GPA exceptionalism

[Captain Scarlet]

This was from the Examiner piece couple of weeks back.

https://www.irishexaminer.com/sport/gaa/arid-41567956.html

As well as claiming the GPA's silence on the training breaches was "deafening but also troubling", Leinster Chair Derek Kent called for "an in-depth review" of their charity work in Africa.

I didn't see any follow up, but it's odd.

[tiempo]

Probably thought 50 players and associates travelling to plant trees in Africa to raise awareness for climate change was a tad indulgent to day the least

[Truthsayer]

Good Cahair O'Kane column in response to that disingenuous GPA self-pity fest...
https://www.irishnews.com/gaa/gpa-report-on-cost-to-players-should-be-taken-with-a-bucket-of-salt-LSNJVJYRV5E2BJBXEXPP57BAKQ/?fbclid=IwY2xjawIZ6WBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHb3WdRPhULiRMtiDXmIzZbHhVapDQMxMhWBQUdTqtyUKCh4ddph7Qo46Hg_aem_7fG0jeQFw6-BtvhsaMEgHQ

[Eamonnca1]

It's time for a game of chicken with the GPA.

Give them a time window next season, say 5-6 weeks, and give them carte blanche to hire any GAA stadium they like, and organise any competition format they like. They can then divvy up the profits any which way they like.

I don't think there's a chance in hell they'd take up the offer.

And it might help them understand that GAA followers don't go to watch players. They go to watch their schools, parishes and counties.

Exactly. If they went to watch the players as individuals then the Railway Cup would never have died and would be a massive crowd puller. People just aren't that invested in their province like they are with their county. The county and the club is where it's at.

[Truthsayer]

Embarrassing, Niall Morgan tweeting how much it costs to play for Tyrone, how players are struggling and suggests if he was in their position he wouldn't be able to play now... response from Philip Jordan, "Is he actually serious?"
Myler (former county player?) of course up and running bout how much county players add to the Irish economy... take away supporters and thousands of club volunteers and see what they add.
If its such a chore.. don't play county.

[tiempo]

It's time for a game of chicken with the GPA.

Give them a time window next season, say 5-6 weeks, and give them carte blanche to hire any GAA stadium they like, and organise any competition format they like. They can then divvy up the profits any which way they like.

I don't think there's a chance in hell they'd take up the offer.

And it might help them understand that GAA followers don't go to watch players. They go to watch their schools, parishes and counties.

Exactly. If they went to watch the players as individuals then the Railway Cup would never have died and would be a massive crowd puller. People just aren't that invested in their province like they are with their county. The county and the club is where it's at.

True story

2013 all ireland intermediate final at Croke was the curtain raiser to the Railway Cup final, was a v modest crowd in for the AI club final, and I'd say less than 10% stayed for the 'main event' a total non event

[tiempo]

Embarrassing, Niall Morgan tweeting how much it costs to play for Tyrone, how players are struggling and suggests if he was in their position he wouldn't be able to play now... response from Philip Jordan, "Is he actually serious?"
Myler (former county player?) of course up and running bout how much county players add to the Irish economy... take away supporters and thousands of club volunteers and see what they add.
If its such a chore.. don't play county.

They want to be like the rugger men

Centrally contracted - grant funded
Juiced up - nutrition endorsements
Relevant - media days to front their latest PowerPoint
Trending - coordinated, staying on brand, on message

Thon PowerPoint slide is embarrassing
They've literally just pulled random irrelevant trope statements and tried to equate them to why they should be given more money

Nauseating

https://x.com/muirtheimhne/status/1889636823321678278?t=TgNsuDtBuCr3uWENG1vgQw&s=19

[Truthsayer]

Embarrassing, Niall Morgan tweeting how much it costs to play for Tyrone, how players are struggling and suggests if he was in their position he wouldn't be able to play now... response from Philip Jordan, "Is he actually serious?"
Myler (former county player?) of course up and running bout how much county players add to the Irish economy... take away supporters and thousands of club volunteers and see what they add.
If its such a chore.. don't play county.

They want to be like the rugger men

Centrally contracted - grant funded
Juiced up - nutrition endorsements
Relevant - media days to front their latest PowerPoint
Trending - coordinated, staying on brand, on message

Thon PowerPoint slide is embarrassing
They've literally just pulled random irrelevant trope statements and tried to equate them to why they should be given more money

Nauseating

https://x.com/muirtheimhne/status/1889636823321678278?t=TgNsuDtBuCr3uWENG1vgQw&s=19

What's nauseating is to see two Tyrone players there and all that is given by volunteers in clubs across this county... for many more years than county players give. (Although I don't think all county players are on board this clamour for pay for play.. the GPA's agenda).

[tiempo]

People like Brian McEvoy and Derek Kent aren't going to be holding the fort forever, to paraphrase McGregor the GPA aren't here to take part, they're here to take over

The GAA will be in a far worse place as GPA types take up key strategic positions in the new integrated organisation, first it'll be a ball ache as they work for the few and not the many, then like politics the glaring lack of true capability will shine through with as many sides of shady expenses claims and nepotism that you can shake a stick at

The organisation as you might have known it from the 80s 90s 00s imperfect as it was is being well and truly hollowed out from within

[marty34]

Is every senior inter-county player a member of the GPA?

Is it just men's gaelic football or have the ladies and camogie have a 'union' also?

[APM]

They are crossing a line with this nonsense.

Gaelic Football / hurling is a hobby. That's what it is. Many top players have very successful careers and combine the two.

Then you have others that want to make a career out of the sport and they want to change the rules to achieve this. They simultaneously complain about the demands but argue against a weekly cap on training. Why? Because of their agenda.

They are privileged to play county football etc but want you to think it is the other way round. If they don't like the terms, forget about it - no one is making you do it.

[03,05,08]

What do the GPA want? Do all players currently not get a grant of a few grand per year?

[Duine Inteacht Eile]

I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed on here but this is the natural next step.
Being honest, how long did we expect county players to stand back and watch almost every other hoor involved get a fistful of dollars for their role?
We've wilfully turned a blind eye to the undermining of our association's amateur status for many years now and are trying to draw a line on the players looking their slice of the pie.
We might kick it down the line for another few years but they're going to call our bluff....and they're eventually going to win.

[NAG1]

I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed on here but this is the natural next step.
Being honest, how long did we expect county players to stand back and watch almost every other hoor involved get a fistful of dollars for their role?
We've wilfully turned a blind eye to the undermining of our association's amateur status for many years now and are trying to draw a line on the players looking their slice of the pie.
We might kick it down the line for another few years but they're going to call our bluff....and they're eventually going to win.

+1

You can even see it in certain clubs now, that professional aspect and paying for services which would have been carried out previously by volunteers is killing the volunteer ethos across the board.

Slippery slope but those on the gravy train don't care, mercenaries every way you turn.

[tiempo]

I entirely agree with the sentiments expressed on here but this is the natural next step.
Being honest, how long did we expect county players to stand back and watch almost every other hoor involved get a fistful of dollars for their role?
We've wilfully turned a blind eye to the undermining of our association's amateur status for many years now and are trying to draw a line on the players looking their slice of the pie.
We might kick it down the line for another few years but they're going to call our bluff....and they're eventually going to win.

Volunteer county treasurers having sleepless nights over raising yet more funds or balancing the books vs gross overspend don't fall into the every other hoor category, these and the legions of volunteers at club and county level nationwide are the true All Stars

Players do not need an ever increasing stipend, let the mercenaries go and leave behind those involved for the love of the game