Farrell frustrated by grant delays

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell has expressed his frustration at the delays in completing negotiations with the Government and the GAA in order to free up the €5million allocated for grants to GAA players.

Twelve months ago, Bertie Ahern gave the Players Association members an assurance at their annual awards banquet, declaring the Government's commitment to funding a grant system for inter-county players.

Former Dublin forward Farrell believes that it is now time to move this process forward another step.

Speaking at tonight's GPA Awards banquet, Farrell said: 'Patience maybe a virtue but, for players faced with the passing seasons, it can be a millstone. As we celebrate tonight, the issue of the first national players' strike in the history of the GAA is shortly to be decided.

'This time last year, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern addressed this gathering and outlined his Government's commitment to funding a grant system for inter-county players. Shortly afterwards, we completed a historic agreement with the GAA all systems go, or so we thought.

'Unfortunately, there was devil in the detail and the devil was both convoluted and confusing. The Government put what was believed to be five million on the table for the benefit of inter-county players through infrastructural grants to the GAA which, in turn, was to free up the GAA's own resources.'

Farrell believes that there is no point in blaming his organisation, the Government or the GAA and he hopes that an end to finding a resolution is in sight.

'To be honest, this process has gone beyond the blame game and is nearing the end game,' he said.

'But what I can say to you tonight is that we have walked the political tightrope and we still haven't reached the other side. We have been at pains not to isolate ourselves from public support, from the GAA grassroots and from the Government but what have we achieved on the grants issue? Nothing.'

Farrell issued a strong broadside at those critical of the GPA and its members for bringing the GAA into disrepute and threatening the future of the sporting body.

'It's incredible to think that the GPA and all the inter-county players here tonight are being accused of jeopardising the wellbeing of the GAA when your specific contribution is so vital to the future of the organisation.

'We, along with our families, friends and relations, are the grassroots, we are clubmen, club players, club activists. We love our sport and, more than anyone, we want to preserve our games and want to remain part of our communities,' he added.

Affording inter-county players the status associated with the grant scheme would be a wonderful thing for the GAA think about it, its star players achieving parity of esteem with international athletes.

'Instead of supporting this situation, we have petty begrudgers bleating on about pay for play and scaremongering about the destruction of the GAA. It would be pathetic if it wasn't so maliciously divisive.'

However despite this turmoil, the Players' chief is still optimistic that a resolution can be found.

'I am still optimistic that we can resolve this issue and that an agreement can be reached at this, the eleventh hour. I am particularly heartened by Paraic Duffy's genuine commitment to all matters pertaining to player welfare and indeed on this critical matter.

'I am also buoyed by the recent involvement of John Treacy of the Irish Sports Council, a man who understands, first hand, the reality of life as a dedicated athlete.'

Both Treacy and Duffy were amongst the 1,400 in attendance at the OPEL/GPA Awards ceremony, the biggest event of its kind in Gaelic games.

The cemerony saw 15 players honoured respectively by their peers on the Gaelic Football and Hurling teams of the year.

Dan Shanahan of Waterford and Kerry's Marc O'Se were announced as the Opel Gaelic Players of the Year for Hurling and Football respectively for 2007.