Colm O'Rourke vs. the GPA

[orangeman]

The article didn't merit the over reaction it got. The GPA obviously have a big propaganda machine.

Aye and a rather large block grant ! Nice if you can get it surely.

[mrdeeds]

And the ordinary club footballer is expected to train all year to play championship in the space of a few weeks. We had a club player this year do his cruciate after three club  championship games in a week. The GPA are so far removed from the ordinary footballer it's wrong. Dessie Farrell response was to mention the commercialism of a county player. FFS.

[twohands!!!]

Is the movie gonna be like Alien v Predator?

"Whoever wins, we lose" was the tagline for that movie and seems to sum up this spat as well.

[Jinxy]

I don't get the GPA argument that there are loads of club players therefore they can't do much for them.
Have they weighed in on the club fixtures pile-up at all?

[bennydorano]

The GAA giving the GPA a seat at the table was a masterstroke, they are inside the tent pissing out rather than the reverse. The fire & the fight has dimmed alrite, but O'Rourke shouldn't be surprised that they came out swinging, any organisation with a vested interest would react the same.

[ck]

I'm not anti GPA but can anyone tell me EXACTLY what they stand for? We all know the problems within GAA on fixtures and too many competitions etc but what value added do the GPA bring bar line the pockets of the very elite?

[brokencrossbar1]

I'm not anti GPA but can anyone tell me EXACTLY what they stand for? We all know the problems within GAA on fixtures and too many competitions etc but what value added do the GPA bring bar line the pockets of the very elite?

Did you not read Dessie Farrells article that is linked above,  that's what the GPA are doing,  all of that.

[manfromdelmonte]

http://www.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/gaelic-football/eugene-mcgee-croke-park-must-take-from-rich-and-give-to-poor-30694884.html

Most GAA people know little or nothing about the GPA but if they consult their website they will get plenty of information.

Here are a few questions of interest to the GAA public that you will not see answered on the website:

1. How many players are registered, paid-up members of the GPA? And how many players attended the recent AGM of the GPA?

2. Are the detailed financial statements of the GPA available for disclosure to all GAA members as with other branches of the GAA? If not why not ?

3. How much money per year is given to the GPA from the GAA?

4. How many Dublin players have been beneficiaries of funding in any capacity from the GPA in the past three years?

5. How many players from Leitrim or Longford have been beneficiaries of funding in any capacity from the GPA in the past three years?

6. Is it the policy of the GPA to insist on players being compensated for loss of wages if a game is fixed for a weekday thereby preventing such games being played, as happened to the scheduled Carlow v Laois fixture?

7. How many paid employees, full-time and part-time, are working for the GPA?

8. How does the GPA intend to make proposals for change in relation to fixtures, Championship structures and similar matters? Will they put forward motions to Congress through county boards?

9. What is the view of the GPA regarding members who travel abroad for the summer months leaving their clubs without their services?

10. Will the GPA always exclude club players only from services supplied by the GPA and presently paid for by the GAA?

Eugene McGee rides to the rescue of O'Rourke

[lynchbhoy]

Would also like to find out which players were given educational grants/places etc!
Have heard that long retired ex county players already in gainful employment were recipient of this - thus robbing the opportunity of a current maybe unemployed lad needing such education and funding in order to stay in the country and available to play for club or county!

[heffo]

Would also like to find out which players were given educational grants/places etc!
Have heard that long retired ex county players already in gainful employment were recipient of this - thus robbing the opportunity of a current maybe unemployed lad needing such education and funding in order to stay in the country and available to play for club or county!

Jayo had an MBA paid for after he was retired from IC Football.

[lynchbhoy]

Would also like to find out which players were given educational grants/places etc!
Have heard that long retired ex county players already in gainful employment were recipient of this - thus robbing the opportunity of a current maybe unemployed lad needing such education and funding in order to stay in the country and available to play for club or county!

Jayo had an MBA paid for after he was retired from IC Football.

That's one example , I don't know the details but how was that fair?

How are these awards adjudicated ?

It will put the spotlight on this particular example as I expect he as you say was retired when he got the educational place ( I'm sure some current culchie club player will state they were more eligible) plus he's from Dublin and the same club as Farrell etc
That's prob the example orourke was alluding to.
But
Are there any more?
I know Paul Flynn got one too but he was a struggling plumber I hear and this really helped him!
Any others?

[armaghniac]

Would also like to find out which players were given educational grants/places etc!
Have heard that long retired ex county players already in gainful employment were recipient of this - thus robbing the opportunity of a current maybe unemployed lad needing such education and funding in order to stay in the country and available to play for club or county!

Jayo had an MBA paid for after he was retired from IC Football.

In DCU, second best like the Dubs during Sherlock's reign.

[heffo]

Would also like to find out which players were given educational grants/places etc!
Have heard that long retired ex county players already in gainful employment were recipient of this - thus robbing the opportunity of a current maybe unemployed lad needing such education and funding in order to stay in the country and available to play for club or county!

Jayo had an MBA paid for after he was retired from IC Football.

In DCU, second best like the Dubs during Sherlock's reign.

He won the same amount of AI's as the great Armagh one in a row team of 2002.

[INDIANA]

Would also like to find out which players were given educational grants/places etc!
Have heard that long retired ex county players already in gainful employment were recipient of this - thus robbing the opportunity of a current maybe unemployed lad needing such education and funding in order to stay in the country and available to play for club or county!

Jayo had an MBA paid for after he was retired from IC Football.

In DCU, second best like the Dubs during Sherlock's reign.

He won the same amount of AI's as the great Armagh one in a row team of 2002.

Its hard to believe that many of that same Armagh team tell the rest of us how to play the game still.

All on the strength of em- one AI.

[Jinxy]

I'm not anti GPA but can anyone tell me EXACTLY what they stand for? We all know the problems within GAA on fixtures and too many competitions etc but what value added do the GPA bring bar line the pockets of the very elite?

Did you not read Dessie Farrells article that is linked above,  that's what the GPA are doing,  all of that.

'Despite representing county players the GPA has made several submissions and provides player representation in an attempt to solve many of the perceived issues within the game which impact on both club and county players. Our members are club players, they want to see the problems resolved, they are fed up with the almost prejudicial blame game.'

What was the nature of these submissions, specifically with respect to club fixtures do you know BC?
Not doubting they were made, I just never heard any reference to them up to now.