Gaelic players announce media ban

[JMohan]

We can dismiss this "media ban" as a nonsense and water of a ducks back but I'd imagine it is the start of a prolonged campaign by the GPA with more far reaching measures.

It'll be very much like the recent strike on Cork which started quietly with support slowly built up behind it. The various press plants of the GPA wrote on their behalf (they already at it this time as well) and they slowly turned the public to the strikers way of thinking.

I'm sure the GPA know a strike now will wipe them out but they will take their time and build up to more major actions, possibly by the All-Ireland.

It is quite sly of the GPA to only ever mention the welfare issues of players in their press releases and the unemployment situation, they never detail their demands from the GPA and to read this without any background it would be easy to see why people would support them and this slow burning campaign will play into their hands.

The GAA need to come out strong on this and clearly and publicly state why they can't agree to the GPA's current requests.

I think the Cork thing was different - the Cork CB really screwed that one up in fairness - the scribes were far more in favour of the GAA and CB initally.

If the GPA think they'll win the people with crying about unemployment - they've really lost touch

[theskull1]

Does anyone else not think that it is in national scibes/papers best interest to have a "more" professional intercounty game? So with that in mind, why should they be listened to on that whole debate? Should we not let our own heads do the thinking?

[Hound]

The GAA need to come out strong on this and clearly and publicly state why they can't agree to the GPA's current requests.

This is key.

The "ignore them and they'll go away" approach and the "who do they think they are" approach will inevitably lead to some sort of chaos. Albeit it is clear that there are many GAA administrators and people who post here who would love to see that, in order to put those goddamn intercounty players back in their box.

Of course the irony is that it is these very people who caused the creation of the GPA. Give yourselves a kick up the behind.

But the GPA, including Dessie, has done a super job. Player welfare has improved across the board since their inception, most importantly regarding insurance and expenses.

So now it seems the GPA have asked for 1% of gate receipts to fund player welfare issues. And the GAA seem to have said No and Fook off. And much applause from the "let them strike" brigade.

Its time for the GAA to make a proper, dignified and concillitary stance on the issue. I would recommend a statement something like this (I'm sure the wording could be improved substantially!):

- The GAA is an amateur organisation, the GAA do not pay players and it is something that we do not forsee changing in the future.

- The GAA recognises the importance of the intercounty player. And therefore player welfare is a very important part of the GAA.

- When any player joins an inter-county panel, he is made aware of the player welfare entitlements/obligations, in particular, regarding insurance, expenses, meals, training gear. We believe that these are very fair and reasonable and would hope/expect that most aspiring intercounty players would agree. However, joining an intercounty panel is a choice and players do not have to join if they believe they should get paid.

- We are happy to discuss/address player welfare issues with the GPA or any player. For instance if a county board is falling short on the agreed player welfare conditions without good reason, or if there are potential new initiatives or ideas. However the over-riding factor will be the continuance of the amateur ethos. There will be no payments for playing. The GAA will fund player welfare directly. The GAA will not pass on the funding to other organisations for them to fund as they see fit.

This is not a battle to be won, as many here seem to think. Because we don't want any losers, because that will be hugely detrimental to the GAA. This is about the GAA taking the moral high ground, while at the same stage showing they are very much pro-player. Then nobody will win or lose, but everybody will benefit.

[theskull1]

I agree with that hound

Now administrators in HQ......any word of youse showing a bit of leadership??

[orangeman]

Barney Rock in today's Irish Mail reckons that the GAA should hand over 10% of the TV money to the GPA to fund their organisation.

10%. Nice work if you can get it.

[Final Whistle]

Christy Cooney will receive 500,000(1/2 MILLION) euros for his term in office at the head of the GAA!

Does anyone have a list of paid GAA top brass!

I am not a GPA supporter, I do believe the players should be compensated for loss of earnings, miles etc however.

At the same time what the f*ck is Cooney getting paid that money for.........

[INDIANA]

Christy Cooney will receive 500,000(1/2 MILLION) euros for his term in office at the head of the GAA!

Does anyone have a list of paid GAA top brass!

I am not a GPA supporter, I do believe the players should be compensated for loss of earnings, miles etc however.

At the same time what the f*ck is Cooney getting paid that money for.........

They already are compensated.

[JMohan]

Christy Cooney will receive 500,000(1/2 MILLION) euros for his term in office at the head of the GAA!

Does anyone have a list of paid GAA top brass!

I am not a GPA supporter, I do believe the players should be compensated for loss of earnings, miles etc however.

At the same time what the f*ck is Cooney getting paid that money for.........

I know some former Presidents of the GAA .. not too many driving Mercs to be honest with you and not many in it for themselves or for the career move.
When you consider the work etc ...



The only exception was/is Sean Kelly.

[rrhf]

Whats the chances of a media ban working?  I mean many of the head guys in the GPA would do 2 interviews a day if they could with very little of importance ever being said.  If it means they keep their bleating to themselves then I thoroughy welcome the media ban, in fact Id have banned them years ago  - I think these GPA guys feel they need the "prestige" of payment to differentiate between themselves and the other GAA volunteers from club player, club helper to say club tyrone contributor who they feel are there to serve them. If a Tyrone player  was to get paid in the morning via GAA funds to play Gaelic Football it would spell the end of the guys taking money out of their businesses in this day and age to put the tracksuits on his back ie club tyrone.  I wouldnt have a heirarchy of volunteerism within the GAA if it can be avoided.  Of course these guys are entitled to his opinion and so are the rest of us.        

