O'Neill, who has worked with sports marketing giants IMG.

"The enthusiasm from the players is there for all to see. We want players from all over Ireland to join up and try to improve their lot," says O'Neill. "Corporate Ireland is very keen to support GAA and I know there are many companies out there who will support the players along with the fans."

So far no executive has been formed. That will take place after discussions all over Ireland with other players.

Only then will the new body seek to meet with and address the GAA.

Along with improving their lot in financial terms, the GPA intends holding an annual banquet and are looking at a change in the format of the championship from a knock-out system to something approaching soccer's Champions League.

One of the leading lights in the new organisation, Derry star Fergal McCusker says: "It's not about player power and professionalism . . . that has never been discussed. We want to co- operate with the GAA - not fight them.

"It's not that the players want loads of money, it's just that in the past while it's been a great honour to represent your county, it has cost players. They cannot be out of pocket playing Gaelic football.

"The trip to Australia will open the players eyes once again. At this stage the GAA is worth a fortune with lots of money being pumped in by sponsors and that's great.

"But the players need to be looked at."

One glaring problem midweek was the absence of hurlers.

That's something which must be addressed before the union can go forward.

Sport is changing and it would be no bad idea for the GAA to investigate the possibility of their own GAA TV channel - just as Manchester United boast MUTV.

There are many who will scoff at the ideas and thoughts of the players. Traditional figures in the sport may try and ignore them - and that would be the ultimate folly. At some stage in the very near future the GAA and GPA will cross swords on several vexed questions.