Sean Cavanagh - new GPA secretary.

[orangeman]

Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny) and Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone) have been announced as the Opel Gaelic Players of the Year for Hurling and Football for 2008 by the Gaelic Players Association at the GPA's Annual Gala and Awards evening at the Citywest Hotel.


Eoin Larkin and Seán Cavanagh won the accolades following a vote by the GPA membership after being shortlisted for the prize in October. Due to their outstanding performances throughout the GAA season, both players will receive a brand new Opel Astra worth approximately €25,000.


Commenting on the announcement, Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players' Association said: 'Congratulations to Eoin and Seán who have received a ringing endorsement from their fellow players for their displays this year.

'Both men contributed enormously to their respective county's campaigns and were stand-out figures despite the stiff competition. 'Their pursuit of excellence as players was evident throughout the summer but, as always, they were part of a collective effort and we must acknowledge the role of the team when honouring the contribution of the individual.

'Sincere thanks to Opel for their commitment to players in 2008 and thanks to all the GPA members who voted for our award winners.'


The three nominees for the Opel Gaelic Player of the year for Hurling as chosen by the Hurling Selection Committee were: Eoin Larkin (Kilkenny), Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny) and Shane McGrath (Tipperary). The four nominations for the Opel Gaelic Player of the year for Football as chosen by the Football Selection Committee were: Seán Cavanagh (Tyrone), Brian Dooher (Tyrone), Tomas Ó Sé (Kerry) and Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry).


Other awards for 2008 announced by the GPA on Friday were:


GPA Player of the Tournament, Tommy Murphy Cup: Tony Hannon (Wicklow)


GPA Player of the Tournament, Christy Ring: Brendan Murtagh (Westmeath)


GPA Player of the Tournament, Nicky Rackard Cup: Keith Raymond (Sligo)

[ziggysego]

First and formost, .. Sean cavanagh is one very genuine lad,  i had the pleasure of meeting him after the Mckenna Cup final of 2004, [.Cormac's last time as tyrone Captain.] ........... he spent alot of time chatting and signing autographs with my kids .... a lovely personality and Sportsman.
I don't agree with the GPA. as it stands @ present, or more to the point  Dessie Farrell ..... a total bollicks who is only interested, in my opinion bringing the gaa into the Professional Ranks @ the top Level, and to hell with Youth policy and our clubs .... the grassroots of the Gaa.
Sean Cavanagh i believe is a real Clubman @ heart ...... and if he can change mindsets from within the GPA. to bring everybody as one, from the grassroots up ....not an eletest club for top players.

Pretty much sums up my opinion of the whole thing mule.

[Minder]

So Cavanagh is going into the GPA to "change mindsets" and has no interest in pay for play? Yes i have got it now.

[boojangles]

I would safely say that 95% of GPA members would not like Pay for Play.I really dunno where all the paranoia comes from as regards peoples suspision of the GPA.Pay for Play can and never will work in the GAA,it doesnt take a stupid man to cop that,let alone Inter-county players.Sean Cavanagh is the greatest footballer in the country at the moment and is seen as one of the most influential characters in the game,he has captained a successful Ireland team in Australia and won everything in the game but he accepts the job of secretary with the GPA and suddenly thats enough to blacken a mans name.Somethings not right there lads.
Maybe I have missed something(bar a quote from Dessie Farrell in 2004 or something like that) that shows that Dessie Farrell,Donal Og Cusack or any GPA member has come out and said that they want Pay for Play.
Does anybody have such evidence?

[The GAA]

I was under the impression that cavanagh has been in the gpa for years?

why can you not be a gpa member and either 1- a real clubman at heart, or 2 - a member of the mystical "grassroots".

[thebandit]

I dont know exactly why, but I'm very dissappointed in Cavanagh. He's his generations finest player and he'll always be associated with pay for play.

It's this crap that irks me most. The same dung was spouted 10 months ago along with 'I'll never set foot in...'. Yet the same fellas attended the same amount of games and shouted as loud as any this year. It made absolutely no difference and those who cried the sky would fall now look foolish IMO. Sean Cavanagh getting £2000 for winning an All-Ireland is laughable pittance and affects not a jot his effort for the Moy and Tyrone (and Ireland). Anyone who begrudges him that is simply that, a begrudger.

You're totally wrong there O'Neill, I wasn't a 'I'll never set foot in' merchant. If you read the start of my comment properly I said I don't know exactly why. Maybe its because I regarded Cavanagh as the embodiment of all that is good about the GAA. Strong, skilful and intelligent, and that the GPA is not that pure an organisation.
I do think the players should be rewarded, and have been involved in 'under the table' looking after of players in the past. I think what Sean Cavanagh has gotten from the GAA is worth far more than £2000 to him, and he has given a lifetime's worth of happiness and memories to his county and his sport. He owes us nothing, but I think Cavanagh might find that not everyone is involved in the GPA for the same reasons that he is.

I shout loudly at most games I go to. Thats because I devote hours and hours every week to coaching teams and doing whatever my club demands of me.  I don't think I owe the GAA anything either. I certainly don't deserve my confused feelings on this subject to be shot down so loudly when I hadn't professed that strong an opinion. As I referred to, if you read the comment properly, you would have sensed the uncertainty. 

No sign of a reply?

[ONeill]

Eh? Did you ask me something I needed to reply to?

I cannot really make sense of what you're saying to be honest. You think players should be rewarded but are disappointed in Cavanagh for becoming a secretary of the GPA which changes your perception of him slightly. That's just a bit fickle to me.

I also think it's a little insulting of you to suggest Cavanagh a member of the GPA for a different reason to others, whatever that means.

[thebandit]

I think Cavanagh might find that not everyone is involved in the GPA for the same reasons that he is.

I think some of the GPA men dont necessarily have the best interests of the GAA as a whole at heart, and I would think that Cavanagh does.

If you are going to give me grief will you a least read my comments properly

[ONeill]

I read it exactly as it is, and it's insulting towards whoever it is. Who are these people you reckon don't have the interests of the GAA at heart?

[thebandit]

Those who seek to seperate the elite from the grass roots. But I have the height of respect for Cavanagh, and he could turn out to be a unifying influence.

[cornafean]

he could turn out to be a unifying influence.

I actually think he will.

[The GAA]

he could turn out to be a unifying influence.

I actually think he will.

if you stoip to think, that line of thinking is highly insulting to some of the finest gaels the association has amongst its membership

[cornafean]

if you stoip to think, that line of thinking is highly insulting to some of the finest gaels the association has amongst its membership

Sorry, I haven't a clue who you mean?

[The GAA]

Intercounty players are some of the best and most active members within the association in every aspect of the GAA. the inferrence here is that they are somehow inadequate, deviant or spoiling for a fight because they are members of a players union and that the mighty sean will put them all straight - even though sean has been an active gpa member for years himself.

[cornafean]

Intercounty players are some of the best and most active members within the association in every aspect of the GAA. the inferrence here is that they are somehow inadequate, deviant or spoiling for a fight because they are members of a players union and that the mighty sean will put them all straight - even though sean has been an active gpa member for years himself.

Who made that inference? Of course Sean has been an active and outspoken GPA member for years. He seems to me to have good leadership qualities both on and off the field.

That is why I think he is ideally positioned to mend relations between the GPA and the GAA - relations that are undeniably strained, according to Dessie Farrell's statement last week. Of course that's only my opinion. I honestly can't see how it can be as insulting as you claim, unless you or others are anxious to be insulted.