Brennan commends anti-grant movement

GAA President Nickey Brennan has commended those who held an open meeting in Toomebridge, County Derry last week to voice their opposition to Government Grants for GAA players.

Speaking at the Ulster Bank Higher Education Draws, Brennan praised those people who held strong views about the retention of amateurism within the Association.

'One of the most positive things to come from the meeting in Toomebridge was the emphasis from the representatives at that meeting of their view on the amateur status. I was pleasantly surprised and delighted to see that,' Brennan said.

The Kilkenny man also affirmed his commitment that the GAA will take these views on board and use them in relation to policy going forward.

'Coming forward you can take it that we will, now and in the New Year with Paraic Duffy and the Coiste Bainsti, we will be using that renewed emphasis on the amateur status to push forward amateurism within the Association in a number of ways which I don't need to go into now.'

Brennan also strongly voiced his concern about views that he does not have time for people who are opposed to change and believes that this type of debate is good for the GAA.

'I've never seen a major issue in the GAA yet where all of the people walk away and they are all happy - that just doesn't happen in the GAA.

'I have to say that people who remain opposed to it are no lesser GAA people in my eyes. There is a concern in quarters that this is a move in the wrong direction and I can understand that view,' he admitted.

The Tyrone County Convention voiced strong opposition to the grants but Brennan feels that it is hard to contain the emotions of people who have given a long voluntary service to the GAA over the years.

'People are emotional about this subject and there are dearly held views. I know the people involved in Tyrone who have been to the forefront and not happy about this.

'They are solid people who have had great lengthy service in the Association and I'm not really going to get into the emotional side of things.

'People get emotional and sincere about things and their views are dearly held but I'm not going to hold anything against them,' Brennan said.