[doirebhoy]

y do people keep going on about getting paid??? its a grant, end of story, majority of athletes get it!!!
i have a work colleague who plays for derry, he spends approximatly £35 a week on fruit/veg and chicken for his breakfast/lunch etc, wereby i buy a sandwich at £2.50!!!

no one is asking the gaa for £30k a man, last year he recieved 1700euro, about £1500,

take
gym membership 36 per month * 8 £288
Dietary requirements  32weeks * 35 £1120
Supplements             32weeks * 10 £320

thats £1728, thats not to mention the 30mins he left work early for every training session, he has done numerous underage presentation, and never once took a penny.

he dosent do it for the money, he does it for the pride in his jersey, for his club/family etc - he will never stop playing if he doesn receive any gpa money, however i think these fellas deserve some sort of reimbursement for there dedication.

[bingobus]

The media ban isn't aimed at annoying supporters, they can read the papers where players will still give interviews.

The media ban is aimed at the TV companys who have paid big bucks to show the games and a large part of their build up and analysis will involve player interviews.

The GPA want this to disrupt their coverage so they will put financial pressure on the GAA to work with the GPA.

[INDIANA]

y do people keep going on about getting paid??? its a grant, end of story, majority of athletes get it!!!
i have a work colleague who plays for derry, he spends approximatly £35 a week on fruit/veg and chicken for his breakfast/lunch etc, wereby i buy a sandwich at £2.50!!!

no one is asking the gaa for £30k a man, last year he recieved 1700euro, about £1500,

take
gym membership 36 per month * 8 £288
Dietary requirements  32weeks * 35 £1120
Supplements             32weeks * 10 £320

thats £1728, thats not to mention the 30mins he left work early for every training session, he has done numerous underage presentation, and never once took a penny.

he dosent do it for the money, he does it for the pride in his jersey, for his club/family etc - he will never stop playing if he doesn receive any gpa money, however i think these fellas deserve some sort of reimbursement for there dedication.

Where does it all end though? Thats the problem. There isn't enough cash to support 32 counties in both codes.

[bingobus]

y do people keep going on about getting paid??? its a grant, end of story, majority of athletes get it!!!
i have a work colleague who plays for derry, he spends approximatly £35 a week on fruit/veg and chicken for his breakfast/lunch etc, wereby i buy a sandwich at £2.50!!!

no one is asking the gaa for £30k a man, last year he recieved 1700euro, about £1500,

take
gym membership 36 per month * 8 £288
Dietary requirements  32weeks * 35 £1120
Supplements             32weeks * 10 £320

thats £1728, thats not to mention the 30mins he left work early for every training session, he has done numerous underage presentation, and never once took a penny.

he dosent do it for the money, he does it for the pride in his jersey, for his club/family etc - he will never stop playing if he doesn receive any gpa money, however i think these fellas deserve some sort of reimbursement for there dedication.

So he sends £5 a day per week on fruit and veg and chicken.  

I'll not ask which supplements he takes.  

Gym membership, I would have thought that the CB would cover this.

[Final Whistle]

y do people keep going on about getting paid??? its a grant, end of story, majority of athletes get it!!!
i have a work colleague who plays for derry, he spends approximatly £35 a week on fruit/veg and chicken for his breakfast/lunch etc, wereby i buy a sandwich at £2.50!!!

no one is asking the gaa for £30k a man, last year he recieved 1700euro, about £1500,

take
gym membership 36 per month * 8 £288
Dietary requirements  32weeks * 35 £1120
Supplements             32weeks * 10 £320

thats £1728, thats not to mention the 30mins he left work early for every training session, he has done numerous underage presentation, and never once took a penny.

he dosent do it for the money, he does it for the pride in his jersey, for his club/family etc - he will never stop playing if he doesn receive any gpa money, however i think these fellas deserve some sort of reimbursement for there dedication.

So he sends £5 a day per week on fruit and veg and chicken.  

I'll not ask which supplements he takes.  

Gym membership, I would have thought that the CB would cover this.

£5 does not go that far. Especially down Mexico way!!

[cornafean]

y do people keep going on about getting paid??? its a grant, end of story, majority of athletes get it!!!
i have a work colleague who plays for derry, he spends approximatly £35 a week on fruit/veg and chicken for his breakfast/lunch etc, wereby i buy a sandwich at £2.50!!!

no one is asking the gaa for £30k a man, last year he recieved 1700euro, about £1500,

take
gym membership 36 per month * 8 £288
Dietary requirements  32weeks * 35 £1120
Supplements             32weeks * 10 £320

thats £1728, thats not to mention the 30mins he left work early for every training session, he has done numerous underage presentation, and never once took a penny.

he dosent do it for the money, he does it for the pride in his jersey, for his club/family etc - he will never stop playing if he doesn receive any gpa money, however i think these fellas deserve some sort of reimbursement for there dedication.

I wish I could get someone to subsidise my lunch and breakfast. Does he eat a whole chicken every day? (No wonder Derry were so slow last Sunday week if that's the case) Is there no Asda in his neck of the woods?