Players on Strike?/Real Debate (Merged)

[rosnarun]

 what level of support do the GPA enjoy amonst intercounty players at the minute. Apart from the pretty needless and unimaginative Allstar Clone compettion and acting as agent in a few ad deals they seem to be very quiet with the biggest winner of all ofcourse being dessie farrell with his freebiee Car
Also If the Brown Cowen gives Tax breaks to footballers who is going to canvass Alistar darling to do the same

[deiseach]

I understood the government were planning to give an annual grant to the GAA with the intention that it be used by the GAA to 'compensate' (because playing a game is the equivalent of being in a car crash) players. If this is the case, the GAA should stay away from it like the plague. What organisation in their right mind would trust a government to ensure this grant is given in perpetuity and index linked? And should a future government withdraw the funding - and it would be the first thing to go in times of belt-tightening - who would the players receiving it turn to to keep it going?

[Armagh Exile]

So Dessie Farrell says that player might go on strike if the grant(?) system is not sorted out?

Let them.  Who cares?

[SimpleSimon]

When I was told about this I asked how do you qualify for it?
Is not going to be handed out to every county player, you will have to submit receipts with there being a max depending which bracket you are in. Most of these expenses are currently covered by co boards. For example gym membership, equipment such as boots, training gear, physio treatment. So most players will not actually have too much of a claim and the bill will not be what is thought. The perception is that every player will receive a cheque in the post when named on their count panel!

[tyroneman]

Is there an issue around 6 county players not recieving any of the grants? Fella at work was claiming this was the main issue?

[zoyler]

The GAA HQ are right not to get involved in this.  If they are seen to chanel payments it will be regarded as paying the players and they will then have to start deciding who is and is not eligible which will be a huge can of worms - is a corner back from Clare worth the same as the Gooch.  What happens the lads from the 6 counties.  Why should RoI taxpayers be giving NI residents money?  The line in the sand should be drawn and the players told that all they are entitled to from the GAA is reasonable expenses.  We can rehash all the arguments again but if in doubt just look at what pay for play has done to club Rugby in this country and you will know where the line to be drawn is.

[From the Bunker]

The GAA HQ are right not to get involved in this.  If they are seen to chanel payments it will be regarded as paying the players and they will then have to start deciding who is and is not eligible which will be a huge can of worms - is a corner back from Clare worth the same as the Gooch.  What happens the lads from the 6 counties.  Why should RoI taxpayers be giving NI residents money?  The line in the sand should be drawn and the players told that all they are entitled to from the GAA is reasonable expenses.  We can rehash all the arguments again but if in doubt just look at what pay for play has done to club Rugby in this country and you will know where the line to be drawn is.

I am from the south and would be happy to see ROI Taxpayers money going to North. Many Northern Players play for southern clubs and vice versa. We were for years happy to take Northern money in Clones and later in Croker!

[magpie seanie]

The GPA are a joke and keep making fools of themselves. €127 per week anyone? Talk of strikes is just posturing. If they tried it they know it would be the beginning of the end for them.

[pintsofguinness]

I'd love to see them strike.

[ExiledGael]

I'd love to see them strike.

Why exactly? Personally I'd be disgusted

[pintsofguinness]

I'd love to see them strike.

Why exactly? Personally I'd be disgusted

Because they would then realise how little support they have.
they strike, counties field the next best 15 as if nothing happened.  What's the big deal?

[ExiledGael]

Agree that they have little support at the grassroots level, but if players did strike it would be a PR disaster for our games and do more harm than good in the long term

[pintsofguinness]

Agree that they have little support at the grassroots level, but if players did strike it would be a PR disaster for our games and do more harm than good in the long term

PR disaster how or how would it do harm?

The support of people just waiting to put the boot into the GAA isn't going to help them.

They'll not strike anyway, they can't be that stupid!

[ExiledGael]

To go down that militant road of striking, the players and subsequently the game would probably lose a certain degree of respect. Love the amateur ethos of the GAA, but this would create a real distance between fans and players, which would be a real loss to the association.

[Aghdavoyle]

counties field the next best 15 as if nothing happened.  What's the big deal?

how long would county fans and sponsors accept that before serious pressure would be brought to bear on headquarters?